D90 vs Canon 50D

I am planning to buy a new camera. Until a couple of days ago, I was leaning towards Canon 50d but it seems like

there are way too many problems with that camera (e.g. many people are getting the 99err not to mention some

noise issues). I am now considering D90. What are your thoughts on these two machines? I have not had a

chance to research about D90 since I was busy reading about the 50D all the time. Are there any issues with D90?

Is the video feature any good?

 

I consider myself a very enthusiastic beginner who is serious about developing photography as a serious hobby.

 

Also what lenses would you recommend for each for the beginning? I will probably spend about 500-800 dollars for

lenses at this point. What is the best lens(es) for a budget of this size? I will mostly use the camera indoor for

portraits and outdoor for landscape photos.

 

Thanks,

E

I'm biased - I love my new D90 (and highly recommend it!). I've never used a 50D, so I can't comment on that.

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Regardless of which camera you get, I'm glad to see you've budgeted money for lenses. They are the most

important part of your camera system. You can get some very decent glass for $500~800. For starting lenses that

you want to spend good money on, I'd recommend two:

<br><br><ul>

<li>Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 zoom, available for Nikon or Canon. This is a good standard zoom, and I've had no

problems with mine. Available for < $300 on the used market if you shop around.</li>

<li>A 70-200mm or 80-200mm f/2.8 zoom. I don't know about Canon, but Nikon's older 80-200/2.8 can be found for

<$500 used. Sigma's 70-200/2.8 is also very well regarded (I own one and have had no problems with it.)</li></ul>

<br><br>

Work with these lenses for a while, and you'll eventually figure out what you like to do and what else you might

want to get (a really wide lens? very long? fast?)

<br><br>

A few notes on buying used - check KEH.com; they're well-regarded and are generally conservative in grading used

equipment. They have a 14-day return policy, no questions asked. Check out Craigs list and consider posting a

want-to-buy ad. eBay is riskier, but good deals can be found there as well. Also look around your area for any

local camera stores - not necessarily big chains, but locally-owned places. I've found some excellent deals at

mine, and they will stand behind the used stuff they sell (sending it out for repair if necessary).

<br><br>Either a D90 or 50D will probably be bought new online. Remember that if a deal sounds to good to be

true, it almost definitely is. There are many, many scams out there. Check resellerratings.com before you buy

from someone.<br><br>Finally, I'm only one person; I'm interested to see what the rest of this forum has to say

about your question (and my recommendations). Best of luck!

The 50D is comparable to the Nikon D300. I am not sure about the problems with the 50D that you mentioned but I am guessing the source of those complaints is probably the problem and not the camera. The D90 is not going to be sealed and will have a lighter more plastic type construction. It does have the vidio mode which may or may not appeal to you. It does not appeal to me. I am sure it would provide you with excellent service. Lot's of nice camera's out there to purchase.

If you buy the D90 you have more money left for lenses and other stuff you might need. Just a thought....

Although the 50D is a superior camera, I would go with the D90 and spend the extra money on lenses just like what Remco noted. Don't forget a flash also.. For 900 bucks, I probably would get a Tamron 17-50 2.8 for $400.00, speedligh SB600 for $180.00 then you decide on how to spend the remaining $300.00. Perhaps some photography classes or books. Goodluck!

I cant comment on the cameras, but Nikon have a very nice allround lens with high Q namely 16-85 VR. For Canon I would go for either Sigma 18-50 2,8 or 17-70 2,8-4,5. For both brands you can make complement by the cheep 50/1,8 lens for portrait and low light work.

Despite new technology as low noise high ISO capasity and lenses with vibration reduction, I find a tripod very useful for serious landscape photography.

D90 is definately a better choice, for lens, I would recommend a 16-85mm VR plus 50mm 1.4D.

While it's never altogether wise to buy version "point zero" of anything (known as the Microsoft Law), another

truth is that for any new camera there are always agents provocateurs out there publishing rumors that then

spread virally.

 

Don't get pushed around just because there is a "rumor", do some serious internet research to see if there is any

truth to the claims. I'm considering a 50D as one of my own options, but I will wait a little first in any case.

So far everything I've seen here from the still small number of people who actually have one in hand have been

very positive. A quick Google more widely only turned up some new threads being set up for POTENTIAL problems.

 

As I say, it wouldn't be unheard of for a new camera to have some teething problems, but not very many people

have the camera so far.

serious hobby = oxymoron ? think about it.

Have you actually fondled these cameras. For me the touch and feel can make the sale. They are both great cameras and will likely outperform the average public.

Thanks. I went to the shop today to get a feeling of both cameras. I liked the feel of D90 better. IIt is also a little lighter which I also liked. I also think the video feature is cool (though not critical in my decision). It is cheaper than the 50D which saves me money to buy better lenses. In terms of lenses, I think I will buy the 16-85mm VR and 50mm 1.8D. Of course, the 50mm 1.4 is better but it is about 200 dollars more expensive and I do not think the difference between the 1.8 and 1.4 will matter much for my purposes. Do you think these two lenses would be fine as all around purposes. I will also get some filters, a tripod, and a camera bag. I also need a flash but that will have to wait for 2-3 months. I am not planning to buy the kit lens.

 

What is your opinion on these selections for the beginning.

 

Thanks!

E

I think you've probably made a good decision.

 

I would still recommend that you think about the f/2.8 zoom lenses (such as those I recommended above) - the 16-85 will not be very good in most low-light situations, even with VR, and good zooms will almost definitely give you better image quality.

 

Of course, a 17-50 + 80-200 will cost maybe ~$300 more than the 16-85, which could be an important factor as well, and the 16-85 seems to be pretty good based on what I've read (although I have never used one, so I cannot comment on it in any detail).

 

The 50/1.8 is an excellent lens. If you weren't considering portraits, I'd actually recommend that you get a 17-50/2.8 (in line with my recommendations) and wait to see if you really need f/1.8 instead of f/2.8 for what you're doing. And actually, I've found Nikon's older 35-70/2.8, available used for ~$300-350, to be a convenient range of focal lengths for many portraits.

hiya. can't comment on the Canon, but have had my D90 about 2 weeks now, and boy is it fun experimenting with the video!! working the manual focus at the same time as the zoom (no AF in Video mode) has its challenges, but it really makes for some creativity so I'm kinda glad the focus is manual, but having the choice of AF for the basic videos of the kids or whatever would have been nice. The still images have been great. have been using the custom settings primarily where you are able to adjust the Picture Controls (the standard Auto, Portrait, etc settings are a little stark and need extra vividness IMHO). i got the kit 18-105mm and no problems with it. I also have old 28-105 macro and 50/1.8 lenses as well from my old 35mm. even movies of the kids in f1.8 can bring out the creative urges!! rgds

With the high ISO quality on the bodies these days, the difference in price between an f/1.8 and and f/1.4 is hard to justify, especially given that both Canon and Nikon have been making these f/1.8 lenses for so long and sell them so cheaply.

Thanks a lot! It just happens that my wife and I are going to New York this weekend and I would like to practice my new D90 while I am there. One option is to purchase it from a store in New York (probably this is a better option since it may not arrive on time before I leave for New York on Friday). Can you recommend any reputable stores in Manhattan? How about 17th Street Photo?

 

I am really excited!

 

Thanks,

E

Nevermind the previous message. I have just placed an order from amazon with one-day shipping. I am hopefully having my camera on Wednesday.

 

E

B&H and some other major New York camera stores are closed through October 22 for the Succot holidays. You can try J&R, but otherwise it is generally not a good time to buy in person in New York City in the next week and half.

 

Speaking of B&H, I was there a week ago. They added a whole new 2nd floor with lots and lots of cameras for demo. And it was super crowded too. I hadn't been there for 2 years and I understand that 2nd floor was added about a year ago.

 

Erdal, enjoy your new camera.