I´m seriously considering buying a D90; I have a D50, which I like but I miss faster fps, better ISO, larger buffer and better AF.
I primarily shoots birds but also landscapes and people.
My question is: does anyone have experience with the D90 for bird photography?
The D90 is a great camera. I have been trying some bird photography and I feel my only limitations are skill and need of better glass. I have been using the Nikon 80-400mm zoom. The lens has a slow autofocus and is a little soft on the long end. I am lusting for a 500mm f/4. There are some third party lenses you can look into. My only concern about the D90 is whether it is rugged enough for me. You will love the high ISO capability. I upgraded from a D80 and there is no comparison.
The only two downfalls for a D90 are the 11pt AF is not nearly as good for birds in flight as a D300/D700/D3, and if you are using an older skrewdriver type AF lens, AF is slightly slower than on D300.
I did not have any bird pics to show you but here are a couple of rodeo pics from last season. With good technique and light you can make bird shots. If it can get cowboys and steers in action it can get many birds
DGC1, I forgot to mention that I use a 300 mm f4 AF-S and Nikon TC 14 II, sorry...
ReyPet, I share your concern about the D90´s resistance to moist, water, dust and bumps - I know it is not weathersealed but numerous reviews states that it should be quite solid anyway - what that means in practice, I really want to know!!
I´m wondering about the fact that only on AF sensor is cross-type; what influence will it have on bird photography?
Anyone with bad experiences regarding this and the lack of weathersealing?
Considering the difference between the D50 and the D90, I would considering saving up for a D300 instead. You'd get a better upgrade for you money with the D300.
since there are issues of importance the D300 or D700 will remove those issues. Remember the D90 is a sub $1000 camera, not that you should not expect much, but that the camera comes with many capabilities, the specific ones that you are interested in may not be in its repertoire.
I use my D90 anytime, anywhere. I try to limit its exposure to rain, but I've had no problems taking the D90 anywhere that I'm comfortable going. Make sure you don't get a lot of standing moisture on your top-deck LCD, use your hotshoe cover, keep the pop-up flash cavity dry, and try to avoid getting drips in the microphone on the front of the body. A spot of gaffers tape will take care of the microphone for you if you have to use the D90 in the rain for a prolonged period of time (which I don't recommend. Pull it out, shoot, wipe it off, put it away in tougher weather!).
With heavy duty glass like my 70-200/2.8 VR, it performs admirably. AFS glass focuses at the same speed across bodies. Fast glass (f/2.8-1.4) allows for the most light intake for the AF sensor and ensures better performance.
Focus accuracy and frame rate for action, birds in flight, and 3D tracking of sports is IMO only marginally better on the D300 vs. D90, and for my purposes the D90 is plenty adequate, though I plan on getting a D300 to compliment my D90 eventually.
EDIT: Just because the D90 is a sub $1000 camera, it will not leave you wanting much more coming up from a D50. I just passed the 20,000 click mark on mine, and it continues to impress, even having used a D2H/D200 pair prior.
Ok, I have also considered the D300 and tried it in the hand together with D90, and D300 is impressive - and big and heavy.
What I need in general is a camera which has a good build quality, is reasonably fast, good AF and quick access to manual controls and generally suits a bird photographing amateur like me who wants to take the next step up from an entry level camera to a camera, which I can "grow with" photographically (also for other targets than birds) for some time.
I am still not entirely sure of going for the D90 over the D300 but it seems to me that I´ll be glad for the lower weight of the D90 when I am travelling with my family and doesn´t photograph all the time.
To me these digital cameras are like computers and it is best to buy the best you can afford at the time. Lens cost factors in and what you want to do. Also if you shoot a lot of RAW you may find yourself needing a computer upgrade. The DX cameras are very good for wildlife because of the crop factor. The 11 point autofocus is more than adequate for birds I am finding. Not being a pro I do not have to go out in the rain but there are camera raincoats you can buy. I think you would be very happy with the D90 and spend more on glass. For birds you need that reach. I paid around $1500 for the Nikon AF 80-400mm VR zoom and none of the pros would think of using it. The much better AF-S 200-400 VR zoom is more than twice that.
I agree. I surely want to stay with DX cameras. I don´t have to go out in the rain either, but my future camera must be able to withstand getting a bit wet but I´ll accept wiping the water off like jasoncallen writes.
The D300 has all that I absolutely could wish for bird photography (and of course other kinds of shooting) but seems a bit too large and heavy to carry around casually.
Furthermore it seems very complex with a wealth of features, while the D90 also has a lot of features but appears to me as easier to approach.
It seems like a desicion between a lighter all-round camera or a edicated rugged action camera.
I think you should include weight training so as not to make such a large issue of the D300 weight, or consider a Canon G10. If you are handicapped that is a separate issue. Sounds like what you want is a full featured D40, no metal structure just plastic and small. I am worried you will not be able to add a lens due to the weight.
If you can afford it, get the D300, if you can't, get the D90.
The 300 f4 + 1.7tc is excellent.
I hand hold my D300 + 300 f2.8 + 1.7TC all the time and you do get used to it. So much so that my macro lens (sigma 180) and the 70-200VR seem light now !
D300 = Weather sealing, ruggedness, camera you can grow into. The D90 doesn't seem like the sort of camera you want to be abusing in all weather out taking wildlife / bird pics even though it is excellent.
