Yes, the beauty of an articulated LCD screen is being able to keep your eyes where you want them, and let the camera stretch to get the shot you want.

Every time we shoot and event, there is always an opportunity for an over-the-crowd shot to the stage or main subject, like a wedding.

Of course you’ll use the long lens to isolate the subject, but an overhead shot will give a sense of place and the size of the crowd that was there.

Usually, we click the lens to a nice wide angle, raise it up above our heads, like the D700 and 24-70mm above, and fire off a few shots. Check the results and adjust. Repeat as needed, until the framing is right.

With an articulated screen, you shoot once and get the framing you need. Perfect!

OK, that is just one of the cool features of the D5000.

You also get 12.3 megapixels, an EXPEED processor, HD movie capacity (24 FPS, at 720P) Mono sound, and a CMOS sensor.
Sounds a lot like the D90, right?
Well, many of the same features can be found in both.
With 4 Live Mode functions, you can track that moving subject while you have your monitor in a “creative” angle.
The ISO of 200-3200, gets you pretty much in the range of whatever you will probably shoot, with an option to kick it up a notch to 6400.

The LCD screen also uses a cool design function, where the lens aperture is illustrated and changes as the exposure is adjusted
Using the DX series of lenses, you’ll be saving money on some great glass in this series.
This unit also takes the relatively inexpensive ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control. About $17.00 on Amazon.
As for video, it’s perfect for short clips of up to 5 min. that you can playback directly to your HDTV.
Another one of our favorite features is the quiet operation of the shutter.
The last few events we were at, the best shots just happened to be when the crowd was silent, except for our mirrors, KER-FLANKING with every shot.
We’re trying to find a solution before buying a blimp. This could be it.

19 Scene choices to make sure you get the best shot of what comes before your lens, plus Face Recognition function to insure sharp focus and exposure for the folks you don’t want to miss. The scene selector is accessed by the control knob on top and the LCD Menu functions.

Overall:
Small size, 12.3 megapixels and variable angle monitor, and HD video make this a perfect entry to mid level DSLR.
Many of the features of the larger units, without needing a PHd. to understand how to use it all.
You will be using this camera, the Nikon D5000, for a very long time before you’ve exhausted the capabilities, and need an upgrade.

Some of the other prizes in the Let’s Do Lunch! Photo contest are:
• An HP Pavilion dm3 series notebook
• An HP Photosmart Premium TouchSmart Web AiO printer
• A ColorMunki color calibration device
• A ThinkTank Airport International camera bag
• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom software
• NAPP Photoshop Teaching DVD’s
• Blurb 11×13 Custom Hardcover
• One year subscription to En Foco’s Nueva Luz Photographic Journal
• The winning photograph will be the cover of the “Let’s Do Lunch” book to be produced by Blurb.com and sold on the Blurb website, with 20% of the sale price of the books donated to local food banks

Before we go, here is a video look at the D5000: