Travel Photography - Nikon D90 vs. Nikon D5000

OK, I am finally going to pull the trigger on the DSLR in the next couple of weeks. I have been using Nikon SLRs for about 30 years (since I was a little kid). Although I have moved to digital via Canon G-series, I did not want to betray my trusted Nikon film cameras.

I am looking at the D90 or the D5000 as choices for my first DSLR. I l adore the articulated LCD screen on the D5000, and love everything about the D90. I also have several Nikon film camera lenses that I hope to be able to fiitted to use on the DSLR.

I do a lot of overhead and below waist shots, and am leaning towards the D5000. D90 is clearly a better camera, but it is hard to tak overhead shots.

Has anyone tried both and can provide thoughts on these two cameras?

Assuming you want to keep at least some of your older Nikkor lenses, you will want the D90 as D5000 does not have an in-camera focusing motor.

Assuming you want to keep at least some of your older Nikkor lenses, you will want the D90 as D5000 does not have an in-camera focusing motor.

I haven't tried the D5000, but there are several things apart from the lack of the focusing motor that would make me avoid it:

* Lower quality LCD
* Lower quality viewfinder (Pentamirror, 0.78x magnification)
* Less sturdy construction
* No vertical grip accessory available (AFAIK)

The articulating LCD is certainly a plus, but my experience from using the LCD to compose shot with my D300 is not stellar -- so I am not sure how useful it would be really be.

Cheers,
J.