Need some advice - thinking of buying a Nikon SLR

Combat Fighter · 30 Jul 2012 at 12:07

androo said:
I bought a D5100 last week with the kit lens and an additional 35mm 1.8 lens. It is my first SLR but my father has a D80 which is much better built but bigger. So far I love it and the fold out screen is really useful. As a beginner, the D5100 seems like a good choice. I do however feel that I now need another lens with a bit more zoom - possibly the 55-200mm VR lens which I've seen for around £150.00. I also need a tripod and a nice case/bag.

It's not cheap this photography lark is it!

How are you finding the 35mm 1.8 lens?

NorthstaNder said:
Why Nikon? Have you considered the excellent Canon 60D? Similar spec to the D7000 and a flippy out screen.

For the record...I have the D7000 (18-105) before I get accused of being a Nikon fanboy

I have always had a soft spot for Nikon and after having a play in the shop with the D7000 I think it's a really nice camera and fits my large hands really well, I found it really comfortable to hold (unlike the D5100). After all it did not win camera of the year (2011) for nothing did it? lol

I do think I will try and find a really good deal on the bay for second hand D7000 as there are quite a few mint ones going at the moment due to people upgrading.

To go with it I will try and get a mint second hand if possible 35mm 1.8 lens and a 18-200mm lens. That should keep me busy for a while.

Energize · 30 Jul 2012 at 12:59

Does video matter to you?

If not then I definitely think Nikon is the way to go if you can afford their lenses which do tend to be more expensive than cannon, they are better optical quality and the bodies have better sensors, way better ISO performance.

Combat Fighter · 30 Jul 2012 at 13:39

Energize said:
Does video matter to you?

If not then I definitely think Nikon is the way to go if you can afford their lenses which do tend to be more expensive than cannon, they are better optical quality and the bodies have better sensors, way better ISO performance.

Not so bothered about video really, pictures is where its at.

robfosters · 30 Jul 2012 at 14:38

Why did you discount the D3200? I have heard that's an awesome camera.

Combat Fighter · 30 Jul 2012 at 17:32

robfosters said:
Why did you discount the D3200? I have heard that's an awesome camera.

If it's anything like the D5100 to hold then it will simply not be comfortable for my large hands. Plus it did look and feel a lot more cheap compared to the D7000.

The D7000 for me seems the best choice and I will be very happy to own one. Plus not to mention there seems to be some good deals floating around now (second hand) which is a plus.

Just need to make my mind up for sure which lenses to get. . .

ShiWarrior · 30 Jul 2012 at 17:36

isnt the 3200 an entry level camera? i.e. same as 3100 or back further the D40 ?

dbmzk1 · 30 Jul 2012 at 20:51

ShiWarrior said:
isnt the 3200 an entry level camera? i.e. same as 3100 or back further the D40 ?

It is their lowest end range model yea, but it's pretty much on par with the D5100/D7000 in terms of image quality.

Combat Fighter · 30 Jul 2012 at 23:26

dbmzk1 said:
It is their lowest end range model yea, but it's pretty much on par with the D5100/D7000 in terms of image quality.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Image quality might be on par but D7000 wins hands down.

dbmzk1 · 31 Jul 2012 at 07:35

But it's £400 vs £700, that's a huge difference.

I got my D5100 with 18-105mm lens, tripod, bag, memory card, filter and some cleaning stuff for less than the D7000 body alone.

For me as a total amature not having touched an SLR camera for more than a few mins in 10 years and not knowing if I am going to enjoy photography again it was too much outlay, hence why I went for the D5100

Just depends if you can justify the cash or not!

Energize · 31 Jul 2012 at 11:02

Combat fighter what website was that taken from? Seems to use the dxomark sensor comparisons so very useful.

dbmzk1 · 31 Jul 2012 at 13:10

Energize said:
Combat fighter what website was that taken from? Seems to use the dxomark sensor comparisons so very useful.

http://snapsort.com/

Combat Fighter · 31 Jul 2012 at 16:01

dbmzk1 said:
http://snapsort.com/

Yep thats the one.

Still the biggest thing for me apart from the extra semi-pro features is still the actual size of the D7000. After all it's got to be comfortable when you hold it!

ShiWarrior · 31 Jul 2012 at 17:09

i was looking for tht comparison earlier, i didnt get it from that website though!

now do the same again but the D7000 against the D5100

Combat Fighter · 31 Jul 2012 at 20:50

ShiWarrior said:
i was looking for tht comparison earlier, i didnt get it from that website though!

now do the same again but the D7000 against the D5100

androo · 1 Aug 2012 at 19:25

Combat Fighter said:
How are you finding the 35mm 1.8 len

It takes a bit of getting used to as obviously there is no zoom. However, it's a brilliant lens for the price and i've had much more fun with it than the kit lens which in truth i've hardly used.

jonneymendoza · 1 Aug 2012 at 20:39

is the Nikon 3100 any good?

ShiWarrior · 1 Aug 2012 at 22:27

jonneymendoza said:
is the Nikon 3100 any good?

yes, they re supped to be vwery good entry level systems, with great pics like the d7000 if used well

Credo · 3 Aug 2012 at 15:28

I'd get the D7000, it's always worth having the extra capabilities so you have a camera you can grow into and with. Don't underestimate stuff like the top LCD, magnesium alloy body, 100% viewfinder, twin SD card slots, 39 point AF, the list goes on. My trusty D50 is due to be replaced by a D7000 or maybe it's successor.

Combat Fighter · 3 Aug 2012 at 20:24

Credo said:
I'd get the D7000, it's always worth having the extra capabilities so you have a camera you can grow into and with. Don't underestimate stuff like the top LCD, magnesium alloy body, 100% viewfinder, twin SD card slots, 39 point AF, the list goes on. My trusty D50 is due to be replaced by a D7000 or maybe it's successor.

Yeah I still have my heart set on getting a D7000, just need to get all the pennies together (wont be too long though).

An Exception · 3 Aug 2012 at 20:30

I would be tempted to wait for the full frame D7000!
http://www.cnet.com.au/is-this-the-nikon-d600-339340984.htm