Need some help with decision making!!

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I don't have a DSLR but will be getting one soon (I hope) I've been meaning to get one for a long time but haven't had the time needed to put towards photography, and I've still not made up my mind, anyway....

I've not much experience with DSLRs, so I'd like to go for one that's newbie friendly - I was thinking about the Nikon D3000, and the D5000, then the D3100 is released, and then the D5100 has arrived too! so I started thinking about these as well.

I do have access to a D80 - my old man has one, but I am wanting my own.

I'm quite interested in HDR, black and white, landscape/city scape, low light photography - maybe this might make one of the options better than the others?

I read that the D3100 isn't much good for HDR? something about a lack of auto bracketing or something like that?

But I like the idea behind having a guide mode within the camera which would obviously be a big help to a newbie like me.

I'd like a decent wide angle lens too, so any advice would be great with regards to picking the right camera and a wide angle lens would be a big help.

Please give me some replies! I really am stuck and can't seem to make my mind up which one I should go for! I would appreciate some advice ;):)
 
If you fancy a bit of HDR, then auto bracketing is quite useful. You can obviously get the same results without it by either shooting manual or by dialing in exposure compensation but that is quite long winded compared to bracketing where you simply choose your bracketing amount and fire off the shots. I suppose it'll come down to how much you think you'd use this feature.

The D5000 and D3100 and i suspect the D5100 all have the info button. I have a D5000 and being honest, I only found the info button useful for the first couple of weeks or so. Not pressed it since. A decent user guide (David Busch etc) is probably a lot more useful if a little less handy.

It sounds like you probably have a head start over most newbies in having played around with your Dad's D80. With that in mind, I'd maybe consider a D90. Sure it doesn't have the info button (or does it maybe, I'm not sure) the others have but it'll do everything else and more. The biggest advantage over the other three camera is the additional external controls (similar to the D80). They're extremely useful once you get a bit of experience. It's the one thing that frustrates me most about my D5000. the D90 also has a built in AF motor in the body which opens up your lens choice a little. A used D90 with a 6 month warranty should be about £450.

In terms of a wide angle, obviously it depends how wide you want to go and how much you wish to spend. The Sigma 10-20 is always well regarded as is the the Sigma 8-16, Tokina 11-16 (no built in AF motor) and Tokina 12-24 (only the MK2 has built in AF motor). Nikon's 10-20 and 12-24 would also be worth a look but are more money.
 
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Depends on your budget and whether you can get time enough to play with it.

Personally go for as high as you can comfortably afford, plus a few key lenses. You will probably out grow the d3000/3100/5000/5100.

eg:
d700 + 50mm f1.8/f.14g - for wide you'd be looking around the 20mm
d7000 + 30mm f1.4 sigma or 35mm f1.8 nikon - tokina 11-16 (I have - its brill!)
d300s and the lenses above for the d7000
d90 or d80 (I think both have motors so older nikon af should still work).


They would start you off. If you don't mind using manual focus, you could look into the m42 adapter and lenses on ebay. Think there is a forum on it - search google for "manual focus lenses forum". Might be a slightly cheaper way to play with lenses.
 
gad-westy said:
If you fancy a bit of HDR, then auto bracketing is quite useful. You can obviously get the same results without it by either shooting manual or by dialing in exposure compensation but that is quite long winded compared to bracketing where you simply choose your bracketing amount and fire off the shots. I suppose it'll come down to how much you think you'd use this feature.

The D5000 and D3100 and i suspect the D5100 all have the info button. I have a D5000 and being honest, I only found the info button useful for the first couple of weeks or so. Not pressed it since. A decent user guide (David Busch etc) is probably a lot more useful if a little less handy.

It sounds like you probably have a head start over most newbies in having played around with your Dad's D80. With that in mind, I'd maybe consider a D90. Sure it doesn't have the info button (or does it maybe, I'm not sure) the others have but it'll do everything else and more. The biggest advantage over the other three camera is the additional external controls (similar to the D80). They're extremely useful once you get a bit of experience. It's the one thing that frustrates me most about my D5000. the D90 also has a built in AF motor in the body which opens up your lens choice a little. A used D90 with a 6 month warranty should be about £450.

In terms of a wide angle, obviously it depends how wide you want to go and how much you wish to spend. The Sigma 10-20 is always well regarded as is the the Sigma 8-16, Tokina 11-16 (no built in AF motor) and Tokina 12-24 (only the MK2 has built in AF motor). Nikon's 10-20 and 12-24 would also be worth a look but are more money.
Click to expand...

Thanks for replying :)

I thought it was just the D3000 and the D3100 that had an on board user-guide? That bit always seems to get mentioned in reviews with it being a really helpful tool to newbies but I havent read about this feature with the others?

Just about wide angle lens - what would be the miniumum needed for a decentish lens? what about second hand? How much would I be able to pick one up second hand do you reckon? I would like one that is pretty wide angle.

Thanks again.

PS I'm no closer to making my mind up lol I'm terrible at making decisions lol
 
ecniv said:
Depends on your budget and whether you can get time enough to play with it.

Personally go for as high as you can comfortably afford, plus a few key lenses. You will probably out grow the d3000/3100/5000/5100.

eg:
d700 + 50mm f1.8/f.14g - for wide you'd be looking around the 20mm
d7000 + 30mm f1.4 sigma or 35mm f1.8 nikon - tokina 11-16 (I have - its brill!)
d300s and the lenses above for the d7000
d90 or d80 (I think both have motors so older nikon af should still work).


They would start you off. If you don't mind using manual focus, you could look into the m42 adapter and lenses on ebay. Think there is a forum on it - search google for "manual focus lenses forum". Might be a slightly cheaper way to play with lenses.
Click to expand...

Thanks for replying :-)

You reckon I'd grow out of a D5000/D5100? I was kinda thinking the same with the D3000/D3100 so that's why I was thinking about the D5000/D5100.
 
I don't know why you'd "outgrow" these cameras. Now-a-days (god I sound old for 25), any of these cameras are perfectly suitable for 99% of requirements for both amateurs and professional photographers. All have more megapixels than you will ever need (if you shoot right)

The thing that will annoy you eventually maybe, is the layout and construction. The ergonomics of the pro bodies (d300/d700/d3 etc) are better, and the buttons and functions are laid out to allow access in fast paced environments.

The most important part of this is lenses, and it's easy to forget that when looking at camera review after camera review.

I would recommend something along the lines of D5000/5100 to get you started. Personally. But realistically, just buy what you can afford and use the crap out of it
 
I wouldn't go any less than a D5100 if you already have a D80. The D3000/D3100/D5000 do not have enough features over what you already have to make it a "wow" upgrade. The natural progression should be D80-D90-D7000. Personally I would go for the D7000.
 
Looking at the models you listed, the thing I notice is that the D90 (and D7000) both have dual control dials rather than the single control dials the lower models have.

I guess the ergonomics for this are the same with Nikon as for Sony; Being able to set one for Aperture and the other for Shutter, or Aperture/Shutter and Exposure Comp, makes it much easier to use Manual or A/S + Comp than with a single dial. It seems a small difference if you've not used it, but I would not buy a camera with a single dial unless it have other very compelling factors iin it's favour.
 
If you want to do low-light photography, the 16MP sensor (D5100, D7000) is better than the 14MP sensor (D3100), which is in turn better than the 12MP DX sensor (D5000, D90, D300(s)), which is in turn better than the previous cameras like the D80 etc. (It's not the megapixel number which counts, they've just managed to make them better at low-light as well as increase the resolution.)

I'd stretch to a D7000 if you can, but not if it means you won't be able to get a decent lens or two to put on it.
 
Hello all

I'm back, and still without a camera, but still looking lol

I'm now considering a Pentax K-R as they seem really good value (15-55mm + 50-200mm + body = £480-£500)

Just wanted to know what everyone thinks about Pentax in general, and whether or not I may have some problems when purchasing certain lenses? my dad mentioned that I may have difficulty and my options cut with regards to buying certain lenses, so would I be better going for a Nikon?
 
Pentax lens range is slightly more limited but you have a big advantage of in body IS so every lens you get that fits will automatically be stabilised in essence.

Also check out sony as they use the same sensors as pentax and nikon and several have built in HDR. The Sony A580 is about £500-£550 if you can find one. 16mb, built in hdr, in body stabilisation, hd video etc etc. Best APS-C sensor going (used in Nikon D7000 too). There's also the sony A55 SLT which has the same sensor with faster fps and better hd video capability. Think they're nearer £600 with kit lens.
 
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