Nikon D90??

[Kiwi]

I'm looking to upgrade my Pentax *ist DS with a Nikon D90. Firstly, is a Nikon D90 worth the money or is it just a more expensive version of the D80? Secondly, I have two sigma lenses, an 18-50mm and a 55-200mm. Will these fit onto a D90. If they don't fit onto the D90 is an 18-200mm lens any good?

I mainly use my camera to take photos of my daughter, family gatherings and landscapes. I'm more of a wannabe photographer than anything near the real deal, however, I did use to work for a portraiture studio and all the photogs there were raving about the D80 & 90. Would the D90 really be the best avenue for me to go down or a Canon?

Thanks.

[Rooz]

the body itself is pretty much the same but thats where it ends. most importantly, it's a completely differnet sensor to the d80. it is actually the same sensor thats in a d300. its an outstanding tool.

you're pentax mount lens' will not work on the d90. it comes with a pretty good 18-105VR kit lens to which you can add a 70-300VR lens later if you want more range. the nikon 18-200VR is versatile but the image quality from it is comprimised a little from that flexibility.

if you are in sydney, check out cameras.net.au.

[Kiwi]

Thanks. I had actually heard that the image quality was compromised in the 18-200mm -what does that actually mean? Will the images be blurry etc?

Also, with a larger lens, does it take the camera longer to focus?

[Rooz]

no, not blurry. its just not as sharp as other lens'. its still a very good lens and most people would be, and are, very happy with it. the 16-85VR is a better lens for example, but it doesnt have the range so its not as convenient.

the 18-200 is an "af-s" lens so it focusses very quickly. sometimes the focal length can slow a lens focus down in long range lens; but in this case, its not much of an issue.

[Kiwi]

I had a look at www.cameras.net.au (thanks for that) and they have the 18-105mm kit plus the 70-300mm lens for around what I was looking to spend. However, looking at www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au they have the kit also for a similar price but have a sigma or tamron 70-300mm lens for a third of the price of the Nikkor 70-300mm. Does the Nikon take the sigma and/or tamron lenses - as I just followed the 'Nikon Mount' link (if that makes sense) that was on the site.

[Rooz]

yes, the tamron and sigma both come in nikon mount. the advantages of the nikon over the other 2 lens' are:

1. vibration reduction, this is really a "must have" for this long focal length.
2. af-s, (fast AF speed),
3. better optical quality.

it comes down to your budget really. if you can afford it, the nikon 70-300 is a great tele.

[Kiwi]

Actually looking at the dcw website they have a Nikkor AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED for $759 and a Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6G for $199 - do you know the difference between these two?

[Rooz]

the 70-300G is a piece of shit. lol

[Rooz]

a cheaper option is the d90 with the 18-55VR and 55-200VR. http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod5415.htm
whats your final budget and what sort of things do you like to shoot ?

[Kiwi]

Well that settles that one then :o)

Thanks for your help - I think I'm pretty settled on the D90 with 18-105 & 70-300mm lenses now.

[Kiwi]

wait, wait wait.... I just saw your other reply....

[Kiwi]

obviously the less money I spend the better - however I am looking to spend between $2-3000.

I shoot mainly my 1yr old daughter and lots of people shots (family & friends gatherings). I currently have 18-50 & 55-200mm lenses for my pentax slr - but find it a tad frustrating when I want to get a close up candid shot of someone from across the room etc or being to close to someone when I have the 55-200mm lense on and not being able to focus. That's why I thought a 18-200mm might be the way to go but don't want to compromise on picture quality as I do quite fancy the idea of one day being a skilled photographer.

I also like to try my hand in landscape portraiture - mainly water scenes

[Rooz]

hmm...ok in that case i'd not bother with the 18-55 kit cos you'll have the same frustration. the best value option seems to be the 18-105VR+70-300VR.

now...before you make any decisions, understand that the 18-200VR gives you all the flexibility you seem to really want. from 18-105mm its just as good as the 18-105VR so you're not gaining much in optical quality in getting the 18-105 within that range.

the 18-200 just gets a little soft around the 170-200mm mark. so by getting the 70-300VR in the other kit you really step up your telephoto quality, not necessarily your quality from 18-105. does that make sense ? if you're gonna use the 18-105VR 90% of the time then i'd be inclined to just go for the 18-200 and be done with it.

then just to confuse you even further, :p, ECS have a near-new 17-55/ f2.8 lens for $1100, (new they are around $1800). this is loads better than all the kit lens'. its larger and heavier but its optically superb. a d90 with the 17-55 plus a 55-200VR is a pretty kick ass quality kit within your budget. you lose the flexibility of course...

are you in sydney ?

[Rooz]

incidentally...
here is what a 55-200VR can do:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rreeve/3069803401/
shot by member KIWI, (ha ha...i love it :D)

and here is what teh 70-300VR can do:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arturodonate/2343027570/in/set-72157604149766841/
shot by member Turo

[Kiwi]

Thanks for those pictures - they're incredible, I think possibly due to the skill of the photographer rather than their equipment!! :)

Yes I am in Sydney.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Remember when you say 70-300 you mean Nikkor 70-300 VR.
That VR is very important.