A while back I was searching for a reasonable backup camera to travel with over the summer. After quite a bit of deliberation, I decided on the Nikon D5000. I have been putting it through the paces and I am quite pleased. Here is a simple capture from the camera while we were out on a drive over the weekend. I will be writing up a more formalish review of it shortly, as for now, here are a couple things I like about it.
- Same image guts as its big (D90) and bigger (D300s) brother.
- Quiet shutter mode. It helped when shooting some street photos in France. Very stealthy.
- It has video! I made a quick movie while I was in France that I am still editing. Once it is done I will post it along with a more detailed review.
- Super light and compact.
- You can get the same image quality of a D300s, for under $500 (if you are willing to buy refurbished).
- Swivel LCD – Much easier on the back when having to shoot in yoga poses.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D5000
Nikkor 16-85 VR II
Processing Notes:
Capture – 1 Image
Nik Silver Efex Pro (B&W Conversion)
Sized For Web
LightAsMagic.com
An outstanding photo. There is a great sense of depth and the tones are wonderful. I love SEP. :)
I am interested to read your review of the D5000, I have been thinking of a backup camera and perhaps this cold be what I need.
I enjoy your photography greatly and have been meaning to comment for some time. I also appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge and processing methods.
Thanks Peter, I really appreciate y our comments! Stay tuned for the review, I am still trying to figure out iMovie.
Outstanding image!
I have a few questions:
1. Is it rugged enough to be a solid backup for event work? weddings and other low light items. Backing up a D300/D200 combo
2. Since the body is smaller, is it tough using a larger lens? e.g. 70-200 If so, would you recommend using only light weight lenses with it.
3. Did you try this with any of the older great lenses? 50mm f/1.8, 105 macro (non vr)
thanks!
Howdy Frank! Thanks for the kind words. Let me try to get to your questions as best as I can.
1) As for ruggedness…it isn’t anywhere near the 300. I believe the body is plastic, and not magnesium. It isn’t flimsy, but you couldn’t defend yourself with it like the 300 series camera. The ISO seemed to be on par with my D300, but not nearly as nice as the D700. Although, when shooting with my 50mm 1.4 G, I was able to get some very nice (low noise) hand held portraits at dusk with available light. I was impressed.
2) As for being a light body, you are right, the longer lenses don’t balance as well on it. I shot it with an old 80-200 AFD, but it was manual focus from a tripod. The body seems to be about 2/3rds the size and 1/2 the weight of the a 300.
3) Yep, tried it with the old 80-200 AFD, at which point it was full manual focus. This would be the case with any non-afs lens. Metering was still fine though.
A couple things to note:
1) It has only has 1 command dial, which is OK if you are shooting in Aperture Priority mode most of the time. It is a bit cumbersome if you are shooting manual.
2) It can only bracket 3 frames, but it can bracket at 2ev so it works OK as an HDR camera but not as nice as the 9 frames @ 1ev you can get from a 300 or 700.
3) I don’t do much flash work, so I can’t speak to its flash or flash control capabilities.
Love your mountain shots – great depth in the shot and the processing is flawless.
My current D200 will become my backup camera when the next generation of it becomes available :-)
Thanks Scott! The D200 will work great too. Hopefully the new Nikons will be announced soon….
Justin -
pretty damn nice image for a back up body…..
That’s what I thought. For my photography, I really like it!