Want to upgrade my camera - Nikon D3000 or D5000?

Soldato
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Hey guys,

The time has come to sell my Nikon D40, its been a great camera but is quite restrictive with regards to the lenses and a few other things so I'm going to sell up and get a new Nikon. I did want to get the D90 but its very pricey and won't be much of a step up but rather a big buy!!

So I've been looking at the D3000 and the D5000. Anyone any advise on these please?

Cheers chaps!
 
Caporegime
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D3000 and D5000 don't have a focus motors.

Anyway, from a D40 the only logical upgrade would be a D90. If you don't have the money buy a new lens instead.


What are your restrictions and what AF-D lenses do you want? There aren't many lenses around that wont AF on a D40 that most D40 would want.
 
Soldato
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As said, neither have the motor. If you can't afford the D90, could go second hand, or buy a D80/200. It's restrictive, but the only lens I found I missed on the D40 was AF with the 50 f1.8D, but you could easily get the 35 1.8G (better focal length) instead. My 12-24 doesn't AF on my old D40, but it rarely moves from infinity focus anyway :p.
 
Soldato
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So they are basically similar to the D40?

Most of the lenses I was looking at wouldnt work on the D40 as it doesnt have a focus motor either. I was after a macro lense.
 
Soldato
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So they are basically similar to the D40?

Most of the lenses I was looking at wouldnt work on the D40 as it doesnt have a focus motor either. I was after a macro lense.

Could get the Tamron 90mm f2.8 with the built in motor? Lovely lens. Depends on your budget. You'd be manual focusing in macro mostly anyway.
 
Soldato
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With the default lens I got, I can't manually focus there is no focus wheel (whatever you call it)

Would I be better to just go for a D90 in the end?
 
Last edited:
Caporegime
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So they are basically similar to the D40?

Most of the lenses I was looking at wouldnt work on the D40 as it doesnt have a focus motor either. I was after a macro lense.

They will work, you will have to manually focus. But for macro work you will be manually focusing anyway for best results.
 
Soldato
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Are there wheels on macro lenses? Cause with this stock lens it has no wheel to control the manual focus as on the D80 a friend has. Its as though I can take advantage of manual focus with the lens I have now.
 
Soldato
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What lens is it? If it's the 18-55 that comes with the D40, you flick the dial on the lens to M, and spin the front element.
 
Soldato
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Honestly there is no wheel to spin fellas. I sound like a nub but its true that there is nothing there! I use a D80 sometimes and I can manually shoot with that no problemo!
 
Soldato
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So it's the Nikon 18-55 f3.5-5.6 DX lens, standard kit lens with the D40?

If so, flip the red arrow to M, and spin the black arrow.

20100308-rs2sycfrkk7pg38a3ck679ujk5.jpg
 
Soldato
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Honestly there is no wheel to spin fellas. I sound like a nub but its true that there is nothing there! I use a D80 sometimes and I can manually shoot with that no problemo!

I'm assuming when you use a D80 (if it's a mates) he has the kit lens too, which is the 18-70 (iirc?), which has a separate focus ring.

20100308-nihpnknsbts62qba25ksckqqke.jpg


Will check when I get in but if this is the case, what a ****** I am lol.
 
Soldato
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Guys I've just been reading up a little on the D90. There isn't a great deal of difference between the D80 and D90 models is there? So for the price would it be better to upgrade to the D80. Would like to know your thoughts please
 
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