D90 Kit - some advice please....

[igeorge]

Hi Guys ('n gals?)

My daughter is starting a 3 year BA Design with photography major next year, and the course requires a Nikon D90 w 18-105 as a recommended camera. They have a Nikon lens library so Nikon is definitely the manufacturer choice.

The D90 kit is available all over at ~10k. I'm just wondering if I should go with that or stump up the extra 5k for a D7000...

One side of me says go with the D90, as she can upgrade later herself.....

Any advice???
Ian

 

[bwana]

By accounts the D7000 has some good video capabilities - if they're not teaching video as part of the course now then they really should be revisiting their syllabus because tomorrow's photographer is going to need to know their way around video.

 

[bewer]

D90 is a brilliant camera. Doubt that she would really need the additional functionality (mainly speed, build quality & low light performance) that the D7000 brings to the party.

Visit dpreview.com and do a side-by-side comparison.

 

[Quantum Theory]

D90 is more than capable. I decided recently, to rather save money and get the D90 body (although I really wanted the D7000) with more expensive lenses. It was a good decision...

 

[Pulseimg]

D90 is more than adequate for someone starting off. She needs to become familiar with an SLR, aperture, shutter speed, lighting etc. I started with a D3000 about a year ago and now im looking at the D7000
Remember also that invest money in your lenses instead of a body. a D90 can do what a D3 can do with the right lens

 

[noxibox]

If she does not need the improved video capabilities of the D7000 the D90 should do nicely. And the D90's video is perfectly adequate for learning the film side.

 

[igeorge]

Thanks for the feedback!
Ian

 

[Basilrsa]

Thanks for the feedback!
Ian

Just as an aside - why not look at the Outdoor Photo site for 2nd hand equipment. I bought a D90 body as a back up camera for R5500 a few months ago. As it is mainly enthusiasts that post in the ODP classifieds, the quality of the goods advertised is above average. Virtually all my equipment was purchased 2nd hand saving me at least 50% on outlay.

 

[BobJones]

Get the D7000

By the time her course starts, the will hardly be D90's to be had as the stock runs out, and the D7000 will be six months old. That means it will be about 20-25% through its life cycle - if the D90 is anything to go by.
That means she will probably feel the need for the D7000 by the start of her second year anyway.

Just get the newer camera now.

Will you be buying her the older editions of her textbooks as well?

 

[bwana]

Well said Mr Jones

 

[igeorge]

Point taken, Bob! I should add that I'll probably buy her some more glass with the difference. Still think the D7000 is then the way to go, considering the 5K diff?
Ian

 

[bwana]

Point taken, Bob! I should add that I'll probably buy her some more glass with the difference. Still think the D7000 is then the way to go, considering the 5K diff?
Ian

Maybe I misunderstood the impression I got from your original post was that she would have a collection of lenses at her disposal (otherwise why would you necessarily go with Nikon). Maybe hold off investing in too much additional glass right now until she has a better idea of what she wants.

My vote is still for the better camera.

 

[noxibox]

Point taken, Bob! I should add that I'll probably buy her some more glass with the difference. Still think the D7000 is then the way to go, considering the 5K diff?
Ian

If there'll be access to lenses at school why not spend that additional money on flash, tripod, etc?

 

[igeorge]

I'll be getting tripod/flash etc as well...
I think I'll go with Bwana's advice.......
Thanks again.
Ian

 

[noxibox]

By the time her course starts, the will hardly be D90's to be had as the stock runs out

From what I've read the D90 is not yet officially discontinued. In fact it looks like Nikon have dropped the D5000 and until they release a replacement the D90 is falling around that price spot.

 

[igeorge]

Ok, just when I've made up my mind on the d7000, along comes a good deal on a D300 body (used). It's the schools recommended choice, (the d7000 wasn't on their list due to it's release date). Any thoughts?
Ian

 

[bwana]

Ok, just when I've made up my mind on the d7000, along comes a good deal on a D300 body (used). It's the schools recommended choice, (the d7000 wasn't on their list due to it's release date). Any thoughts?
Ian

The D300 is a pro body nikon IIRC and the D7000 a consumer level one but have a look at this http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon_D300-vs-Nikon_D7000

 

[noxibox]

Ok, just when I've made up my mind on the d7000, along comes a good deal on a D300 body (used). It's the schools recommended choice, (the d7000 wasn't on their list due to it's release date). Any thoughts?
Ian

I presume that's the D300s. Particular advantages would be more rugged construction and better handling.

D7000, D90, D300s

 

[Jola]

What is a good deal on a D300 ?

As regards the D90 v the D7000, I would go for the D7000. But the R5000 price difference is a bit much.

Personally I would import the D7000 for about R11 000 (all inclusive, body only), but not everyone is happy to lose their warranty - I don't mind.

But I had a D90 some time ago, it's a nice camera. The D7000 is just nicer

 

[igeorge]

By sheer fluke, I stumbled on a R12999 special at Digitaleye for the D7000 incl 18-105 lens. The price removed any hesitation I had

Interestingly their promotional leaflet had the kit at R13999, which I would have taken, but when phoning their branches for stock, I spoke to the manager at the Canal Walk branch and he said the price was R12999. Picked it up this morning....

Thanks for all the comments.
Ian