Great Gear: Nikon D90
Looking to buy a new Nikon digital camera?
We have seen many here on our courses with Nikon D40
and Nikon D80
cameras and even a Nikon D3
. I am always impressed with the quality Nikon images present.
If I had to recommend an individual model it would be the competitively priced Nikon D90 with 18-105mm
. For the ultimate in picture quality in this zoom range, get the Nikon D90 Body Only
and the Nikon 16-85mm 
lens (sure the Nikon D700
would be my favourite but that’s in a different pricing league....)
Here are some of its good points:
- Image quality comparable with its peers
- Excellent viewfinder and superb high resolution LCD monitor
- Automatic chromatic aberration correction improves performance from all lenses
- Punchy but not un-natural colors (and plenty of control if you want to change them)
- Good dynamic range - and Active D-Lighting to help make the most of it
- Excellent degree of customization (reversible dials and meter ease transition from other systems)
- Fast Autofocus with useful control options
- High sensitivity performance for those low light portraits etc.
- Sophisticated wireless flash commander built-in
- Programmable FUNC button with useful list of functions (including the Imagefrance “NJ” setting !)
- Configurable 'My Menu' (and option for FUNC button to access the top item on it)
- Excellent build quality, quality materials
- Instant power on, very responsive in-use
- Control over high sensitivity noise reduction
- Customizable automatic sensitivity (ISO)
- Status LCD panel on top of camera
- Fast continuous shooting mode ( Very useful for HDR with AEB)
- Good battery life and precise charge-level indication
HD video
It has a real solid, well-made feel about it and being just a bit larger than its rival the Canon 450D will mean those with larger hands feel more comfortable holding it. Of course one could always add a battery compartment to either to make the body larger.
To go with this camera and lens combination I would also recommend a
Sigma 70-300mm APO f/4-5.6 lens
or the optically stabilized version:
SIGMA 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS
and a Nikon MC-DC2 Remote
