Decisions, Decisions...

What's going on, everybody? I'm trying to expand my camera arsenal (if you've seen the profile, you can tell I need to). I used to tell my wife all the time years ago that I'd never switch to digital SLRs. I lied. I'm looking to upgrade from my N65, which I really dig, but is having film rewind issues. I'd rather put my hard-earned money toward something newer.

Here's the scenario: I've narrowed it down to these two.

*A Nikon D200 (10.2MP), (camera body only, lens not included) -- $640-$800

OR

*A Nikon D60 (10.2MP), WITH a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor VR lens -- $570-$600

Comparing these two models, they look to have roughly the same features, if the D60 doesn't have slightly more in certain areas.

For those of you that have had exposure to both models, is there a huge disparity in the quality of pictures produced by the two?

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Armbrust on April 8, 2009 at 11:54am
I'm not real crazy about that lens. I would go with the D200, then save up for the Nikon 18-200 VR lens.
I used that combo for just under a year with good results.
Permalink Reply by John Bailey on April 8, 2009 at 12:59pm
Ryan Armbrust said:
I'm not real crazy about that lens. I would go with the D200, then save up for the Nikon 18-200 VR lens.
I used that combo for just under a year with good results.

Thanks for the feedback, man. I read up a bit on the lens you talked about. I've got LOTS of saving to do if I'm headed that route...let's just put it that way. Any place in particular you'd recommend to get my gear outside of the major retailers?
Permalink Reply by Shane E. on April 8, 2009 at 4:00pm
B&H has a used D90 for $779, but otherwise $899. I do not care for the D200 or D60. The D90 is newer and sexier with a 3" LCD and a better sensor. The D200 is rough at mid to high ISO, but fine for low ISO. The D90 has features similar to the D300, but not quite as good, but also has the trendy new video mode too. The D90 has the Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System. The only difference between the D90 and D300 there is that the D300 has more accuracy for the system, but this is better in the D90 than the system in either the D200 or D60. This not only affects white balance but any reading that your camera takes. I'd go with a D90 for that price range is what I'm saying.
Permalink Reply by Ryan Armbrust on April 8, 2009 at 6:28pm
Yeah, I forgot all about the d90!
I would give it a serious look.

Shane E. said:
B&H has a used D90 for $779, but otherwise $899. I do not care for the D200 or D60. The D90 is newer and sexier with a 3" LCD and a better sensor. The D200 is rough at mid to high ISO, but fine for low ISO. The D90 has features similar to the D300, but not quite as good, but also has the trendy new video mode too. The D90 has the Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition System. The only difference between the D90 and D300 there is that the D300 has more accuracy for the system, but this is better in the D90 than the system in either the D200 or D60. This not only affects white balance but any reading that your camera takes. I'd go with a D90 for that price range is what I'm saying.
Permalink Reply by Jonas Wilson on April 14, 2009 at 12:51pm
Permalink Reply by Ryan Armbrust on April 14, 2009 at 1:36pm
Well damn, that looks like a nice little camera for the money!
Permalink Reply by Shane E. on April 14, 2009 at 6:41pm
The only problem I have with it is the LCD resolution @230,000 Dots vs. 920,000 Dots super density on the D90. Aside from that and certain lens compatibility, the D5000 and D90 are pretty close in specs.

Well, the D5000 sounds like a robot from Terminator. Like a date robot or dance robot maybe. With Austrian accent, "The D-5000 cannot be stopped. It will dance until judgement day." We're... doomed.
Permalink Reply by Nina Greipel on April 15, 2009 at 1:17am
John, I'd have to agree with Shane here. The D200 would not be my first choice for an upgrade either. What are you gonna use your gear for? Hobby or professional pictures? Will you make money with that gear?
I guess the question is not can you afford the gear but rather can you afford NOT to get the better quality gear? And have you considered getting a used D90? Kudos for going NIKON by the way ;-) Good luck!
Permalink Reply by John Bailey on April 15, 2009 at 11:28am
Well, Nina, I'm intending on using any gear I get to do a hybrid of some hobby and semi-pro work. I'm not looking to open a studio anytime soon. I do it particularly for fun.

However, I'd like to get into it to make some extra coin on the side relatively soon, so photo quality is definitely important to me. My niece is graduating from high school next year, so I'd like to use her to see if getting into senior pictures would be an avenue to start off with.

I want my photos to stand out. I'd like a camera that'll get me as close to magazine-quality as possible -- without breaking the bank. I'm looking to spend no more than $1300 to start out. Like you said, if the quality is going to pay for the camera itself, I'd be flexible with what I'd pay. That D5000 sounds crazy expensive, though.

On the Nikon note, their SLRs are all I know. They're great!
Permalink Reply by Shane E. on April 15, 2009 at 12:58pm
Ideally, you want a good camera, good lenses, a speedlite, and probably a lightweight (cheap) light stand, small umbrella, and a reflector. You can probably find some decent buys at Chuck's, but he is very internet saavy and a lot of his prices aren't much lower than you find elsewhere for similar used gear.

With something like the D90 and a SB-800, you can use the SB-800 as an off camera light and trigger it with the popup flash on the camera and not have to worry about wireless transmitters and such. You can get a lightstand mount for the speedlite for $14 here. Then mount the umbrella on it. If the popup is a problem, they sell $15 shoe-mount popup blockers that look professional.

B&H has some cheap lighting kits. For $100, you can get two lightstands, two 32" umbrellas, and two of the above listed brackets. Probably not the sturdiest, but you can't beat the price. here

The biggest problem you are going to have with your stated budget is buying a decent camera and professional quality lenses. The larger aperture stuff creates the sexiest results, like the 70-200 f2.8. But if you want to do professional work, it will require an investment at some point, otherwise you will always be limited to a degree. You can work your way up to better lenses though. Just get whatever wide angle you can afford and a 50 f1.4 (the best lens and cheapest of the good ones) and you can make great portraits. You can get a 50 f1.8 for $135 from B&H, as well. Used lenses are an option, of course.

And to reiterate my concern about the D5000 vs the D90, the LCD resolution is important when you are working at a good pace and need to take a quick peek at images to be certain you nailed it the way you wanted to, as in... is it in focus? Easier to tell with a higher resolution LCD.
Permalink Reply by John Bailey on April 16, 2009 at 8:40am
Thanks, Shane. That's a great start. I didn't know much about the basics as far as gear I'd need. You're right on the money about the investment. It's just one of those situations where it's going to be a gradual transition into what I'd like to get into.

I'm going to do some heavy research on that D5000. I appreciate it, man.

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