Is it worth swapping my D50 for a D3100

Notts_Dave

Notts_Dave

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As the title says really. I'm toying with the idea of buying a D3100 to replace my D50 for the main reason of getting more mega-pixles. I'm not "hard-core" and want more than a P&S but can not justify spending £1000+.

Any comments or expriences of the D3100 welcomed.
 
I would be more inclined to wait (and save) your pennies for a few months and get a D5100 instead but whatever floats your boat ;)

Others may disagree
 
What sort of stuff do you shoot? I'd only look for more megapixels if you are constantly struggling with the results of cropping - and in that case, if it was evident that a lot of the time you needed more focal length range, consider longer lenses as a possible alternative?
 
I'm in the same boat, love my D50 to bits but feel I'm outgrowing it, the ISO performance is pretty shabby (as to be expected for quite an old camera). Also I've got a pretty life-changing event coming up next year so would love to upgrade my camera in time for that!

As much as I would love the D7000 I can't see that I'm going to be able to afford that, so was sliding towards the D5100. The D3100 looks pretty basic to me, I don't think it will suit my needs.

Have you thought about second hand? It's something I'm investigating, maybe going down the D80 and D90 route?

I'm sure others will be along with much more (and better) advice, I think I'll hang around and have a nosey!
 
I got the D50 as a starter SLR. It's a great camera it just lacks the punch of the more modern brothers. Ive gotton more use to handling slrs and the features and wanted something to step up to for the next few years.

I was set on getting a 3100 until the 5100 was announced. The 7000 looks good but other than the two user modes I didn't see anything on their that justified the extra few hundred to me. For a pro user definatly but the dual SD slots, slightly larger (and brighter) viewfinder and more AF points are not something that immediately screams must to me.

Plus it also has no flip out screen which is why I chose it over the 3100 ;)

Seeing as Nikon have now dumped off the top screen some of what I do especially tripod work is going to annoy me not being able to angle the screen up to see the settings as is the case on the 3100
 
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Why do you want more megalpixels? Do you print above A3??

If not, they will do nothing for you except increase your file size. You'll loose the in body motor, so will be stuck with AF-S lenses.

If I were to upgrade a D50, for me only the D80-/90 or D7000 would be worth it before hitting the big guns at the D300.

Hell, even a D200 would be a good buy.
 
What has made me think of a new camera is the D50's performance in low light situations. I was recently in Jerusalem and my wifes Canon P&S was able to take (snap)shots in the churches and the like where I was struggling with my D50 with the ISO cranked up. I feel it has always been a disappointment in this area.

When is the D5100 out and any indication of pricing?
 
d3100 has super iso performance, this plus the new 50mm f 1.8 would be a great combo
 
The ISO performance of my D50 is it's biggest problem, ISO800 can be fixed in Lightroom, ISO1600 really can't.

If I was to upgrade tomorrow I'd be looking at a used D200, D90 or D300(s), though I'm not sure the D200 ISO will offer you much more than a stop over D50 as they are the same generation. The D90 and D300s will give you 2 generations newer technology.
 
I would save for a D90 or D7000 as these would be and feel like an upgrade from the D50. My recollection ?? Is that the D50 has an autofocus motor to drive older Af-D lenses. Neither the D3100 or D5000 have this. They don't have the second LCD either. I went from a D70 to a D5000 and whilst the D5000 is technically advanced and the iso is better I miss other features and the size of the D70.

If I had to by now it would be a D90 and dream of a D7000.
 
maninsuitcase said:
The D90 and D300s will give you 2 generations newer technology.
Click to expand...

And the 5100/7000 will give you 3 - and when it comes to ISO performance, the newest generation really does make a difference. It's the area of DSLR technology, aside from live view/HD video side of things, that continually makes leaps and bounds on each newer model.
 
I'm begining to wonder if I really need to upgrade or is it a case of a workman blaming his tools... Perhaps i should go back to basics and really learn how to get the best out of my D50 before spending my way out of disappointing shots.
 
I've got a d90 and a d50... But still sometimes pickup the d50 first! It's a great camera!! Took it to Africa on safari and it rocked! Save for a d90 :)
 
The D90 is looking more suitable in the long run.
 
freecom2 said:
And the 5100/7000 will give you 3 - and when it comes to ISO performance, the newest generation really does make a difference. It's the area of DSLR technology, aside from live view/HD video side of things, that continually makes leaps and bounds on each newer model.
Click to expand...

True but you do sacrifice the top LCD, focus motor and various other features (2 control dials, direct access buttons etc) if those are important to you. But the D90 should give better performance all round and still be a reasonable price.
 
Have you reached your limit with this camera? Have you taken the best photos you can with it? Do you know it inside out and just cant get the images your after?

Have you tried everything in photoshop or LR to try and sort the pics?

Are your skills at a lelvel that you are now being held back by the camera?

Dont rush to find a bit of kit that will only improve your shots by 15% when a little 'you' time may improve them by 30-50%

I never change gear until my back is against the wall and i just cant get further.

I bet if you look a little you can improve your shots and not change camera. Saves money and improves skill 'the eye' for free.

What have you to lose?

Tom
 
Tokkelossi, I'm thinking you are on the right tracks, No i dont know my gear inside out. I think that what you are saying is spot on. Maybe i need to invest time not money to get better shots.
 
Notts_Dave said:
As the title says really. I'm toying with the idea of buying a D3100 to replace my D50 for the main reason of getting more mega-pixles. I'm not "hard-core" and want more than a P&S but can not justify spending £1000+.

Any comments or expriences of the D3100 welcomed.
Click to expand...

Firstly! More Megapixels doesn't necessarily mean better quality. Never justify buying a camera on the amount of MP it has.
If this is the only reason you have to upgrade I would advise against it.

To see which is the better camera (For You) Go on DP Reviews and/or other review pages an compare the two. See what one has more features that you like etc. and also a useful tip I learned on here is,
Type the camera name into Flickr and you should get images taken with that camera, this way you see image quality from both cameras and you can compare them, if all you're looking for is better image quality.

And if people have already said this, than sorry, I didn't read any previous comments :) Hope this helps.
 
If you're having problems with ISO ..
Buy some sort of tri-pod and use longer shutter speeds and eliminate the need for ISO
;) But if you don't fancy lugging around a tri-pod try learning about these main settings on a camera.
-Aperture (Size of the camera opening)
-Shutter Speed (How long the shutter is open)
These effect how bright or dim your image is.

ISO changes the sensitivity of the sensor to light, high ISO means it is more sensitive to light so your image is brighter when you're really lacking light. But the price you pay is extra pixels creating 'noise' .. To elminiate the need for high ISO (in low-light conditions)
You need to put your camera on manual and set aperture to F11 <Or higher if you can> and Shutter speed to a good enough time to gather sufficient light.

If you read more about this online I'm sure there is something that is much clearer and more in depth than my quick explanation .. If you're already fiddling with these settings and still having to up ISO then look into saving for the cameras suggested above with more advanced ISO systems.

Again, hope this helped !
 
Many thanks for the advice, very helpful and has given me much food for thought. I'm thinking a) learn more about my D50 and how to get the best out of it, b) save for a D90 or better c) take more pictures.
 
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