View Full Version : Best deal on a Nikon D90
sphynge
02-23-2009, 04:17 PM
HI I'm looking for the best deal out there on a NEW, unused, unopened, unrefurbished D90 with or without lens(es).
So far the best I've found is JR either body only for about $890 or the kit with the 18-105mm lens for 1,159.88
http://www.jr.com/nikon/pe/NKN_D90_SL_KIT/
Help me find better!!!
Thanks ^_^
kyzen
02-23-2009, 04:35 PM
Unless you're dead set on the D90 for some reason, you could get the (arguably; depending on which features you're going for) fancier D200 body for $600 at best buy, then pick up the 18-105mm lens for $360 (or whatever other lens you want) from Amazon or some other reputable site.
Monopole
02-23-2009, 04:38 PM
Remember to read the reviews of the companies selling the camera. I recently got a D90 and I found many companies would sell the camera body but not include the lcd screen and other things which come standard.
There was also a few cases where people would buy and find the camera for another country which would make it behave wonky when they tried to use it.
kyzen
02-23-2009, 04:42 PM
I found many companies would sell the camera body but not include the lcd screen
:confused: :confused: :confused:
There was also a few cases where people would buy and find the camera for another country which would make it behave wonky when they tried to use it.
Cameras from other countries ("Grey market") work fine; they just tend to have limited or no warranties, compared to cameras meant for sale in the US (or whatever your country is), which come with their full warranties. This happens with bodies occasionally, but it's significantly more common on lenses.
Unless you're dead set on the D90 for some reason, you could get the (arguably; depending on which features you're going for) fancier D200 body for $600 at best buy, then pick up the 18-105mm lens for $360 (or whatever other lens you want) from Amazon or some other reputable site.
There aren't hardly any features that the D200 has that are comparable to the D90, except that it will take pictures.
kyzen
02-24-2009, 08:20 AM
There aren't hardly any features that the D200 has that are comparable to the D90, except that it will take pictures.
The only thing the D90 truly has going for it over the D200 is excellent performance at high ISO's - beyond that, the D200 is a much more versatile tool.
The only thing the D90 truly has going for it over the D200 is excellent performance at high ISO's - beyond that, the D200 is a much more versatile tool.
The entire sensor is a complete upgrade. It is the same sensor that is in the D300 which is a step up from the D200. The video capabilities on the D90 should be noted also. Also, the fact that memory is much cheaper for the D90 because it used SD cards instead of CF, for just a few points.
kyzen
02-24-2009, 02:16 PM
It's also essentially the same sensor used in the Sony A700; and a fancy sensor alone does not a good camera make ;).
The D90's video capabilities are fun, however not exactly practical - you can't autofocus while capturing video, it only captures mono audio, and it's prone to erratic video due to the rolling shutter. You can also only capture 5 minutes of video in HD, and 20 minutes in the lower resolution. Which more or less makes the video a gimmicky feature - a really excellent first for a consumer DSLR, but nothing stupendous.
Lastly, the SD/CF argument is dumb - any real photography forum has at least one lengthy debate thread over which is better, and in the end most high end DSLR's use CF, and most low end DSLR's use SD. SD on the lower end cameras makes it cheaper for people to upgrade from their point and shoots. CF on the higher ends has been a standard for awhile; CF cards tend to be more rugged and faster, and historically have had higher capacities (though yes, the gap is starting to lessen considerably).
The D200 falls between the entry level Dxx series, and the high end Dx series. Yes, it's 18 month old tech, but that doesn't make it inferior to the D90 - the D200 is more of a step sideways (and slight step up) from the D90. If you look in a professional Nikon users gear, you'll likely see a D200 as a backup (possibly even primary if they're cheap asses ;)) body. You'll almost never see a Dxx series in a professional kit.
It's a moot point now anyways as the Best Buy deal is dead. There's plenty more on it in the thread here (http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=1206449).
carloviv15
02-25-2009, 12:05 PM
"You'll almost never see a Dxx series in a professional kit.". I disagree with this statement. Look at the results from dxomark.com and compare the camera quality.
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/Image-Quality-Database/Compare-cameras/(appareil1)/294%7C0/(appareil2)/203%7C0/(appareil3)/295%7C0/(onglet)/0/(brand)/Nikon/(brand2)/Nikon/(brand3)/Nikon
owangolama
02-28-2009, 09:15 AM
don't buy the D200 instead of the D90. if you want, you can step up to the D300, but not the D200. do your research before taking this kind of advice (including my advice). people who own the D200 are usually just upset that the D90 is so nice. even D300 owners have a bit of envy 'cause they dumped so much cash on their camera.
donlee3
02-28-2009, 07:25 PM
The D200 is once again for sale at Best Buy for $599 + tax & shipping.
I got one last week, I think it's a good deal.
The only thing the D90 truly has going for it over the D200 is excellent performance at high ISO's - beyond that, the D200 is a much more versatile tool.
But technology advancement within Nikon improved significantly that D90 is a better camera. That's why it cost about $200 more than a D200. You get what you pay for.
But technology advancement within Nikon improved significantly that D90 is a better camera. That's why it cost about $200 more than a D200. You get what you pay for.
But I have to say that $599 is a great price for D200
gromitspapa
03-01-2009, 10:39 AM
Do the research on the relative strengths. The D200 has a magnesium-frame body which is more rugged. Plus weather sealing, higher frame rate (I think). The D90 is a little smaller and lighter. Newer CMOS sensor, dust removal, video, live view, etc. Probably a better image maker, but more of a consumer build quality.
soobaerodude
03-02-2009, 01:20 AM
best deal would be to wait for another 25% live cashback offer and pick one up from ebay. cameta camera is a reputable, authorized nikon dealer selling there.
I bought a D90 for my daughter from Costco since I wanted the 90 day return policy rather than the absolute best price. At the time J&R with 7% MS cashback was the best deal. You might consider that 90 day to test out the camera. Consider the 18-200 lens if you don't go though Costco. While the video is more of a gimmick for serious use, it did work great and is a nice feature to have at one's disposal.