Just picked up a D90 kit today after classes. Initial impressions are <33333333333. Kit lens is meh, 18-105 with VR. I'll be selling it as a kit along with my D60. I've had a D40/50 and 60 before and I wish I got into the prosumer series earlier, it's a lot easier to use. I only have one real picture from it now to showcase the high ISO performance that Nikon has been famous for in the recent cameras (D3/D300/D700 and now D90).

Here's a test shot for now:

3200 ISO??!!


100% crop at ISO-3200:


This camera is going to be funnnn

I shot a test video at f/2.8 as well that turned out pretty good, it's uploading to YouTube now and I'll post it up in this thread once it's done. The d-video mode is truly going to shake the dSLR world.

 

DSLR that takes video?
Seriously???

 

Yessir. Just in time too, here's the youtube link:

YouTube - D90 Test Video

 

WOW!!!
Dude i must say, thats truely amazing! I never thought there would be a DSLR that took vids! Awesome.
Quality looks nice even on Youtube!

If you dont mind me asking, how much did it run ya?

 

Nice! That's so cool that it takes video! What's the highest resolution for video?

I'm still rockin' a D50 and still learning how to use it. Haven't tried rolling shots yet, but I will one day. Got any tips? Fast/Slow shutter, aperture..

 

Very nice I am pretty jealous right now....... I have been looking at getting another or a new camera for a long time but I think I might try and go big with a d300. MMMmmmm that camera is sex.


More realisticly tho I am probably going to get a macbook soon then after that a new lens ( probably a fisheye ) then.... after that maybe a new camera or if by then there is good feedback on the kraftwerks auto kits maybe one of those

 

It's pretty innovative if you ask me. Basically, all new DSLRs have a Live View function that lets you use the LCD instead of the viewfinder. What Nikon did was create a way to record what the sensor for the live view sees. The YouTube quality is pretty good, it looks even better without the compression. Body only is $999, I couldn't find anyone selling body only so I had to buy it with the 18-105VR kit for $1299. The kit lens should be sold within the next couple days along with my D60 which makes the transition a little more managable.

Video mode goes up to 720P at 24/fps. At 720P you're limited to 5 minutes of video, but you can store as many 5 minute videos as your SD card will hold. Biggest downfall with video is it's manual focus only and it records sound in mono not stereo. But for something that's designed and used for pictures first, the video is pretty satisfactory.

 

I've been wanting a D300 for a while, but it's pretty expensive for something I only do as a hobby. I think the D90 is a pretty good compromise and I'd recommend it to anyone looking at a D300 but not wanting to spend the money on one. My dream Nikon would be a D700... mmmmmmmmmmm .

 

Amazon is selling the body only for that price. Although it does say ships in 1-2 months lol

 

damn! 3200 iso looks great. i wanna upgrade but photography is $$$$$$$$$$$$.

 

They're definitely going to offer a body-only for $999, but I believe it's just not released yet. Everywhere I've checked only seem to be selling the 18-105 kit package. I originally only wanted the body-only but I've been having a hard time selling my D60 without a lens so this way I got the D90 earlier than I would've been able to and I have a lens to sell with my D60.

 

Congrats! The D90 is a nice little camera. I presently have a D200 and will buy the D3 when the highly rumored D3X is released and the D3 drops to around 3K. I wouldn't buy any more DX lenses if you can but try to buy lenses that are compatible with the large sensor FX ( D3/D700 ). You should check into buying a 50 1.8 lens for around 130 bucks. You'll have to zoom with your feet but the lens is scary sharp and the best value in Nikorr glass. Camera bodies depreciate just as fast as computers and the only equipment that retains it's value is pro quality lenses.Your best line of spending is quality (fast) lenses, support ( tripod and quality ball head ) then bodies.

Cheers

Ted

 

I made a dirt cheap rolling rig for my 64 Impala that worked well. Essentially I mounted a heavy pipe 2 feet in front of my car parallel to the front bumper and the camera was located about 4 feet away from the LH fender. I used a pan head from a tripod to secure the camera to the pipe. Attaching to early Detroit iron is easy a Fit might be nasty. With the camera pointed towards the driver I shot shutter priority @ 1/60 1/30 1/15 until I got the desired blurring of the wheels. You only have to drive around 15 MPH. I used a after market remote trigger but you can set most DSLR timers up to 20 sec. You will need a wide angle lens 18 mm or wider...

Cheers

Ted

 

I've had the 50 1.8 before, didn't like it all that much but I had to manually focus it on my D40. When I had a D50 I was using the 50 1.4 for a bit but ended up selling it. Currently I only use a 18-50 f/2.8, however now that I have a in-body focus motor again I'm looking to get an 85 1.8. I only got a new body because I fealt the time had come that I had out grown the entry level bodies.

 

The 85 1.8 is a great lens and perfect as a portrait lens. Some people swear by the 85 1.4 "the cream machine" but I'm not prepared to pay triple for more pleasing bokeh. I just picked up a used 35-70 2.8 for 300 bucks and am very happy with it. This is a forgotten lens and is a great value for the money. It was the PJ lens of choice in the early 90's. If you see a used one you should try it out........

Cheers

Ted

 

Sounds like your a Nikon Café member? That's the only place I've heard the "cream machine" phrase being used haha. I've seen shots from both the 1.4 and the 1.8 and the differences don't seem to be worth the price difference. Have you used the 85 1.8? I don't do much portraiture but I want a little more reach than 50mm, but I'm also a sucker for fast glass since that's all I'm used to. I've been considering a Sigma 70-200 2.8 but I rarely use that much zoom that it doesn't seem worth it to just sit around. I actually found an 85 1.8 for sale for $250 shipped, I've contacted him about it and hope to buy it this Friday.

 

You nailed it. Yes I'm a Cafe post whore. I've borrowed the 85 1.8 and it's a sweet lens.....at 250 that's a good price. Some people find fixed length lenses too difficult to compose with and I lean towards quality fast zooms. I part out cars and fleabay collector car parts on the side ...business has been good. Just ordered a 24-70 2.8 for 1700 which is a lot of coin but even after 10 years of service this lens should retain about 80% of it's value. My D200 body has lost 50% in 18 months...........

Cheers

Ted

 

Awesome, that lens is supposed to be stellar. I've been thinking about just picking up a 28-70 since, if boughten used, you can get them for a pretty reasonable amount. I was planning on keeping my D60 and starting to upgrade my glass a bit until the D90 came out. The D80 was nice but I didn't see much difference from my D50 and 60. The D300 is amazing but as a hobbiest spending that much on a body that's going to depreciate worse than a car doesn't make much sense to me lol. D90 seemed like the most reasonable upgrade to me, it was becoming burdensome to go through entire menus to get even basic controls changed and I missed the focus motor that my D50 had that I gave up in the D60. Plus for $1299.99, or $999 after I sell the kit lens, it's a little more reasonable.

That 24-70 should be a lot of fun though, what do you shoot with? D300?

 

The used 28-70's still pull 900-1k ...Never owned one but a couple of serious gear whores I spoke with said it's a good lens but over rated. It delivers fantastic skin tones but is just too big and clumsy to use. One consumer lens I can recommend is the 70-300VR for just under 500 bucks. This lens far exceeds it's price point. For well written reviews check out KenRockwell.com

Cheers

Ted

 

I just watched your YouTube test video and......... Cheesy Mac FTW!

And I'm jealous of your camera. I hate you.