which Nikon ? Nikon have brought out two new models of SLR and their D3100 and D5100 are BOTH well discounted here in the UK Which would you buy and why ? the D3100 is £290 and the...

siamesecatmanuk Loc: Leicestershire UK

Nikon have brought out two new models of SLR and their D3100 and D5100 are BOTH well discounted here in the UK

Which would you buy and why ?

the D3100 is £290 and the D5100 is £399

Since asking this question some weeks ago I have found online a company offering the Nikon 5100 with
VR kit lens AND 2 years Nikon warranty for £339 !!!

surely at this price with 2 years covered by warranty I need look no further ?

what do you say ?

Graham

sandheinrichc Loc: Illinois

I have a nikon d3100, I love it, it does everything I need it too.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

I wouldn't want either, the reason is simple they don't do what I want

You have not given a reason for the question, I don't buy a car, camera, computer on price but what I need it to do.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

siamesecatmanuk wrote:

Nikon have brought out two new models of SLR and their D3100 and D5100 are BOTH well discounted here in the UK

Which would you buy and why ?

the D3100 is £290 and the D5100 is £399

Since asking this question some weeks ago I have found online a company offering the Nikon 5100 with
VR kit lens AND 2 years Nikon warranty for £339 !!!

surely at this price with 2 years covered by warranty I need look no further ?

what do you say ?

Graham

The D5100 is a far better body that the price implies. It has the same 16.2MP sensor as the D7000, just less pro quality features and a slightly slower processor. Its well worth the price difference over the D3100, but you will likely be less than totally satisfied with the 18-55mm kit lens. It will get the job done but it won't take long to discover its shortcomings and have you longing for better quality optics.

sandheinrichc Loc: Illinois

MT Shooter wrote:

The D5100 is a far better body that the price implies. It has the same 16.2MP sensor as the D7000, just less pro quality features and a slightly slower processor. Its well worth the price difference over the D3100, but you will likely be less than totally satisfied with the 18-55mm kit lens. It will get the job done but it won't take long to discover its shortcomings and have you longing for better quality optics.

I quickly upgraded my kit lens and i now own 3 lenses and I am in the market for another lens.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

sandheinrichc wrote:

I quickly upgraded my kit lens and i now own 3 lenses and I am in the market for another lens.

What are you looking for now?

sandheinrichc Loc: Illinois

MT Shooter wrote:

What are you looking for now?

not totally sure, still playing with the idea, I have a 35mm prime lens, my kit lens, and the 55-200mm lens. I was thinking of purchasing another prime lens maybe an 85mm but I am not sure because I have recently gotten into architectual photography, so if you recomend a lens I would appriciate it.

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

I'd opt for the D5100. It has an articulating LCD which can be handy in awkward picture opportunities. Beyond that though I don't see much in the way of a difference between that and the D3100.

Personally I'd recommend the D7100 instead. The two entry cameras are designed to compete with the low end Canon cameras. So Nikon stripped out most capabilities including autofocus support for the older lenses that need an internal focus motor in the camera. The D7100 has it all and compromises nothing. But I'll admit that it's also much more expensive.

As to the lens, I'd avoid the kit lens that's usually offered. I'd go for the 18-200mm lens at minimum, that prevents you from changing lenses all the time. If you can afford it, Nikon also has an 18-300mm DX lens that gives you an amazing range for this camera. That one would be more desirable too.

Good Luck!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

sandheinrichc wrote:

not totally sure, still playing with the idea, I have a 35mm prime lens, my kit lens, and the 55-200mm lens. I was thinking of purchasing another prime lens maybe an 85mm but I am not sure because I have recently gotten into architectual photography, so if you recomend a lens I would appriciate it.

The 18-55mm kit will handle much of your exterior architectural needs, but interiors will require you to go to as wide as 12mm or even 10mm with the crop sensor body, making sure it is a flat field lens and NOT a fisheye. Another consideration for your bag might be a true macro lens should that type of work interest you.

sandheinrichc Loc: Illinois

MT Shooter wrote:

The 18-55mm kit will handle much of your exterior architectural needs, but interiors will require you to go to as wide as 12mm or even 10mm with the crop sensor body, making sure it is a flat field lens and NOT a fisheye. Another consideration for your bag might be a true macro lens should that type of work interest you.

Thanks for your input.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

siamesecatmanuk wrote:

Nikon have brought out two new models of SLR and their D3100 and D5100 are BOTH well discounted here in the UK

Which would you buy and why ?

the D3100 is £290 and the D5100 is £399

Since asking this question some weeks ago I have found online a company offering the Nikon 5100 with
VR kit lens AND 2 years Nikon warranty for £339 !!!

surely at this price with 2 years covered by warranty I need look no further ?

what do you say ?

Graham

Be EXTREMELY careful about online sellers that are significantly below the majors.

There are several here in the states that use the lower price to sucker you in for a bait and switch.

And who is the warranty with? The seller?
Check out the who, where and the how of getting any warranty service. Again, here in the states, some extended warranties specifically deny you access to the factory service center. Or are out-of-market (gray market) units, that the manufacturer won't honor the warranty on, even if you COULD use them.

Caveat emptor.

siamesecatmanuk Loc: Leicestershire UK

Thanks for that, the warranty is by Nikon themselves so hopefully should not be a problem ?
has anybody had any problems with Nikon warranty work ?

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

siamesecatmanuk wrote:

Thanks for that, the warranty is by Nikon themselves so hopefully should not be a problem ?

I was looking at the warranty for DSLR's in the UK on the nikon site. You should be offered the option of buying a 3rd year, which also adds accident coverage for the entire term.

Wish we could get a deal like that. We can purchase a 2 year extension to the normal 1 year warranty, but accidental damage coverage is not available.

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

I have the 5100 and really like this camera. Go on this site and compare other nikons to the 5100. You will be surprised. Nice camera for the price.
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Compare-Camera-Lenses

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Between the D3100 and the D5100 the D5100 easily wins my vote.