help needed for vacation

Hi,

I am going to traveling to Vietnam in a few months from now and would like some opinions. I am going over there for vacation and need help on making a decision between two choices of kit to buy. I am going to be taking picture of whatever I see( probable people and landscape). This is my first dslr and first time handling one. the problem is mainly price differences and is the value difference worth it. here are the choices.

Both prices are for new

Nikon D5000 with 18-55 vr and 55-200vr kit + nikon bag $730(seems to be a very good price)

or

Nikon D90 with 18-105 vr kit $1100

I guess in a sense, I am wondering if the price gap really worth it to jump to a D90, or if it's a better idea for me to save the differences and get a flash or the 35mm 1.8 ap-s. with the D90 I would also have to purchase a bag so the price would go up even further. I am aware that the D90 is a better camera, but do you think it's worth it for me to pay for the price diffence? any comments are welcomed, thanks!

If price is THE chief concern for you, you may opt for the D5000. I have recently purchased the D90 and I am very happy with my purchase. The 18-105 mm vr lens is a great lens...I also have the 70-300 vr lens. I do have the Nikon SB600 flash which works very well....make sure you get the flash...you will not regret your purchase.

would you recommend getting the sb600 flash first or the 35mm prime first? I guess part of my concern is the price and the other is sufficient for the trip. I guess I am kinda torn between the lenses, the 18-55 and 55-200 combo vs. the 18-105. I'm not quite sure which one would be better for me for the trip.

I'm sure most people probable tell me to get the D90 if I could get the D5000 at regular price of $850, but I can get it for $730 brand new which cause me to be in a mix feeling of, should I go for the cheap price of the D5000 or opt. for D90 at regular? also would I need the 55-200 combo for better range? or would the 18-105 be plenty and more portable...I guess in a way, I'm look for people opinion of what they would do if they were in my situation.

MikeD1photo said:

would you recommend getting the sb600 flash first or the 35mm prime first? I guess part of my concern is the price and the other is sufficient for the trip. I guess I am kinda torn between the lenses, the 18-55 and 55-200 combo vs. the 18-105. I'm not quite sure which one would be better for me for the trip.

I'm sure most people probable tell me to get the D90 if I could get the D5000 at regular price of $850, but I can get it for $730 brand new which cause me to be in a mix feeling of, should I go for the cheap price of the D5000 or opt. for D90 at regular? also would I need the 55-200 combo for better range? or would the 18-105 be plenty and more portable...I guess in a way, I'm look for people opinion of what they would do if they were in my situation.

Click to expand...

Do you already know how to use a dedicated flash? They can create wonders when used properly, but take practice to use well. On a trip where spontaneity is often the watchword, knowing how to work the existing light is perhaps more important. Either way, you would need to practice. Existing light portraiture would benefit from a fast prime, but many on this site have posted superb existing light images with 18-200s and other slow zooms. In my travels I've occasionally used the on-body flash but have never really had time to set up and use,much less carry, a dedicated flash. The 18-105 is a superb travel lens; it will be on your camera 99% of the time. The 18-55 is a pretty narrow range, and you may find yourself needing to switch to the 55-200 often. Bottom line, I'm not sure if I'd even consider taking a flash on such a trip.

No I haven't use a dedicated flash before, but have read a few tips on how. But base on what you have mention does help me one step closer to a decision. The 18-105 lens sounds promising for me. I was kinda thinking that it would be more suitable then constantly switching between lenses and I'm not sure how often I would need a longer zoom like the 55-200. I might still consider the flash since I have time to play with it if I get one, and it seem like a lot of people feels like it makes wonder for indoor pictures.

I'm probable going to see if more people will comment before making a decision. thanks for the input, every bit help.

I'd suggest (given budget constraints) to see if you can get a good deal on D5000 + 18-105vr - and start shooting madly with this combo before the trip.

Good value, compact kit to travel, no changing of lenses with reasonable 7 useful range, and you get to know your gear so you don't miss opportunities on the trip.

Cheers, Rob.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robsouthoz/

Almost everything in my photo stream was taken with my 18-70 lens on a D70 (only the panasonic photos. My gut feeling is 18-105 and a body... (D90 if you know what features you'll use if not D5000)

If you will be changing lenses in a hot dusty country you'll need to start looking at cleaning kit for the sensor

However if you want more reach I think 18-200 on any Nkon body even a used D40 would be the best bet. Infact that might be just the best bet all round...
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_clinch/

You don't mention the real reason for going, is it to take pictures, visit people you might know, relaxation, etc. And what equipment do you have now. There can be quite a learning curve and some folks find they really don't like the results from dslr cameras. They are a different animal from the point and shoot cameras and some find the lack of depth of field and longer focal lengths necessary quite a problem. If I am going somewhere for a vacation vacation (relaxation or visiting) I prefer a good quality point and shoot to packing a dslr kit.

Nice pictures in flickr, Robsouthoz. I like the way how you make good use of height (taking picture down below and above etc.). plus the pictures looks sharp and full of life. Not only that but your kids look so natural, I know it's hard to capture those moments. Did you use a polarizer lens with those picture? the sky looks nice. You seem to make good use of line to lead toward a center direction (road, cars, etc.) also I like the way how your picture tells me what is important to you cars, family, animals, and the outdoors. very nice and a great job well done.

I think I am ready to buy and go with spending a little more to be on the safe side. I guess the extra out of pocket can compensate if I ended up wanting to grow with the camera. It seem the majority favor the 18-105 lens since I don't have real experience with DSLR. The D90 18-105 kit lens it is. I'm going to buy it, play with it, and try my best to learn with it. Let's see where it takes me, hopefully I get some good shot to post =). and maybe once I learn the D90 well enough, maybe then I'll know what else I need to add on...polarizer lens, UV lens, tripod, body lenses, flashes, etc.

One quick question, I know this is an amateur question, but how often do you clean your lenses and DSLR?

as for Ral:

I'm just going to there as a vacation with my family to relax and try to take home good picture to remember. I don't have any equipment for I am new to the Dslr, but have been interested in them and figure it's time to pick up something new to try. I do understand that there is a learning curve, but I figure if I can't learn everything by the time I go, then I am going to have to settle for the auto or scene mode with some tweeking now and then with S,P,A modes.

thanks for the support everyone, your opinion are valuable to me. I'm excited to finally take a leap and join the DSLR world.

Well done decision made. Enjoy the tripa and camera

what else will you need

camera bag yes

protective filrer, opinions vary but less say yes

tripod? Some things you can't do with out a tripod but I think I'd probably say don't bother. Unless you know that your going to be doing lotd of twiligt work

I wipe my lens if I see a smear or rain drop

I think that you DSLR should take great shots from the outset. In terms of growing into photography you may which to shoot RAW and jpg at least some of the time to aloow for mre flexibilty post processing. May be not when you get back but in a years time you might suddenly realsie what you could do with the RAW files

I'd spend my tripod money on memory cards to allow for RAW

any way have fun!
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_clinch/

thanks! I will enjoy it. I do feel better knowing that I got this off my to do check list. Now, I need to figure out what immunization shot is needed, passport, visa, and I'm set.

I think I'm going to play with the camera a bit before buying the camera bag since I'm not sure what I am going to travel with. but yes, I will need. I'm trying to travel light.

I'm glad you pointed out about shooting raw...I didn't think about that and was planning to shoot jpeg. hopefully an 8 gig and a 16 gig sdhc hard will be sufficient.

protective filter...I'm going to try to read more and learn more about the effect and might add that also.

I've been looking at prices and realize photography can be expensive, =) but what hobby isn't?

mike

MikeD1photo said:

thanks! I will enjoy it. I do feel better knowing that I got this off my to do check list. Now, I need to figure out what immunization shot is needed, passport, visa, and I'm set.

I think I'm going to play with the camera a bit before buying the camera bag since I'm not sure what I am going to travel with. but yes, I will need. I'm trying to travel light.

I'm glad you pointed out about shooting raw...I didn't think about that and was planning to shoot jpeg. hopefully an 8 gig and a 16 gig sdhc hard will be sufficient.

protective filter...I'm going to try to read more and learn more about the effect and might add that also.

I've been looking at prices and realize photography can be expensive, =) but what hobby isn't?

mike

Click to expand...

An 8 and 16 gig card will give you approx 1500 shots in RAW, 3000 in JPEG fine+large, about 1200 RAW+JPEG. I'd opt for 3 8GB cards, or even 6 4GB cards, for two reasons:

1. safety - if your equipment is stolen, if you keep your cards in a card wallet separate from your equipment (like a pants pocket), you lose only the shots that were on the card in the camera. Also, if one card fails (a rarity, but it can happen), you only lose the shots on that card. 4GB worth of shots (about 250-300 in RAW) is a lot of shooting - a few day's worth at least. How many days' memories do you want to risk?

2. cost - 4GB cards are dirt cheap, 8 is about the sweet spot, 16 is still at a bit of a premium. Price them out.

You will get a free copy of Transfer and View NX with your camera. This should be enough to at least view and do basic picture adjustments. Extensive RAW editing will require a Postprocessing program like Photoshop Elements or Capture NX2. Of the two Elements is the more versatile and incorporates image library management; Capture NX2 is the pure editor that can work natively with Nikon's NEF format RAW files the best. But Elements does a fine job as well.

And most important - buy an extra battery and a LensPen,maybe a giotto blower to blow the inevitable dust off your mirror and sensor. Then you can get a simple camera case that has a bit of extra storage for your cards and battery, and you're good to go.

All good advice. The D90 will serve you well. Couple of comments:

• I do use protective filters - never hurts to have a little extra protection for the front lens element. Opinions vary on this, but I've never noticed any differences with or without the filter.
• I don't use camera bags when I travel. I pick up something in the country that seems more appropriate and doesn't draw attention to the camera. Also, I don't use the camera-branded strap that came with the camera.
• Print off a copy of the menus for the camera and take it with you.

And, as others have said, this is a vacation - so enjoy.

Sorry another minor tip, but its cost free.....

Picasa is a free. It will help organise your photos. Will read NEF (RAW files) and even perform basic edits. Its not the best editor but its not a starting point. But as an orgniser of photos its pretty good
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_clinch/

extra battery, giotto blower, lenspen, and 3 8 gig memory. okay will do. sounds like good standard stuff.

That's funny that Soren47 mention about getting a low profile bag b/c Nikon makes some loud strap and bags =) and I was thinking the same. I guess its b/c of there color scheme. I'm going to have to consider that one also, but at the same time I'm not sure if I am going to go away from getting any bag vs. a camera bag since a camera bag seems to be more cushioned.