Live view on D90

peterbolson · #1 (**permalink**) 11-04-2010, 10:56 AM

I have a Nikon D80 and do mainly macrophotography of insects. As my eyes get older I find it more difficult to focus small objects manually & I wondered whether the live view screen on the D90 would be helpful. I can see no other reasons for changing camera but might consider it if others have found this a helpful feature. Thanks
Peter

Jim Ford · #2 (**permalink**) 11-04-2010, 02:12 PM

I have live view and an articulating screen on my camera. I find it indispensable for macro and near-macro work, and wouldn't consider getting a camera without it. A particularly useful but rarely mentioned feature, is that in poor light the image on the screen brightens, making focussing far easier, especially zoomed in X10.

Jim

peterbolson · #3 (**permalink**) 13-04-2010, 03:00 PM

Thanks for your reply Jim. Sounds pretty convincing. I just have to convince myself that I can justify the cost of the upgrade

Peter

Jim Ford · #4 (**permalink**) 13-04-2010, 03:13 PM

I would add that my camera isn't a D90 and that whilst I'm unfamiliar with the D90, ISTRC that the screen doesn't articulate. I consider articulation an essential feature of L.V. and can't see much point of L.V. without it.

Jim

jaybie · #5 (**permalink**) 13-04-2010, 07:06 PM

Peter I have the D5000 and the reason I went for that was the articulated screen. The D90 has a few more "whistles and bells" and better external controls (don't have to delve into menus) but the IQ is the same. Auto focussing in LV is slow but I don't find it too limiting as long as things aren't moving too quickly e.g. fungi and flowers and there is decent light. Manual focus with the zoom facility in LV is easy provided you don't zoom too much.

If you are committed to Nikon because of your lenses then I think the articulated screen may be the seller, I would recommend that you try both the D90 and D5000 especially at low level.

JohnB

peterbolson · #6 (**permalink**) 15-04-2010, 09:03 AM

Thanks John & Jim
I don't actually need the articulated screen as most of my insect photography is done on captive specimens indoors. Apart from its other advantages the D90 has a bigger LCD with much higher resolution than the D5000 so I think would be more suitable for me.
Peter

jaybie · #7 (**permalink**) 15-04-2010, 10:20 AM

Hi Peter I can see your reasoning behind the D90.

Just wondered if you have thought of using a magnifying eyepiece on the D80. Examples from Nikon here ..

http://www.europe-nikon.com/en_GB/pr...nQuery=l3&ID=0

JohnB

Lancashire Lad · #8 (**permalink**) 15-04-2010, 10:30 AM

Have you considered Nikon'd DR-6 Right Angle Viewfinder?

I use a D80 for fungi/wildflower photography, and find the DR-6 invaluable.

It has a dioptre adjustment for those who wear spectacles, and has a switch which instantly allows viewing at either 1x or 2x magnification.

I think it scores over live view in that it is an optical device, so you see exactly what the lens sees, and not an LCD image of it. Critical focussing seems to be that much easier as a result.

However, I do appreciate that live view has the advantage of being more "immediate", especially when combined with articulating screens.

The DR-6 would certainly be less expensive than a complete body upgrade though, if it will do what you need - (recommended price just under £200.00).

Regards,
Mike.

zail · #9 (**permalink**) 15-04-2010, 12:41 PM

Just to add a couple of things on the D90 vs D5000 point made above..

I have the D5000 (previously a D70) and my partner has the D90 and have both used each others cameras specifically to compare the LV aspect and screen aspects. Although the D90 does have a larger screen IMHO it's barely noticable in use and we both find that the screen articulation makes up for it. Articulation and smaller body size were the deciding factors for me in buying the D5000.

The major drawback of the D5000 over the D90 though is the fact that only motorised AF lenses will AF on the D5000 as it has no inbuilt motor so if that is important to you then D90 is the way to go.

On the cost front, I'm pretty sure you could seel the D80 for the same price as it will cost to get a brand new D5000 so that would negate any extra expense (mine cost £529 recently, with 18-55 VR lens, plus Nikon are offering £50 cashback thus making it £489 if you buy before end April)

One other point - constant LV use is fairly battery chewing but if you are shooting mostly in home/ studio that shouldn't be an issue.

Jim Ford · #10 (**permalink**) 15-04-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

Have you considered Nikon'd DR-6 Right Angle Viewfinder?

I use a D80 for fungi/wildflower photography, and find the DR-6 invaluable.

It has a dioptre adjustment for those who wear spectacles, and has a switch which instantly allows viewing at either 1x or 2x magnification.

I think it scores over live view in that it is an optical device, so you see exactly what the lens sees, and not an LCD image of it. Critical focussing seems to be that much easier as a result.

The overwhelming advantages of L.V. over a R.A. magnifier are that the image can be magnified up to 10x (far greater than a magnifier), the image is electronically brightened in dim lighting conditions, and you don't have to kneel down and screw your eye to an eyepiece - a great boon when the camera is at water level in a bog!

Jim