Nikon D90 Pictures Index

Still images:
Sample Nikon D90 Images [000].
Sample Nikon D90 Images [001].
Sample Nikon D90 Images [002].
Sample Nikon D90 Images [003].
Sample Nikon D90 Images [004].
Sample Nikon D90 Images [005].
Sample Nikon D90 Images [006].
Sample Nikon D90 Images [007].
Sample Nikon D90 Images [008].
Sample Nikon D90 Images [009].
Sample Nikon D90 Images [010].


Low-light test images:
Sample Nikon D90 Images [001].
Sample Nikon D90 Images [002].


Videos:
Sample Nikon D90 Video [000].
Sample Nikon D90 Video [001].
Sample Nikon D90 Video [002].
Sample Nikon D90 Video [003].

[Sample Pictures] Nikon D90

Sample images from our Hawaii trip last year (Sept 2009). Comments/criticism welcome.

Enjoy!

Note. All pictures are copyright of Prashant Chopra, 2009-2099. (Smart embedded watermarks will trigger an email if they are posted without permission).

All pictures are copyright of Prashant Chopra, 2009-2099. (Smart embedded watermarks will trigger an email if they are posted without permission).

Review: Nikon D3000, Nikon D5000, and Nikon D60 Comparison

Courtesy dpreview.com.

	Nikon D3000	Nikon D5000	Nikon D60
Sensor	• 10.2 million effective pixels • 23.6 x 15.8 mm CCD (DX format)	• 12.3 million effective pixels • 23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS (DX format)	• 10.2 million effective pixels • 23.6 x 15.8 mm CCD (DX format)
Image sizes	• 3872 x 2592 (10MP) • 2896 x 1944 • 1936 x 1296	• 4,288 x 2,848 (12 MP) • 3,216 x 2,136 • 2,144 x 1,424	• 3872 x 2592 (10.0 MP) • 2896 x 1944 • 1936 x 1296
Sensor cleaning	• Image Sensor Cleaning • Airflow control system • Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required)	• Image Sensor Cleaning • Airflow control system • Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required)	• Image Sensor Cleaning • Airflow control system • Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required)
Autofocus	• 11 area TTL • Nikon Multi-CAM1000	• 11 area TTL • Nikon Multi-CAM1000	• 3 area TTL • Nikon Multi-CAM530
In-body focus motor	• No	• No	• No
AF area modes	• Single point • Dynamic area • Auto area • 3D Tracking (11-points)	• Single point • Dynamic area • Auto area • 3D Tracking (11-points)	• Single point • Dynamic area • Auto area (closest subject priority)
Live view AF modes	N/A	• Face priority • Wide area • Normal area • Subject tracking	N/A
Sensitivity	• ISO 100 - 1600 • ISO 100-3200 with boost	• ISO 200 - 3200 • ISO 100-6400 with boost	• ISO 100 - 1600 • Up to ISO 3200 with boost
Continuous	• 3 fps • 100 / 7 frames (Fine JPEG / raw)	• 4 fps • 63 / 11 frames (Fine JPEG / raw)	• 3 fps • 100 / 9 frames (Fine JPEG / raw)
Viewfinder type	• Pentamirror	• Pentamirror	• Pentamirror
Viewfinder magnification	• 0.78x	• 0.78x	• 0.8x
Viewfinder Frame coverage	• Approx. 95%	• Approx. 95%	• Approx. 95%
LCD monitor	• 3" TFT LCD • 230,000 pixel TFT	• 2.7" TFT LCD • 230,000 pixel TFT • Articulated	• 2.5" TFT LCD • 230,000 pixel TFT
Dimensions	126 x 97 x 64 mm (5.0 x 3.8 x 2.5 in)	127 x 104 x 80 mm (5.0 x 4.1 x 3.1 in)	126 x 94 x 64 mm (5.0 x 3.7 x 2.5 in)
Weight	• No battery: 485 g (1.1 lb) • With battery: 536g (1.2 lb)	• No battery: 560 g (1.2 lb) • With battery: 611g (1.3 lb)	• No battery: 471 g (1.0 lb) • With battery: 522g (1.2 lb)
Image processing engine	• Expeed • 12 bit	• Expeed • 12 bit	• Expeed • 12 bit
Active D-lighting	On/Off	Can be selected from Auto, Extra high, High, Normal, Low, or Off	On/Off
Automatic chromatic aberration correction	No	Yes	No
In-camera retouching	• D-Lighting • Red-eye reduction • Trimming • Monochrome & filter effects • Color balance • Small picture • Image overlay • NEF (RAW) processing • Quick retouch • Color outline • Miniature effect • Stop-motion movie	• D-Lighting • Red-eye reduction • Trimming • Monochrome & filter effects • Color balance • Small picture • Image overlay • NEF (RAW) processing • Quick retouch • Straighten • Distortion control • Fisheye • Color outline • Perspective control	• D-Lighting • Red-eye reduction • Trimming • Monochrome & filter effects • Color balance • Small picture • Image overlay • NEF (RAW) processing • Quick retouch • Straighten • Distortion control • Fisheye • Stop-motion movie
Movie mode	No	Yes	No
Live View	No	Yes	No
Bracketing	No	Yes	No

Google's Nexus 1: The Display Resolution Controversy and Fake Colors

So lately, there has been a lot of fuss about the 'true' display resolution of Google's Nexus 1 phone. One of the prime articles getting attention in this matter is by an MIT student, Luke Hutchison.

I read both his articles (the one about resolution debate, and the one about perception of pseudo-colors because of the PenTile display on Nexus 1).

I do agree Google should not claim the display resolution that they claim, *unless* they specify that it is 'not' the actual 'physical pixel resolution' but an equivalent 'perceptual resolution' wherein common images look 'almost the same' as the ones on other traditional displays. I do not know if Google refers to Human Visual System when referring to Nexus's screen resolution in 'pixels'.

Although in all fairness, Nouvoyance did not hide any of this information. It is publicly available on their webpage (http://www.nouvoyance.com/technology.html), including the fact that they use a patented RGBW pattern that reduces the physical sub-pixel element count (thus reducing power requirements) and at the same time keeping up the perceived quality of a given image relative to the traditional RGB pixel array displays. And when one does that, they would have to compensate for the imbalance (asymmetry) at sub-pixel level by introducing local signal processing, hence the fringing that the author noticed with uncommon (high frequency grayscale) image patterns.

All in all, a good read. But I still think Luke took it a bit too far (these are basic imaging concepts that are being over stretched). Agreed Google should update their claim with a clause about visual perception etc., still too much fuss about the topic, some of it undeserved.

I guess sometimes fame is a stronger driving factor than the pleasure of doing genuine research, eh? ;-)

Review: Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

I have owned this lens for about a month now. I opted for this one instead of the 18-55mm kit lens upon reading numerous reviews that it is a great general purpose lens for starters.

I have to say I am impressed with Canon's USM system... and a relatively fast auto focus. I havent had a single time when the subjet was out of focus because of the len's mistake.

It is pretty sharp around f5.6 all through the focal range.. mostly within 28-80mm range.

To sum up:

Pros:
- A good general purpose Canon branded lens. 28-105mm is a decent focal range for starters.
- USM is great.
- AF is good.. mostly accurate.
- Light weight, not bulky in size.
- Decently sharp throughout most of the range.

Cons:
- Colors are not very bright or vibrant.. but a little post processing is all it needs.


Final notes:
The 28-105mm is great for its flexible range and the decent sharpness and USM... I have used it for everything from semi-macros to portraits to landscapes to long exposure shots at night to birds. And the build is professionally solid. Worth the money!!

Review: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens

I have owned this lens for only 3 days yet... and this is my second DSLR lens to the Canon 28-105mm USM one.

Regardless, I can already see the difference in image quality when I compare the two. This lens is far better in sharpness and color rendition at an equivalent focal length. It is amazingly sharp around 2.8f.

I wish I had bought this one in the first place... and then I wont have bought the 28-105 one so soon.

To sum up:

Pros:
- A great lens for starters.
- Very sharp around f2.8, sharp even otherwise.
- Very good for low light conditions.
- Light weight, not bulky in size.
- Vibrant colors.

Cons:
- Auto focus isnt very handy.. and struggles sometimes in low light conditions. But thats expected I think.
- Focussing is noisy.. no ultrasonic gizmos in there.
- Manual focus wil need some skills... the grip threads arent very easily grip-pable.

In the end, I would actually cross off all the cons from the list considering the price you pay for it: a sub-100 bucks lens that gives excellent image quality. People who complain about the build quality probably care more about a solid body than about the end result: image quality.. and will be happy to pay 10 times for a lens that isnt as sharp... so let them pay the extra bucks if they can. I speak from personal experience since I paid about 4 times as much for a USM lens and this one still beats the expensive one by a long margin!!

Recommendation: I highly recommend this lens as a starter lens. I would in fact advise you to get this one instead of the crappy kit lenses that no one would buy otherwise.

Review: Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens

Lets face it: how many budget zooms are out there which let you take decently sharp zoomed in pictures?

This lens is a very good alternative to the otherwise expensive (but amazingly performing) white beasts from Canon (yes I am talking about the Canon 70-200mm L series). I owned it for about 10 days, only to return it. Not to say that I did not have fun with it, but I had to work very hard with it to get what I had bought it for: good zoomed in views of birds etc.

This lens has its limitations in terms of chromatic aberrations (noticeable more at high contrasty edges), softness beyond 200mm or so (and I really mean softness due to the optics and not camera/lens shake because I tested with a tripod and timed shutter release etc.), slightly faded warmer colors, etc. But it is still very good if you want to start experimenting with mid-tele zoom lenses.

In short,

Pros:
- Unbeatable price
- Will let you take decent zoom pictures, but with some work
- Decent (pseudo) macro capability, enough to let you experiment with it and figure out whether you like it or not.


Cons:
- Soft at high focal lengths
- Such high range definitely needs a tripod or image stabilization. If you have a camera with liveview, you can see how much the image jitters when zoomed in all 300mm. Its near to impossible to get a tack sharp shot of a moving target unless you have a tripod handy.
- Macro isnt real macro... it just allows you to get a bit closer to the targets as compared to other zooms.. but the DOF is so narrow you cant focus in correctly without a tripod/stabilization.

Its actually not a bad lens for beginners. In fact I would highly recommend this lens for beginners, so they can work it out without image stabilization and solid built and high quality optics.. it really made me appreciate how much old school guys worked to get decent zoom images without all the IS and VR gadgeted lenses.

Good luck, and happy imaging!

Preview: Nikon D5000

Today, Nikon Europe announced Nikon D5000: the first Nikon DSLR with a swivel LCD screen. (It is also available on Amazon now).

It seems to inherit most of the features of the Nikon D90, EXCEPT the weight, pentaprism (D5K has a pentamirror it seems), the second command dial, ability to add a secondary battery pack, and the in-body focus drive for lenses that lack focus motors.

There seem to be some improvements too though:

- Swivel LCD
- Live view subject tracking
- 3 video modes
- 2 more options for in camera post-processing
- 19 automatic scene controls

We will see how it matches with other models and the Canon's recently announced T1i. I will add a preview of this camera here soon, do keep watching this blog!

Rumor or reality: Nikon D400

On a Flickr group, I heard about a replacement of Nikon D300 (D400) to be announced on April 14, 2009.

Can this be true? Are DSLR makers this desparate to get half cooked models out at this rate? Canon has just announced a Rebel T1i which is virtually a Rebel XSi with a higher resolution sensor and a video mode.

Consumers are going to be mad with DLSR makers if the latter continue this trend. Many consumers actually wait for an year or so for prices for a new model to slide down before they can afford it. But if even newer models keep coming up once a year, everyone's investment on the most recent one just looks like a waste.. doesnt it?

Anyways, more models must mean previous models going on sale. So wise buyers will still go for a model or two back in the lineup and save their money for better glass (lenses) instead.