What Nikon Camera would you suggest as upgrade: from D3100 to ?

Hi there,

Nikon D7000 is out of my prospect because of the Price as I have a tight budget. Can anyone recommend which NIkon DSLR should I buy? I used to have the Nikon D3100 but I sold it 2 weeks ago and now I am looking for an upgarde:

I'm about to choose the D5100 & the 2008 Model D90. Which one you've prefer, Guys?

I'd love to do videos and taking pics for general use like birthday and some important event. Somehow, I like shooting insect, flowers and flying birds in the Park...I love macro in short.

D90 is semi-pro level DSLR while D5100 is an entry level but do 1080 Full Hd same with the one I owned before, the D3100 and has nice sensor as well due to 16MP.

But most review shows that D90 is still the best despite having 12MP sensor & 720p Cinematic Video compared with D5100.

Not to mention, one of the reason why I sold my Nikon D3100 is it doesn't have a motor body which is costly for me to buy those lenses AF-S - very expensive really.

Any advice, suggestions - out there are much appreciated.

Thanks,

Robb

You would be selling the d5100 too as it has no motor body. IQ and Higher ISO performance would go to d5100, but d90 has motor body and better controls. Seems like d90 is your camera.

If the reason you sold the D3100 is because you wanted in body motor, then you need to get a D90 and be done.

D5100 and D90 are two pretty different cameras so you need to tell us more about what you want from the camera if you want solid recommendation one way or the other.

You can photograph the things you mention with either camera, the difference is what is available at your fingertips.

I personally lean more towards having more buttons at my fingertips, so I would choose a D90.

The D90 will also give you commander mode for off camera flashes without having to buy radio triggers.
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that makes this a tough choice. I own a D90 and love it buy I am not a videographer. It is certainly not well regarded in this area. I am not sure why you need the built-in motor for macro on a budget. The Tamron 60mm has a bim as does the latest Tamron 90mm. These are only expensive compared to used lenses. Considering your strong interest in video, I would think the 5100 would give you more of what you want without any major compromise.
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Agreed. The video on the D90 is terrible, the IQ on the D5100 superb. There are plenty of good inexpensive lenses that will work with it.

Yeah I actually missed the bit about video in my hasty reading of the original post and my even more hasty reply.

Given you want video as a viable option, I too agree with the D5100.

I still like the D90 for me, as far as how cameras feel in my hand, because the size of the D90/D7k suits me better, but that is me.

Try holding both cameras in the store too.
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Push the button more--that's a start.
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I agree, it should be the D90 for its af motor and other things.

scokill said:

You would be selling the d5100 too as it has no motor body. IQ and Higher ISO performance would go to d5100, but d90 has motor body and better controls. Seems like d90 is your camera.

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Hi,

Thank you for your advice. Yes, it seems most of you Guys..really recommend this D90 despite the fact that it's been released 3 years ago. Have a nice day!

Cheers,
Robb

musashi-miyamoto said:

I agree, it should be the D90 for its af motor and other things.

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Thanks Sir for the advice.

the D90 is out. I hated it's choppy (shutter-rolling) video. The D5100 is actually a bit more capable (1080p @ 30 fps) than the D7000 in this regard, so I say, go with it.
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crankerchick said:

If the reason you sold the D3100 is because you wanted in body motor, then you need to get a D90 and be done.

D5100 and D90 are two pretty different cameras so you need to tell us more about what you want from the camera if you want solid recommendation one way or the other.

You can photograph the things you mention with either camera, the difference is what is available at your fingertips.

I personally lean more towards having more buttons at my fingertips, so I would choose a D90.

The D90 will also give you commander mode for off camera flashes without having to buy radio triggers.
--
Push the button more--that's a start.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/crankerchick/

Click to expand...

Thanks for a nice recommendation.

I guess I really need to set my mind on D90 as it's all answers my needs.

First, it has a built-in-motor. Having a motorized body, would give me more choices in using AF lenses without worrying about the autofocus.

Secondly, It also has a Video. 720p isn't bad at all but quite inferior compares with the D3100 & 5100 having a superb Full HD Video (but no worries).

And lastly, I found this D90 more convenient in controlling such ISO, Aperture & Shutter speed b'coz of these key buttons found in the Camera Body.

Thanks.

I find the input from the OP unintelligible. He really likes video, so he's interested in the D90 -- perhaps the foulest video DSLR ever produced (which is saying a LOT!) He wants the D90 because he needs a built-in motor for macro photography, although I've never been able to use AF with macro. The requirements make absolutely no sense to me, so I think he should buy Canon...

Brev00 said:

that makes this a tough choice. I own a D90 and love it buy I am not a videographer. It is certainly not well regarded in this area. I am not sure why you need the built-in motor for macro on a budget. The Tamron 60mm has a bim as does the latest Tamron 90mm. These are only expensive compared to used lenses. Considering your strong interest in video, I would think the 5100 would give you more of what you want without any major compromise.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/brev00

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Hi Brev00,

Thank you for sharing your thought. Yes, I'd love to take video which I enjoyed a lot from D3100 because of the superb 1080p@24 but honestly I find it hard also in choosing such lenses because the D3100 doesn't have a built-in-motor same with D5100 - The D90 Somehow - has it. I want to save money and sure I can find cheaper lenses that will autofocus on D90. In order to have an autofocus with D3100 & 5100 - you need an AFS lenses or HSM if Sigma is the brand (correct me if I'm wrong), unless I'm fun doing manual focus at all time - but I preferred Autofocus.

Thanks,

Robb2011 said:

Hi Brev00,

I want to save money and sure I can find cheaper lenses that will autofocus on D90. In order to have an autofocus with D3100 & 5100 - you need an AFS lenses or HSM if Sigma is the brand (correct me if I'm wrong), unless I'm fun doing manual focus at all time - but I preferred Autofocus.

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To be clear, what lenses are you looking at that would be so much cheaper for the D90?

I do like the fact that the D90 accepts a wide variety of lenses, but my two most recent lens purchases have included built-in motors. I enjoy the quick and accurate af of my Sigma 17-70 os and my Tamron 70-300 vc, but I could put both of them on a D5100. Both were around $400. The only lens that I can see saving me very much would be if I bought the Tokina 12-24 I at @$400 (my magic number) instead of the Tokina 12-24 II for much more. I sense that you are looking more for a versatile lens than a specific macro type which is why you still want af (mf is fine for macro). If you already have specific lenses in mind, that might help us respond more accurately.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/brev00

Brev00 said:

Robb2011 said:

Hi Brev00,

I want to save money and sure I can find cheaper lenses that will autofocus on D90. In order to have an autofocus with D3100 & 5100 - you need an AFS lenses or HSM if Sigma is the brand (correct me if I'm wrong), unless I'm fun doing manual focus at all time - but I preferred Autofocus.

Click to expand...

To be clear, what lenses are you looking at that would be so much cheaper for the D90?

I do like the fact that the D90 accepts a wide variety of lenses, but my two most recent lens purchases have included built-in motors. I enjoy the quick and accurate af of my Sigma 17-70 os and my Tamron 70-300 vc, but I could put both of them on a D5100. Both were around $400. The only lens that I can see saving me very much would be if I bought the Tokina 12-24 I at @$400 (my magic number) instead of the Tokina 12-24 II for much more. I sense that you are looking more for a versatile lens than a specific macro type which is why you still want af (mf is fine for macro). If you already have specific lenses in mind, that might help us respond more accurately.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brev00

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Hi Brev00,

I've done MF Macro mode on D3100 and I love it.

The main issue here Sir, I really need a motorized Camera Body for me to use this AF lenses without worrying the exact focus. Honestly, I can't afford to buy these AF-S lenses as it's very expensive. So, I am hoping that this D90 will answer my question at this point.

However, taking videos is one of my priorities as well. That's why, D5100 keeps bothering me as it really shot nice videos, also having 16MP sensor is a plus.

In General, if I choose D5100 - videos is there, but if I use AF lens...I can do Manual Focusing only as the Camera body doesn't have a motor. Can you suggest which lens suit for this D5100 that's affordable and not expensive? Surely, if I purchase AF-S lenses, really expensive same with lenses having Image Stabilization, VR, VC, OS.

If I choose D90, autofocus is really a must for a beginner like me, or doing manual focus is okay?

Thanks,

Again you don't specific exactly which AF lense you're looking to get that will work on the D90 but not on the D5100. Most newer lenses, that is most made in the 4-5 years are AF-S type lense or HSM or have built in focus motors. I still use a D40 and have a pretty decent collection of lenses and they all autofocus. There's only a couple that are popular, the AF 70-300mm G non VR, non ED which is around $100+ vs the AF-S 70-300 VR at $500+. However image quality on that particular lense isn't that great. Plus there's also the AF 50mm that's also popular and goes for about $100, but now there's an AF-S version of that that's about $200. What's your price difference between the D5100 and the D90?

HenryL said:

Again you don't specific exactly which AF lense you're looking to get that will work on the D90 but not on the D5100. Most newer lenses, that is most made in the 4-5 years are AF-S type lense or HSM or have built in focus motors. I still use a D40 and have a pretty decent collection of lenses and they all autofocus. There's only a couple that are popular, the AF 70-300mm G non VR, non ED which is around $100+ vs the AF-S 70-300 VR at $500+. However image quality on that particular lense isn't that great. Plus there's also the AF 50mm that's also popular and goes for about $100, but now there's an AF-S version of that that's about $200. What's your price difference between the D5100 and the D90?

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Hi Mr. HenryL,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts,

Sorry to bother you with my previous statement. To make it clear, I am looking for a Camera Body (preferrably between D5100 or D90) that wouldn't cost me much in buying such lenses. I sold my D3100 last 2 weeks ago - I have these lenses with me now: SIGMA 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO DG MACRO (built-in-motor) and NIKKOR AF 50mm f1.8D which both are not autofocus on my D3100. That's why, D90 is my bit as of this moment coz I guess these 2 lens that I have now will autofocus on D90 b'coz of the motor body.

It's okay with me to buy used Camera as long as it works perfectly. Here are the offers I received recently from a Friend:
FOR D90:

Offer #1: Nikon D90 + Nikkor 18-105mm VR (full kit), used for 7 months, no warranty but has a free Hoya UV Filter, 8GB card and Nikon sling bag- sell @ US$ 958

Offer # 2: Nikon D90 + Nikkor 18-105mm VR + Battery Grip w/ 1 battery, no box & warranty , used for 8 months - sell @ US$ 875

Offer # 3: Nikon D90 Camera Body only with 13k Shutter actuations, no warranty - sell for US$ 685 or
Offer #4: D90 Brand New Full kit with 1-yr. warranty - sell @ US$ 1289

FOR D5100:
Offer #1: Brand New Full kit w/ 1-yr. warranty - sell @ US$ 1095 or

Offer #2: D5100 Full kit, 500 shutter actuations, used for 2 weeks but no warranty - sell @ US$ 875

FOR D7000: I got an Offer @ US$ 1030, box & other accessories are included but no warranty.

Thanks Sir.

For your video buy a cheap pocket video camera. There are dozens to buy and are pretty cheap.

For macro, I would go with the D90 hands down. In macro photography, the flash need to be in front of the lens, othewise the lens can block it. For that you either need a ring flash or commander mode. I prefer commander mode with either a couple sb-r200s, or 600s.

I think you should point those people to Adorama which sells the D90 for $639 as a refurb, used $600. Typically refurb cameras have very low shutter count, from just a couple to about a thousand or so. They also come with a 90 day warranty which your used ones will not. Then try to get them to come down more on price if that's what you really want. Typically the 18-105 can be had for about $200-$250 used as people dump them after getting it with the D90 or D7000.

As for D7000, best buy still has a 10% off mover coupon at the post office, so it'd be $1500-150=1350 for D7000 w/18-105. They do list the D7000 without lense for $1200, but they don't really stock it so you wouldn't really be able to use the coupon on it, but if you could, it'd be $1080 new. It's really strange how popular it still is these days, D3100 and D5100 has been out less time and there's discounting on it, but not really on the D7000, at some point you would think that they would start. Maybe by black friday.

As for your Sigma lense, not sure how good it is, does it compare to the Nikon G version or the ED/VR version? You could always try selling your sigma lense, but used 3rd party lense don't always bring as much as Nikon lenses. I did have the G and it was tricky playing with the zoom and then trying to focus, but I also have an AF 20mm 2.8 lense and that wasn't too bad focusing because there's no zoom to play with. But since I got the AF-S 35mm 1.8, haven't used it at all.

ok let me get this straight

you had a d3100, and presumably the kit lens that works fine - excellently in fact - with it

and

you also have a sigma 70-300 with a built in motor, which also works excellently with the d3100

and you have a 50 1.8 D which is screw drive and nikons cheapest lens (tho an excellent one) but a rather awkward focal length for dx - nice for once in a while or a portrait, but thats it.

so

you sold the d3100 because it wouldnt autofocus with the the lens that is of least use in your collection

put another way:

you sold a camera that has reasonable video (that you like), a kit lens (that works perfectly with it) and you have a telephoto zoom that also works perfectly with it.

you have gone to a lot of trouble finding a way not to trade in the 50 1.8 for a 35 1.8 DX, which funnily enough, would have worked perfectly on your d3100.

or indeed for the 40 2.8 macro DX that is very reasonably priced

if i were you, i would buy another D3100 with kit lens