Purchasing new camera/lenses
Mar 5, 2012 14:00:01 #
> Hi, wondering about camera and lenses. Is it more important to have a better quality lens as compared to the camera? Was thinking of buying a Nikon D3100, now starting to look at Nikon D5000. That's my price range. They both sound like good cameras and have lots of features I am interested in (originally thinking of A Nikon D3000, but don't see great reviews about it). Also want a zoom lens maybe 55-300 - for wildlife/nature.
> Any advice you can give is appreciated.
> Thank you,
> Cathy
>
> Any advice you can give is appreciated.
> Thank you,
> Cathy
>
Mar 5, 2012 14:18:07 #
Camera bodies will come and go but good, high quality lenses keep their value for years. Don't be afraid of used equipment, as well. I purchased a fine film camera from Henry's (Ontario based) on eBay and have been very satisfied. The only problem was paying the shipping & duty to the States!
Where in NS are you? I loved Halifax & Lunenburg when I was there.
Where in NS are you? I loved Halifax & Lunenburg when I was there.
Mar 5, 2012 14:39:48 #
Well, thanks for that info. That's what i was thinking. I'll likely only be buying one camera, so want it to be a good one. I'm kind of undecided between the Nikon D3100 and Nikon D5000.
I live about 2 1/2 hours drive from Halifax, near the NS and NB border - Amherst.
I live about 2 1/2 hours drive from Halifax, near the NS and NB border - Amherst.
Mar 5, 2012 15:09:11 #
Cathy, I have the D3100 and my daughter has the D5000. Both are amazing cameras. The D5000 has the swivel LCD display which is nice; the D3100 is fixed. The D3100 actually takes better pictures in low light. You can't go wrong with either model. If you are new to DSLR's, the D3100 is very user friendly, but you can advance to using manual features as you learn. You might check out the D5100 as well. There have been some great buys on this camera and it is a newer model. If you have an opportunity and can afford the 55 - 300mm lens, I would go for it! My D3100 came with the 18-55 and 55-200mm lenses. Just make sure that the lenses you purchase have vibration control (VR). Have fun ~
Mar 5, 2012 15:16:10 #
Pick your manufacturer and then start investing in lenses. As has been noted here already, bodies will come and go, but good quality lenses will last for a long time. I'm very happy with my Nikon D3000, but will upgrade at some point to a body that includes HD video. But my lenses will still work and that's where most of my investment will be.
Good luck and have fun.
Good luck and have fun.
Mar 5, 2012 15:20:02 #
I have the D3100 and the 55-300mmVR(vibration reduction) lens. They are a great camera and lens. They will work well together. The kit lens(the one that comes with the camera) a 18-55mmVR is quite good and clear.
The D3100 has a guide mode which is a built in learn as you go tutorial. It will get you up and running right away. The D3100 gets rave reviews everywhere and you will not be sorry you bought it. It takes great shots in auto as well as the other scene modes. It will grow with you up to the manual modes.
You can't go wrong with this camera. You may want to get an extra battery too.
The D3100 has a guide mode which is a built in learn as you go tutorial. It will get you up and running right away. The D3100 gets rave reviews everywhere and you will not be sorry you bought it. It takes great shots in auto as well as the other scene modes. It will grow with you up to the manual modes.
You can't go wrong with this camera. You may want to get an extra battery too.
Mar 5, 2012 15:21:32 #
2 cents worth a few $$$
NEVER purchase a camera kit, the lenses are of noticeable inferior quality.
If one day you plan to move toward full format (24x36) invest in full format lenses.
You will need to know first that a full format lens will have a crop factor of 1.5. In layman's term: a 300mm will behave like a 450mm, a 18mm wide angle like a 27mm.
NEVER purchase a camera kit, the lenses are of noticeable inferior quality.
If one day you plan to move toward full format (24x36) invest in full format lenses.
You will need to know first that a full format lens will have a crop factor of 1.5. In layman's term: a 300mm will behave like a 450mm, a 18mm wide angle like a 27mm.
Mar 5, 2012 15:41:35 #
candle57 wrote:
The D 3100 is an upgrade of the D 3000, the only big differnce of the two is the D3100 has live view, the D 3000 does not. To me though, that is not a deal breaker. Both cameras take good pics.Well, thanks for that info. That's what i was thinking. I'll likely only be buying one camera, so want it to be a good one. I'm kind of undecided between the Nikon D3100 and Nikon D5000.
I live about 2 1/2 hours drive from Halifax, near the NS and NB border - Amherst.
I live about 2 1/2 hours drive from Halifax, near the NS and NB border - Amherst.
Mar 5, 2012 15:54:48 #
cjkorb wrote:
I own the D5000, and you can see my photos on my websites lower left this post. The D5000 is no longer in production, having been replaced by the D5100: http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Digital-SLR-Cameras/25478/D5100.htmlThe D 3100 is an upgrade of the D 3000, the only big difference of the two is the D3100 has live view, the D 3000 does not. To me though, that is not a deal breaker. Both cameras take good pics.
Improvements: a 16.2 MP DX-format CMOS sensor (D5000 = 12.3MP), 4 fps continuous shooting and Full 1080p HD Movies with full time auto-focus.
Mar 5, 2012 16:25:05 #
Thank you everyone for all the very useful information. It's great getting lots of response. I certainly will take all of it into consideration while doing my research.
I am new to this site, and this is my first query, so I am impressed.
Thank you all again,
Cathy
I am new to this site, and this is my first query, so I am impressed.
Thank you all again,
Cathy
Mar 5, 2012 17:51:52 #
[/quote] The D 3100 is an upgrade of the D 3000, the only big differnce of the two is the D3100 has live view, the D 3000 does not. To me though, that is not a deal breaker. Both cameras take good pics.[/quote]
The D3000 also doesn't have video capabilities beyond being able to take photos for stop motion or time lapse. I would like to have video capabilities, but not enough to go out and buy a new camera right now.
IMHO, my D3000 takes good pics and they're getting better as the operator continues to learn.
The D3000 also doesn't have video capabilities beyond being able to take photos for stop motion or time lapse. I would like to have video capabilities, but not enough to go out and buy a new camera right now.
IMHO, my D3000 takes good pics and they're getting better as the operator continues to learn.
Mar 5, 2012 19:20:58 #
Mar 5, 2012 19:46:42 #
candle57 wrote:
> Hi, wondering about camera and lenses. Is it ... (show quote)
A mediocre camera with a great lens is better than a great camera with a mediocre lens.
Mar 5, 2012 22:37:47 #
Bodies will come and go, but a good lens lasts forever. Unless its a Canon and the mount system changes every 10 years or so.
Mar 6, 2012 05:21:58 #
I have just bought the 3100 and am wildly impressed, Came from a good Olympus but this is light years ahead
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