RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Especially on a budget of $500 this is the best opportunity for learning and a great start. :thumbup: :thumbup:

spdmn54 Loc: Avon Lake, Ohio

I also started with the 3100. I love it. I was a avid amatuer a long time ago, just got back in to It. This is a great - t Camera to start with Easy to learn. I have had it for a year, haven't groan tired of it yet. I know I will upgrade eventually, I really recommend. Am be when you do upgrade, your current lenses will fit all Nikons. Enjoy, and let us know what you decide.
:thumbup:

big ed Loc: Dudley UK

Love my d3100....

Picdude Loc: Ohio

Hello Whatdat and welcome to the Hog. A great way to start out is with a lot of questions.

In no particular order,: The D3100, D5000, D5100 are all 3 good cameras. It has already been suggested that you look closely at refurb if budget is an issue, and that is really good advise. With that in mind, you may want to take a look at the D5200 in refurb. Among other things you will gain with that body is 24MP of resolution as opposed to 12MP - 16MP with the other 3, and since the D5300 has released, the odds of finding good deals on used or refurb D5200's has increased.

I also have some old E-series lenses. I know they will fit on the D5200, however.....The E-series lenses were not the best glass Nikon ever produced - not bad, but definitely not top-of-the-line. Also, to use them, you will have to do everything manually, and I mean EVERYTHING - aperture, shutter speed AND focus, and don't count on your light meter in your camera body to help you out. To use those, you will literally have to learn to set every setting on the camera manually.

The Nikon ViewNX software is provided to view the photos you download to your computer. It is useful for looking at the shots you took, especially the meta data (information that includes f-stop, shutter speed, ISO, White Balance, etc.) for each picture you took. It also lets you do very basic editing on your pictures. It will not integrate with any Adobe Photoshop products, nor is it intended to. It's a stand-alone software package to help get you started out.

There may be some trade-offs between using the Tamron lens as opposed to the two Nikon lenses you mentioned, but that could be a pretty good way to start out. Others on here will have better information between the pros and cons of those lenses.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

I have the D5100 and I'm very happy with it. I'm waiting for the D5200 to come down a bit more as the D5300 is out, as someone pointed out.
So, the main question is lenses. My D5100 came with the 18mm-55mm & a 55mm-300mm.
The 18-55mm was a very nice lens to walk around with. I got some really sharp pictures with it. However, if the Tamron 18-270 isn't too bulky to carry around, I'd opt for that. Especially as a starter, you won't have to keep switching.
So, if you can afford the camera with the Tamron, I'd get that.

cthahn

They will work. You have to be a photographer to know how to use them. Manual and Aperture settings.

buffmaloney Loc: Indiana

From http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/emfgfg20/eserieslenses/index.htm

DanRobinson Loc: Charlotte, NC

I bought a 5200 at Christmas. I'm happy enough with the camera and the two lenses that came with it. However, when I started thinking about adding Speedlights, I found out the 5000 series doesn't have "Commander Mode" and needs at least an SB 800 on the camera hot shoe as "Commander".

Anybody wanna buy a very gently used d-5200?

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

How much for the body only? USA Warranty?

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I have the D3100 I got used on ebay for $160. I also got a bunch of non-ais / pre-ais nikkor film lenses (mostly primes) for a song on ebay and use them in manual mode on the D3100. Sure, none of these lenses will work in auto mode, but they all work in manual mode.
I set the iso and exposure time on the D3100 and the f-stop on the lens barrel and focus manually. For focusing, the D3100 has up to a 6x magnifier button by the lcd screen that lets me get a good manual focus. Also, a couple of test shots show me in less than a minute if my exposure and f-stop are good. I was shooting mostly manual anyway on my last camera so this is a no brainer for me.
As far as outgrowing the D3100, I don't see why, unless you want to take the plunge into film, which I did with a used Mamiya 645 on ebay that shoots 120 film. But I stll love the D3100 for digital.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

How much for the body only? USA Warranty?

riverlass Loc: northern California

I agree with Jethro779. I bought the D5100 and I love it, but if I had done it right, I would have bought the D7100. A friend has one and there's a big difference. If I could upgrade... it would be the D7100. I'm actually thinking about it... got to save my pennies.
(Please don't buy the D3100. You will want more than this camera can give you.)
Challenge yourself and don't be afraid to buy a bit higher than your comfort zone.

Los-Angeles-Shooter Loc: Los Angeles

1. The question is what type of photography you are doing and will be doing. Without that information it's hard to give solid answers as to what gear will suit you.

2. I'm familiar with the Nikon D3100 and D300 but can't say anything useful without the information referenced in the first paragraph above.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

Thanks for all the replies. I will check on all these angles to find what I need.

shutterbob Loc: Tucson

I would look on craigslist or check out the refurbished/used cameras at B&H or Adorama. You can get a really nice D7000 for around $500 - $600. It will keep you happy much longer than a 3100 or 5000. At the price level you are looking at I would go with the Nikon lenses. If you decide to move up to a Nikon 18-200 later, they will be much easier to sell than the Tamrom. I speak from experience. You will be lucky to get half what you pay for it. Plus the Nikons are better lenses, ie, much sharper, better build quality, and less "clunky". The Tamron is' ok', but I would pass on it in favor of Nikon's lenses.