d3100 or d5100 for complete novice?

Plec

Plec

Plec

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Joined
19 Apr 2003
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I'm buying my first DSLR and after a lot of reading i had decided on the D3100 but as Nikon are doing a cashback offer the D5100 is suddenly within my price bracket.

My main question is would a D3100 be better suited to a beginner or would the D5100 be user friendly enough for the novice and have the advantage that i could grow with it more as my skills develop (if they indeed do) - so to speak?

My main concern is that i might have to hit the ground running with the D5100 - as it may not be so user/novice friendly as the D3100 or is this not an issue?

I will be mainly using the camera for taking photos of my faimily/kids and general landscapes/holiday/walking shots. But it's initial use is to get lots of decent portrait shots of my kids (any tips on how to do this - simple backdrops, suitable lighting would also be greatly appreciated.)

Any input appeciated.

EDIT: the D3100 would be ~£250 and the D5100 ~£350 (my budget was £350 for just the camera)
 
The D5100 is as user friendly as the D3100 is and I also started with DSLRs with the D5100. Its a great piece of kit and has fantastic performance. Its also very lightweight.

I'd highly recommend pairing the camera with a nikon AF-S 35mm F1.8G DX lens, as that'll give you lovely sharp portraits of the kids, plus blur the background beautifully.

As for backdrops and suitable lighting, get something like a nikon SB-600 (second hand as they have been discontinued for ages) and bounce it off the wall or ceiling to diffuse the light. Flash photography is a very hard topic to learn, let alone master, so I'd recommend getting a book to help with the basics and some of the more difficult techniques.

As for landscape and general walkabout stuff, the kit lens (if you get it- 18-55 one) is actually pretty decent and also has VR which helps get sharp images when the shutter speeds are reduced due to poor light.
 
Thanks for the comprehensive and really helpful reply James J - really appreciated.

From re-reading reviews your advice seems spot on - but as a novice i didn't want to take the risk of being overwhelmed for the sake of a bargain.

I'm googling the 35mm lens as i type - I think my 'wife's friends husband' was trying to show me something similar on his kit (£1000 50mm lens i think) - but i was too paranoid about dropping his kit to have a proper play. (I totalled up his bag and it was getting close to a small family car in price.)

Thanks too for the other tips - is there a book/bible that you would recommend?
 
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I own the the D3100 and It's very user friendly. Looking at the D5100 I don't think there's enough difference to warrant the extra £100. You'd be better off buying a D3100 and putting the extra money towards a nice lens like the one mentioned above.

As for books, Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure seems to be recommended by everyone on here (I've not had a chance to look at it myself).
 
Yes. Whilst someone on here (can't remember who) slates understanding exposure, I've found it absolutely fantastic for teaching the basics and the rules. Really need to finish it actually.

It's very good at what it aims to do. Once you know the basics it teaches you though don't feel afraid to break the rules. Hell, don't feel afraid to break the rules whilst learning.

kd
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

The 'spending less and getting another lens' is sound advice - i will definetly consider that.

My mind is frazzled from comparing the two cameras. TBH, i dont have enough experience to make an informed decison between the two - only the direct spec comparisons on review sites. And even this makes it difficult to know whether the D5100 is worth the extra £100.

I was going with the theory that it was probably wise to buy the best 'body' i could afford and then buy the lenses as i felt i needed them. Although it seems i would benefit from a 35mm straight off the bat...

Decisions, decsions...

I shall stick 'Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure' in my basket at the same time (thanks) - once i've made my mind up which camera to get.

/goes off to melt more parts of his brain...
 
explicit4u said:
I own the the D3100 and It's very user friendly. Looking at the D5100 I don't think there's enough difference to warrant the extra £100. You'd be better off buying a D3100 and putting the extra money towards a nice lens like the one mentioned above.

As for books, Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure seems to be recommended by everyone on here (I've not had a chance to look at it myself).
Click to expand...

D5100 hasxa much better sensor the d3100 has noise even at iso 800, I sold mine not long ago for a d700.
 
explicit4u said:
I own the the D3100 and It's very user friendly. Looking at the D5100 I don't think there's enough difference to warrant the extra £100. You'd be better off buying a D3100 and putting the extra money towards a nice lens like the one mentioned above.

As for books, Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure seems to be recommended by everyone on here (I've not had a chance to look at it myself).
Click to expand...

better high res folding screen, the D5100 screen(921k-dot) is over 4x the res of the very low 230k-dot res on the D3100( I have a cheap compact with a better res than that)
better sensor(same one that's in the D7000)
that's just 2 off the top of my head
so its well worth the extra £100..

the 35mm 1.8 lens is a very good lens and for around £150 its a bargain
 
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I had the 3100 and my sis in law has the 5100. I would thoroughly recommend the 5100. Both are great starts as a novice but I soon found the limits of the 3100. The 5100 is quite a lot better in my honest opinion. If you can afford the extra, go for the 5100.
 
Thanks for all the replies, guys.

I've opted for the D5100 - as, mentioned above, the better sensor coupled with the better screen and a few other minor improvements have made it too appealing. The sensor obvioulsy being the main reason after re-reading reviews.

I will buy the 35mm lens just before Xmas as a present off my wife :D - as the user reviews seem to fit my needs perfectly - thanks again James J

Any case recomendations? I would need two - one that is like a rucksack and swings round on the waist and opens at the back (if you know what i mean) and also a standard carry/neck case just for the camera and cards.

Thanks again.
 
Lowepro is the go to standard that you can get on the high street, and I've never had issues with mine.

Crumpler is going high up on the list ATM though.

kd
 
I'm in the same boat at the moment; never used an SLR before but I want to take up photography properly. I have 3 options at the moment:

Canon 10D with 3 lenses (50mm f1.8 amd two zoom lenses) for £250ish from a friend.
+ Low cost
+ The variety of lenses will give me a lot to experiment with while I learn
- Old tech - low res screen, uses compact flash instead of SD cards
- No warranty

Nikon 3100 with kit lens and option of 35/50mm lens
+ Fairly low cost
+ Option of adding a 50mm or 35mm lens for the same cost as the 5100 plus lens, more flexibility?
- Possible limiting factor once past the novice stage?

Nikon 5100 with either kit lens or 35/50mm lens
+ Better features
+ Better sensor
- High cost as I can only afford 1 lens with the body

I'm leaning towards the 5100 but if I was to get one lens, which would be the ideal one for a range of photography? EDIT: After having re-read the posts above and the one below, looks like the 35mm... :p
 
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D5100 with 35mm lens which is more 'versatile'. Than get a 18-105mm later on when you have more cash. But really depends on what you will be doing the most.
 
lemonade said:
D5100 with 35mm lens which is more 'versatile'. Than get a 18-105mm later on when you have more cash. But really depends on what you will be doing the most.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I've updated my post above as I hadn't read the thread since my brain was fried last night!

Looks like I'll pick up the 35mm. I have a housemate who has the 3100. Might have a play later if she'll let me. I know she has the kit lens so at least I could borrow that if I really needed to (I'll ask nicely of course)...
 
I had the same dilemma earlier this week.

I opted for the D3100 and the 35mm. I didn't really want the kit lens, but got it anyway as the price difference was only £10. They seem to go for circa £60 on ebay so I'll probably sell it.

I'm pretty pleased, I paid £290 for the D3100 + kit, then £135 for the 35mm. With the £55 cashback from nikon (35 for cam, 20 for lens) and potentially more money from flogging the kit lens, it's been a really cheap entry into photography.

I'm pretty happy with my decision, the DSLR controls on even a D3100 are pretty overwhelming for a beginner like me, and although the D5100 is only £100ish more in real terms, that's about 40% extra in relative terms for what is still an entry level camera. If it's something I really enjoy I plan on upgrading to a D7000 (or maybe even a Fuji x100 if I'm happy with the fixed length) after christmas anyway.
 
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