charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Look forward to hearing how the teleconverter did. Have found and read many articles that said they don't usually do well on telephotos unless specifically designed for said lens. Also, very seldom will the quality of the photos taken using a 2x be as good as that of the 1.4. The crop factor on a DX camera changes the angle of view, does not increase focal distance. Again, let me know how it turns out. Lucky you, mountains, wildlife.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

You are looking at getting into one of the most expensive areas of photography. Nature and especially birding can get very expensive when you consider the lenses. First you will normally require a good quality lens. Second, the lens you have is NEVER long enough!

Last, but not least, the fps on the camera you have is never fast enough! I know, I shoot a Canon 7D at 8 fps and at times wish it were 10 or 12 fps.

This is just a couple of things to keep in mind as you start to build your system. Don’t hesitate to look at used or refurbished (reconditioned). Last, stay with the top three companies, B&H, Adorama and Keh. All three have competitive pricing, good rating systems and good return policies.

Good luck in your quest, and enjoy!

Jim D

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Will say one more time, 300mm for "far away" birding photos just won't get it. If you get a zoom ending in 300mm wont take long before you will be wishing you had something with a longer reach. But as I said before, a 300mm "prime" with "matching" teleconverter might work. While I understand that budget is a consideration, you will actually save money in the long run if you get what you really need in the first place. Good luck, enjoy.

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

I would strongly encourage you to consider the D5100 instead of the D3100 and here is why:

The D3100 is an EXCELLENT camera so if you only have $550 to spend total on camera and lens then go out and buy this camera. You won't regret it. If you're considering spending more money, here's what you'll get from the D5100 in comparison:

-Better performance in low light situations.
-A higher resolution screen on the back of the camera so you can see your images more clearly and make out if they actually turned out well.
-An external mic jack. (If you're planning on shooting video with an external mic, you'll want the D5100 over the D3100.)
-A flip out screen (handy if you want to put your camera anywhere but at your eye level and be able to see what your camera is about to capture before you shoot it)
-Faster continuous shooting. If you're often shooting sports or any fast moving subject, continuous shooting allows you to capture multiple images in a single second. The D3100 shoots at three frames per second whereas the D5100 shoots at four frames per second.
-Higher ISO options. The D5100 offers one more stop of ISO than the D3100 does. If you don't know what ISO means (or what a stop is) just know that this allows you to more easily shoot images in low-light situations.
-Longer battery life. The D5100's battery will last 20% longer than the D3100

The two advantages of the D3100 over the D5100 are: less expensive and less weight. Whenever a camera is less expensive, it means you'll have more in your budget for the lens. The D3100 weighs 10% lighter and is 10% smaller than the D5100.

Right now, you can get a D5100 with the 18-55mm kit lens AND a 55-200mm lens for about $745.00. Or, you can spend another hundred and get a 55-300mm lens for about $845.00, all this from B&H Photo, a highly regarded company. Here's the link:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/764102-REG/Nikon_D_5100_Digital_SLR_Camera.html

P.S.--the sensor, which has a GREAT deal to do with image quality, is more highly rated in the D5100 than the D3100.

phil7782 Loc: Rancho Cucamonga, CA

I used to use a TOPCON back in the 70's. Not a NIKON, but quite Comparable in quality and ability. Based on that experience, I ask that you seriously consider, what up to now, have been the "second tier" cameras made by SONY.

The SLT series are remarkable cameras and for the price, have some amazing features. Compare online any SLT with any other brand you are considering and let that help you choose. The more the info, the better the decision.

Just decide what is important for you and find the tool to fit, not the other way around.

JPL

If the budget is important you could check out Nikon D80, it is a very good camera. I know cause I still own and use one. I think you get one cheaper than a D3100 and then you have more money for a good lens.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

[quote=BAMeauxNikonL810]I've looked up nice, under $700 cameras that would be nice for nature, bird, and everyday shots. In my research I've been drawn to checking out the Nikon D3100. Any suggestions on whether or not this is a good option or not would be MUCH appreciated! :XD: If not, what would be a high definition, far shooting, under $800 camera. ALL suggestions are greatly appreciated. I look forward to the comments :thumbup:! THANK

Hi, I looked up your bio, the camera you now own, and the one you propose to buy, the Nikon D3100. First off you are a freshman in high school, and have a long photographic life ahead of you. You also want to enter the birding, game, and nature photography realm. I think I'm correct in this. As a high school freshman you will be wanting to photograph some of your friends while playing sports, and even other band members while marching in the field, and parades. In my experience is shooting nature/sports you should be focusing on a much better camera than the D3100. For birding you will need a camera that shoots a much faster continuous rate than 3 f/sec. Birds are finicky creatures, and move about really fast on the perch, and fly even faster. Good photographers take single photos of perching birds, great photographers take 50-100 shots of the same bird as it move through the tree, or perch. 3 f/sec is not fast enough to catch all this movement. Birds in flight is also another story. Put yourself in a duck blind waiting for a wood duck to fly in at 45 mph, in evening or morning light. You see the duck, raise your camera, shoot on continuous mode, and the lands out of sight, and was only visible for 2-3 seconds, you now have 6-9 shots to judge for your days work. Maybe, one or two are printable. Wouldn't be better to have 21 to 30 shots to judge? You bet. I would be looking for a camera that would shoot at least 7 f/sec, fast focus, crop frame, able to take HD video, has more than 9 adjustable focus points, and can quickly change lenses. I would also look at the area where you will be shooting, South Louisiana, is moist, and full of mildew and mold. So, a camera, and lenses would have to have better moisture/mold mildew seals. I shoot with a Canon 50D, and the 5 f/sec is not fast enough. I'm waiting for the rumored Canon EOS 7D II to make its appearance, hopefully it will have a faster frame rate than the 7 f/sec of the current 7D. I'm not suggesting you buy a 7D and leave Nikon, but you are at the junction of your photographic life. A choice between the brands could make a difference in your lens choices, and your how your interests will change as you progress down the photographic lane. You will have a hard road to ride if you try to make a living in nature photography. The cost of getting those marketable shots is staggering, just look at the price of a good long lens, and imagine how many photos you need to sell just to offset the cost of the lens. You will need at least a fast lens f2.8, and at least 300mm if you don't use a tripod, it will have to have some type of stabilization for hand held shooting, will cost you about $7,000.00 new. ( I used the price of a new Canon EF 300 mm, f2.8L IS USM lens from the Canon lens line up, the quoted price is $7,299.00) In High School you may want to look into portraits. The cost of equipment is not as daunting, you can use the Nikon D3100, with some good glass in range of
35mm f3.5 to 100mm. A good flash, and some umbrella reflectors, and make a good dime. You'll meet lots of girls too, they all want their photos taken by a good pro.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

You are right. I use a Canon 7D and a Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 lens.

http://www.adorama.com/ICA7D.html

http://www.adorama.com/SG120300OSCA.html

As you can see it totals $4,300.00 and that only gets you to 300mm! Add a good TC

http://www.adorama.com/SG14XEOS.html

to this and you are at $4,525.00 As I stated earlier nature and birding is one of, if not, the most expensive types of photography anyone can get into!

Jim D

0627ramram32 Loc: Orange County, CA, USA

Right now the Canon T4i is the sweet spot of DSLRs at $648 (B&H, Amazon). It has dropped to this price because they're bringing ou a a T5i, which is almost identical (see DP Review). I upgraded to this from a T2i which made very fine images because of the movable LCD screen. That's a wonderful plus for Macro, Micro, Astro and low level photography.

washy Loc: Dorset UK

Hi. I noticed you se a 150-500mm Big Sig, with a Sigma 2 times converter. Do you lose 2 stops and how do you find the images are they sharp with this combination? I use a Big Sig and have been wondering about a converter. Does it still work on autofocus? Perhaps you could send me a pic with this combiation so I could judger for myself. Thankyou. Washy

lacsar Loc: Columbia SC and Newland NC

Don't for get to check out e-bay also. You can get some good deals there too.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Excellent option. Nikon P510 (P520 coming soon?), Canon SX50/SX40, plus the Panasonic and Fuji models, all make very nice options that keep the cost down and eliminate carrying so much equipment. Just carry the camera, flash, tripod and a couple extra batteries!

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

The D5100 can be had at a discount now!

GaryS1964 Loc: Northern California

Buy a Canon!:-) Get a refurb direct from Canon or BH or Adorama. If you have an old Canon lying around gathering dust working or not, even film, Canon will take it in trade and take an additional 20% off the refurb price on SOME cameras. It's called the Canon Loyalty Program. Check it out.

Currently the Canon T4i refurb is $544 body only or $612 with the 18-55 kit lens. Since you want to do birds I'd get the body and buy one of their refurb telephoto zoom lenses. BTW - Since they are already on sale I doubt the 20% discount mentioned above applies.

I just received my Canon 18-200 refurb yesterday. Looks like new. Not a blemish on it. I haven't had a chance to give it a thorough test yet but a couple of quick pics and I'm impressed. It's not a great lens but more than satisfactory if your just going to look at them on a PC or make 4x6 prints. My goto 15-85 is sharper if I pixel peep but sometimes I need more reach in a walk around lens.

Michael O' Loc: Midwest right now

Look into the Super tele Zoom (24mm to 1200mm) Canon SX50 HS, selling for well under your stated price level. Look up its specs. It provides much for the price. Written up in Digital Photo April 2013 issue. I'm goin' for it -- to work along with my 5D Mark II and lenses.