Thanks for the reply. Please lets not turn this into a canon vs nikon. Both have their individual pros and cons, nothing is perfect, just which is more suitable.
I am asking about sweat and oil because I will be using the camera when doing repair work for my toys, which requires me to get my hands really dirty and oily, and sometimes even with petrolum lubricant. Since it is rough work, of course I will be really hot and sweaty with perspiration dripping down my face onto the camera. Don't want a case of oil corroding the surface or sweat shorting out the camera if it should drip in through the buttons.
likimikuku, The canon 50d has richer colour? Does it apply for jpg too?
TBH, after thinking about it for a while, I choose the d90 because I thought it fits my 2k budget well and the lens should be good enough for a while. However, after a short trip to funan, it seems it isn't so.
Because 1. prices for both d90 body and tamron 17-50 seems to have increased as compared to the price list guide here. 2. The current production of tamron is not very sharp, is it? In fact, almost got conned:angry:
After hunting around funan with my towkay from work, it seems that TCW sells the grey tamron 17-50. Was quoted d90 body $1380 and tamron 17-50(grey) $550. We asked the old man there his d90 is it local set, he replied yes. He even started talking about integrity, can check their reputation on cs forum..blah blah blah...then he went on ask me if I am student at ntu and many student there come buy from him etc..ok maybe he WAS an honest man. His supposedly "boss" reassured all d90 they carry now is local set.
Then so my towkay went on to help me test...1 copy...2...3 copy, all not very sharp, but problem started arising. I suddenly realise their d90 body comes with a jap warranty card and no local card. And so the conversation goes like this(note, not exact one, but main point is there)...
me: eh, this one no local warranty card?
old man: all no local card one.
me: then if want claim warranty how?
old man: use receipt can already. I will give you receipt later.
me: if no warranty card how to go local agent for servicing?
old man: you just bring to us, we help you bring there to service.
me: then can I bring it there myself?
old man: also can
me: no local warranty card can meh?
old man: can, got receipt can liao...then after a lot more bullshit...
old man: the d90 body here all is imported set, only kit is local set....
obviously, that old man is either too old and forgetful or out to con. Hai, first time buy dslr tio such bullshit.
Ok anyway back to the lens. What I tested were unboxed grey set, are they like substandard grade ones? Coz the 3 set my towkay tested, first one was worst than my pns and the other two not very sharp too. He told me the tamron he used to have with his d300 was a lot sharper. So boxed and no box set got difference? I thought can save $100 buying grey, but apparently not.