Discussion
Hi Guys, I'm looking to get an entry level DLSR and have read very good things about the Nikon D3100.
Has anyone got any experience of one and is it as good as the reviews say?
I've got amazon vouchers to spend so might buy it here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Digital-Camera-18-55...
With the £30 cash back from Nikon I think its a good deal, they have a D3100 on mpbphotographic but I can't seem to find the equivalent lens. Can anyone please point me in the right direction?
Any help is greatly appreciated and hopefully you can laugh at my rubbish photos soon :0)
Has anyone got any experience of one and is it as good as the reviews say?
I've got amazon vouchers to spend so might buy it here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Digital-Camera-18-55...
With the £30 cash back from Nikon I think its a good deal, they have a D3100 on mpbphotographic but I can't seem to find the equivalent lens. Can anyone please point me in the right direction?
Any help is greatly appreciated and hopefully you can laugh at my rubbish photos soon :0)
Immediate thoughts: that 18-55mm lens is "alright". But if you can do better it's where I'd start.
Plus look at 3200.
Then again; I'm putting the cart in front of the horse: what are your main subjects likely to be.
Can't really go too wrong with the entry level Nikons if you can get on with their handling. As you go up the ladder (even thinking last years' secondhand model) they're much nicer to use and built to last. But again, depends upon your primary objectives.
There's a couple of top quality places to go secondhand and buy with confidence. MBP have a good reputation. My preference is Grays of Westminster although you pay a bit of a premium for the posh shop and warranty (don't forget to haggle a bit!).
Plus look at 3200.
Then again; I'm putting the cart in front of the horse: what are your main subjects likely to be.
Can't really go too wrong with the entry level Nikons if you can get on with their handling. As you go up the ladder (even thinking last years' secondhand model) they're much nicer to use and built to last. But again, depends upon your primary objectives.
There's a couple of top quality places to go secondhand and buy with confidence. MBP have a good reputation. My preference is Grays of Westminster although you pay a bit of a premium for the posh shop and warranty (don't forget to haggle a bit!).
Then I think the ideal lens combination would be something like:
1) 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor
2) 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF-S IF-ED VR Nikkor
(The 18-55mm wouldn't have much reach on its own, plus is just built to "kit" spec - you get what you pay for - and the 16-85mm is a decent compromise lens until you want to spend £000s)
Add any DX body. 1) Quite wide for landscapes and would do street and groups, plus 2) a bit closer when you're at a distance from motorsports.
But what was your budget? I'm sure that anything I suggest will be 200% over-budget.
1) 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor
2) 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF-S IF-ED VR Nikkor
(The 18-55mm wouldn't have much reach on its own, plus is just built to "kit" spec - you get what you pay for - and the 16-85mm is a decent compromise lens until you want to spend £000s)
Add any DX body. 1) Quite wide for landscapes and would do street and groups, plus 2) a bit closer when you're at a distance from motorsports.
But what was your budget? I'm sure that anything I suggest will be 200% over-budget.
K12beano said:
I'm sure that anything I suggest will be 200% over-budget.
Having a quick look at lens prices I think you might be right. I don't want to spend too much as this will be my first DSLR.If there are no major issues with the D3100 then I think I'll get it and then look to justify better lenses later.
After lots of research i went for the d3100 a few days ago (my first dslr) and i love it!Im really impressed by the photos it takes and that's before i even know what i'm doing!!:-)Here's a couple of pics i've taken,i haven't messed about with the photos at all(all the pros saying well we can see that!, wouldn't know how to anyway!)Heres' my poody cat and some birds(cat 18-55 lens,others Sigma 70-300mm)
Curve ball option - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330904466720
Equivalent to the D5100/5200, and if you nicked it for the right price, you'd be covered for a while, before deciding which lenses you'd need to cover specific styles of photography you're more interested in.
Equivalent to the D5100/5200, and if you nicked it for the right price, you'd be covered for a while, before deciding which lenses you'd need to cover specific styles of photography you're more interested in.
I too had this dilema I went for the D3100 and love it I brought mine with the 18-55 kit lens and a 55-200 Tamron lens since then I've also invested in a 70-300 (which I still need to tryout fully)
What ever you choose I'm sure you'll get some great photos and don't be afriad to ask advise people on here are very helpful.
What ever you choose I'm sure you'll get some great photos and don't be afriad to ask advise people on here are very helpful.
I bought the D3100 kit from Costco.co.uk recently, also as my first DSLR.
In addition to the 18-55 lens in the kit, I've also bought a 55-300 Nikon lens. Useful for long-distance stuff.
I've had lots of positive comments on the pictures I've taken of holidays and other events recently - the difference over my old 12 megapixel point-and-shoot is night and day.
Plus I've managed to get one of my favourite pics with it:
Not sure where in the country you are, but I've booked a 3 hour photography course with SF Digital this Sunday - £29 on Travelzoo, reduced from £129. Might as well try to understand how to use it all properly, and hopefully will be able to get some decent pics from Spa, the Ring and Le Mans this year.
In addition to the 18-55 lens in the kit, I've also bought a 55-300 Nikon lens. Useful for long-distance stuff.
I've had lots of positive comments on the pictures I've taken of holidays and other events recently - the difference over my old 12 megapixel point-and-shoot is night and day.
Plus I've managed to get one of my favourite pics with it:
Not sure where in the country you are, but I've booked a 3 hour photography course with SF Digital this Sunday - £29 on Travelzoo, reduced from £129. Might as well try to understand how to use it all properly, and hopefully will be able to get some decent pics from Spa, the Ring and Le Mans this year.
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