Comments on: review: Nikon D5000

By: Clay Olmstead

Clay Olmstead — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:16:32 +0000

I’ve had my D5000 for over a year. The shooting button on the left side of the lens is somewhat programmable, so I set it for ISO: I can hold down the button, twirl the thumb wheel and change ISO in no time.

The flip down screen is nice; the problem with using for surreptitious shots of people is the shutter lag: it’s over 1/2 second from shutter press to shot, even in manual focus/exposure. For some reason, the mirror has to flip down and back up before the shot, which takes time. I’ve contacted Nikon on this, but they were no help. Maybe some future version will have a mirror lock-up mode that will change this, but for now the flip down screen is only good for static subjects.

Other than that, it’s a great little machine. The limiting factor on getting great shots is definitely the photographer so far. I don’t see that changing for a while.

By: Neil vN

Neil vN — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 15:07:45 +0000

Hi there Greg .. for this review, I only posted the ISO settings, since they were pertinent to the camera's performance. Now, about the specific aperture and shutter speed settings ... Neil vN

By: greg

greg — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 02:14:11 +0000

I see that you posted the different ISO’s for your photos…was there a specific exposure time, aperature opening, shutter speed, etc? Essentially, what other settings were you using?

By: Neil vN

Neil vN — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:55:50 +0000

Carlos .. here is my review of the Nikon D3100. I didn't specifically test it for high-ISO performance though, but for the video capability. Neil vN

By: Carlos

Carlos — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 06:11:11 +0000

Did you give a try to the new Nikon D3100? Its low-light performance seems to be even better than D5000(and D90/D300 too?).
I think of D3100 + Nikkor 35mm 1.8DX as the “low-budget high ISO killer” :-)

By: mike

mike — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:48:42 +0000

thanks again for your insight………..always a BIG help

By: Neil vN

Neil vN — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:07:33 +0000

Mike, then you follow my reasoning why I think a full-frame / FX lens is the way to go for any future camera.

As to whether it will be wide enough. That’s a trade-off you have you to figure out.

With the crop factor, the 24-70mm lens effectively has approximately the same field of view as a 35-105mm lens would. So you get a bit more “reach” with it. It is actually quite a nice portrait lens on a DX camera. So it depends on your intention with the lens, and what you like to photograph. Epic wide landscapes will be outside of the 24-70mm lens’ ability on a DX camera, but it will be a sweet portrait lens.

Neil vN

By: mike

mike — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:42:21 +0000

good question, you are right about d3 and d700 being full frame, but I want the best bang for my buck and as of now i am not sure when i can afford a full frame camera, so my choices are the d90 replacement or a used d300s……….dont want to buy a dx lens and then have to sell it when i win the lottery and can afford a full frame camera………we await neils response………

By: Debra Wallace

Debra Wallace — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:55:05 +0000

I could be wrong, but I thought the full frame cameras were the D700 and D3. I’m pretty sure the 300 isn’t full frame, but for sure it’s a better camera than the D90 and its replacement (correct me if I’m wrong, Neil).

Debra

By: mike

mike — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:37:48 +0000

i just thought it wouldnt be wide enough