New member seeking advice on which Nikon to buy

[thequacksoflife]

ashley - if you want more control then bite the bullet and buy a d7000

[Goldcoastgolfer]

I have the Nikon D3100 and was considering switching to the Nikon D5100. I like the guide section for when I shoot things out of my norm, but I would like some more control.

The 5100 has more processing options and the same sensor as the D7000 but nowhere near the customisable buttons and dials that allow you to change settings on the fly without looking away from the view finder. You're probably better off with the D7000 if you're more interested in having more control.

[fractels]

Perhaps you should consider one of the other camera brands' equivalent...

Thanks for your advice . i got lucky today . My Local Dealer just called me to inform about the new stock arrival . I gladly ordered mine and it will be delivered by first week of the new year . . going to be a new year / new learning with my DSLR .

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Thanks for your advice . i got lucky today . My Local Dealer just called me to inform about the new stock arrival . I gladly ordered mine and it will be delivered by first week of the new year . . going to be a new year / new learning with my DSLR .

Fantastic! That's great news

[TonyCooper]

I have spent a month and half to learn about nikon d3100 / d5100 / d7000 . My budget is $800 - $1K . i am still in confusion about making a right choice. I was going through all sort of reviews and comparison all over the web and it seems D5100 is little better than D3100 in terms of was better with image quality . Some suggest its all about lens , body doesn't matter much and some suggest its all about the sensor and having built in motor is good(d7000) . etc . My personal interest at this point of time is taking Macro / Nature / and My Family Photos. i have nothing against canon or any other brand. i just sort of liked Nikon as i have seen it with so many professional people i have seen so for in my life. i know this sounds silly . so can you please advice me ? i am open to all inputs.

I am a committed Nikon user, and I strongly urge you to not buy a Nikon D3100
based on what you want to do. The D3100 uses an AF-S lens with the focussing
motor in the lens and not in the body. Any future lenses you want to buy for
this model will have to be AF-S lenses, and that will limit you.

If you buy a camera with the focussing motor in the body, there will be more
options to add a dedicated Macro lens in the future. There are good dedicated
new Macro lenses, and good buys out there for used Macro lenses.

The problem that most first-time DSLR buyers face is that they look at the
camera without realizing that what they are mostly likely to be in the
market for in the future is a different lens. The D3100 is a good camera
for what it is - with the kit lenses - but not for what you will want to do
in the future. If you wanted just good camera for family photographs and
nature photographs, it would be fine. But, that interest in Macro means
you have to consider what can be added to your bag in the way of a lens.

BTW, one of my Nikons is a D60 which also has the focussing motor in the
lens. It's just an earlier model of the AF-S series cameras like the D3100.
I like the camera, but I don't have an interest in Macro.

[Shadowman]

I am a committed Nikon user, and I strongly urge you to not buy a Nikon D3100
based on what you want to do. The D3100 uses an AF-S lens with the focussing
motor in the lens and not in the body. Any future lenses you want to buy for
this model will have to be AF-S lenses, and that will limit you.

If you buy a camera with the focussing motor in the body, there will be more
options to add a dedicated Macro lens in the future. There are good dedicated
new Macro lenses, and good buys out there for used Macro lenses.

The problem that most first-time DSLR buyers face is that they look at the
camera without realizing that what they are mostly likely to be in the
market for in the future is a different lens. The D3100 is a good camera
for what it is - with the kit lenses - but not for what you will want to do
in the future. If you wanted just good camera for family photographs and
nature photographs, it would be fine. But, that interest in Macro means
you have to consider what can be added to your bag in the way of a lens.

BTW, one of my Nikons is a D60 which also has the focussing motor in the
lens. It's just an earlier model of the AF-S series cameras like the D3100.
I like the camera, but I don't have an interest in Macro.

Hi Tony,

I have the D60 as well and it would help to have the built-in focusing motor it doesn't stop you from using AF lenses, you just have to manually focus. Most of the original poster's planned photo exercises (macro, portraiture) should be done in manual anyway, so they aren't really limited with the choice of lenses; just faced with additional challenges in their learning experience. Granted most of my lenses are AF-S with the built in focus motor, I do own the 50mm f/1.8 D AF and find it challenging yet rewarding when I get a good capture in low light.

[TonyCooper]

Hi Tony,

I have the D60 as well and it would help to have the built-in focusing motor it doesn't stop you from using AF lenses, you just have to manually focus. Most of the original poster's planned photo exercises (macro, portraiture) should be done in manual anyway, so they aren't really limited with the choice of lenses; just faced with additional challenges in their learning experience. Granted most of my lenses are AF-S with the built in focus motor, I do own the 50mm f/1.8 D AF and find it challenging yet rewarding when I get a good capture in low light.

I have one non-AF-S lens that I purchased used at a camera flea market
hosted by a camera shop. I have never, never, been able to successfully
manually focus. If there's ever a competition for blurred photos, I'll use
this lens.

When shooting film, I used manual focus lenses, but with split image
focus rings.

[Shadowman]

I have one non-AF-S lens that I purchased used at a camera flea market
hosted by a camera shop. I have never, never, been able to successfully
manually focus. If there's ever a competition for blurred photos, I'll use
this lens.

When shooting film, I used manual focus lenses, but with split image
focus rings.

I know what you mean about focusing, it's much easier to do when the camera is mounted on a tripod. However, when handheld the challenge not to blur is usually because of low light, too slow of a shutter speed and natural hand shake.

[Hero]

I have one non-AF-S lens that I purchased used at a camera flea market
hosted by a camera shop. I have never, never, been able to successfully
manually focus. If there's ever a competition for blurred photos, I'll use
this lens.

When shooting film, I used manual focus lenses, but with split image
focus rings.

[Ghostly voice] Use the dot Tony, Use the dot[/voice]
I have to admit that it's a bit hard to see in the lower left corner of your viewfinder, but whatever lens you use, the focus-indicator dot works like a charm.
btw, there are a few shops that sell alternative focusingscreens for most mordern DSLRs
http://www.focusingscreen.com/privacy.php

[thequacksoflife]

I think for new buyers the focus motor doesn't matter that much. All new lens are AF-S (with the exception of the perspective control lenses which are manual focus only) and Tamron and Sigma new lenses have a focus motors.

It is an issue when buying second hand but a d3100 buyer is unlikely to be buying say a 24mm AF-D lens i'd have thought Espesh as the old film lenses aren't as good on digital.

Nikon seems to be refreshing the AF-D to AF-S.

HINT TO NIKON refresh the 80-400

[blakemcguire]

I have the Nikon D3100 and was considering switching to the Nikon D5100. I like the guide section for when I shoot things out of my norm, but I would like some more control.

Personally, I would save my money and shoot for the D7000, D90, or even the d300. The D5100 is the upper-entry level DSLR, whereas the D7000/D90 are an inbetween to consumer and professional cameras, and the D300 is the beginning of their Pro cameras. If you find you're still learning and think you will be expanding even more later on, then I would skip the D5100, because you may end up replacing it again later on.

[Pappadi]

Hi Fractels.
I own a D5100 which I recently bought from Thiruvananthapuram for Rs35K (body and 18-55 VR kit lens.) After the Thailand floods,it has become dearer. I wanted to buy the D7000 but didn't have the money. D7k is a good one with the motor and all.
I have a couple of Nikkor D lenses, including a macro. I have experimented with all the old lenses. If you are comfortable with manual focusing, D5100 can be OK. You can buy used D lenses (in the USA) cheaply. D5100 is also good for video. But to shoot video for a long time continuously you may have to buy more cards and battery.
D90, it is rumoured,is to disappear soon. And there may be a D5200 coming. But you have already ordered a D5100. So settle for that now and start shooting.
The Nikon cameras in the Indian market are made at their Thailand facility. A friend of mine working in Germany says the cameras shipped to India by the Thailand facility are slightly poorer in quality than those shipped to UK or USA. You can see on one of the smaller sides of the box, just above the bar code,the code for Nikon's shipping destination. It is D5100(HK)18-55VR KIT on my box. Instead of (HK) it will be (US) or (UK) or (U) for the USA or the UK markets.
I had some problem with the kit lens. But the seller has promised me a replacement. I don't know how he will do that.It is yet to come.
You are primarily interested in macro. So you must have a macro lens preferably a Nikon Macro. Other brands may also be good.Or you can use a reversing ring with an old prime lens or make a reverse attachment with a body cap and a cardboard roll. Or buy an extension tube.
I also use an AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, which I find all right. This is an FX, so in the event of an upgrade it will be more suitable.
Remember D5100 is smaller in size. If you need a bigger grip, buy one grip.
And finally for manual focusing. use the live view, you can tilt the display - an added advantage.
Regards.

[fractels]

Hi Fractels.
I own a D5100 which I recently bought from Thiruvananthapuram for Rs35K (body and 18-55 VR kit lens.) After the Thailand floods,it has become dearer.

thank you so much for the advice . yes i just got my camera yesterday in chennai from Nikon India Dealer with 2 yr warranty+ kit lens. yes my non stop fun and learning started . waiting for the week end to spend whole day with new my d5100 . i hope i will overcome the starting trouble with manual focus/modes as my learning progess . neverethless i am happy and started shooting with my great camera ...