Wait or buy? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

07/31/2010 12:10:00 AM · #1

Well, i can afford a Nikon d80 now with 1 lens or 2. My dream since i started playing with photography is the D90, but **** it...i'm getting crazy with the shots of my P&S and i NEED a DSLR. Should i give up from my dream, get the D80 and start raising money for lenses or suffer a little more for my dream?

cowboy221977

Canon EOS-60D

07/31/2010 12:14:37 AM · #2

You can never wait for technology...You buy something and it is outdated almost immediately. My advice is save for what you want. If you do not buy what you want you will regret it....On the other side if Nikon puts out a new camera then you would prob want that one.

JustCaree

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

07/31/2010 12:19:12 AM · #3

yup cowboy has a great point... which is why I am using the xt instead of 40D... technology changes to fast that what you want now will be old by tomorrow... plus if you get the 80 you can save for better glass, which seems to make the biggest difference.

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

07/31/2010 12:29:54 AM · #4

I keep thinking about the BIG or small differences between them. If it's worth wait or not for that reason.

tnun

Ricoh GR III

07/31/2010 12:44:01 AM · #5

This is the hardest part of photography! Whatever you decide, you will do well. You have a wonderful sense of colour and composition.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

07/31/2010 12:44:37 AM · #6

I have both--the upgrade to the D90 is worth it, in my opinion. Plus, there are new rumors flying about d90 replacement from Nikon, so the used ones may drop in price significantly.

D90 has a better sensor, better focusing system, bigger/brighter LCD, regular histogram, RGB histograms that track with zooming on the image, I still use the d80, as a backup camera, or when I want two lenses mounted, to be able to grab either and shoot. D90 has better low light performance, though not at all as good as D700, for example.

I think you will be happy with either one, though. The D90 might just keep you happy a bit longer :-)

PGerst

Canon EOS-20D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

07/31/2010 12:45:56 AM · #7

I don't own a Nikon, but just looking at the specification differences, get the D90. There are definitely benefits over the D80 that I think you would be sorry you didn't shell out the extra cash.

07/31/2010 12:17:06 PM · #8

Originally posted by tnun:

This is the hardest part of photography! Whatever you decide, you will do well. You have a wonderful sense of colour and composition.

Thanks for the compliment

tnun, that's really motivating!

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/31/2010 12:19:54 PM · #9

About the other opinions:

Thanks for helping me with this. I'll talk to some friends here and see what they think too. I'm always too anxious too, and that's big problem in that case.
I DO want a better camera fast, but what

PGerst is the thing that is really holding me back.
Thanks again, i'll be really glad with more points of view.

MinsoPhoto

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

07/31/2010 12:21:57 PM · #10

I'm confused, It seems on amazon that the d90 is cheaper then then d80??

drew_makeanimpact

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

08/03/2010 04:16:54 PM · #11

Check out my website... everything there is shot with the Nikon D80.

I bought one used with a 35mm, 50mm, and 18-105mm for $750 CAD used.

Honestly... D90 is useful for filming! For pictures, both are good.

(I have used both)

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/03/2010 05:46:44 PM · #12

The body is a consumable - the lens is the part you want to spend the serious cash on - great lenses can last a very very long time - the really good lenses also retain a lot of their resell value. Camera bodies start to depreciate from the moment you click the `add to basket` button.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

08/03/2010 06:31:13 PM · #13

Originally posted by Simms:

I agree completely: I chose the d90 as an upgrade from the d80 because ultimately I want a d700 or better. The jump to full frame can be a big dollar hit for the body and glass. So, I selected the d90 instead, as it met some of the needs I had (over the d80) and will last me until the d700 is in reach. I now have 3 full frame lenses, so the eventual jump to FF will be a body only purchase. And, I don't purchase any more DX lenses. Bodies get replaced, technology changes. Good glass lasts and lasts.

So, to the OP, the jump from a powershot to either the D80 or D90 will be a real pleasure. Either should meet your needs for some time. If you think ahead 5-6 years, it is likely that FF bodies will be more widely available, at better prices. So, rather than build a kit of DX lenses, you may want to get only one general purpose DX lens to start (the 18-200mm VR is pretty nice as a general use lens, for example) then only add full frame puppies after that.

While there are some significant differences between the D90 and D80, most of them are features rather than fundamental technological superiority. The D90 sensor is better, but the other improvements are interface, user-friendly. I like the D90 a LOT. But I still get shots with the D80, and you sure couldn't tell by looking which camera body I used. The glass makes the most difference. I put my 85mm prime on the d80, my 24-70 zoom on the D90--the d80/85mm shots are superior to my eye. 85mm prime on each, indistinguishable to my eye--the difference being that the D90 easier to use (for me).

As I said earlier, low light behavior of the d90 is better than the d80, due to the sensor primarily. Not earth-shatteringly jaw-droppingly better, though.

Basically, there is another factor to consider: you mentioned that your dream camera has been the d90. It is well worth considering that getting a d80 would always leave you feeling as if you settled, or slightly dissatisfied. I'd say watch d90 prices closely, daily even--I got mine from amazon when there was a sudden price drop of almost $90 for about 2 days only in between Christmas and New Years.