DX or not DX

[magicrhodes]

I went to Jessop last night, happened to be in Meadowhell, and the D90 is rated above the D5000 but I believe the D5000 is newer. What would be the plus of the D90.... or is the D5000 better value for money??

[chris@seary.com]

Aimed at different markets.

D5000 has superior Live View, smaller and lighter, better usability for beginners (screen pictures etc).

D90 has built-in focus motor, fast shutter speed flash sync, CLS commander mode for flash, auto-bracketing and quite a few other features.

They both have the same sensor. If, like me, you see cameras as a box containing the sensor which you attach lenses to, then buy the cheapest.

[greypoint]

If you pop over to dpreview -  http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp   - and put in the two cameras you'll have a side by side list of features to compare. The one advantage of the D5000 is really the articulated live view. I think the usefulness or desirability of a higher spec camera can come down to your main photographic interests. For some subjects the camera itself can be less important but, speaking from personal experience, if you're into any kind of action it's just that much more enjoyable and easy with a more responsive and faster camera. As i said before, it's the lens thing that mainly makes me recommend the D90 [and I did use one for quite some time!] I think the only reason the D5000 is the newer model is time scale rather than it being any more advanced.

[Jonathan]

They both have the same sensor. If, like me, you see cameras as a box containing the sensor which you attach lenses to, then buy the cheapest.

Dunno.  Some days I would sell what's left of my soul for a faster sync speed.....

[magicrhodes]

I tried that website and it is really useful, however I struggled to identify many differences that necessitate the extra £150...

What is Sync speed and why would/may I need it?

Generally most of my photography is architecture and landscape but I am developing (pun intended) a love of macro but can not afford a new lens... unless... I ditch the Nikon 35mm prime that started the conversation to get a macro... the thing is I can't spend more than the £160-200 it would cost

[alan1572]

i was also wondering what sync speed is... google will have all the answers

[Jonathan]

Sync speed is basically the maximum shutter speed that you can use flash with.  There are a couple of sneaky dodges but with a proper pro camera like the D3 it's 1/250s.  With a leaf shutter camera it's a lot faster - the Hasselblad H3D will sync all the way up to max shutter speed (a paltry 1/800s).  With a junky consumer camera like the D70 it's 1/500 and you can cheat all your way up to 1/4000 .  (That's an outrageous example - the D70 is about the best DSLR ever made for high speed sync).

This means that you can use flash on bright sunny day more easily.  To use fill flash on a summer's day I'm generally at f16 which is bad for all sorts or reasons.  Not least because I need a staggering amount of flash to shoot at f16.  Higher speed sync = less DOF in sun.

[chris@seary.com]

Don't the higher spec Nikon cameras give sync up to 1/4000 with the SB600/900?

[anglefire]

The MKIII sync speed is 1/300 which is better than many others, and pretty much all canon do high speed sync - basically you can fire the flash at any speed but because it does burst flash it does restrict the range - but for fill is often enough.

I assume the nikons do the same, as the flash system is reportedly better!

[magicrhodes]

New question on the same subject are Non-AF-S lenses cheaper than AF-S lenses on the whole... (I think I have got his now that D40 compatable lenses are the AF-S ones because they have the AF motor in them?)

I am back to deciding which new body to go for D90 or D5000. If I make the extra investment in the D90 will I save money in the long run because I won't have to buy a lens with an AF motor in it?

[Hinfrance]

Sorry Cankon superiority guys, but both my K10D and K20D Pentaxes will flash sync up to maximum shutter speed. Although as Mark says the ranges is then restricted -the usable range is displayed on the flashgun data panel, dependent on the shutter speed and zoom setting. I haven't tried it in wireless mode though.

[greypoint]

New question on the same subject are Non-AF-S lenses cheaper than AF-S lenses on the whole... (I think I have got his now that D40 compatable lenses are the AF-S ones because they have the AF motor in them?)

I am back to deciding which new body to go for D90 or D5000. If I make the extra investment in the D90 will I save money in the long run because I won't have to buy a lens with an AF motor in it?

I suppose it depends just what lenses you're in the market for. I'd personally go D90 because you can get so many second hand bargains. I had a D40 as a second body for a while and, while it was a nice camera, it was so annoying not being able to use a 50mm f1.8 or my Sigma 17-70 on it - manual focussing not really being an option for me these days. Never tried a D5000 but the D90 is a very very good camera

[Jonathan]

Sorry Cankon superiority guys, but both my K10D and K20D Pentaxes will flash sync up to maximum shutter speed. Although as Mark says the ranges is then restricted -the usable range is displayed on the flashgun data panel, dependent on the shutter speed and zoom setting. I haven't tried it in wireless mode though.

Um yeah.  You mean exactly like Canons and Nikons with DEDICATED flash guns?  I'll bet even Sonys can do that.

Now plug it into studio flash.  That would be your maximum sync.  Just like with all SLRs.  Apart from, err, the D70.

FWIW I use my Canon when I need ultra high speed sync with regular flash.

[magicrhodes]

New question on the same subject are Non-AF-S lenses cheaper than AF-S lenses on the whole... (I think I have got his now that D40 compatable lenses are the AF-S ones because they have the AF motor in them?)

I am back to deciding which new body to go for D90 or D5000. If I make the extra investment in the D90 will I save money in the long run because I won't have to buy a lens with an AF motor in it?

I suppose it depends just what lenses you're in the market for. I'd personally go D90 because you can get so many second hand bargains. I had a D40 as a second body for a while and, while it was a nice camera, it was so annoying not being able to use a 50mm f1.8 or my Sigma 17-70 on it - manual focussing not really being an option for me these days. Never tried a D5000 but the D90 is a very very good camera

Is there any plan to give the D90 an adjustable/ movable screen?