Nikon D90 body, but which lens?

[mymalloryboys]

I am seeking the help from my DD family. My head is spinning and I am at the point where I just want someone to tell me what to do. Not really, but I would love your advice!!!

My D40 took it's last photo last week-end. The shutter life was much shorter than I expected. I did do 365 for 3 years and of course I never just took one photo a day. So it is time to upgrade..

I think I have decided on the D90. I was looking at the D7000, but I am just not ready to go to a camera with no settings (icons) as I am still working on getting off auto. Since I already have 2 Nikon lenses I have opted not to purchase a kit, but the body only. I have enough left over in my budget to get one lens. I do a lot of outside portraits. Is the 85/1.4 the best one for this? Thank you so so much for your help with this!!!

[Jen D]

I am a canon girl but what lenses do you have currently?

[mymalloryboys]

Hi Jen - I have the lenses that came with the D40 kit... 18-55 and 55-200

I don't know if I typed that correctly - my inexperience with cameras is really going to show here.

I have also looked at the Canon 60D. I just can't decide. I have a friend who said I could try out her 40D to see if I like shooting with a Canon. I just thought the learning curve might be easier with a Nikon since that was my first.

[Jen D]

I say stick with what you know... and you already have some lenses. No reason to change. I think brand is completely a personal choice

If you don't have a prime lens... which is a lens that you have to zoom with your feet I would say that would be a great choice. I will say I personally sold my 85mm lens because I felt I couldn't use it indoors because I had no where to back up. My personal favorite is my 50mm. I have the 1.2 but the 1.4 is a wonderful one to have. Primes are great indoors because you can open up that aperture and let more light in.

I would test out the lenses and go from there.

[mymalloryboys]

I've been researching the 50 mm and I do think it will be a good one to start with. Thanks, Jen!

[Amy L]

You'll love the 50 mm, Amy!

[Jen D]

The 50mm will serve you well Have fun with your new toys!!!

[MIDA78466]

You'll love the 50mm!

[LoriS]

That sounds SO EXCITING, Amy!!!!!!!! How nice to upgrade!!! I think my husband thinks I'm done now that I have the camera(just a beginner Canon DSLR) and an external flash and a new 50mm 1.4 lens(that I got for Christmas)... Boy was he shocked on vaca in Vegas when I was looking at another woman's camera with her and admiring her $2,000 macro fabulous lens... I think he was about to send me packing!!! Maybe some day... A girl can dream, right?
Have you done any off Auto classes yet, Amy??? I'm trying to decide what class to take.. thinking about Katrina's... hoping she teaches in a way that "Getting off Auto for Dummies" can understand. I have no idea what any of the terms on my camera mean! I just shoot! So you are probably ahead of me there!

[Carol Elliott]

You will love the 50mm. When I read your post that is the first lens I thought of!

[KarenC]

I use my 35mm 1.8 the most, especially indoors. Have fun!

[georgeinci]

I love my 50mm 1.8 - it sits on my camera ALL of the time! Perfect for beautiful portraits and just about everything else! I've just purchased a BlackRapid women's camera strap too - it's BRILLIANT and I think it will allow me to use more camera even more than I do now (the strap sits across your body and whizzes up when you need to take a shot!). Happy camera shopping (you lucky thing!) xxx

[mccats]

You know, it just depends on what you like shooting. I have the 50mm also, but I don't use it much. Have a Tamron 18-270 that I use all of the time. I am considering a macro, cause I like shooting macro, but haven't done my research yet on it.

I have the D90 also. If I were to buy a new camera today, I'd be getting a D7000. The write ups on it are fantastic. My husband knows someone that has it and only shoots on auto and the pics are amazing.

Good luck on your decision.

[KarenC]

Originally Posted by mccats

You know, it just depends on what you like shooting. I have the 50mm also, but I don't use it much. Have a Tamron 18-270 that I use all of the time. I am considering a macro, cause I like shooting macro, but haven't done my research yet on it.

I have the D90 also. If I were to buy a new camera today, I'd be getting a D7000. The write ups on it are fantastic. My husband knows someone that has it and only shoots on auto and the pics are amazing.

Good luck on your decision.

That's good to know about the 7000. I'm wanting to upgrade, just for the ISO capabilities.

[mccats]

Originally Posted by KarenC

That's good to know about the 7000. I'm wanting to upgrade, just for the ISO capabilities.

I really don't think you'd regret it. I was going to take my D90 in to the local camera store where I buy my stuff, just to see how much they would give me on a trade. But I know if I went, I'd be trading it. I don't have any big trips planned this year...if I did, I know I would be getting it. I did call to see if they had any in stock....but I managed to keep myself from going there.