Thinking of upgrading d3100

JonnyGeee

JonnyGeee

JonnyGeee

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Ok, I have had my d3100 for a while now and I'm looking to upgrade. A popular second hand store will give me 100 pound for the body, and sell me a d3200 for 150. Meaning a 50 pound cost to upgrade.

A d5100, is selling for 200 body only.


Am I going to notice any difference between a d3100/3200?
is the 5100 much/if any better then the d3100?

My reason for upgrading is I'm finding it difficult with low light shots to get a decent picture without a lot of noise or blur, I mainly use the camera to photograph my son.
 
I just gone from the d3100 to the d5200 I would say it's a good upgrade �� I really do like the d5200


Sorry just re read your post dont know about the d5100?
 
I used to have a D5100. It's not a huge upgrade from the D3100. I don't think it's worth it. I would save a bit more and try to get a D700/7100.

I actually moved away from Nikon to Pentax at the time and went for the K5. Same sensor as the D7000, but with in body stabilisation. It felt like more of a tool than the D5100, and was smaller than both the 5100 and 7000.
 
I looked at upgrading from a D5100 to either a D5300 or D7100. I posted on Talk Photography and the general consensus was to stick with it unless it was holding me back in some area.

Best thing to do is look at if you will gain anything useful. If you do, go for it! If not, stick with what you have and buy new glass :)

Here is a link to the thread I made there, might be of use?

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/worth-an-upgrade.572501/
 
JonnyGeee said:
My reason for upgrading is I'm finding it difficult with low light shots to get a decent picture without a lot of noise or blur, I mainly use the camera to photograph my son.
Click to expand...

You aren't going to get a massive improvement in low light performance between the D3100 & D3200.

There are some other options you can explore.

If you're still using the kit lens then you could either replace it with some thing faster, (like for instance a Tamron 17-50 f2.8) or get an even faster prime lens like the 35 f1.8.

You could also get a speedlight, this will be more powerful then the internal flash. You can also point and bounce it off the ceiling or a wall to give a softer light.

The other thing is if you only use you camera in auto you should spend sometime learning to understand exposure. You will get better results in low light.
 
Thanks for your input guys, I currently use a nikon 50mm 1.8g with the d3100, and I'm happy with performance during daylight etc, but low light I can get reasonable photo's but just not great photo's.
If the d3200/5100 is similar I guess i will just have to save up for a bigger upgrade!
 
A bounce flash will be useful in low light. I use mine all the time in doors to take family photos. A new body wont give you better shots in low light a flash will.
I also swapped my 50mm and 35mm 1.8s for a 16-50 2.8 zoom which is much more useful for capturing fast moving kids.
 
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Any recommendations for flashes suitable for my camera? I have never looked into them, and there seems to be quite a few on the market!
 
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