What to upgrade to from a D60

[MarcusHoare]

I currently own a D60 with the 18-55mm kit lens and the 55-200MM VR and am thinking about upgrading it to a newer model with better features such as more AF points because with my interest in nature photography 3 points arent enough. I've narrowed it down to 3 bodies.

The D90 mainly due to the top plate LCD and the AF motor being built in.

D3100 mainly due to the 1080P video and 14mp - however it may be too limiting as its clearly targeted at first timers.

or a D5000 is an outside bet if couldn't get hold of the two.

Many Thanks

Marcus

[silversnapper1]

Hi Marcus, welcome to the forum.

A lot depends on what your budget is but the D90 would be the obvious upgrade. However, I understand that the D7000 is also an excellent camera and would be a slightly better upgrade.

The D3100 is, I think, a replacement for the old D40 so in that respect, it would be a little bit of a step backwards for you.

Whatever you decide, try to get your hands on these models and have a play with them so that you can decide which feels best to you.

[MarcusHoare]

Thanks for replying

Unfortunately my budget doesn't stretch to a D7000 - The D3100 when i tried it felt much like my D60 ....

The main positive with the D90 is the AF motor being built in which would allow me to use lenses such as the 50mm AFD (the £95 one)

I'll see if my local Jessops has a D90 and a D5000 in this weekend

marcus

[wotcars]

the D5000 sits just below the D90 only real down side is you have to use afs lens for the auto focus work
where the D90 as you know has an inbuilt motor
Nikon also has just relased the the D51000 slighly better
also as silver snapper said the D7000 is a big upgrade
it all depends on how much you have as a budget
around £400 for the D5000 up to £900 for the D7000

as Silversnapper said the D3100 dont think would be an upgrade

are the lenes you have the AFS versions ? as this could be the major fact in your decsion as only the D90 and the D7000 are the only ones that will auto focus with out the AFS versions lenes

hope this helps

[silversnapper1]

Originally Posted by MarcusHoare

Thanks for replying

Unfortunately my budget doesn't stretch to a D7000 - The D3100 when i tried it felt much like my D60 ....

The main positive with the D90 is the AF motor being built in which would allow me to use lenses such as the 50mm AFD (the £95 one)

I'll see if my local Jessops has a D90 and a D5000 in this weekend

marcus

I use the D90 and my son uses the D5000 so I have experience of both. My D90 would tick all of your boxes if it is within your budget and, as you say, you will be able to use the 50mm prime lens with autofocus and not manually. I have quite large hands so the D90 feels better to me, the D5000 is slightly smaller.

[MattUK]

Wait for the D5100

[MarcusHoare]

I cant stretch the extra £150 for the D5100

looks like im going to get a D90 and take advantage of the cheap glass that can AF with it.

Marcus

Will post when i get it (26th May because its a birthday present )

[Ashleyj]

Good choice Marcus.

Personally I think the D90 is still a far better camera than the D5100. If you look at the specifications of the two cameras you can see that the D90 is much more of a photographer's camera, whilst the D5100 seems to concentrate on the video side of things.

[MarcusHoare]

Thanks for your help guys

The d5100 seems like it's moving away from being a true DSLR whereas the d90 is a photography focused camera with 720p video on the side

Now i have to wait..... Any ideas on what Nikon AF lenses i should get? i know about the 50mm AFD which is a bargain . Saw a 70-210mm on Ebay for £60 last night....

Marcus

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by MarcusHoare

Now i have to wait..... Any ideas on what Nikon AF lenses i should get? i know about the 50mm AFD which is a bargain . Saw a 70-210mm on Ebay for £60 last night....

Marcus

Here's Ken Rockwell's views on this lens: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/7021056.htm

You can check other lenses on this site as well. Remember you can use most Nikon AIS lenses on the D90, so could save you a few bob. Check out Mifsuds for secondhand lenses. I've brought from them and they provide a great service. http://www.mifsuds.com/acatalog/Used...AF_Lenses.html

Also check Grey's of Westminister: http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/...and.php?cat1=3

Both these companies check lenses before selling and also send to Nikon for service when required.