Nikon D5000

[Gad-Westy]

Lookinh at getting my first DSLR after being really impressed by my friend's D90.

Really what I'm looking for a camera that will flatter my limitied ability but also that will allow me to learn on, something that the compacts I am used to don't allow.

I really liked the D90 but I think it's too much for me, particularly if I needed any additional lenses. The D5000 has caught my eye though as it seems to offer most of what the D90 would offer but with a much lower price tag.

First question is whether the D5000 is likely to be suitable for me?

Secondly, would I better going for a D90?

If it is to be the D5000, Jessops have a couple of options.

Camera with 18mm-55mm Nikon lense is £469

Camera with 18-55mm Nikon lense and 70-300 Tamron lense is £649.

I've read some negative stuff about Tamron lenses so I'm a little wary about them.

Would I better going for the first kit and getting another lense with a bit of range? If so any recomendations?

Or maybe body only and a different lense altogether?

Cheers all

[Conor D]

I might be able to help you here, I went out and bought a D5000 and 18-55 Kit as my first DSLR.

I've had it a few months, and it's only now that I'm getting confident with it. I spent most of the time just doing point and shoot with it in Auto, but now I'm looking at lenses, tripods, filters to expand what I can take.

One thing to remember is the D5000 doesn't have a motor built into the body for focusing, so you have to get a specific lens. AF-S I think, so it might be worth looking to see what's available, and at what prices.

The videos decent on the D5000, but the sound is utter st, zero headroom.

Here's a few pictures I've taken with the D5000, most of these are just in Auto, with a little touchup in Photoshop..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49543629@N03/

For a reasonably priced camera that will make you look like a photography god (okay, maybe a bit far?) then I think the D5000 is a great choice.

Sometimes I do wish I had went for a higher model, but to be honest I think that's me being a bit of a snob..

[XG332]

Its spelt lens

[chopper602]

I have the D5000 (upgraded from a D50) with Nikon 18-55 & 55-200 lenses. I have also just got a 35mm prime lens (2nd hand off eBay) which should arrive in the post Tuesday. I have no experience of Tamron lenses, but I'm sure they'll be ok for your first decent DSLR.

[oilslick]

XG332 said:

Its spelt lens

It's spelt It's.

HTH

[Fordo]

oilslick said:

XG332 said:

Its spelt lens

It's spelt It's.

HTH

The second "it's" shouldn't really have a capital "I"


HTH

[M-J-B]

Fordo said:

oilslick said:

XG332 said:

Its spelt lens

It's spelt It's.

HTH

The second "it's" shouldn't really have a capital "I"


HTH

And technically if you are quoting, Its spelt It's

Surely

HTH

Edited by M-J-B on Sunday 5th September 19:43

[Gad-Westy]

Conor D said:

I might be able to help you here, I went out and bought a D5000 and 18-55 Kit as my first DSLR.

I've had it a few months, and it's only now that I'm getting confident with it. I spent most of the time just doing point and shoot with it in Auto, but now I'm looking at lenses, tripods, filters to expand what I can take.

One thing to remember is the D5000 doesn't have a motor built into the body for focusing, so you have to get a specific lens. AF-S I think, so it might be worth looking to see what's available, and at what prices.

The videos decent on the D5000, but the sound is utter st, zero headroom.

Here's a few pictures I've taken with the D5000, most of these are just in Auto, with a little touchup in Photoshop..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49543629@N03/

For a reasonably priced camera that will make you look like a photography god (okay, maybe a bit far?) then I think the D5000 is a great choice.

Sometimes I do wish I had went for a higher model, but to be honest I think that's me being a bit of a snob..

Thanks. Just what I wanted to hear. Took the plunge today and went for the kit I mention but paid a little extra to include filters for both lenses. Really pleased so far but a steep learning curve ahead.

[M-J-B]

Gad-Westy said:

Conor D said:

I might be able to help you here, I went out and bought a D5000 and 18-55 Kit as my first DSLR.

I've had it a few months, and it's only now that I'm getting confident with it. I spent most of the time just doing point and shoot with it in Auto, but now I'm looking at lenses, tripods, filters to expand what I can take.

One thing to remember is the D5000 doesn't have a motor built into the body for focusing, so you have to get a specific lens. AF-S I think, so it might be worth looking to see what's available, and at what prices.

The videos decent on the D5000, but the sound is utter st, zero headroom.

Here's a few pictures I've taken with the D5000, most of these are just in Auto, with a little touchup in Photoshop..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49543629@N03/

For a reasonably priced camera that will make you look like a photography god (okay, maybe a bit far?) then I think the D5000 is a great choice.

Sometimes I do wish I had went for a higher model, but to be honest I think that's me being a bit of a snob..

Thanks. Just what I wanted to hear. Took the plunge today and went for the kit I mention but paid a little extra to include filters for both lenses. Really pleased so far but a steep learning curve ahead.

What additional lens did you get?

[Gad-Westy]

M-J-B said:

Gad-Westy said:

Conor D said:

I might be able to help you here, I went out and bought a D5000 and 18-55 Kit as my first DSLR.

I've had it a few months, and it's only now that I'm getting confident with it. I spent most of the time just doing point and shoot with it in Auto, but now I'm looking at lenses, tripods, filters to expand what I can take.

One thing to remember is the D5000 doesn't have a motor built into the body for focusing, so you have to get a specific lens. AF-S I think, so it might be worth looking to see what's available, and at what prices.

The videos decent on the D5000, but the sound is utter st, zero headroom.

Here's a few pictures I've taken with the D5000, most of these are just in Auto, with a little touchup in Photoshop..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49543629@N03/

For a reasonably priced camera that will make you look like a photography god (okay, maybe a bit far?) then I think the D5000 is a great choice.

Sometimes I do wish I had went for a higher model, but to be honest I think that's me being a bit of a snob..

Thanks. Just what I wanted to hear. Took the plunge today and went for the kit I mention but paid a little extra to include filters for both lenses. Really pleased so far but a steep learning curve ahead.

What additional lens did you get?

It's the tamron 70-300 that's bundled with it. I think ultimately it may be a bit limited but hopefully good enough to learn/play with. Also came with 8gb card, filters and bag.

Been having a go with it tonight and already taken a few photos that are far better than anything I've ever taken with a compact.

[Simpo Two]

oilslick said:

XG332 said:

Its spelt lens

It's spelt It's.

HTH

And it's spelled 'spelled'




All we need now is a good spell of wether....

[Elderly]

Simpo Two said:

And it's spelled 'spelled'

That was my first reaction when seeing "Its spelt lens" (I thought only 1 out of the 3 words was correct) but I checked my Chambers Dictionary before posting and 'spelt' is an acceptable alternative .

[Simpo Two]

Only the OED counts y'know!

Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 6th September 08:33

[Flip Martian]

I bought a D5000 recently to replace my D70. Colours far better without needing tweaking. Not yet convinced the 18-55 lens is as sharp as the 18-70 that came with the D70 but testing continues. Overall, a good, easy to use camera with good results. I got some night shots in Zurich more easily than with my old set up. I love it; having to tweak everything the D70 shot was putting me off photography altogether.

[Gad-Westy]

Flip Martian said:

I bought a D5000 recently to replace my D70. Colours far better without needing tweaking. Not yet convinced the 18-55 lens is as sharp as the 18-70 that came with the D70 but testing continues. Overall, a good, easy to use camera with good results. I got some night shots in Zurich more easily than with my old set up. I love it; having to tweak everything the D70 shot was putting me off photography altogether.

That's good to hear. I'm very new to all this but I can see that the 18mm - 55mm lens maybe a little short of range though to me it seems to produce good images but bear in mind I'm comparing it to a endless line of cheapish compact cameras. The 70-300mm lens seems ok to me as well but it's early days. I can see that ultimately I might fancy a more universal lens for day to day stuff, something like an 18-200mm but that can wait.

Intending to buy the magic lantern user guide if anybody has any thoughts on it?

[Flip Martian]

Gad-Westy said:

I'm very new to all this but I can see that the 18mm - 55mm lens maybe a little short of range

Certainly my first impression. Having been used to an 18-70 before, 18-55 seems less than adequate. No funds for a zoom to cover 55 onwards at the moment though, although I will have when I get round to selling the D70!

[eldavo]

I love my D5000 and also have the Tamron 70-300 too. Ken Rockwell's site has a great guide to all the settings and what they do (even if his style of writing isn't to your tastes). The drawbacks to the Tamron are that it rotates as it focusses so you can't use a polariser and the AF is a little hit and miss at times.