Steve writes in...
I am sure you get these all the time, and after reading you posts, I know what the stock reply has been (D90). Here is my situation. After 4.5 years of waiting, my wife and I are leaving for China on October 5th to adopt our daughter. Our little Sony Cybershot camera isn't going to cut the mustard. The adoption is decimating our savings, and to pay for a camera purchase I have recently sold my beloved SCUBA gear. Ok, so now you have some background.
I've been going back and forth, back and forth again, and again. Over the D90 vs. the Canon T2i. As you might expect, the 1080p video on the T2i vs. 780p on the D90 is causing my heartburn. Throw in the soon to be released D3100 and its auto-focus video, and well, you can imagine the agony I am feeling right now.
I consider video importantly, but its never been as a big a focus for us as the pictures. I think the fact that this is a huge life event, the video more of a big deal.
-Have you ever felt disappointed by only have 720p video on the D90? Enough so that if say there wasn't ever going to be a new D90, would you sell your D90 t buy the D3100?
-What's your opinion on the Nikon Normal AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Autofocus Lens? If I bought the D90 and only this lens, would I find it acceptable for everything buy wide shots?
You wouldn't believe how hard this decision is. I was hoping you might offer an opinion if you have the time. Thanks in advance.
-Steve
and here's my reply...
Hi Steve,
Congrats on your new daughter!
Here's my thoughts on your situation. I have both the D90 and the T2i. Both are capable of excellent photos, but the T2i is better for video.
When it comes to photography, I prefer the D90. Mind you, I prefer Nikon in general. I've shot both Canon and Nikon over the years, and Nikon is built better, has less problems, and backs that up with a MUCH stronger warranty (i.e. Nikon DSLR bodies have 2 years warranties, Canon DSLR bodies have 1 year warranties. Nikon lenses have 5 year warranties, Canon lenses have 1 year warranties.)
The warranty issue is HUGE for me as I feel a company backs up their product accordingly to how well it's built.
Nikon DSLR's tend to have a lot more features than Canon DSLR's too.
The D90 video is fine. Yes, it's 720p, but do you really need 1080p? I'd suggest if you're not doing anything professional, then the answer is no. I bought my T2i because I have some professional video projects on the go where I needed the 1080p HD of the T2i, as well as the ability to use an external microphone.
All this said, the D3100 should be out mid-September. It'll have the 1080p HD video, the better warranty, and the new AF-F continous video focus which is a HUGE advantage over both the D90 and the T2i in my opinion.
Bear in mind, the D3100 won't let you auto focus with the non AF-S lenses. You won't be able to use a Nikon 50mm f1.8 AF-D on it unless you're focusing manually. Not a big deal considering there is the Nikon 35mm f1.8G and Nikon 50mm f1.4G available, both of which are excellent.
Regarding the Nikon 50mm f1.8 AF-D, it's a stellar performer. Probably the BEST value in the entire Nikon lens line-up. Yes, if you have a wide lens to go with it, you'd be fine using it for everything else. Consider the very good 18-55 kit lens (VR or non-VR) to go with it, and you're good. Add the new 55-300mm VR, and you've got a great set-up. Wide, long, and fast!
So here's my suggestion... get on the list for one of the first Nikon D3100 bodies to arrive at your local store. If it doesn't come in before you leave, negotiate the best price you can get on a Nikon D90. It'll be fine for your trip, and if you decide once you get back that you really want the D3100, then you can sell the D90 for close to what you paid (or trade it in if your camera store gives you good value) and get the D3100. Win-win situation. Add the Nikon 18-55mm, the 55-300mm VR, and the 50mm f1.8, and you're good to go to China!
Hope this helps!
Matt
P.S. If you don't mind, I'm going to post your inquiry so others who might be having similar considerations can consider my reply too.
and Steve's follow-up email...
Hey Matt,
Thanks for the quick reply! Please feel free to post the question/answer. I found your site really helpful, so of course I don't mind if your advice is shared with others with similar questions. I think your recommendation is a sound one, and if the D3100 is released mid-September, a pretty good thing.
The other aspect to this is of course the wife. I've been billing the purchase of a more expensive camera as getting both great photos and video, somehow I don't see her appreciating having to manually focus video. Maybe it's not a big deal, but EVERYONE seems to be going ga-ga over the D3100 getting this feature.
The D3100 seems to only come with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens ( Amazon)), which is fine really. Since I anticipate the focus of the trip being more on my daughter than stuff far away, would you agree that having the Nikon 35mm F1.8 G AF-S DX is a better choice because the F1.8 will give me better performance for inside shots than the 18-55 @ F3.5?
Thanks again Matt, probably the best advice I have received to date!
-Steve
Thanks for the quick reply! Please feel free to post the question/answer. I found your site really helpful, so of course I don't mind if your advice is shared with others with similar questions. I think your recommendation is a sound one, and if the D3100 is released mid-September, a pretty good thing.
The other aspect to this is of course the wife. I've been billing the purchase of a more expensive camera as getting both great photos and video, somehow I don't see her appreciating having to manually focus video. Maybe it's not a big deal, but EVERYONE seems to be going ga-ga over the D3100 getting this feature.
The D3100 seems to only come with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens ( Amazon)), which is fine really. Since I anticipate the focus of the trip being more on my daughter than stuff far away, would you agree that having the Nikon 35mm F1.8 G AF-S DX is a better choice because the F1.8 will give me better performance for inside shots than the 18-55 @ F3.5?
Thanks again Matt, probably the best advice I have received to date!
-Steve
and my reply back...
Yes, the AF-F video auto focus is HUGE.
Tough call on the lens. Personally, I'd probably get both if I was in your shoes. That way you'll have a wide that doubles as a back-up. At the kit price, you can't really go wrong.
That said, I would have no problem using just the Nikon 35mm f1.8G. That's actually all I ever used when I had a D5000 for a few months. It's a fantastic lens!
Tough call on the lens. Personally, I'd probably get both if I was in your shoes. That way you'll have a wide that doubles as a back-up. At the kit price, you can't really go wrong.
That said, I would have no problem using just the Nikon 35mm f1.8G. That's actually all I ever used when I had a D5000 for a few months. It's a fantastic lens!
So, in a nutshell folks... if you're up in the air between these cameras, go with the D3100. If you need something TODAY, get a D90.
If video takes priority over photography for professional or other reasons, the T2i is probably your best option TODAY. Keep in mind though, the Nikon D7000 should be announced in a week or two, and that WILL then become the best option, hands down.
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