yerbol From Kazakhstan, joined Feb 2010, 188 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 12 months 4 hours ago) and read 3301 times:
Dear friends,
Greetings from sunny Almaty, Kazakhstan to everyone!
I got a question.Nikon D90 got a bigger sensor size than Canon 50D. Does it mean that performance of Nikon D90 is better? My next question for happy owners of both brands. Which camera in your opinion is better for aviation photography?
Your reply appreciated!
scopedude From Indonesia, joined Oct 2010, 53 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (1 year 12 months 3 hours ago) and read 3287 times:
The difference is actually not much in (sensor) size. D90 is better in term of high ISO noise, but if you put a sharp lens on 50D, at ISO100 you could actually make slightly larger printouts from its 15MP sensor. For aviation both D90 and 50D are excellent. IMO, lenses will make more noticeable difference.
Silver1SWA From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 4553 posts, RR: 27 Reply 3, posted (1 year 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 3260 times:
I've said it many times...If I was starting from the beginning all over again, I would go with the D90. It's one sweet entry/mid level camera. It produces very clean images, even at high ISOs.
That said, both are great cameras. Both are equally sufficient for aviation photography.
Shop around and actually play with both in a store. Go with the one that feels best in your hand. Also, perhaps go with the brand your friends use. It will be easier to learn, share etc. from people who have the same brand because each brand has it's own language/terminology. And better yet, you can share lenses!
[Edited 2011-06-26 00:47:04]
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
dazbo5 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2005, 2604 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (1 year 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 3234 times:
Quoting yerbol (Thread starter): Which camera in your opinion is better for aviation photography?
I've been using a 50D for over 2 years and in terms of performance, I've no complaints. High ISO noise may not be as well controled as the D90, but I regularly use it up to ISO640 on the 50D without problems. From ISO800 and above, noise does start to become excessive but is still very usable. In terms of aviation use when you'll rarely be going over ISO400, is there really anything in it? The D90 with it's slightly cleaner sensor will be better in low light but as with any camera, you work within it's limitation and the most important part is the glass on the front of it ad the hands holding it. All cameras have their pros and cons, but I'll be keeping my 50D for a while yet as it does everything I need, and more.
Darren
Equipment: 2x Canon EOS 50D; Sigma 10-20 EX DC HSM, 50-500 EX APO DG, Canon 24-105 f/4 L, Speedlite 430EX
afterburner From Indonesia, joined Jun 2005, 1112 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (1 year 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 3185 times:
50D is officially discontinued with the release of 60D while D90 is still offered by Nikon. I believe 50D has better (tougher) body, faster burst shooting but it doesn't have video capability like D90.
iamlucky13 From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 227 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (1 year 11 months 4 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 3132 times:
The sensor area difference is about 12%. All other things being equal (which they're not), you'd expect that to be the difference between roughly ISO 800 and ISO 720. It's less than a sixth of a stop and is effectively a wash.
You're looking at two very good cameras. The 50D is a little bit more expensive and has a slightly beefier body and faster shooting frame rate to justify the cost with, but those aren't directly related to photographic quality.
Canon and Nikon are in most regards neck-and-neck. Unless there is a particular feature that is for one reason or another important to a person, I usually recommend they base their decision on their experience using the camera. If you have the opportunity to in a store, I recommend testing out both cameras and seeing which feels better in your hands, and which seems more intuitive to use.
flipdewaf From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2006, 1529 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (1 year 11 months 3 weeks 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 3088 times:
Quoting scopedude (Reply 2): but if you put a sharp lens on 50D, at ISO100 you could actually make slightly larger printouts from its 15MP sensor
That only matters if you view them with a magnifying glass though, I have made 20" x 30" prints from 3MP and they look fine, no one stands next to a billboard
Quoting clickhappy (Reply 1): The best camera is the one you have in your hands.
Amen to that and hail to the iPhone fir always being at hand.
ckw From UK - England, joined Aug 2010, 545 posts, RR: 17 Reply 8, posted (1 year 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 3033 times:
To be honest, details of the sensor are perhaps the last thing to worry about when selecting a camera. Bottom line is all current DSLRs, used correctly, are capable of taking extremely high quality photographs suitable for almost any purpose.
Much more variation in quality will be caused by the lenses used and your technique. Given that all bodies within a given price group are more or less equal, I would be trying a number of bodies to see which felt most comfortable for you. Its a very personal decision - do the controls fall naturally to hand? Does it feel comfortable in the hand?
Photographers generally favour the right eye when shooting, but others (like me) favour the left eye. This factor alone can make some bodies more awkward to use than others.
You should also consider the lens range offered by the company - are the right lenses (at the right price) available? What about the 2nd hand market.
alevik From Canada, joined Mar 2009, 807 posts, RR: 8 Reply 9, posted (1 year 11 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 3019 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW HEAD SCREENER
Quoting clickhappy (Reply 1): The best camera is the one you have in your hands.
What matters more than the camera, in order of importance:
- the photographer
- the photographer
- the photographer
- the lens
- the light
- the light
- the light
I believe Ansel Adams wrote that list. I might have the first three mixed up in the order though.
I've seen some pretty bad images taken with fantastic gear.
flipdewaf From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2006, 1529 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (1 year 11 months 3 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 2927 times:
Just to make sure how this Photography thing works I will send a link to my most important piece of kit I own, most of my most interesting and best shots would not have been done without:
Sponsor Message: 
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