im about to deploy and need some advice...

[brandon_schudel]

<p>Hi all, my name is brandon and im looking into getting a Nikn D90. Ive always wanted to get a dslr and im stuck on the d90, only thing is, is im about to deploy to iraq and am wondering if its a horrible decision (to bring a DSLR to iraq where its dusty)... im fishing for answers that i want to hear but know im probably going to get ones im afraid to hear. i know that dust will be an issue but im looking for solutions.. also, is the d90 a good camera for me? i mainly want it for picutures of the kids, dogs, random outdoors, holidays, the deployment, ect. im not a "big time photographer" but i dont want a point and shoot, ive been down that road and i want to move on. ive spent a while looking into it, and im stuck on the d90, i think its better than the Canon T2i, T1i, Nikon D3000, D5000, and i dont want to spend and cant afford to spend the money for a D300, plus i dont know anything about dlsr's except the fact that they shoot pictures fast and are customizable. i want versitality as well as a professional feel when it comes to shooting pictures. i want to enjoy taking them and i think that if i get the D90, ill want to learn much more about photography. Im aware that the D90 is outdated by at least 2 years and i hope its a good buy.<br>

any thoughts?</p>

[light_linguist]

<p>Nikon D7000 has a more rugged body for Iraq, I would think, than the D90.<br>

If you get a lens like the 18-200mm VR, you probably don't need to switch lenses that often and can avoid dust getting into the camera.</p>

 

[Matt Laur]

<p>Unfortunately, most of the less expensive kit lenses, as well as super-zooms like the 18-200, are going to provide ways for dust to enter both the lens and the body. Definitely bring along a Giottos rocket blower to keep things tidy, and bag the camera when you're not shooting. <br /><br />I agree that the D7000 will be a better bet in the rough, if you're not going the D300S route. Good luck on your deployment!</p>

[andrewg_ny]

<p>Another option: Weather-sealed Pentax K-5 or K-7 + 'WR' sealed lenses. So far I've heard good things about the new DA 18-135/3.5-5.6 WR.</p>

[mariosforsos]

<p>I'll second (or triple) the D7000 suggestion. The D90 is in the process of being discontinued and the D7000 is its successor, with better capabilities and a significantly more rugged construction.</p>

<p>Now, as for the dust, it's going to be an uphill, losing battle I'm afraid. Without having been to Iraq (having, however been to Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco and Lybia, through the desert), I can tell you that dust will be something you'll simple have to learn to live with. The blower is a good suggestion - packs everywhere and can be a good friend...I'd also get a clean, soft toothbrush for cleaning, at the end of the day, the exterior, and thereby removing any dust which may have accummulated around buttons, dials, nooks and cranies - basically all the places where it can (because it will!) and from where it may, later on, migrate inside your camera and on your sensor...</p>

<p>another thing I'd invest in however is a GOOD, small, maybe waist (for your case) bag. Well padded so it'll survive whatever conditions you may end up throwing at it...</p>

<p>In terms of lenses...well, I'd go for a budget 18-200, maybe the new VR (to allow you to shoot in low light without being forced to use a flash (which, from what I understand, is a kind of a no-no out there). Any other lens combination will force you to change lenses and allow dust into the camera.</p>

<p>Take a couple of clear, ziploc bags with you, with plenty of strong elastic bands, and use those to enclose your camera on particularly dusty days. That will cut down on the amount of dust significantly without imparing your photo-taking abilities much...</p>

<p>I wish you a safe tour and a speedy return with amazing images...</p>

[brandon_schudel]

<p>Thank everyone for yall's input! im in a crappy position now cause i was looking at the D7000 and realize that it is in fact a major upgrade to the D90 but its about 600 dollars more... i leave in roughly a month and will not have the money to buy the D7000, at least, i may not have it. Id like to get some great shots of the family before i leave but if i wait for the greater of the two cameras, i may miss out... im sure i could have the camera a couple months into the deployment, giving the scenario that i actually even recieve it in the mail (mail likes to get lost heading there) but it does me no good before.. i need a camera thats great for casual photos as well as room to grow. id like to have a great starter that will still be good for at least a year or two at the most. i figure if i buy the D90 i should be able to get great photos of my family and can start my lense collection till im advanced enough or more knowledgable on DLSRs to get say a D300 after saving for when i return from my deployment. IF i were to do that, it would give me a D90 as a back up. Given the age of the camera, would yall say that it still is capable of producing professional grade photos? i know photographers have many cameras, many lenses but, would any carry around a D90? keep in mind, i probably wont be spending the same amount of time taking pictures as a traditional photographer, ill most likely use it around the house, special events, deployment. would it be a safe and smart idea to go for the D90, see if i grasp the concept of DLSRs, buy new lenses, then make the upgrade? id hate to buy it (d7000) and only use it rarely (special occasions only) maybe it would be a waste of camera. Is the d90 be a capable camera to learn, grow and see if i wanna persue the hobby further before buying the D7000 or D300?</p>

[hjoseph7]

<p>You might think about an Olympus E3 or E5. These cameras are weather proof and dust proof. NASA chose this camera for their space missions so they can't be all bad. The Olympus E3 is 3 years old so the price came down once the E5 came out this October.</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>No matter which body/camera you take, take along a lot o zipper-lock plastic bags and keep the camera and lenses in them when you're not shooting. Take a blower and use it frequently when back in less dusty surroundings. Avoid changing lenses out in the dust areas. There may be something to be said for a waterproof type P&S when it comes to that.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you, and thank you for your service.</p>

[andrew_morton2]

<p>If you don't have a background in photography per se, I think any dslr in your price range will give you far better pics that your accustomed to. If I were doing it, I'd find out if you'll have a public affairs detachment nearby and buy the same brand they're using. Then make friends and see if you can borrow lenses, or on the books have them sign lenses out of supply to you! </p>

[doug grosjean]

<p>Brandon,</p>

<p>I've been shooting over 30 years now. While I haven't been to Iraq, I lived in Arizona when I first got into photography. The other tough environment I'm exposed to a lot is water - whitewater kayaking, swimming, etc.</p>

<p>I own a D90, and am not the least bit limited by it. It's an amazing camera.</p>

<p>But... I don't take it into really harsh environments. For kayaking trips, long walks, just being on my belt at all times, I use an Olympus Tough 300. It's 12 mega-pixel, like the D90. It has +/- manual exposure overrides. It takes a standard memory card. It's a total of $200-300 now.</p>

<p>I assume you get a bonus of some sort on completion of your tour? If so, buy one of the rugged waterproof cameras now. Learn to compose and shoot. Come home safe, keep the rugged camera, and supplement it with the D90 or its replacement.</p>

<p>And yeah, I still use the Olympus, side by side with my D90. When I shoot a public event, the little camera is not so intimidating to people (kids). If the event includes fishing, swimming, or any other water; I'm comfortable taking the Olympus.</p>

[phule]

<p>[[The D90 is in the process of being discontinued and the D7000 is its successor]]</p>

<p>The D90 is not being replaced by the D7000. </p>

[light_linguist]

<p>I really think a nice used camera like the D200 is a great choice too. Save the money and spend it on a good lens. A used D200 is around $400 to $500. It has a rugged metal alloy body with weather seal. From what you described this camera is more than enough for what you want to do and will take you a while to grow into.</p>

[mariosforsos]

<p>I know you got flooded with a torrent of suggestions on the D7000, but that does not, in the least, detract from the abilities of the D90! Don't make that mistake - if you can find a new D90, for a good price, get it! (are you sure however the D7000 is $600 more than the D90? it sounds a bit excessive, even for a refurbished D90!) Still, the D90 is an amazing camera and will suit you well...</p>

<p>But if you're looking to spend around the $800-1000 mark, why don't you look around for a used D300? There should be some around for that price.</p>

[thomashouse]

<p>I second the used D200. Mine has been dropped, kicked, and otherwise horribly abused. Still functions perfectly. Can be found for $500 or so in good condition (sans a lens, of course). A very tough, rugged DSLR. Very good image quality as well, although the high ISO performance is not up to the standards of the D90 or D300. Nonetheless, that would be my suggestion.</p>

[brandon_schudel]

<p>Hi everyone, i went with the d90 kit 15-105mm and i bought a hoya hmc uv filter and a sandisk extreme 3 -- 8gb 30mb/s sd card. its great so far and ive taken a few pics! lemmie know what yall think :) (the first one is blurry but, timing was off and i rushed it.. missed my chance for another try...)<img src="http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g377/Airborn334/DSC_0286.jpg" alt="" /><img src="http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g377/Airborn334/DSC_0284.jpg" alt="" /><img src="http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g377/Airborn334/DSC_0281.jpg" alt="" /><img src="http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g377/Airborn334/DSC_0276.jpg" alt="" /><img src="http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g377/Airborn334/DSC_0291.jpg" alt="" /></p>