Coming to a Crossroads

Well, I'm just an amateur with a D60, the kit 18-55mm, another zoom (55-200mm maybe), and a 35mm prime.

I use a 13" MBP with Aperture, which I like a lot.

It's very satisfying to shoot RAW and then process with Aperture.

I would say, if you don't shoot RAW, you're not getting the full potential out of your D90.

Cheers,
Greg

Aperture and Lightroom both have trials:

http://www.apple.com/aperture/trial/
https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/index.cfm?product=photoshop_lightroom

I used to use iBook G3 on location! The 11" MBA is way faster than that.

However you might benefit from more screen pixels of the 13" MBA. And if you don't use it as a laptop, then iMac would work great.

I don't think a high end P&S would really save you any money. I don't know Nikon that well, but the new N1 is $750 and the Canon G12 is $380. Selling your gear and getting something like this might just be a break even deal. Some people who use easier to carry cameras like these seem to take more photos, though.

Play with the trials linked above and think on it.

BTW: If you don't like the way iPhoto manages your pictures, then you won't like Aperture, either.

Dale

First thing I wouldn't do is sell your Nikon. The D90 is still an excellent body so I wouldn't invest in anything new. A G12 and N1 would definitely be a step down, in my opinion.

If you're going to invest in anything it should be quality lenses since they rarely ever change and make a huge difference. You're MBA should be fine since my old White Macbook runs Aperture just fine. I'd progress like this:

1) Learn to take photos using the equipment you have. When you start doing less post production you'll know you're improving. For now iPhoto is fine, but watch a few tutorials and learn how to use it to its fullest extent.

2) Once you figure out the focal lengths you like using invest in the best lenses you can get for those ranges.

3) By this time you'll want to upgrade to Aperture.

4) Then it becomes a toss up between new computer and new camera body.

This is how I did it and it's worked great for me. Hope this helps!

I never need much of an excuse to buy a new mac or some better lenses. If it's not going to hurt your other priorities in life, absolutely go for some added investment! You may be amazed at how easy Aperture is and the impact it can have on improving your photos. I can't shoot without it.

I would say keep the D90 its a great camera and an application like Aperture is only 80 dollars. I you have a student ID you can get Lightroom 3 for fairly cheap as well. Like others have said lenses are where you need to make the investment. I already have my tax refund allocated for purchasing one or two good lenses. The MBA is more than adequate to run Aperture.

Keep the D90. Lightroom or Aperture will open a world of possibilities once you start shooting RAW. Non destructive edits, and virtual copies are are quite nice to work with. Something that I think you can do with your current setup once have LR3 installed, (if you go that route), is shoot tethered. Then your laptop screen can act as a live preview.... see http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/842/cpsid_84221.html

I still make do with my D80, but have expanded my collection of glass.

My favorite lens is the Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S Nikkor Zoom. It is a FF lens, so when I do upgrade the body some day, I can still use this pretty good lens.

Dump iPhoto for Aperture or Lightroom. You will be amazed. This alone is your single greatest bang for buck upgrade.

Please do not get a bridge camera. You will be sorely dissappointed, especially coming from a D90. Waste of money, better off with an iPhone camera on the side.

Get the iMac, or a base mini and a nice big ips panel.. then if money is still burning a hole in your pocket treat yourself to something special in some high grade lenses. Your Nikon body doesn't need upgrading unless you are headed to 'pro' category..

I am in your same boat, not "making money" as often as just having fun and sharing cool images. I personally consider investment in high quality lenses to be what has heated up the passion in my love for photography.

Lots of good advice here. I agree, stick to the camera you've got.. and just get in the habit of carrying it everywhere with you. If your "grab and go" kit is just the camera the single zoom lense, an extra battery and a memory card... and nothing else... then you've got a very small bag's worth of stuff to carry, and a serious camera that will do everything that a bridge camera will do.

It is too too easy to want to pack the full kit with you everywhere, just because you own the stuff. Instead, get in the habit of using your "grab and go" kit when you are out doing other things. Sure, you will occasionally miss a shot because you didn't bring the fandangled accessory, but you will get many many more shots because you've got the camera with you. And - more importantly - you will get better at taking photos because you will be taking more of them, and you will get better getting the shots with equipment available, in marginal situations.

When you are going out specifically for a photo-shoot, then you can pack the full kit.

Personally, I prefer Lightroom - but that's just personal. Aperture is the better deal, since it can be had for (relatively) cheap through the App store.

I doubt you need to worry about what computer you may need, yet. What is more important is the monitor regardless of the computer. If the monitor is not colour accurate, it doesn't matter what computer you have your photos will suffer. Whereas a relatively slow computer driving a good monitor will allow you to create good looking photos... it just may take some extra time. A good monitor can eventually be hooked up to a better computer, when you upgrade the computer.

All of this is IMHO, of course.... hope it helps.

Luck.

I qualify myself as a keen amateur as well. I have a d70s with a number of lenses that I opted to sell and buy a mirror-less camera. They have larger sensors then P&S (but smaller then DSLRs), interchangeable lenses, and take excellent shots.

For me, the Nikon V1 (Nikon's entry into the mirror-less camera category) takes great shots and is much smaller then a DSLR. I wanted a camera that was fast took great pics and was not over bearing to lug around in places like disneyworld

I couldn't be happier. The old addage applies - the best camera is the one that's with you.

If you love photography, it doesn't matter how good you are, but rather you get a camera that helps enjoy and extend that hobby.

The software Aperture and/or Lightroom only improve the images through their non destructive editing and helps manage and categorize them. If you have lots of pictues then I think one of those apps is a no brainer. Given the price of aperture in the Mac App store that might be a good option

Moccasin said:

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I think the monitor issue is what's driving this to a certain extent. Clearly the 11" MBA is limiting in many ways in that regard. I love the MBA for its portability but checking pictures isnt easy.

If I buy a monitor on its own then that pretty well ties me to a Mini when I need to upgrade. As my MBA is 2010, i can't buy the Thunderbolt display as a short term measure. Yes i could get a Dell monitor but thats still a fair amount of cash. Nothing against Minis but by the time you have keyboard, trackpad etc you're getting towards the cost if an iMac even without the screen.

So I think if I do upgrade, then it has to be an iMac - just a matter of when and which model

Click to expand...

Think about where you may be in 5 years. One strategy might be to start with a base-model Mini (watch the refurb store obsessively - they pop up on a regular basis for a really good price, and are snapped up quickly). As long as the RAM is bumped up, a base Mini will do the job. Add a decent monitor, eventually a decent printer, other peripherals as needed (don't forget the camera gadgets too!)

Eventually, you will either decide that you are happy with the system and you'll chug along for 3 to 5 years, or you will decide you need to make a serious investment because your photography is getting that good. At this point you can could:
1) Simply retire the Mini, and substitute a Mac Pro (if still available) since all of the peripherals should just plug into the MP, if you've been planning ahead, Or..
2) Retire the Mini for an iMac, and use the old monitor as a 2nd screen. If you plan ahead, all of the peripherals should just plug into the iMac as well.

Learn how to buy used lenses - you can save a lot of money that way. The best way is patronize a pro-camera store. In my experience, a cosmetically clean lense that works for 30 days (in my neck of the woods camera stores will warranty used equipment for at least 30 days, even if sold "as is") will work just fine for many years - for at least 30% less than new.

Also, camera bags and a bunch of other accessories can be bought used.... I've got a collection of camera bags (different sizes and different styles i.e. over the shoulder or backpack) that I get from a local thrift store for $5 to $25 each. They are beat up sometimes, but I prefer my bags to not shout "new camera here!". And the money I save on things like bags, I can invest in things like glass and printer paper.

Luck.