l_schin

<p>You know what, Pete, it just occurred to me that the lens on the D90 might have been different from the one on the D5000 in the store...I am seeing that there are different configurations of what they call the "kit," so the one I picked up may have had the longer lens on it. Might explain everything. Going back today!</p>

<p>Thanks, Lisa, that's an awesome photo! That's especially good for 1/250! The lighting does make a difference, I know, but it could give me an idea. That does help to know the distance, and I think you are right.<br>

And Pete, I have tried both the D5000 and the D90 so I know EXACTLY how they feel. The D90 feels like brick, the D5000 feels like a camera. The extra large lens is only going to be for gymnastics, not every day. But this camera with its kit lens will be my only other camera, so I can make an exception for weight when I am not carrying it around all day. I don't really need to hear more of this argument, please :)</p>

<p>well Pete that's not a very helpful response, I have to say. The other cameras will not do gymnastics. And what you are calling a couple ounces makes a difference if you are carrying a camera around on vacation all day. It may not affect you, but the D5000 was plenty heavy as it is, adding more to the weight (and bulk) may put me into the "I don't even want to bother with this" camp</p>

<p>Thanks, Lisa! Have you actually tried carrying around the D90? I think it's very heavy, and with the added lens it could be over the top LOL<br>

We never have pro photographers. If we DID, I probably would just buy the pictures instead of spending $2000 on equipment and learning to take halfway decent (not pro) shots! Though I do love photography, so it's a good excuse, too :)</p>

<p>Lisa, I don't know if you are still checking this thread...but I am wondering if you think 85mm would be enough if you weren't the team photographer (ie do all the moms get as close as you can)?<br>

Those photos were awesome, I thought, with the f2.8 lens--I'd be happy with that! :)<br>

PS I think it's funny, I'm a homeschooling mom also</p>

<p>Lisa, you have been a HUGE help!! No one ever described all of that to me before, and you really hit the nail on the head with the issues, I think! I never thought about the gymnasts moving faster as they went up in levels LOL I hadn't heard of the flickr group so I will look for that, thank you!<br>

You mentioned wishing you could get 1/500...if you are unable to get that, then I think it would indeed be very hard to get good shots. I am obviously an amateur as well, so my shots will probably be worse than yours. So that leads me to the question as to whether I should just drop the whole idea of getting gymnastics photos (to the tune of an additional $800 min for the lens) if they are just going to be so-so. <br>

One last question, when you get a chance: Do you think the prime lenses such as 85mm f1.8 would work for gymnastics? Better aperture, but now you've only got 85 mm and no ability to zoom out for the closer stations. So, I'm thinking it would not work but on other forums people keep bringing them up, so that's why I am asking.<br>

Thank you ever so much, you're just what I needed</p>

<p>Thank you for your response...I understand your concern about posting the photos. Perhaps that's why I'm not finding any other examples, either. If the camera store guys are saying the D5000 is fine, and you are getting good photos out of it, why do you wish you had gotten the D90?<br>

As for not being able to get prime lenses for it (or, spending more for them, at least)...I owned an Olympus OM-2N so I am not completely new to photography, though it has been quite a few years since I used that kind of camera. However, I really do not anticipate investing even more money into glass, at least not any time soon...and if 10 years goes by, so many things will have changed by then that I probably will want a new camera anyway! LOL I plan on getting the kit lenses and the Sigma for gymnastics, and that will be it. So that is not enough of a reason for me to get the D90.<br>

In addition, the D90 is sooooo heavy, and even though it does have other advantages, there are some disadvantages as well--such as ease of use with the scene modes and the articulating screen on the D5000--not deal breakers but nice features for a P&S convert :)<br>

What I am really looking for is whether the D5000 is fast enough for indoor sports like gymnastics. I'd love to see examples, because otherwise we may not be speaking the same language as to what looks good. </p>

<p>Hi, I'm new, and I am looking for the same answer...I am considering a D5000 but I want to be able to take gymnastics photos. I can't find any examples like that anywhere, just theoretical talk about whether it might be fast enough. There is a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 lens for about $800, which does have the focusing motor, so it will work on the D5000...BUT I wonder if it is enough to capture the action.<br>

Those action shots posted above were taken with flash or outdoors...HUGE difference from an indoor gym. I'd like to see some shots taken with the D5000 in a gym. Even at f2.8 and ISO3200, you're talking possible shutter speeds in the range of 1/125 (depending on the gym's lighting), which isn't that great...and 50mm isn't long enough if you can't get under the basket (which is the case for gymnastics, unless you have permission to be on the floor with the team, you are pretty far away).</p>