Nikon D90 or D80 ?

I have had my eye on the D80 for sometime now!! But since the D90 has come out I don't know which one to go with. I love the fact that the D80 has dropped so dramatically in price, but I love the New features the D90 have and don't mind paying a little more for the faster shutter speed, super clear matrix, live view and the ability to record video. I take alot of family snaps shots, landscape, I want to branch out and do weddings and sports, portrait ect.
Someone with either camera and lot of photography experience please HELP!!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Tai on February 26, 2009 at 9:48am

A D90 is a good pro-sumer camera but don't think it's enough for going professional (especially weddings). But it's a good place to start.

Permalink Reply by Diane on February 26, 2009 at 1:15pm

As a D70 fan (I've worn out 2)- the problem you will run into with prosumer cameras is that they don't handle high ISO well. There are many in my professional circle, including myself, that have produced award-winning images from the D70 and D80, as well as professional images for customers.

As many better than I have said before, it isn't the camera, it is the photographer. The equipment only make the job easier.

Whichever you choose, you need to invest in the glass (lens). You will never regret putting your money there, as poor lens quality will show through when the camera is doing an adequate job..

A quick side note on doing weddings- remember you are capturing a "once in a lifetime moment" and there is liability in taking on that job. If you biff a portrait session, you can redo it. If you biff a wedding, you can get sued. If you choose to do it, only do it with plenty of back up (camera, lenses, strobe, batteries, etc.). It would be best to find a wedding photographer and work as their assistant (even if it is unpaid) before you take on weddings.

Let us know what you choose- and share some images!

Permalink Reply by shawnamawna on February 27, 2009 at 7:41am

It definitely will depend on your glass (lens). I have the D80 with the standard zoom and am able to do small weddings or receptions, provided they're outdoors. I actually use a 50mm for my portraits. That's what I used for this post on my blog where I experimented with high contrast--http://www.thedaysarepacked.com/2009/02/25/the-pieces-of-childhood-....

Permalink Reply by LaKietha on February 27, 2009 at 3:14pm

Thanks for the advice. I have heard that it's truly about the lens before. I didn't know about wedding liability, and the possibility of being sued, thats scary!! I am currently trying to assist for some local wedding photographers in my area. They all want portfolios, which I'm not so confident about my photos and reluctant to show them. I feel like they are too "amerturish" if thats word, and that they will reject me.

It seams like the D80 is still popular and more desired than the D90 for most professionals. Which after is where I want to be one day!! So, I am most likely leaning towards the D80. Thx for the advice!! :)

Diane said:

As a D70 fan (I've worn out 2)- the problem you will run into with prosumer cameras is that they don't handle high ISO well. There are many in my professional circle, including myself, that have produced award-winning images from the D70 and D80, as well as professional images for customers.

As many better than I have said before, it isn't the camera, it is the photographer. The equipment only make the job easier.

Whichever you choose, you need to invest in the glass (lens). You will never regret putting your money there, as poor lens quality will show through when the camera is doing an adequate job..

A quick side note on doing weddings- remember you are capturing a "once in a lifetime moment" and there is liability in taking on that job. If you biff a portrait session, you can redo it. If you biff a wedding, you can get sued. If you choose to do it, only do it with plenty of back up (camera, lenses, strobe, batteries, etc.). It would be best to find a wedding photographer and work as their assistant (even if it is unpaid) before you take on weddings.

Let us know what you choose- and share some images!

Permalink Reply by LaKietha on February 27, 2009 at 3:15pm

Cool blog!! thx for commenting :)

shawnamawna said:

It definitely will depend on your glass (lens). I have the D80 with the standard zoom and am able to do small weddings or receptions, provided they're outdoors. I actually use a 50mm for my portraits. That's what I used for this post on my blog where I experimented with high contrast--http://www.thedaysarepacked.com/2009/02/25/the-pieces-of-childhood-....

Permalink Reply by LaKietha on February 27, 2009 at 3:16pm

So you think I should go with the D80?
Jennifer Tai said:

A D90 is a good pro-sumer camera but don't think it's enough for going professional (especially weddings). But it's a good place to start.

Permalink Reply by Diane on February 27, 2009 at 3:43pm

If you are truely serious about becoming professional and you want to work with photographers, the very best way to get to know them and to get "in" is to join your local PPA (professional photographers of America) affiliate and be active. That way, they will get to know you and you will get to know them.

Don't worry about your work right now- any photographer worth their salt knows that everyone starts somewhere and will be willing to help you. If you'd like me to look at your stuff, let me know. I also have a blog at www.coachingphotogs.com and I'll be glad to answer any questions or blog about a topic you are intersted in.

As far as a camera- go to a camera store and hold them and play with them. If the difference in money isn't important, then go put your hands on them and pick the one that you love.

Welcome to photography.

LaKietha said:

Thanks for the advice. I have heard that it's truly about the lens before. I didn't know about wedding liability, and the possibility of being sued, thats scary!! I am currently trying to assist for some local wedding photographers in my area. They all want portfolios, which I'm not so confident about my photos and reluctant to show them. I feel like they are too "amerturish" if thats word, and that they will reject me.

It seams like the D80 is still popular and more desired than the D90 for most professionals. Which after is where I want to be one day!! So, I am most likely leaning towards the D80. Thx for the advice!! :)

Diane said:
As a D70 fan (I've worn out 2)- the problem you will run into with prosumer cameras is that they don't handle high ISO well. There are many in my professional circle, including myself, that have produced award-winning images from the D70 and D80, as well as professional images for customers.

As many better than I have said before, it isn't the camera, it is the photographer. The equipment only make the job easier.

Whichever you choose, you need to invest in the glass (lens). You will never regret putting your money there, as poor lens quality will show through when the camera is doing an adequate job..

A quick side note on doing weddings- remember you are capturing a "once in a lifetime moment" and there is liability in taking on that job. If you biff a portrait session, you can redo it. If you biff a wedding, you can get sued. If you choose to do it, only do it with plenty of back up (camera, lenses, strobe, batteries, etc.). It would be best to find a wedding photographer and work as their assistant (even if it is unpaid) before you take on weddings.

Let us know what you choose- and share some images!

Permalink Reply by Diane on February 27, 2009 at 5:26pm

http://www.ppgba.org/memapp.pdf

I just noticed that you are in Fairfield. This is the guild I belong to- awesome group and you can join as an aspiring member- network with Bay Area photographers & go to some great classes for $100!

Love to see you there.

Permalink Reply by LaKietha on February 27, 2009 at 5:39pm

This is the photography organization? what are some of the benefits of joining? I looked at the link but wasn't too sure.

Diane said:

http://www.ppgba.org/memapp.pdf

I just noticed that you are in Fairfield. This is the guild I belong to- awesome group and you can join as an aspiring member- network with Bay Area photographers & go to some great classes for $100!

Love to see you there.

Permalink Reply by Diane on February 27, 2009 at 5:48pm

It's Professional Photographers of America, Greater Bay Area. If you joined you could get to know a lot of the very good photographers in the Bay Area. Then if you wanted to intern for them or assist them, they would know you and be more likely take you on, with or without a portfolio. At the very least you'd have some people locally that could mentor you.

The other thing is that you could go learn how to start and run a successful photography business, lighting, posing, digital art, and a lot of other really good stuff.

And if you join as an aspiring photographer, no one will expect you to have a professional level portfolio yet, just passion for photography.

Permalink Reply by Dijea on February 27, 2009 at 7:39pm

I have a D90. I love it, but then I never worked on a D80. What are you using now? If its a Nikon, great because all your lenses will transfer, if its not you might want to for the cost stick with what you are using now. I love the video feature, although to tell you the truth I don't use it much. I also like the extra megapixels. I don't use the Live View. Mainly because when you use a live view camera your shutter is open. Then it has to close and reopen to take the picture, so those shots you think you are going to get you don't - you are always a click behind. I take tons of landscapes, very few staged shots, I'm good with candids. Check out my photo blog. http://photodijea.blogspot.com and see what I've done so you can compare. The New Zealand photos were not taken with the D90. I hadn't purchased it yet.

Good luck!

Permalink Reply by LaKietha on February 28, 2009 at 8:22am

I have an old film camera (cannon) which gets little to no use. I mainly use my compact digital camera mainly for snap shots. I'm not partial to cannon and would rather have a Nikon so starting from scratch is not a problem for me. I like your blog there are some really beautiful shots you have taken with the D90. I think I am leaning towards the D80 since its cheaper and put money into the lens (18-200mm lense) . I think this is the WAY to go. Thanks for the advice tho, appreciate it!!

Dijea said:

I have a D90. I love it, but then I never worked on a D80. What are you using now? If its a Nikon, great because all your lenses will transfer, if its not you might want to for the cost stick with what you are using now. I love the video feature, although to tell you the truth I don't use it much. I also like the extra megapixels. I don't use the Live View. Mainly because when you use a live view camera your shutter is open. Then it has to close and reopen to take the picture, so those shots you think you are going to get you don't - you are always a click behind. I take tons of landscapes, very few staged shots, I'm good with candids. Check out my photo blog. http://photodijea.blogspot.com and see what I've done so you can compare. The New Zealand photos were not taken with the D90. I hadn't purchased it yet.

Good luck!