Need feedback - impact from upgrade from Nikon D40 to D90

Hi Guys/Gals

Need help/ feedback here.

Due to the current D90 huge price fall, it bring me to consider about upgrade.

However, I am not sure how big would be the different in terms of photo output (D90 vs D40)?

Things that I know:
- 6MP to 12MP resolution (more flexible to do crop for print)
- higher ISO sensitivity - can do more low light/ in door natural light photography (my main driver now)
- Faster burst
- No exposure bug when do continuous shoot

Things that I am not sure:
- Beside low light photography, does it improve photo output in any other aspect?
(better color? stronger bokeh?)
- Any other advantage?

D200
The next upper range is D200 (full frame) after D90 is it?
- What would be the advantage/ improvement in photo quality?
- Whats the market price now?
- How worthy to jump straight to this range?

I know I have a lots of questions. Thanks for helping

matt.... to be franked, if i am you, n if i consider an upgrade i will / might go for D300s, since u already have a minimum knowledge on DSLR, why don you go for a better choices?

I m not saying D90 is not good, but D40 - D90 don think really worth it, so D300s might b ur best bet.

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/DxOMark-Sensor/Camera-rankings


from here i think u can find something u need. and i just found out from this web~~ D90 is actually higher ranking than Canon 7D, 550D, Nikon D300,D300s .....

Hi Jonathan, Max may be right. I read another site and it seems have the same conclusion that D90 is even better than D300.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d90.htm

Max and Jonathan,
The next level would be D700 that really make a difference (full frame), price need to double

Anyone can share any D90 low light shoot without flash?
Cos dun really know how good is it.
May be in door wedding dinner and some night portrait if anyone have.

Thanks

i never say D90 is not good.... i m still using it hahahaa.... u can come join us n can try out on D90

D90 is a superb camera and of course lens makes the differences

When I was surveying for my camera back then, Nikon line that is worth buying was the D40/D40x, D90 and then the D700.

D40 to D90 is worth it. But D90 to D300 the impact not that much due to similar sensor and all. Don't forget, D40 to D90 means changing of CCD sensor to CMOS sensor.

If budget is not a constraint, go for D300s

Thanks Jonathan for the offer, not sure when can make it especially at Bangsar from Cyberjaya

Thank Simmon and CY.

Since D300 is so close with D90. I would probably go for D90.

Still, do hope to c how the output for a wedding in door dinner without flash. and also night portrait with light source.
Cause dun really know the actual result

Thanks so much again for the advice

Max, Don't confuse people here! You know D90 cannot be so great in ISO performance compared to D300 and 7D. But definitely it's a good buy here since the price drop. But remember it is not a magnesium alloy body so it's not suitable to be used in extreme weather, whereas D300 above and 40D above are built to handle tough weather.

mattchoo wrote:Thanks Jonathan for the offer, not sure when can make it especially at Bangsar from Cyberjaya

Thank Simmon and CY.

Since D300 is so close with D90. I would probably go for D90.

Still, do hope to c how the output for a wedding in door dinner without flash. and also night portrait with light source.
Cause dun really know the actual result

Thanks so much again for the advice

go join KL photonian, refer to incoming event for more detail,
we got a few photonians there with D90 .

mattchoo wrote:Thanks Jonathan for the offer, not sure when can make it especially at Bangsar from Cyberjaya

Thank Simmon and CY.

Since D300 is so close with D90. I would probably go for D90.

Still, do hope to c how the output for a wedding in door dinner without flash. and also night portrait with light source.
Cause dun really know the actual result

Thanks so much again for the advice

matt, jz come over our kl gathering n check it out D90

Hey Avex

I play with it a few time already. Like all the control.

Just have not really use it to shoot low light photos. Doubting how much it could improve the photos :/

Get it soon and for sure u will be happy with it

S C Goh wrote:Max, Don't confuse people here! You know D90 cannot be so great in ISO performance compared to D300 and 7D. But definitely it's a good buy here since the price drop. But remember it is not a magnesium alloy body so it's not suitable to be used in extreme weather, whereas D300 above and 40D above are built to handle tough weather.

Here's something interesting for you to find out, try searching for ISO performance comparing both D90 and D300/D300s. You might be surprised what you could find

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d90.htm is based on a photographer point of view,i ll take it as a secondary resource.I tried D90 and D300s b4,both are good but i would say D300 gain some in certain features.So i think you should just take whatever you are comfortable with i also heard that D5000 is even better in IQ compared to its brothers D90 and the D300s.

D5000 better than D90 in IQ? This is really interesting! Most reviews I've seen only compared the ISO performance which the D5000 is slightly behind the bigger brother D90 (somehow despite having the same sensor).

Thanks guys. I will buy D90, decided. Hopefully soon

Good choice, with D90 you will have more choices on lens, that's a big difference compared to D40 (I upgraded to D300 mainly due to lens choices). But if possible keep the D40 as 2nd body. Its a damn nice camera, small, light and fantastic image and good ISO performance. Will be handy if you decided to take up photography jobs Just a thought

Hi chong, thanks for advice. I m not really a lens person. If u dun mind, could u share the advantage of the add-on lens choices? As I know, buying lens is more for sharper image n better shutter speed with f2.8. Improve by 1 or 2 stops? Any other?

D40 iso indoor is not good enough though, for event like wedding dinner. Thought of trying wedding dinner without flash with d90

thus dun really think will buy new lens. D40 is second body. Got 18-55mm, 35mm f1.8, add on 18-105mm from d90 should be all I need

f/2.8 lens are a must! Trust me... nothing like the kits beats those f/2.8 zooms.

Well the main difference between D40 and D90 is that D40 does not have built-in motor hence you have to buy motorized lens, else you have to manual focus. D90 will support wider range of lens. For example 50mm F1.8 is a great, cheap lens, but it will need to be manual focus on D40, while on D90 it will auto focus due to in body motor. But i think you have done your research you should already know this

As for lens, I think you have a good range of lens. 35mm 1.8 should be good enough for in door, although i would recommend 50mm 1.4 for the killer bokeh, as well as good low light capability, but it might be a bit too long for DX body, especially in a narrow in door situation it will be hard to compose. But Its a good lens, if money no concern go for 1.4G, else go for 1.4D or 1.8D. I think if you are into wedding photography, a good flash is necessary, at least SB600/800, with a difuser for the bounced light effect.

Of course all Nikon kaki will dream of the "Trinity" lens, but its too costly I think you are fine with what you have. Dont worry about lens, just go out and shoot, the more you shoot the better photographer you will be. The more lens you have the more distracted you will be

Good luck

well said chongcs,so we ve got the solution here haha..happy ending