Nikon D5100 with 18-105

Dr House · 10 Sep 2012 at 10:22

I have a Nikon 3100 with a18-55 and a 55- 200 I fancy a change so will give this camera to my borther or sell it.

so here is the plan buy a D5100 with a 18 to 105 and keep the 55-200 - cost 450 GBP

So does anyone see anyting wrong with the plan?

Dr House · 10 Sep 2012 at 13:43

well got exited in the shop and bought the 5100 with a 18-105. Hope I did the right thing lol

Turbo-G · 10 Sep 2012 at 14:06

What made you change? I would have thought getting some decent glass for the 3100 would have been the better option..

coopersim · 10 Sep 2012 at 15:33

I've got a D7000, and I'm still not 'feeling it' with the 18-105. I upgraded from the D5000 with an 18-55 VR which I loved, I just find the 18-105 cumbersome I suppose.

I hear the D5100 is very good though, same sensor as the D7000 I think.

Post up some pics when you've had a play

lordrobs · 10 Sep 2012 at 15:42

coopersim said:
I've got a D7000, and I'm still not 'feeling it' with the 18-105. I upgraded from the D5000 with an 18-55 VR which I loved, I just find the 18-105 cumbersome I suppose.

I hear the D5100 is very good though, same sensor as the D7000 I think.

Post up some pics when you've had a play

I've read this quite a few times. I've only just bought my D5100 with 18-55 but have been kicking myself on a couple of occasions for not getting the 18-105 because I simply haven't had the range to get the shots that I want.

95% of the time though I've been blown away by the D5100 + 18-55 VR even in my rank amateur hands.

Richdog · 10 Sep 2012 at 17:02

Turbo-G said:
What made you change? I would have thought getting some decent glass for the 3100 would have been the better option..

The D5100 is a massively upgraded sensor over the D3100 (it has the same as in the D7000) and will ultimately allow much greater room for growth and improvement in his photography. Especially as the D5100 is now so chuffing cheap... kind of tempted myself!

lemonade · 10 Sep 2012 at 17:36

Personally speaking if I had the D3100 already I wouldn't bother upgrading to a D5100, I would just try and learn as much about photography with the D3100 then when I have outgrown it I would have just upgraded two models up or something to say a d7000 or equivalent. The D5100 is getting cheaper by the day because the D5200 will be coming out soon.

I bought the D5100 with 18-105 kit around 2 weeks and its a good piece of kit, the 18-105 is a really versatile lens, main advantage over the 18-55 is the higher zoom.

Dr House · 10 Sep 2012 at 20:11

Turbo-G said:
What made you change? I would have thought getting some decent glass for the 3100 would have been the better option..

lemonade said:
I bought the D5100 with 18-105 kit around 2 weeks and its a good piece of kit, the 18-105 is a really versatile lens, main advantage over the 18-55 is the higher zoom.

Well I like the feel of the 5100 over the 3100, I am going to take a photography class and thought it would be better to use a camera that I plan to keep for a long time. I was not happy with the combo of lenses that I had, I wanted something that I did not have to change so often so the 18-105 fits the bill.

After selling my 3100 I think the cost of upgrade will only be 150 pounds.

Turbo-G · 10 Sep 2012 at 22:44

lemonade said:
Personally speaking if I had the D3100 already I wouldn't bother upgrading to a D5100, I would just try and learn as much about photography with the D3100 then when I have outgrown it I would have just upgraded two models up or something to say a d7000 or equivalent. The D5100 is getting cheaper by the day because the D5200 will be coming out soon.

I bought the D5100 with 18-105 kit around 2 weeks and its a good piece of kit, the 18-105 is a really versatile lens, main advantage over the 18-55 is the higher zoom.

Yeah that's what I was thinking, don't necessarily need to upgrade your body to 'grow'. The D3100 is a fine, albeit basic DSLR. Coupled with some decent glass and some experience you can produce some amazing results.

I'm only a beginner (been shooting 6 months) and have got so much to learn, can't see me outgrowing the 3100 any time soon. I'm sure I'll get the itch at some point in the future, but would prob opt for something like the D7000. Can't see me splashing FF money though tbh.

Enjoy your new camera!

Richdog · 11 Sep 2012 at 07:26

Dr House said:
Well I like the feel of the 5100 over the 3100, I am going to take a photography class and thought it would be better to use a camera that I plan to keep for a long time. I was not happy with the combo of lenses that I had, I wanted something that I did not have to change so often so the 18-105 fits the bill.

After selling my 3100 I think the cost of upgrade will only be 150 pounds.

I think it's a good plan, the D5100 is just a much better feeling camera in terms of handling than the D3100 (and D3200), and the IQ will be a step up in many situations that you will start to learn in. Enjoy!