D3100 alternatives?

Ksanti

Ksanti

Ksanti

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Hey guys I'm saving up to buy my first SLR, I've been using my dad's D5000 a fair bit and really feel like I'm fast outgrowing my TZ7, I'm perfectly happy using his D5000 when it's available but that's pretty rare nowadays.

I was looking at saving up and buying a D3100, even if it is pretty similair to the D5000, but was wondering if there was anything else I should look at? Second hand is fine, but would like to go with Nikon so that any lenses either of us buy can be used on the other camera. I don't know too much about the market at the moment, would getting internal AF be too much to ask at this price point? I'm focusing mainly on the 50mm f/1.8 which needs internal AF which the D5000 lacks iirc, or should I save the money on the body and save up for the f/1.4, which, again iirc, has af?

Budget isn't a huge concern, if I need more money I'll just save for longer, within reason of course.

Thanks,

Ksanti
 
A good option would be a used D80 or, preferably, a D90. There'll probably be plenty around in a couple of months as people move to the D7000.
 
Well I'll be saving over the coming months, so I'll keep my eye on that situation, are there any sites I should be watching where they're likely to come up?

What would the differences between the D5000 and the D90 be? I know the sensor is the same, but after that?

And do you have any advice on the 50mm lens? I'm not sure how many more lenses I'll be buying after it, so maybe it's worth just saving up more for the f/1.4 if the AF is different?

Sorry for what I can tell are stupid questions, but there are so many specs, names and abbreviations involved with these things I feel slightly lost :D
 
If you can afford to, I'd save up and aim for the newly announced D7000. It's the successor to the D90, and exceeds the D5000 ... which you are already comfortable with. If Nikon makes any more camera announcements you can buy my D300 off me :D

Be careful with the 50mm 1.4 or 1.8. There are 2 versions of each, the newer ones have AF-S ( internal focusing ). All of them are excellent optically. If you plump for either the D90 or new D7000 you won't have to worry about which iteration you aim for.
 
xaldub said:
If you can afford to, I'd save up and aim for the newly announced D7000. It's the successor to the D90, and exceeds the D5000 ... which you are already comfortable with. If Nikon makes any more camera announcements you can buy my D300 off me :D

Be careful with the 50mm 1.4 or 1.8. There are 2 versions of each, the newer ones have AF-S ( internal focusing ). All of them are excellent optically. If you plump for either the D90 or new D7000 you won't have to worry about which iteration you aim for.
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I have a lot to work on before i can justify getting a D7000 or do it justice.

So as long as I get the AF-S iteration of the lens my dad can use it on his D5000 as well I presume?
 
Ksanti said:
I have a lot to work on before i can justify getting a D7000 or do it justice.

So as long as I get the AF-S iteration of the lens my dad can use it on his D5000 as well I presume?
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You'd be surprised, I don't think the D7000 would be *too* much camera for you, and would give something extra to grow into. But, if you aren't completely sold on photography as a hobby, then certainly opt for a less expensive camera to begin with.

Yes, AF-S lenses can be used on any of the DSLR's ( including the D5000 ).
 
xaldub said:
You'd be surprised, I don't think the D7000 would be *too* much camera for you, and would give something extra to grow into. But, if you aren't completely sold on photography as a hobby, then certainly opt for a less expensive camera to begin with.

Yes, AF-S lenses can be used on any of the DSLR's ( including the D5000 ).
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Well I love photography as a hobby but I'd much rather have money left over for good lenses which could all be used if and when I upgrade the body, than get a D7000, have no money for lenses, end up buying cheapo ones then having to replace all of them to progress.

The D7000 does have me drooling but saving up for that could take a year or more, and they're not showing up second hand any time soon.
 
Alpherah said:
D3100 or D90, both far superior to the D5000 imo.
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Is that from specs or personal experience (regarding the D3100, of course the D90 is better than the D5000)?

Continuous AF could be useful if I decide to start shooting my video editing material with the SLR, and the d3100 is what I'm leaning towards aiming for at the moment, although I don't know how much second hand D90's will be going for once the D7000 sales pick up.
 
The D3100 has the new Expeed2 processing engine and is circa £500

The D7000 is roughly £1200.

I would say get the D3100 and put the difference in cost towards lenses.
 
Ksanti said:
I'm struggling to find the f/1.8 50mm with AFS?
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That's 'cos it doesn't exist yet and xaldub is mistaken in saying it does.

Main advantages of the D90 over the D5000 are:
internal focusing motor
pentaprism instead of pentamirror
top LCD
two control dials

I have both and could live with just a D5000 if I really had to. The D7000 looks absolutely wonderful but will probably cost well over £1000 which is too much of a premium over the D90. I doubt I'll switch unless I win the lottery...
 
Snapshot said:
That's 'cos it doesn't exist yet and xaldub is mistaken in saying it does.

Main advantages of the D90 over the D5000 are:
internal focusing motor
pentaprism instead of pentamirror
top LCD
two control dials

I have both and could live with just a D5000 if I really had to. The D7000 looks absolutely wonderful but will probably cost well over £1000 which is too much of a premium over the D90. I doubt I'll switch unless I win the lottery...
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Yup, sorry ... it's just the 50mm 1.4 that exists in AF-S form ( 50mm 1.4G AF-S ) and as a 50mm 1.4D ( the version that needs screwdriver motor within the camera - which is what you may not have depending on the camera you choose ).
 
How much are the 2nd hand D300 down to now? if you don't need video then it's a very capable camera with really good AF and good build quality.
 
Ksanti said:
Is that from specs or personal experience (regarding the D3100, of course the D90 is better than the D5000)?
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Specs, both are 'beginner' SLR models, and except for the tilty screen i cant imagine the D5000 does anything the D3100 cannot do better.
Better video, better ISO performance, new image processing etc.
 
2nd D300's are down to about £650-700 which is a lot of camera for the money, if you register on talk photography and get your post count up you'll be able to see them.
 
DanF said:
How much are the 2nd hand D300 down to now? if you don't need video then it's a very capable camera with really good AF and good build quality.
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Very cheap, at least here in Switzerland you can buy a 2nd hand D300 from a shop that is cheaper than a new D90.
 
Well I'd be looking at a second hand D90 rather than a new one.

atm I'm thinking of going for a D3100 and saving up even more for the f/1.4 50mm AFS, that way my dad can use it as well if he needs to, and it's a better lens anyway, so if I do end up sticking with photography in the long run I won't feel a need to swap up the 50, and if not, lenses don't depreciate too badly anyway.
 
I'd go for the D3100 myself. When did it come out as I'm tempted to get one myself! There are no many nice AF-S lenses around now that it's not a big problem finding them.
 
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