Kathyr

I have been thinking of purchasing my first SLR camera, possibly a Nikon d5100. I understand there is no motor for the lens inside the camera, so I should purchase lenses with a motor in them. Can someone explain about lenses/motors, and whether this camera will be a good choice (d5100)? I hope I have worded this right, so it is understandable. Thank you.
Kathy

dongrant Loc: Earth, I think!

I will assume that the motor to is the Auto-Focus motor. If that is the case you have been miss-informed, the D5100 has auto-focus. If your source is taking about the motorize zoom seen on many point and shoots, you don't want it. Run from motorize zoom like the plague. As for the D5100 if you are brand new to DSLRs you may want to think about the Nikon D3100, a much more user friendly camera, by far, than anything that I've seen. If you want to jump in a little deeper then either a Nikon D7000 (killer camera), or a Canon of comparable feature/price level. I'm a Nikon shooter and I love my Nikon (I would not have any other camera ), but I don't shot wildlife and from what I can see, I believe that for wildlife photography that Canon may have an edge. If only the 3 quaddrillion lenses available. Other may point to Sony, good camera with a few good lenses. Nikon and Canons lenses are excellent as opposed to being good.

Jscotcha

In addition to the autofocus motor being in the lens or body, you might also want to consider the Image stabilization feature which can be in the body or the lens. In-body Image stabilization works with any lens; whereas with in-lens stabilization, you have to get more expensive lenses with that built into them.
As far as the comment about Sony only having "good" lenses, check out this link and look at the samples from the Carl Zeiss Sony lenses:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/sonycameraclub/discuss/72157626104447022/
You might want to add a Sony camera and lens system as an option.

dongrant Loc: Earth, I think!

Sony could be a option, but if you are looking outside of the big two then you should also consider Pentax. They have the reputation of being built like tanks and with wildlife photography that could be a big plus. I myself have felt like that when Sony took over Minolta the camera became too gimmicky and aimed at general consumers. They are good camera but you can't help but wonder why you don't many big name photographers with them, most are using Canon and Nikon. I think it may be weather handling abilities and the glass. Not being a big name photographer, I wouldn't know. A bit of advise if there is a camera/photography club in your area you may want to join before you buy. Input on local service etc and see how other photographers are using there equipment can be a big help.

Greg Loc: Maryland

No, he is correct. The 5100 does not have a focus motor. You are limited to lenses with focus motors built into them if you want to use autofocus. You can still use lenses that expect the focus motor in the body, but you will need to manually focus with them. If you want autofocus on these older lenses, you will need to move up to at least a D7000 which does have a focus motor in it for older lenses.

dongrant Loc: Earth, I think!

Well, I stand corrected. Sorry for the miss-information. My grandson shots with a D5000 (the pre D5100 model) and I thought that he had informed me other wise. Oh well. I guess the old mans hearing is going. None the less the more I think about the more I believe that I would recommend joining a local photography club before you buy, especially if you can find one that does a lot of wildlife field trips. I think that you will find that the camera will be just a small part of your needs and wants. Join and take a few trips. I'll bet that if you do that you will jump in and never look back in regret.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

If you just buy new lenses the 3100 or the 5100 are great cameras. If you like to Ebay and get bargans in old lenses withour motors you will need to go to the step up cameras that have a focus motor in the body. Dave

Kathyr

Thank you all for your responses. I appreciate it !