I'm a D5000 user myself. I initially planned on getting the D3000. Read up a lot, surveyed prices and changed my mind totally.
I stretch my budget a lil bit and went for the D5000 straight cos I know I won't be upgrading anytime soon.

Usefulness of the live view:
I like the swiveling live view to take pictures of myself

Here's a little read between them both: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond3000/
Basically, the D3000 is a tiny little improvement from the D60. And the D5000 specs is slightly lower than D90, the most significant being the no in body focus motor. (*sobs* more expensive lenses)

So, if you have the budget... and not upgrading within months, D5000 is the obvious choice.

^ should be cheaper already. I got mine few months ago for RM2850 with some accessories.

I've tried the 50mm f1.8, 50mm... the focal length is not to my liking. Have to stand quite a distance away. (D5000 user here)
Have never tested the 50mm f1.4 though, but thinking 35mm may suit my taste better.

True true...

I'm more of a casual photographer. I just shoot what I see. ( no taste... I know). No particular style
Say if I wanna settle down for long term, on low budget (and selling off the kit lens), what would you guys recommend?

Getting the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 (looking at the one with vc) with a nikkor 55-200 for zoom
or
Get a 35mm prime with a tamron 18-270 super zoom?

Price wise is almost the same... I think...

Any ideas guys? Need advice from all sifu.

Looks nyummy...
I may consider. But I'm putting priority on getting either the 35mm prime or the Tamron 17-50.

I don't think it has bim.
Why not go for Nikon 55-200? Got bim, got vr.

Hi guys,

I'm a bit in a rush to get an external flash. Hoping to get one before Monday.

But I'm really... ugh... lost. I was wondering whether the Nissin 622 will be sufficient for long term. Then the batteries... any particular type I should look at?

I have RM800 to spend. All maxed out. Unless I can find a 2nd hand in short time, I don't think it will be enough for an sb600.

I'd like to know where too. If can get at RM700, add in batteries about RM100++, then should be good for me.

For daytime, outdoors is never a problem. (At least for me)
Depends on your budget... maybe you can get additional or better lenses.

This post has been edited by pmmonkey: Mar 4 2010, 12:42 PM

I've got my sb600... and officially pokai liao. Way over my initial budget, yet sticking to sb600 instead of getting the di622.
Have to eat sand and grass for the rest of the month. (Good also since I wanna lose weight)

For eneloop batteries, do I have to discharge first or can I just straight charge till full?

This post has been edited by pmmonkey: Mar 6 2010, 04:47 PM

Photo Easycam Penang. RM910 sb600+diffuser+4AA Eneloop+quick charger.

That was the best I got after walking around for 2 hours. You can get the sb600 at RM750 (online from garseng). I need it urgently, not enough time for postage.

After I got my D5000, I was also thinking of getting other lenses. Got the 50mm and sold it off.
But after a while I thought... my kit lens also covers 35mm (just that it's not as sharp and the bokeh isn't as great).
55-200? If I'm shooting landscape, wouldn't it be better if it's wider?

I ended up getting an external flash, because proper lighting is more important to me now.
But if I have to choose between that 2, I'd most probably go for the 35mm first.

This post has been edited by pmmonkey: Mar 7 2010, 04:17 PM

I just have to say that the shop sucks blood on add ons.

I went there to ask the price for an external flash. The flash was almost the same price as other shops around the area.
But when I asked for rechargeable batteries and diffuser, quoted me way overpriced! And they don't even carry any of those branded batteries.

I'm using it. For the price, I'd say it's okay.
But... but... this ball head isn't good enough for the weight of D5000.

On normal angles, it's fine. But if you tilt the cam to face upwards or downwards more... it slips because of the weight.

The ball head is small in the first place. And it tightens via a screw instead of those... erm... flip lock.

Next time, do a survey online before going to shops. It is always the case that people know the price for the main item but get tricked to pay extra for additional items which they didn't plan to buy before hand. Normal uv filter (which most people use to protect their lens from scratch) cost only about RM20-50. High quality ones... cost more. But considering the name of the shop you mentioned, I doubt they gave you those high quality filters.

The wide angle converter is a 0.45x (I guess it's the same thing my friend was tricked into buying... exactly from the same shop). Not a hood.

Did you check what 4GB card they gave you?

This post has been edited by pmmonkey: Mar 9 2010, 12:04 PM

When i bought my D5000 kit back in December, I know that Nikon gave 1 free bag, 1 4GB SDHC, 1 free battery (2 batts altogether). Note that it's Nikon Malaysia promotion, not by the shop. If not mistaken, the promo ended long ago. So maybe the set in Excel was taken back then.

The SDHC which Nikon gave was Toshiba class 4, nikon rebranded.
The bag is also Nikon brand. But depending on the shop you buy, you might be able to nego nego and get the Nikon leather bag for pro.
These were official free gift with D5000 last year.

Ooh... The 4GB, depending on what they give you, the market price may be way higher. I'd rather keep as backup.
The bag... if you don't mind the hassle of selling it off, it can fetch you about RM60.

I'm also looking for Sandisk ultra.
But really contemplating between the Ultra and the Transcend class 6.

This post has been edited by pmmonkey: Mar 10 2010, 09:31 PM

Agree with Nic.
I got my D5000 because D90 is way my over budget, but D5000 has some nice features like what they put in a D90. (except for the in body motor -.-)

Don't worry about getting lenses first. Change your mindset to learn how to properly take pictures first, then you'll know what you'll need to get next.
I'm already in the 3rd month using a DSLR, yet, can't take superb pictures. If my pictures are no where near good, no matter what lens I use, the pics still wouldn't be much better.