Nikon DSLR

Somewhat Surprising Findings, NO RECALL {and a|along with a|plus a|and also a|as well as a} Heck {of a|of the|of your} Deal!

I {bought|purchased} a D5000 {with the|using the} 18-55 VR lens from Amazon {last|final|previous} Friday (Black Friday). I paid about $200 {less|much less|a smaller amount|a reduced amount of|a lesser amount of} than a friend who {bought|purchased} the {same|exact same} {camera|digital camera} {a few|several} months {ago|back}. AND… It {is not|isn’t|just isn’t} {part|component|element|aspect|portion} {of the|with the|from the} recall! My {biggest|greatest} initial concern was {getting|obtaining|acquiring} caught up {in the|within the|inside the} recall. {I am|I’m} {very|really|extremely|quite|incredibly} {happy|pleased} to say that Amazon {seems|appears} {to be|to become} beyond {those|individuals} serial numbers – {at least|a minimum of|no less than|at the least|at the very least} {with the|using the} kit ({camera|digital camera} and 18-55 VR lens).

I’m upgrading from a D50 I {bought|purchased} {4|four} or {more|much more|a lot more|far more|additional} {years|many years} {ago|back}. {There are|You will find|You can find|You’ll find} {a number of|numerous|several} {reasons|factors|causes} why I chose THIS {camera|digital camera}. {First|Very first}, I like Nikon {over|more than} other {brands|manufacturers|brand names|makes} {because|simply because|since|due to the fact|mainly because} {they are|they’re} {easier|simpler|less difficult|much easier|less complicated} to use/better menus for {those|individuals} of us who aren’t {experts|authorities|specialists|professionals}. I also {think|believe|feel|consider} that Nikon {makes|can make|creates|helps make|tends to make} the {best|greatest|finest|ideal|very best} {lenses|contacts|contact lenses}. Even their {cheapest|least expensive} kit {lenses|contacts|contact lenses} have {great|excellent|fantastic|good|wonderful} optics and take {great|excellent|fantastic|good|wonderful} {pictures|images|photos}. Not all {manufacturers|producers|suppliers|makers|companies} can say that.

The second {thing|point} I {want to|wish to|desire to} address is this camera’s {lack|shortage|absence} of an internal motor to {auto|car|automobile|vehicle} {focus|concentrate} a lens. In other words, you {need|require} Nikon’s AF-S {lenses|contacts|contact lenses} {with this|with this particular} {camera|digital camera}. (Note: {almost|nearly} all of Nikon’s {lenses|contacts|contact lenses} {work|function} {with this|with this particular} {camera|digital camera} and {auto|car|automobile|vehicle} {focus|concentrate}.) I would only {think|believe|feel|consider} {it is|it’s|it can be|it really is|it truly is} a concern for {someone|somebody} who has {really|truly|actually|genuinely|definitely} old {lenses|contacts|contact lenses}, a non-Nikon lens like Sigma or Tamron {without|without having|with out} an {auto|car|automobile|vehicle} {focus|concentrate} motor built-in, or possibly some specialty lens that won’t {auto|car|automobile|vehicle} {focus|concentrate} on its {own|personal|very own}. For me, {I have|I’ve} {purchased|bought|obtained|ordered|acquired} {4|four} {different|various|diverse|distinct|several} {lenses|contacts|contact lenses} {over|more than} the {last|final|previous} 4-5 {years|many years}. They all {work|function} just {fine|good|great|very good}. {While|Although|Whilst} {it is|it’s|it can be|it really is|it truly is} {something|some thing} {to be|to become} {aware|conscious|mindful} of, I {think|believe|feel|consider} most {people|individuals|folks|men and women|persons} who are {looking|searching|seeking} at this {camera|digital camera} {will be|is going to be|will probably be} {fine|good|great|very good} {too|as well}. The {lack|shortage|absence} of an internal motor {means|signifies|indicates|implies|suggests} the D5000 is slightly {smaller|scaled-down|more compact} and lighter than the {next|following|subsequent|up coming} step up – {cheaper|less expensive|less costly|more affordable} {too|as well}. This {makes|can make|creates|helps make|tends to make} the D5000 {easier|simpler|less difficult|much easier|less complicated} to hang {around|close to} your neck and carry {around|close to} all day. This {camera|digital camera} {is not|isn’t|just isn’t} targeted at a pro, {though|although|even though} {it is|it’s|it can be|it really is|it truly is} {very|really|extremely|quite|incredibly} capable of {taking|getting} pro {pictures|images|photos}. Pros are {more|much more|a lot more|far more|additional} {likely|most likely|probably} to opt {for the|for that|for your} D90 or above.

Third – My D50, the D40, D60, D70 and D80 are all Generation 1 cameras. ({Actually|Really|In fact|Truly} the D40 & D60, may be called Generation 2, but are {more|much more|a lot more|far more|additional} Generation 1.5) Nikon’s current lineup, the D3000, D5000, D90 and D300s, are all Generation 2 cameras. What the reviews say is that the Generation 2 cameras take {better|much better|far better} {pictures|images|photos}. They see things {more|much more|a lot more|far more|additional} the way the human eye sees things. {I am|I’m} at that point where {I am|I’m} trying to learn {more|much more|a lot more|far more|additional} about photography and take {better|much better|far better} {pictures|images|photos}. I did my research. The D3000 {is a|is really a} light {camera|digital camera} that {you can|you are able to|it is possible to|you’ll be able to|you possibly can} carry {around|close to} all day {without|without having|with out} {getting|obtaining|acquiring} neck cramp. The problem {with the|using the} D3000 for me was that all the reviews said how {much|a lot|very much|significantly|a great deal} noise (little purple dots that look like film grain) showed up in {photos|pictures|photographs|images} at the higher ISOs. The D90 {is a|is really a} {great|excellent|fantastic|good|wonderful} {camera|digital camera} with {numerous|several} features that appeal to {someone|somebody} who has some idea what ISO and F-stops mean and how they affect the quality {of the|with the|from the} photo. The D5000’s problem, until recently, has been that it was {too|as well} closely priced {to the|towards the} D90. There was just no reason not to take the extra step up {to the|towards the} D90. Now that Nikon and Amazon have dropped the price {of the|with the|from the} D5000, {it is|it’s|it can be|it really is|it truly is} a {much|a lot|very much|significantly|a great deal} {better|much better|far better} value. The D90 {with the|using the} {same|exact same} 18-55 VR lens is about $300 {more|much more|a lot more|far more|additional} {expensive|costly|pricey|high-priced|high priced} than the D5000 as of this writing. The D5000 uses the {same|exact same} sensor (and some other parts) as the {much|a lot|very much|significantly|a great deal} {more|much more|a lot more|far more|additional} {expensive|costly|pricey|high-priced|high priced} D90 and D300s. {It is|It’s|It can be|It really is|It truly is} a newer {camera|digital camera} than the D90. I would {think|believe|feel|consider}, but don’t have actual knowledge, that this would have a positive effect on some {of the|with the|from the} advanced features {in the|within the|inside the} D5000. I say this {because|simply because|since|due to the fact|mainly because} the software {in the|within the|inside the} D5000 is newer. It does NOT have the noise problems {of the|with the|from the} D3000. If you cannot afford the D5000, I suggest you {consider|think about|take into account|look at|contemplate} the D40 ({while|although|whilst} supplies {last|final|previous}) {over|more than} the D3000. The D40 takes {better|much better|far better} {pictures|images|photos} and costs {less|much less|a smaller amount|a reduced amount of|a lesser amount of}.

Video – Do NOT buy a DSLR to shoot videos. NO DSLR from any manufacturer does this {really|truly|actually|genuinely|definitely} {well|nicely|properly}. The technology is {too|as well} new. Video on a DSLR {is a|is really a} goof, {something|some thing} neat/fun to play with and not {something|some thing} to take {too|as well} seriously. DSLRs are designed to take {really|truly|actually|genuinely|definitely} {good|great|excellent|very good|beneficial} photographs. If you {need|require} {good|great|excellent|very good|beneficial} video, buy a camcorder!

In my opinion, the D5000 is THE {camera|digital camera} for folks new to DSLRs who {need|require} {something|some thing} simple, but with {great|excellent|fantastic|good|wonderful} capabilities and {those|individuals}, like me, who {want to|wish to|desire to} take a step up in features/capabilities {without|without having|with out} {having|getting} to spend {over|more than} $900 dollars {for the|for that|for your} D90 {and a|along with a|plus a|and also a|as well as a} lens. {While|Although|Whilst} Live View has its limitations, the articulating screen (it swivels – {very|really|extremely|quite|incredibly} cool feature) on the D5000 will make it {easier|simpler|less difficult|much easier|less complicated} for me to take {those|individuals} occasional hard to get {photos|pictures|photographs|images}.

I {really|truly|actually|genuinely|definitely} {think|believe|feel|consider} I made the right choice and got what I {feel|really feel|think|sense|experience} {is a|is really a} heck {of a|of the|of your} deal! I hope this information is useful to {those|individuals} of you who are still trying to decide which {camera|digital camera} is {best|greatest|finest|ideal|very best} for you.

One {last|final|previous} thought… Nikons seem to hold their value. I plan to sell my D50 – AND – there {seems|appears} {to be|to become} a market for it. Once I learn what ISO and F-stops are ({I have|I’ve} some idea, but am still learning.), I will {likely|most likely|probably} sell my D5000 and buy whatever the {next|following|subsequent|up coming} step up is. I {think|believe|feel|consider} this {is a|is really a} {great|excellent|fantastic|good|wonderful} added value to buying a {good|great|excellent|very good|beneficial} name brand {camera|digital camera} like Nikon. All the best…

**Update 1/3/10** {Well|Nicely|Properly}, I’ve had a chance to shoot {a few|several} hundred {photos|pictures|photographs|images} with my new D5000. I did a direct comparison with about 150 {photos|pictures|photographs|images} between my old D50 and the new D5000. The output of my old D50 and the new D5000 are remarkably {close|near}. These side by side comparisons were shot {with the|using the} {same|exact same} lens (Nikkor 16-85mm VR and Nikon NC filter), the {built|constructed} in flash and the Nikon SB 800 flash. I took some shots in “Auto” and {many|numerous|several|a lot of|quite a few} shots in “P”. I used every ISO and color control the D5000 had and tried to tweak them up and down (sharpness, saturation and hue). I’ve decided to return the D5000, and then decided to keep it, and here’s why.

The added mega pixels {of the|with the|from the} D5000 seem to have {very|really|extremely|quite|incredibly} little effect {in the|within the|inside the} {amount|quantity|sum|volume|total} of detail {in the|within the|inside the} {photos|pictures|photographs|images} as compared to my D50. The D50 has a 6-mega-pixel sensor. (I DID tweak the settings of my D50 to get {better|much better|far better} output. I will tweak the settings {of the|with the|from the} D5000 {too|as well}.) And, the D50 seemed to have a slightly {more|much more|a lot more|far more|additional} reliable/consistent meter when shooting in {auto|car|automobile|vehicle} white balance. All this {really|truly|actually|genuinely|definitely} surprised me. I guess I was expecting {more|much more|a lot more|far more|additional} {of a|of the|of your} difference between the two cameras. The D50 {probably|most likely|possibly|almost certainly|likely} has one {of the|with the|from the} most accurate meters in any Nikon {digital|electronic} {camera|digital camera} – {better|much better|far better} than the D40 and D60. {In the|Within the|Inside the} thousands of {photos|pictures|photographs|images} I took {over|more than} 4-5 {years|many years}, it got the white balance spot on every time.

In defense {of the|with the|from the} D5000, it does have features {far|much} beyond {those|individuals} {of the|with the|from the} D50. {It is|It’s|It can be|It really is|It truly is} these features that have made me decide to keep the D5000. The software {in the|within the|inside the} D5000 allows you to adjust {many|numerous|several|a lot of|quite a few} {more|much more|a lot more|far more|additional} aspects of how the {camera|digital camera} operates and takes {pictures|images|photos} than what my D50 had. This allowed me to tweak any settings that I was not completely {happy|pleased} with. It also has {numerous|several} preset scene modes for {those|individuals} who {want to|wish to|desire to} treat the D5000 {more|much more|a lot more|far more|additional} as a {really|truly|actually|genuinely|definitely} {good|great|excellent|very good|beneficial} point and shoot. I guess this {camera|digital camera} gives the user enough features where even prosumers could be {happy|pleased} {with the|using the} creative flexibility the controls give.

The D5000 has {a number of|numerous|several} other advantages {over|more than} the D50. The {first|very first} {is a|is really a} time saver for me. Its {auto|car|automobile|vehicle} distortion control {seems|appears} to handle lens distortion “in camera” when the {pictures|images|photos} are taken. {Having|Getting} the {camera|digital camera} address lens distortion saves me from {having|getting} to fix it after the {photos|pictures|photographs|images} are taken. I shoot {quite|very|really|pretty|rather} a bit with a 12-24mm lens that tends to twist things some. I also took {several|a number of|numerous|many|various} test {photos|pictures|photographs|images} {of a|of the|of your} {very|really|extremely|quite|incredibly} square surface with a 70-300mm lens at {different|various|diverse|distinct|several} focal lengths. You could see the lens distortion through the viewfinder. Big bonus… The {auto|car|automobile|vehicle} distortion control {really|truly|actually|genuinely|definitely} {seems|appears} to {work|function}! {Additional|Extra|Further|More|Supplemental} features include {much|a lot|very much|significantly|a great deal} {better|much better|far better} low light performance (The D50 and {many|numerous|several|a lot of|quite a few} other cameras will never touch the D5000’s low light performance.), ADR (it will capture detail {inside|within} shadows rather than just turning the shadow black.), a larger-articulating screen that is {much|a lot|very much|significantly|a great deal} {easier|simpler|less difficult|much easier|less complicated} to see and read (the D5000 displays the {camera|digital camera} settings on the rear screen instead of an LCD on top {of the|with the|from the} {camera|digital camera}.), live view (I recommend {using|utilizing|making use of|employing|applying} this only for {those|individuals} hard to get {photos|pictures|photographs|images} when you just can’t use the view finder. {It can|It could|It may|It may possibly|It could possibly} take 3 to 8 seconds to {focus|concentrate} in live view.) {Auto|Car|Automobile|Vehicle} {focus|concentrate} with 3D tracking for photographing subjects that are moving, {and a|along with a|plus a|and also a|as well as a} {smaller|scaled-down|more compact} and lighter form factor than the D50.

The bottom line for me was that my old D50 took {really|truly|actually|genuinely|definitely} {good|great|excellent|very good|beneficial} {photos|pictures|photographs|images} in {good|great|excellent|very good|beneficial} conditions. The D5000 takes only slightly {better|much better|far better} {pictures|images|photos} than my D50 in {good|great|excellent|very good|beneficial} conditions. In {less|much less|a smaller amount|a reduced amount of|a lesser amount of} than perfect conditions, the D5000 {seems|appears} to take {much|a lot|very much|significantly|a great deal} {better|much better|far better} {photos|pictures|photographs|images} than my D50. If you’re upgrading like me and none of these added features mean anything to you, keep your current {camera|digital camera}. Otherwise, {while|although|whilst} not completely perfect, the D5000 {can be|could be|may be|might be|is usually} a {good|great|excellent|very good|beneficial} upgrade or a {very|really|extremely|quite|incredibly} capable {first|very first} dslr that is easy {to use|to utilize|to make use of} AND will give you the room and controls to expand your skills and your creativity as you learn.

I did play with a variety of settings in my new D5000. The “One Change” that seemed to make the {biggest|greatest} improvement {in the|within the|inside the} quality {of the|with the|from the} {photos|pictures|photographs|images} was to adjust the sharpness settings {in the|within the|inside the} Picture Controls menu. {I have|I’ve} turned the sharpness settings way up {over|more than} the factory defaults. The factory settings ranged from 2 to {4|four} (on a scale of 1 to 9). I greatly prefer setting the sharpness {more|much more|a lot more|far more|additional} {in the|within the|inside the} 5 to 8 range. {You can|You are able to|It is possible to|You’ll be able to|You possibly can} adjust the sharpness {for the|for that|for your} {different|various|diverse|distinct|several} modes – 5 for {images|pictures|photos|illustrations or photos} you {want to|wish to|desire to} be softer like portraits, and 6, 7 or 8 for everything else. If you shoot in “auto mode”, these changes won’t {work|function}. {You will|You’ll} {need|require} to move to “P” or some other setting to take advantage of this. If you try it, I {think|believe|feel|consider} {you will|you’ll} be pleased at how {much|a lot|very much|significantly|a great deal} sharper and how {much|a lot|very much|significantly|a great deal} {more|much more|a lot more|far more|additional} detail you get in your {photos|pictures|photographs|images} {over|more than} the factory settings.

The information I share comes in {part|component|element|aspect|portion} from personal experience and in {part|component|element|aspect|portion} from reading reviews and information all {over|more than} the web – not {because|simply because|since|due to the fact|mainly because} I’m some pro photographer. For anyone who cares to read {more|much more|a lot more|far more|additional}, I recommend checking out Ken Rockwell. {You can|You are able to|It is possible to|You’ll be able to|You possibly can} goggle him. He rates ALL of these cameras and provides useful information like tips on how to setup your D5000 once you buy it. Note: The guide to setting up the D5000 is buried {in the|within the|inside the} site. If you click the “Nikon” link, then go down to “Plain English User Guides”, {you will|you’ll} {find|discover|locate|come across|uncover} it. His guide to setting the {camera|digital camera} up is separate from the review {of the|with the|from the} D5000 on his site. If you follow his suggestions when adjusting the saturation levels (color), you should know that you COULD {really|truly|actually|genuinely|definitely} get some wild colors – colors that are not natural. I didn’t get this the {first|very first} time and got some {really|truly|actually|genuinely|definitely} crazy output from the {camera|digital camera}. I decided to leave most {of the|with the|from the} color settings set at the factory defaults. I saved two custom settings {with the|using the} saturation level turned up one notch for {pictures|images|photos} taken outside and in {good|great|excellent|very good|beneficial} sunlight. If you screw up the settings on the {camera|digital camera}, {it is|it’s|it can be|it really is|it truly is} easy to restore the factory default settings. So, don’t be afraid to try {different|various|diverse|distinct|several} things. Ken recommends setting the sharpness settings to 5. As I said before, I prefer to go even sharper and use settings that range from 5 to 8. Ken’s only beef {with the|using the} D5000 was that Nikon started with it {too|as well} closely priced {to the|towards the} D90. The D5000 shares the {same|exact same} sensor and {A lot|A great deal|A whole lot|A good deal} of other parts from the {more|much more|a lot more|far more|additional} {expensive|costly|pricey|high-priced|high priced} D90. This {makes|can make|creates|helps make|tends to make} the D5000 a {fantastic|wonderful|great|amazing|excellent} {camera|digital camera} {and a|along with a|plus a|and also a|as well as a} {great|excellent|fantastic|good|wonderful} value at its current price point. Amazon lists the link {to the|towards the} DPReview review on the D5000 page or {you can|you are able to|it is possible to|you’ll be able to|you possibly can} goggle it. {People|Individuals|Folks|Men and women|Persons} may {want to|wish to|desire to} read the DPReview {of the|with the|from the} D5000 before reading Ken Rockwell’s Guide to setting up the D5000. DPReview tells you what’s wrong {with the|using the} factory default settings on the D5000. Ken Rockwell tells you how to adjust the factory settings to get even {better|much better|far better} {photos|pictures|photographs|images}! I know I’m rambling a bit here. I’m {going|heading} to so {much|a lot|very much|significantly|a great deal} effort here only {because|simply because|since|due to the fact|mainly because} the reviews on Amazon have provided me so {much|a lot|very much|significantly|a great deal} helpful information {in the|within the|inside the} past. {I am|I’m} just trying to give {something|some thing} back. Oh, I DID sell my D50 for $350! I was {very|really|extremely|quite|incredibly} {happy|pleased} to get this kind of money for a {camera|digital camera} that was {4|four} or 5 {years|many years} old. All the best…

Tags: d5000, d5000 camera, Dslr, nikon d5000