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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Did you upgrade from the D90 to D7000?
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03/25/2011 10:09:58 AM · #1
I've had my D90 for a little over 2 years now, which was my first SLR. I'm considering selling it to upgrade to the D7000. I'm trying to get others thoughts on what they think if they've made the upgrade. I'm going to Denver in about 2 months, and to New Mexico for the Balloon Fiesta in October.
I'm thinking it shouldn't be too hard to convince the wife-to-be to let me upgrade, assuming I can get enough from the D90 to cover most of the cost.

Do you have any thoughts on the pluses and Minuses of the upgrade...is it worth it to the amateur photographer that has no photo based income?

These are the lenses I'd be keeping:
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6G
Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR
Tokina AF 11-16mm f/2.8 116 AT-X Pro DX for Nikon

Might sell if I get a package deal with the D7000 and a lens that covers this range:
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR

Selling:
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED VR **Never gets used, and doesn't even stay in the bag**

Also, I know my next BIG lens purchase is probably the 70-200...but that isn't anytime soon, at least until I start getting some income. I don't forsee me going full-frame anytime either.

I also won't need the D90 as a backup, since well...really...I just don't need a backup at this point.
Also, what do you think the D90, 18-55, and the 55-200 would sell for? I have a few batteries, all the original stuff, including boxes also. Just wondering what a roundabout price might be for it all. I want to say I have roughly 20-30k accuations on it...since it was my 'starter' camera, I did a lot of playing around and learning of settings and such.
03/25/2011 10:37:23 AM · #2
I had the D90 for two years before getting the D7000.
It definitely feels like an upgrade for me. The positives compared to the D90: Nicer more pro feel to the camera, ability to recover dark and underexposed areas, highlight recovery, better ISO performance, possibility to fine tune your lenses.
Negatives: I seem to need slightly higher shutter speeds to get really sharp shots. Another strange thing i found is some of my lenses like the Tokina 11-16 are much better on the D7000 whereas my Nikon 16-85 is no longer the performer it once was, it probably just needs better glass because of the higher pixel density. I would definitely do it again if that helps.
03/25/2011 12:33:28 PM · #3
I'm mixed on the upgrade. Both are very good cameras.

I wanted better high ISO, and I guess the D7000 has that. I can definitely shoot 1600 or even higher with acceptible results.

I do find though that there's grain in photos, at ALL ISOs. So if you need to sharpen, even ISO 100, it starts to get annoying. Anyone else find that?

I read something interesting the other day though, which seems to be true. They claimed the D7000 was the first camera with linear noise...meaning it doesn't matter if you expose towards the highlights. If you underexpose a photo at ISO 100, then ramp up the brightness in PS or LR, you won't get any more noise than if you shot at ISO 1600. That does seem to be true (and they did a "real test".) Though I'm only 90% convinced at this point.

My only regret is I couldn't wait for the D800. I am ready for a full frame sensor, but didn't want to buy a camera about to be replaced in the market (D700). Though the jury is out whether "grain" will also be a problem on the D800.

Message edited by author 2011-03-25 12:33:39.
03/25/2011 12:39:55 PM · #4
Interesting thread. I've started to consider upgrading from my D80 to the D7000. One disappointment for me on the D7000 is that it still only brackets 3 shots (useful for HDR for me), which is the same as my D80 (and the D90 I believe). I was hoping that the D7000 would bracket more along the lines of the D300s (9 exposures?). But at least the D7000 has true mirror lockup for macro shots, instead of just a delayed exposure.
03/25/2011 01:19:35 PM · #5
Nikon D7000
watch this hands on review and see what you think..hope this helps

Message edited by author 2011-03-25 13:20:14.
03/25/2011 01:54:28 PM · #6
I've had the d80, he d90, and now the D7000.

I certainly would not hesitate to recommend the D7000 as an upgrade from the d80: I upgraded from the d80 to the d90 and found it well worth it (the improved sensor alone was worth it, plus some feature enhancements to boot).

I feel the D7000 was the appropriate upgrade choice for me from the d90 as well. Almost everything about the camera is improved in some way. I have not seen the grain issues others have mentioned. If I am "disappointed" by anything, it is that the iso performance is not the same as the D700! :-) Of course, I knew it wouldn't be before I got it, just dreaming is all. The ISO performance is better than the d90, and MILES better than the d80.

Some of my favorite features on the d7000:
_dual memory cards, with flexible usage of them
_better sensor
_better focus/exposure control
_quiet shutter release mode, full mirror lockup mode
_two custom user modes
_etcetera, etcetera

Like others, I was unwilling to wait for the d800, probably only to learn that it will be initially priced too high for me when it does come out. So, for a year or more, I will have the use of the d7000, while I save up for an eventual FF body that shoots noise free at ISO 200,00 :-)

03/25/2011 02:33:38 PM · #7
Originally posted by dswann:

Interesting thread. I've started to consider upgrading from my D80 to the D7000. One disappointment for me on the D7000 is that it still only brackets 3 shots (useful for HDR for me), which is the same as my D80 (and the D90 I believe). I was hoping that the D7000 would bracket more along the lines of the D300s (9 exposures?). But at least the D7000 has true mirror lockup for macro shots, instead of just a delayed exposure.

About the bracketing issue: I was disappointed as well that the D7000 didn't offer the nine bracketing steps of the d300 - but here's the thing, The sensor is so much better than the D80 and D90 that as long as you don't blow any high lights in your original capture you can produce fantastic HDR images from a single RAW file. If you have to go the whole nine yards bracketing steps, then take three lots of three starting from appropriately adjusted exposure-adjusted settings.
The one thing I feel would be handy to have is a hinged screen.
(BTW, no noise issues to report.)
03/25/2011 02:36:09 PM · #8
I also have no noise issue, i'm quite surprised to hear about this actually. I will be upgrading to the d700's replacement when it comes out, not for the ISO performance gain but for the increased depth of field that FF allows.

Message edited by author 2011-03-25 15:58:42.
03/25/2011 02:58:47 PM · #9
So far, I'm really liking what everyone here says (except the 1 noise issue), and everything I've read elsewhere. I want to watch some of the 'hands-on' reviews out there as well.
The ole lady did give me the go ahead to buy it, and sell the D90 once it gets here...now it is just deciding to get the body only, or the body and a lens. After I of course am very sure I want it.
03/25/2011 04:34:26 PM · #10
While I cannot speak to the D90 I can tell you I went through a similar decision recently. I have had a D40 for 3 or so years was trying to decide on an upgrade between the D90 and the D7000. I did allot of research including reviews from friends as well as Ken Rockwell and decided to go with the D7000. I have been extremely pleased. My hunch is if you do choose the D7000 you will feel the same. The results I have gotten from mine have been great (even though the photogropher is not)! :) I would echo many of the things folks have already said. If you have the ability to do so, I would def go for the D7000.
03/25/2011 08:21:21 PM · #11
Sensor comparison
This will show the difference, in sensor performance. Plus all the stats, side by side. I find this site, to be a great resource.
03/26/2011 09:12:24 AM · #12
Originally posted by Magnumphotography:

Sensor comparison
This will show the difference, in sensor performance. Plus all the stats, side by side. I find this site, to be a great resource.


I find that site to be rubbbish. The main reason for this is as follows; all the results are given in a numerical format, and the difference between the sensors is shown as a number, but what does this mean in the real world? Nothing at all, you can't possibly say how much of a visual, image-altering difference those results make.

The other issue is of course a lot of the results from DxO simply fly in the face of real world image testing.
03/26/2011 09:33:36 AM · #13
Originally posted by jagar:

I also have no noise issue, i'm quite surprised to hear about this actually. I will be upgrading to the d700's replacement when it comes out, not for the ISO performance gain but for the increased depth of field that FF allows.


It should be noted that depth of field decreases when you switch from APS-C to FX.
03/26/2011 09:49:18 AM · #14
Originally posted by spiritualspatula:

Originally posted by jagar:

I also have no noise issue, i'm quite surprised to hear about this actually. I will be upgrading to the d700's replacement when it comes out, not for the ISO performance gain but for the increased depth of field that FF allows.


It should be noted that depth of field decreases when you switch from APS-C to FX.


Thanks spiritualspatula for correcting me, its what i meant to say, i always get that back to front.
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