I recently switched from the D40 to the D90 and here are some of my initial impressions
1) The weight/feel is perfect for me and is a much better balance for my lenses (Sigma 17-70, Nikkor 70-300, 35/1.8) than the D40
2) The autofocus selection point works much better than I had expected. I had expected to try it a couple of times and then switch to centre-focus but I'm pleasantly surprised by it's abilities (coming from the D40!). When I'm strolling around with no particular subject in mind I often leave it on Auto Area mode just to see what results I get.
3) Matrix metering is truly horrible and in all but low-contrast conditions seems to blow the highlights - not just slightly but hugely and irrecoverably. It seems to me that MM is only designed to work properly for the D90 with ADL active. Results with centre- or spot-metering are much better, often I will get a slight underexposure with centre- but I can then dial it up in PP or re-shoot with +0.3 EV. If I use MM I apply a correction of -2/6 to -4/6 to the Fine Tuning setting in the menu (I am still experimenting as to what is the best default setting but fortunately it allows me to do this just for Matrix).
4) 3D tracking seems to work well and mitigates the problems in (3) to some extent (Proviso: the subject can't leave the field of view for it to work). I may switch over to 3D tracking for static focus-and-recompose shots.
5) Very good results are obtained by setting the picture control Brightness to -1 across the board (thanks to whoever mentioned this here on the forum); this also offsets the overexposure tendency of Matrix Metering.
6) Reds are absolutely horrible and make me think there is a defect on the camera (please see my other post: D90 is turning my oranges into lemons )
7) In medium/harsh contrast situations it may be best to use ADL even in raw mode to correct the metering problems (perhaps Low if you can PP or Auto if you use JPG). I like to bump things up myself so I may set it to low. Definitely turn if off for low-light High ISO settings to avoid horrible noise (at 1600 it was even obvious on the LCD). I'd avoid this at 800 or higher.
That's enough for now. I've focused on the things which are likely to be important to people switching from another DSLR like the D40. I may add a few things later when I've found out some more!
1) The weight/feel is perfect for me and is a much better balance for my lenses (Sigma 17-70, Nikkor 70-300, 35/1.8) than the D40
2) The autofocus selection point works much better than I had expected. I had expected to try it a couple of times and then switch to centre-focus but I'm pleasantly surprised by it's abilities (coming from the D40!). When I'm strolling around with no particular subject in mind I often leave it on Auto Area mode just to see what results I get.
3) Matrix metering is truly horrible and in all but low-contrast conditions seems to blow the highlights - not just slightly but hugely and irrecoverably. It seems to me that MM is only designed to work properly for the D90 with ADL active. Results with centre- or spot-metering are much better, often I will get a slight underexposure with centre- but I can then dial it up in PP or re-shoot with +0.3 EV. If I use MM I apply a correction of -2/6 to -4/6 to the Fine Tuning setting in the menu (I am still experimenting as to what is the best default setting but fortunately it allows me to do this just for Matrix).
4) 3D tracking seems to work well and mitigates the problems in (3) to some extent (Proviso: the subject can't leave the field of view for it to work). I may switch over to 3D tracking for static focus-and-recompose shots.
5) Very good results are obtained by setting the picture control Brightness to -1 across the board (thanks to whoever mentioned this here on the forum); this also offsets the overexposure tendency of Matrix Metering.
6) Reds are absolutely horrible and make me think there is a defect on the camera (please see my other post: D90 is turning my oranges into lemons )
7) In medium/harsh contrast situations it may be best to use ADL even in raw mode to correct the metering problems (perhaps Low if you can PP or Auto if you use JPG). I like to bump things up myself so I may set it to low. Definitely turn if off for low-light High ISO settings to avoid horrible noise (at 1600 it was even obvious on the LCD). I'd avoid this at 800 or higher.
That's enough for now. I've focused on the things which are likely to be important to people switching from another DSLR like the D40. I may add a few things later when I've found out some more!
