Woot! Today I get to be among the very first to share with you the planet’s newest camera: the much-anticipated Nikon D90. You may have been attuned to all the recent leaks, buzz and rumors of a new Nikon camera coming soon, but I can assure you, this here ain’t no rumor. It’s the real deal and I know so because my crew and I spent several weeks testing and experimenting with this gem months in advance of today’s release, and our efforts make up the launch campaign. Hold onto your chairs for a second while I drop a few nuggets:
- 12.3 megapixels (the same luscious chip that’s in the Nikon D300)
- D-movie function (that’s right, MOVIE function. 1280×720, .avi format, HD720p)
- High ISO/low-noise performance (Nikon’s ace in the hole. I shot this at 3200 and dug it.)
- 4.5 frames per second
- 3 inch, 920dot LCD with Live View
- Pop up flash with ‘commander’ mode to interface with Nikon’s lighting system
- GPS tagging
And if you’re at all curious to see actual 1000px detail shots of the camera, sample images, technical specs, and hear the backstory behind what a Nikon D3 pro like yours truly was doing with a D90 camera targeted to advanced amateurs, click ‘continue reading’ below.
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Ok, so I normally steer clear of too much tech hype, but today I’m right up in there. Why? Because this time it feels different. Different, sure, because I got to play with, hammer on, and test the bejeezus out of the Nikon D90 for weeks-on-end prior to anybody even knowing it existed. (Did I say lucky? Soooo fun.) But this also feels different because, beyond all the specifications, numbers, megapixels and other geeky stuff, my gut is that Nikon have really delivered on this product. After using this camera and pushing it to it’s limits, I can honestly say that it’s a camera that will deliver stunning, emotive pictures–and MOVIES for Pete’s sake! MOVIES!–to an entire spectrum of amateur photographers. And that’s exciting. The world can always use better pictures.
The Short Backstory: Representatives from Nikon Japan buzzed me to talk about a new camera while I was in Dubai. Two zillion dollars in cell phone bills and a bunch of airline miles later, I’m learning the details. And before I know it, we’ve piggy-backed a Nikon project on top of another commercial shoot I’ve got going back in Seattle in the spring to put this hot little camera to the test. And the best part? I’ve talked them into not only putting the camera in my hands, but it the hands of my staff too. Democracy. Nikon loves the idea. Heck everybody on my staff are advanced amateurs in their own right – so what better way to test this sucker than have everybody shooting – me and the crew…cameras all ‘round.
Speaking of The Camera, how’d you like a handful of snaps of the camera to whet your palette. For an Aperture gallery of twenty 1000px jpgs of each view (even photos of the digital menus…), just click here or an image below:
The Main Event: We had a blast, gaffer taping up the logos, running in stealth mode with all these black beauties so that they wouldn’t be noticed around other crew, cast, and the general public. Secret agent fun. We worked the cameras hard during my piggy-backed commercial shoot for more than a week. We shot them constantly, me–along with the D3–and the crew just with the fleet of D90’s. And funny how this happens, but go figure…our work with the D90 on location soon bled into shooting over dinner, then drinks, and then into the night, then into the next week, and so on. And the more we beat on ‘em, the more the crew liked ‘em.
Here’s one of my favorite grabs from my time with the D90. The flare is a stylistic thing, but the image really shows a great dynamic range:
Click the image above or, better yet, visit www.chasejarvisandfriends.com for more sample images, behind the scenes shots, and access to the main D90 microsite with all the bells and whistles.
The Wrap: In addition to the myriad of reasons I’ve already listed, there’s another reason to celebrate this launch: it’s cool that Nikon are listening to pro photographers, amateurs, and engineers alike, as a part of testing and adopting new products. This D90 project so nicely whips together many of the needs of aspiring photographers, as well as the photo community at large. Nikon is getting it. And Seth Godin will be happy. I hope other photography brands follow Nikon’s lead.
To close this short chapter for me and hopefully open a new one for those of you who might consider rolling with the D90, I’ll wrap with a quick review. Here’s 5 reasons this camera is great:
1. The D-movie. HD720 video in an dSLR is really big news. It’s so cool that we’re seeing the merging of high quality still and video pictures into the same camera. Sure, for us pros, we’ve got the RED camera. But for everybody else? This is the future. People: this is an SLR that shoots killer video! It’s the merging of features that the pros are using and it’s made accessible the the amateur at a price point of $1200+ bucks. Trust me, I played with this feature at length…all of us on location did, for that matter. It’s going to be a powerful tool. You can control your own depth of field so beautifully using the manual focus ring, the audio capture is solid, the high ISO capabilities in video?! Way cool… Long lenses, fisheyes, zoom lenses…versatility. I’m a BIG fan of the D-Movie.
2. Photo J possibilities. This camera will be a great second body for pro photojournalists. Commercial guys like me will be loyal to the D3 and its future, but for any PJ shooter, all the bells and whistles we’ve discussed already– especially video and audio capture–make this a no-brainer as a backup body.
3. Image Quality. The sensor is really top tier for a camera targeted at advanced amateurs. The high ISO capabilities are going to be a welcome addition to cameras in this price point. Want to take images of your kid in the rain at his baseball game at 7pm? This is your camera. It’s the D300 sensor with some juice.
4. The ergonomics of this camera are great. As someone who holds a camera for a living, I think camera ergonomics are waaay underrated. This camera (light at only 1lb. 6oz) is a treat in your hand. The menus are great and everything is right where you want it.
5. Oh ya, did I mention that this thing shoots video?!
And lastly, since I’m a huge music fan and always inundated with emails asking about the great music in our videos, here’s the inside line: the music in this Nikon D90 video is compliments of one of my fav bands going right now: The Blakes. Do yourself
(and them) a favor and buy some iTunes music from these guys so you can say you were listening to them before they made it really big. Hurry, your time is running out.
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[If you enjoyed the above video, here are a couple others you might dig:]
[Chase Jarvis RAW: Ninjas.
[Chase Jarvis FRAMES: Hasselblad Masters.]
[Chase Jarvis TECH: Packing Photography Gear.]
[Chase Jarvis TECH: Photoshoot in 180 Seconds.]
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Sold on this!
Been using a D70 for years. Time to upgrade to D90 I think.
Hi Chase et al.
I just finished watching this video again for the (I Can’t remember how many) time. I like this advertisement video (while I suspect unintentional) you guys made for the D90. It shows a lot of technique that can be used if you’re paying attention. I think Nikon should have had you guys do the D3X announcement with how well you did the one for the D90. I was deliberately trying to avoid the D90 having bought 2 D80′s before the announcement, I might have to reconsider that.
Hi chase.
I love your works. And I think this test of yours is amazing.
My question is.
As a D3 user, if you have to choose, which one do you choose to work with, D300 or D90?
Thanx Chase
Keep rocking, dude!!
I have flipped from Canon Rebel to the Nikon D90 and the differences are vast! I am an amateur photog wanting learn how to use this great new tool to its fullest. I don’t have much knowledge how ISO and f-stops/shutter speeds work together (Canon seemed to do it for me) so I am trying to learn this stuff because it seems to be important and needed now. I also am surprised to learn (yes no?) that with the D90 I get to CHOOSE whether I shoot in raw or normal or “both” for even the manual shots. On the Canon, if I set the dial to “P” or “M” or whatever, it shot raw. In auto-shoot of course, it was automatically jpeg. Is there a way to set this up here, or do I need to get used to changing my shooting mode as needed? Thanks for any direction you can give this “old dog” learning new tricks.
Very amazing!
I have been using a Nikon user for quite sometime now. I used the Nikon F50, D40, D40x, D60, D100 and my latest is the D90. Its my brother’s once I borrowed it shooting around, I almost dont want to return it back!
Im planning to buy a DSLR of my own. because all of those cameras i mentioned is not mine. I want one of my own. Now, im in the dilemma of buying the Canon 50D and the Nikon D90 and it seems the D90 has good reviews and as a Nikon user for quite some time, i think Im gonna buy the D90.
thanks a lot, you have a very good blog.Thanks for all the tips.
mac
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Good answer, I am looking for the solution of the same question. Find the movies or mp3 you are looking for at f-torrents.com the most comprehensive source for free-to-try files downloads on the Web
Maybe they are suppose to be pilots, either way I am excited. I’m glad its not another live video http://rapid4me.com/?q=video
I currently have the D70s and I've been looking at the D300 and also for a standalone video recorder. I like smaller, light weight cameras so this fits the bill here as well. The killer for me is only having three frame exposure bracketing and the 1/200 flash sync rate. Other than that this camera rocks but those two items may eliminate it for the list.
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Hey, you have a great blog here! I'm definitely going to bookmark you! Thank you for your
info.And this is **Best DSLR** blog. It pretty
much covers ###Best DSLR## related stuff.
Hey, you have a great blog here! I'm definitely going to bookmark you! Thank you for your
info.And this is **Best DSLR** blog. It pretty
much covers ###Best DSLR## related stuff.
Overall I'm extremely satisfied with the purchase. As others have mentioned, it's not perfect, but it's probably the best available right now in this price range.
dsi r4
Hi Chase,
I'm Fary from jakarta (INDONESIA) i want to ask a little bit question
i want to upgrade My D40x…
should i be looking for a D90 or D300? why?? ca you explain about quality??
thanks cj
D90 and D300S both shoot video. They have the same sensor, but the D300S is much more of a "semi-pro to pro" model. It will shoot 8 FPS vs. the D90's 4. I'd probably go with the D90. (though I have both)
I just got a D90, the best camera I've ever owned, my other camera is an Olympus E30. Also just got done watching your entire Web cast of the live photo shoot. Just wanted to say thank you, learned a lot. Can't wait to see the final shots.
I just got a D90, outstanding camera, my other one is an Olympus E30. Like them both. Watched your entire Live Photo Shoot today, thank you very much for the chance to see how a pro works, it was a learning experience.
Great post. I found my Nikon D5000 from Nikon Deals website
I’ve recently got a nice deal for Nikon D90 on ebay, with warrabty though a bit used already. Planning to make some similar tests with it.
Overall I’m extremely satisfied with the purchase. As others have mentioned, it’s not perfect, but it’s probably the best available right now in this price range.
Overall I’m extremely satisfied with the purchase. As others have mentioned, it’s not perfect, but it’s probably the best available right now in this price range.
i love you nikon d90
really GPS tagging? It did not end it up in final product at least not in europe.
it seems good and not bad, but its the cheap and best