Nikon D90 Review

Kaneman · 09-24-2009, 07:45 PM

I know there are quite a few photo buffs here so I figured I'd write up a quick, general users review of the D90.

I picked up the D90 yesterday to work along side my D70s. I was not expecting a significant improvement in image quality or to actually get use of the video camera function...so I was pleasantly surprised with both. Its worth noting that I once left my D70 in an overnight thunderstorm with an attached SB800 flash. Water was literally pouring out of the camera and flash. I dried them out and have been using them ever since, that was 2 years ago. So I stick with Nikon for now.

First thing I noticed was the dramatically improved display screen. It is like having a mini-HD monitor on the back of your camera. You can get a true feel for exposure and color balance now before your images go to the computer.

Noise reduction is significantly better as well. This photo is a 15" exposure with ISO 1600 on a very dark night. Nikkor 50mm 1.8 lens (the Nifty fifty).

This is straight off the camera, notice the lack of noise despite the long exposure and high ISO.

The auto focus is so accurate and fast now that it makes my D70 feel like a manual focus camera. Many of these shots would not have focused fast enough to come out on the D70, especially not the ones of the dogs running straight toward me. I took 109 shots at the dog park this morning and all but 4 of them were in focus. None of them were over exposed (I did shoot manual on about half, but the P function works quite well).

These shots are straight from the camera. I shot in vivid mode, +2 sharpening, ISO 800, WB was set to auto, sunlight/cloudy would've prob given more color depth, but you can change that in Nikon NX if wanted. Lens is a Nikkor 70-300 ED.

The video obviously has limitations as there is no auto focus feature. Basically the camera is making a recording of the live view option (which allows you to take pictures without holding the camera to your face). It is capable of 720p. This video is medium quality on my first try. Once you get the hang of (or back into the groove) the manual focus it produces some nice video. You control the color, exposure and zoom so there is a lot of possibility here.

All in all I'm very impressed with the improvements made to the newer line of Nikon DSLRs which seem a leap above the previous models.

Amber Lamps · 09-24-2009, 10:34 PM

Who was the girl giggling in the background?

Looks good! I still have my Fuji but I never use it.

Yamerhaw · 09-24-2009, 10:49 PM

looks pretty good, but guess i'll stick with the trusty Canon

Kaneman · 09-25-2009, 12:19 AM

If I had it to do all over again I would consider going the Canon route...lots of good things to be said for both brands.

Took this one tonight with the noise reduction turned off. You can see the difference. 6" shutter at F8 on the nifty fifty.

Kaneman · 09-25-2009, 12:51 AM

Here's good example of the improved color capablity of the D90. This shot would've required editing on the D70...this is straight from the camera minus a slight crop.

Amber Lamps · 09-25-2009, 11:55 AM

Okay now THAT is an outstanding picture!!! The thing that is causing me to hesitate, is the bulk of the unit itself. Like I said, I have an older DSLR that sits on a shelf. You have to almost "plan" to take pics with that thing. Quite frankly, it's a pain in the ass for the type of pics I take now. Of course, if I had kids I might feel differently.

Yamerhaw · 09-25-2009, 01:55 PM

yeah that last one is pretty impressive!

Papa_Complex · 09-25-2009, 01:57 PM

Noise reduction is all well and good, but is it at the expense of detail in the full sized images? I would hate to hear that the newer Nikons had started to give that Canon "plastic coated" look.

Kaneman · 09-25-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

Noise reduction is all well and good, but is it at the expense of detail in the full sized images? I would hate to hear that the newer Nikons had started to give that Canon "plastic coated" look.

I haven't noticed anything like that....you?

Amber Lamps · 09-25-2009, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

Noise reduction is all well and good, but is it at the expense of detail in the full sized images? I would hate to hear that the newer Nikons had started to give that Canon "plastic coated" look.

Heck, I can get that from my Sony P&S...

Seriously, this is a genuine question, other lense choices, more zoom, etc, what does a DSLR-always used on "auto", bring to the table vs a higher end P&S? I mean especially for the "casual" photographer, considering the truly awesome P&S cameras that have come out, does it really make sense to buy a DSLR?

Honest opinions. I keep looking at them and then I remember that small piece of luggage sitting on a shelf in the closet....

09-24-2009, 07:45 PM	#1
Kaneman AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Odessa, TX Moto: 2000 Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird Posts: 4,931	Nikon D90 Review I know there are quite a few photo buffs here so I figured I'd write up a quick, general users review of the D90. I picked up the D90 yesterday to work along side my D70s. I was not expecting a significant improvement in image quality or to actually get use of the video camera function...so I was pleasantly surprised with both. Its worth noting that I once left my D70 in an overnight thunderstorm with an attached SB800 flash. Water was literally pouring out of the camera and flash. I dried them out and have been using them ever since, that was 2 years ago. So I stick with Nikon for now. First thing I noticed was the dramatically improved display screen. It is like having a mini-HD monitor on the back of your camera. You can get a true feel for exposure and color balance now before your images go to the computer. Noise reduction is significantly better as well. This photo is a 15" exposure with ISO 1600 on a very dark night. Nikkor 50mm 1.8 lens (the Nifty fifty). This is straight off the camera, notice the lack of noise despite the long exposure and high ISO. The auto focus is so accurate and fast now that it makes my D70 feel like a manual focus camera. Many of these shots would not have focused fast enough to come out on the D70, especially not the ones of the dogs running straight toward me. I took 109 shots at the dog park this morning and all but 4 of them were in focus. None of them were over exposed (I did shoot manual on about half, but the P function works quite well). These shots are straight from the camera. I shot in vivid mode, +2 sharpening, ISO 800, WB was set to auto, sunlight/cloudy would've prob given more color depth, but you can change that in Nikon NX if wanted. Lens is a Nikkor 70-300 ED. The video obviously has limitations as there is no auto focus feature. Basically the camera is making a recording of the live view option (which allows you to take pictures without holding the camera to your face). It is capable of 720p. This video is medium quality on my first try. Once you get the hang of (or back into the groove) the manual focus it produces some nice video. You control the color, exposure and zoom so there is a lot of possibility here. All in all I'm very impressed with the improvements made to the newer line of Nikon DSLRs which seem a leap above the previous models. __________________ 1982 Honda XR80 - blown motor, 1993 Kawasaki ZX6D - sold, 2001 Suzuki Bandit 1200S - sold, 1984 Honda Magna - sold, 2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200R - blown motor, 2007 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom - totalled, 2003 Yamaha FZ1 - sold, 1994 Honda Magna - sold, 2001 Honda CBR600F4i - sold, 1998 Suzuki DR350 - stolen, 1989 Honda Super Magna - sold, 2007 Yamaha Stratoliner, 2000 Honda CBR 1100XX Blackbird

09-24-2009, 10:49 PM	#3
Yamerhaw Country Boy Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hicktown in NC Moto: 07 R1 Posts: 797	looks pretty good, but guess i'll stick with the trusty Canon __________________ “If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.” It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

09-25-2009, 12:19 AM	#4
Kaneman AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Odessa, TX Moto: 2000 Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird Posts: 4,931	If I had it to do all over again I would consider going the Canon route...lots of good things to be said for both brands. Took this one tonight with the noise reduction turned off. You can see the difference. 6" shutter at F8 on the nifty fifty. __________________ 1982 Honda XR80 - blown motor, 1993 Kawasaki ZX6D - sold, 2001 Suzuki Bandit 1200S - sold, 1984 Honda Magna - sold, 2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200R - blown motor, 2007 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom - totalled, 2003 Yamaha FZ1 - sold, 1994 Honda Magna - sold, 2001 Honda CBR600F4i - sold, 1998 Suzuki DR350 - stolen, 1989 Honda Super Magna - sold, 2007 Yamaha Stratoliner, 2000 Honda CBR 1100XX Blackbird

09-25-2009, 12:51 AM	#5
Kaneman AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Odessa, TX Moto: 2000 Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird Posts: 4,931	Here's good example of the improved color capablity of the D90. This shot would've required editing on the D70...this is straight from the camera minus a slight crop. __________________ 1982 Honda XR80 - blown motor, 1993 Kawasaki ZX6D - sold, 2001 Suzuki Bandit 1200S - sold, 1984 Honda Magna - sold, 2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200R - blown motor, 2007 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom - totalled, 2003 Yamaha FZ1 - sold, 1994 Honda Magna - sold, 2001 Honda CBR600F4i - sold, 1998 Suzuki DR350 - stolen, 1989 Honda Super Magna - sold, 2007 Yamaha Stratoliner, 2000 Honda CBR 1100XX Blackbird

09-25-2009, 01:55 PM	#7
Yamerhaw Country Boy Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hicktown in NC Moto: 07 R1 Posts: 797	yeah that last one is pretty impressive! __________________ “If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.” It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

09-24-2009, 10:34 PM	#2
Amber Lamps Moto GP Star Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14,556	Who was the girl giggling in the background? Looks good! I still have my Fuji but I never use it.

09-25-2009, 11:55 AM	#6
Amber Lamps Moto GP Star Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14,556	Okay now THAT is an outstanding picture!!! The thing that is causing me to hesitate, is the bulk of the unit itself. Like I said, I have an older DSLR that sits on a shelf. You have to almost "plan" to take pics with that thing. Quite frankly, it's a pain in the ass for the type of pics I take now. Of course, if I had kids I might feel differently.

09-25-2009, 01:57 PM	#8
Papa_Complex Nomadic Tribesman Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Brampton, Canada Moto: '09 ER-6n Posts: 11,150	Noise reduction is all well and good, but is it at the expense of detail in the full sized images? I would hate to hear that the newer Nikons had started to give that Canon "plastic coated" look. __________________ "Everything's better with pirates." - Lodge, "Dorkness Rising" http://www.morallyambiguous.net/