[amitk26]

Originally Posted by fazalaliadil

Added this to my present gear, also on my profile pic.

Congratulations Fazal ji , Profile pic looks awesome armed to teeth.

Originally Posted by rajatsingh78

dust - very low possibility
nick in shutter blade - not possible, just 3 months old camera body
multi coating deterioration - not possible, just 1 month old lens

Tried with different lens, like mentioned earlier, came only once but with the prime lens I can create it at will, and the spot looks like a heptagon

Well if all the possibilities are discarded and another Nikkor 50mm 1.8 does not create this flare in back to back comparison. Then may I humbly suggest that it is a production issue and time to invoke warranty claim for manufacturing defect if any.
If all Nikkor 50mm 1.8 have this issue then time to look for another option.

[joybhowmik]

Originally Posted by amitk26

May be some other Nikkor owner can confirm if this is normal for this lens.

Flare happens and is unavoidable with any lens.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by rajatsingh78

dust - very low possibility
nick in shutter blade - not possible, just 3 months old camera body
multi coating deterioration - not possible, just 1 month old lens

Tried with different lens, like mentioned earlier, came only once but with the prime lens I can create it at will, and the spot looks like a heptagon

Heptagon may be the shutter outline, If it is repeatable and at the same spot always, then it is a lense issue, either your particular piece or design. The only way to be certain is to shoot with another copy of this lense (may be you can try it at a Nikon shop?). If it is repeatable in the other lense then it is a design issue, else your copy is at fault. If later then you can ask for a replacement (ensure that you present the case with sufficient evidence).

By the way all the possibilities that I have listed have been faced in brand new lenses and have been documented in photographic sites. Do not think that brand new lenses are perfect (the QA is not 100%, but sampled and some bad pieces slip through!), hence I always insist on tested at least two or three copies and choose the best.

Bad Copy of lens - How am I supposed to know? - Photo.net Nikon Forum
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1225646
How can you definitively test an SLR camera lens to determine whether you've got a good or bad "copy"? - Yahoo! Answers

[rajatsingh78]

Being amateur I would use what a beginner would see in choosing, because Canon guys will blow their trumpet and the Nikon guys will throw flames that they are better,

Sensor (D90 wins)
D90 Sensor = 23.6 x 15.8 mm (3.73 cm²)
550D Sensor = 22.3 x 14.9 mm (3.32 cm²)

Better Video (550D wins)
D90 = 720 p
550D = 1020 p
Do you even care for HD or not, DSLR is "meant" for photo shooting and video should be considered as "a" feature and not "the" feature

Better 3rd Party Lens
Never looked at ALL the options but I am sure both will be neck to neck here, if no, please provide a comprehensive list.

Better Older MF Lens
Both can, however Nikon has a backward compatibility i.e if you have a film SLR it can accommodate newer lens, while in Canon newer DSLR can accommodate older lens but not vice versa. So coverage-wise Nikon will score above.

Better Menu Option
Totally a personal choice, if you have been using Nikon all your life and then you buy a D90, it will be easy for you, and same goes for Canon users. So discussing this or making this a point of discussion won't result in anything.

More Features
- D90 has a secondary illuminated LCD screen on the top just like a pro camera which provides a quick view of shutter speed, ISO, aperture, battery level, white balance, remaining shots etc. 550D lacks this
- D90 has a sub-command & main-command dials to change aperture and shutter speed , these dials also help to change other settings on the fly, 550D lacks this (has only one)
- D90 is more closer to its pro cousins in terms of features however 550D is not that close

Ergonomics
Saying that camera ergonomics is required by wedding photographers is same as saying "why need a comfortable car steering design...are you a taxi driver ? ". Ergonomics is the need of the hour, everything you pick from the market - blender, iron, TV remote, mobile phone, etc. are to be designed ergonomically. Do we use these items all day long..No..but for whatever duration we use, we want to feel comfortable. So I guess same was the point when someone spoke about ergonomics

Originally Posted by amitk26

Though it is a religious debate In what ways it is better enlighten please ?
Does it has better sensor ? Better range of lens ? Better Video ? Better 3ed party lenses ? Better custom firmware ? Can it accommodate better older MF lenses ? Better menu options ? More features ?

Better Ergonomics ... well that is most important if you are wedding photographer or need to hold Cam or 8 hours in a day for some other reason.

[gd1418]

Aha, the start of another Nikon Vs Canon debate... Loving it. Bring it on.

BTW, I'm a die-hard Nikonian...

TSK & Rudra Da, your turn now....

[amitk26]

Disclaimer : By all means I did not want a Canon vs Nikon debate but pro or not does not matter to me , If you like look and feel in your hands that is subjective but measurable parameters should be measured properly.

Originally Posted by rajatsingh78

Being amateur I would use what a beginner would see in choosing, because Canon guys will blow their trumpet and the Nikon guys will throw flames that they are better,

Sensor (D90 wins)
D90 Sensor = 23.6 x 15.8 mm (3.73 cm²)
550D Sensor = 22.3 x 14.9 mm (3.32 cm²)

First things first , This is exactly how sensor comparison should not be done since size alone is most useless parameter.
People mostly say pixel density should be lower yada yada but they forget why, This was because of size of each individual pixel.
Canon has reduced the size of pixel. Pixel pitch on the D90 is larger at 5.5µm vs. 4.7µm for the 550D. Also native sensitivity for 550D sensor is very high yielding high ISO and better low light performance without softening the image.

You can search on the net for the noise curves as well but for image comparison see here

550D / T2i vs. D90 100% crops 1600 / 3200 Test [Page 1]: Canon EOS 1000D / 550D - 300D Forum: Digital Photography Review

One more important feature on 550D which is not there in any other is SDXC memory card compatibility , very soon 32MB SDHC will be obsolete and for filling in videos you will have cheap SDXC cards off the shelf at similar price point.

[Samurai]

Better composition leads to better photograph... therefore the camera system that allows for the best composition is the winner.

[arunkk]

Thats a nice discussion going on between D90 and 550D.
Although I agree to many points mentioned by rajatsingh, I bought a Canon 500D after comparing it with Nikon D90. The points I considered where completely different as I was a newbie into DSLR world and what I wanted was a more compact camera. So here 550D will score over D90. Eliminating the top display and few buttons made the camera more compact and I felt it was nicer to hold.

Also regarding lens, for a beginner Canon & Nikon lenses (18-55 and 55-200/250) are priced similar.

[rajatsingh78]

Sensor
Ok agreed, but can 550D really win a war of words by saying "I have a sensor that is 0.8 µm bigger then the D90", yes mathematically 550D wins but in real world I am sure this will not make a humongous difference,

what about second thing and then the third (I mean other parameters where D90 scores well over 550D)

Viewfinder Magnification
D90 = 0.94X
550D = 0.87X

This will slightly help in a better composition but like I said above no humongous difference

SDXC Compatibility
550D = Compatible
90D = Not compatible, but since the form factor (dimensions) of SD & SDXC is same its just a "software" issue which can be taken care by Nikon in just a simple firmware release

Higher ISO
We all know how ineffective is the highest ISO settings in low light, they provide so much noise that the image looks like a bad TV signal (like in older days), and I can provide various links by various camera experts, in D90 or 550D the higher ISO settings are mere useless and marketing gimmicks to mark the other down.

Nikon D90 is praised for being an amateur's camera with many pro camera features, which 550D lacks, it might not matter to you but the person purchasing it might have that outlook, and we being on a public forum should share everything so that the person can make his/her choice, D90 being more close to a pro camera being one

Originally Posted by amitk26

Disclaimer : By all means I did not want a Canon vs Nikon debate but pro or not does not matter to me , If you like look and feel in your hands that is subjective but measurable parameters should be measured properly.

First things first , This is exactly how sensor comparison should not be done since size alone is most useless parameter.
People mostly say pixel density should be lower yada yada but they forget why, This was because of size of each individual pixel.
Canon has reduced the size of pixel. Pixel pitch on the D90 is larger at 5.5µm vs. 4.7µm for the 550D. Also native sensitivity for 550D sensor is very high yielding high ISO and better low light performance without softening the image.

You can search on the net for the noise curves as well but for image comparison see here

550D / T2i vs. D90 100% crops 1600 / 3200 Test [Page 1]: Canon EOS 1000D / 550D - 300D Forum: Digital Photography Review

One more important feature on 550D which is not there in any other is SDXC memory card compatibility , very soon 32MB SDHC will be obsolete and for filling in videos you will have cheap SDXC cards off the shelf at similar price point.

[amitk26]

Originally Posted by rajatsingh78

Sensor
Ok agreed, but can 550D really win a war of words by saying "I have a sensor that is 0.8 µm bigger then the D90", yes mathematically 550D wins but in real world I am sure this will not make a humongous difference,

It is not about bigger or smaller with 18MP also 550D sensor is able to keep pixel density low by smaller individual pixel size. The noise of 550D sensor is quite low and same sensor is actually used in Canon 7D as well.
Please check the noise curves at anandtech

Originally Posted by rajatsingh78

what about second thing and then the third (I mean other parameters where D90 scores well over 550D)

Viewfinder Magnification
D90 = 0.94X
550D = 0.87X

How does it actually help , I don't know

Originally Posted by rajatsingh78

SDXC Compatibility
550D = Compatible
90D = Not compatible, but since the form factor (dimensions) of SD & SDXC is same its just a "software" issue which can be taken care by Nikon in just a simple firmware release

No this is not the case form factor is kept same for compatibility between SD, SDHC and SDXC but the interface is different ,It is not simply the firmware issue.

Originally Posted by rajatsingh78

Higher ISO
We all know how ineffective is the highest ISO settings in low light, they provide so much noise that the image looks like a bad TV signal (like in older days), and I can provide various links by various camera experts, in D90 or 550D the higher ISO settings are mere useless and marketing gimmicks to mark the other down.

Well don't know about D90 but surely not a gimmick on 550D. Check the ISO1600 pics from the link I have provided or any other link.
People who say it is gimmik are those who have never used it. It may be gimmik for those who own F2.8 expensive telephoto glass so do not need to use high ISO at late evening or early morning but for ordinary mortals who
use Canon 55-250 4.5 ~ 5.6 IS or Sigma 70-300 APO DG it is a boon and money saver.

Originally Posted by rajatsingh78

Nikon D90 is praised for being an amateur's camera with many pro camera features, which 550D lacks,

Apart from few buttons and one LCD at top and being bulkier what exactly are these pro features is what I am trying to understand.

I think Pro is the person who shoots as a profession and not the brand / model he use.

[rajatsingh78]

That one LCD never lets you down in quick setting change, example - you into live view on 550D and want to change some setting, you will have to move out of live view, go to the menu and change it. Same can be done in a D90 on the fly keeping live view on.

These extra dials and buttons are what you find on the more expensive models across the product portfolio and by pro I meant D300/50D and above

Originally Posted by amitk26

Apart from few buttons and one LCD at top and being bulkier what exactly are these pro features is what I am trying to understand.

I think Pro is the person who shoots as a profession and not the brand / model he use.

[Samurai]

Olympus/Panny dSLR owners never have to worry about getting into dSLR system wars. Before we can open our mouth, somebody will say 4/3 sensor is smaller than APS-C, and we are out of contention right away.

[TheBeastFieast]

One of the best comparison between 550d and D90 i have found:

Canon Rebel T2i / EOS 550D Compared to Nikon D90 Side by Side

How much the crop factor (1.5 in D90 and 1.6 in 550d) matters?

[gd1418]

I agree Sharath.

Amit & Rajat, let the juices keep on flowing... I'm lovin it

Originally Posted by Samurai

Olympus/Panny dSLR owners never have to worry about getting into dSLR system wars. Before we can open our mouth, somebody will say 4/3 sensor is smaller than APS-C, and we are out of contention right away.

[amitk26]

Originally Posted by rajatsingh78

That one LCD never lets you down in quick setting change, example - you into live view on 550D and want to change some setting, you will have to move out of live view, go to the menu and change it. Same can be done in a D90 on the fly keeping live view on.

Is that not an assumption ? D90 LCD displays shutter speed, aperture and white balance settings, battery remaining indicator, flash mode, image size and quality, ISO setting etc. All of these appear as superimposed on live view. While using live view you would be looking at the main LCD so the monochrome LCD is fairly useless.
See the screen shots if you do not believe
Canon EOS 550D / Digital Rebel T2i Hands-on Preview: 9. Operation (Live View): Digital Photography Review

Yes a dedicated LCD at top is good to have but when you have mounted it at low position on tripod and using an angular view finder and not in live mode.

Needless to say 550D has better main LCD as well.

Any way for a DSLR most important is resolution an 550D is way ahead in this regard. If you love to crop images for screen filling shots.

So my summary 550D is

1. More modern and have better resolution
2. Better movie mode.
3. Hacker friendly and if you want to be amateur movie maker good choice instead of 5D Mark II budget wise.