Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm VR Lens

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stevehunsley

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I am about to buy my first “proper” camera and wondered if the Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm VR Lens would be suitable.

My main requirements are to be able to take

Portrait photos of my children and first grandchild
Action photos of my 13 year old son who is in the Lancashire Cricket Development Squad

I look forward to receiving any advice you can offer
Jessops tell me that I would be better with an i.s lens not a v.r one - I've no idea what that means at this stage

Thanks in advance
Steve
 
Hello Steve

I'm a complete novice when it comes to dslr cameras, but having just bought the same bit of kit a week ago today, I can certainly recommend it as being very user friendly :thumbs:

As for the VR or IS lens......sorry, I can't help, mine came with a VR ( vibration reduction)........but someone will, no doubt, be along to put you on the right track :)

TBH I have spent a fair bit of time just sat at home learning about the basic use of the camera, but ventured out and took some light trails Wednesday and yesterday evening. Although they aren't perfect I was impressed for my first attempt. :cool:

So, from me, the D3100 get a :thumbs:

P.S don't buy a sdhc card from ebay :suspect: (see my other post) :lol:
 
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Not sure trhe Jessops chap knows what he is talking about :thinking:

Al
 
Isn't VR and IS the same thing? Not a Nikon shooter but I thought VR was their term for IS.
 
thanks to everyone so far, don't think Jessups will be getting any of my business.

will the 18-55mm VR Lens be suitable to take photos of my son who will be around 60 yards away (hopefully) hitting a cricket ball?

Cheers

Steve
 
not really - you might get summat like
6969316854_75c5fc87ab_c.jpg

55mm




but you wont get
6867100266_66b93e6b22_c.jpg

200mm

or

6204619077_ec03c99dcf_b.jpg

300mm
 
You can get a D3100 with 18-55 and 55-200 lenses for £400 with cashback deal.

Al
 
Thanks again, I think I'm starting to get this now

So for photo 2 - I could use a Nikon 55-200MM F/4-5.6 AF-S VR DX Black Lens ???

And for photo 3 - I could us a Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens ???
or perhaps a Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG Macro For Nikon Digital & Film Cameras ???

Nice bowling action for the young lad in photo 2 by the way

Cheers again

Steve
 
Hi Steve,

I have the D3100 with the kit lens (plus invested in a couple of others). I certainly recommend it as a SLR camera. I've had it for around 9 months and at the moment with the D3200 out it's dropped in price so you can get some fantastic deals if you look in the right places!

The camera is capable of producing some stunning shots definately what you are after.

My pointers would be:
- The 18-55mm lens isn't the fastest lens i.e. at the 55mm zoom end of the lens, the minimum aperture is about f5.6. So I would use the camera when there is good light to get the best out of the camera. Especially with the action shots you are talking about.
- 60 yards seems quite far away. The 55mm end of the zoom won't reach out too far. The 55-200mm or 55-300mm Zooms would probably be best for those cricket shots.
- VR is a great benefit. As people have already said Vibration Reduction (VR) is the Nikon equivalent of IS (Image Stabilisation). It helps with camera shake if you are forced into a slower shutter speed handheld.
- Go to the camera shop and try it. It's all good hearing people's views but the best way to make a decision is to use it for yourself.
- What is your budget? If you have a little more to spend, I would recommend buying the 35mm f1.8 lens which is only around £130 these days. Best money i've spent. It will be a great investment to capture your grandchild and children! If you need more zoom, you can get a budget lens for a few hundred pounds.
 
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yes steve on your interpretation of the lenses in those pics..

I don;t know what lens was actually used for those shots as i was searching by D3100 and focal length to give you an idea of "zoomage".

If you search round flickr for sample images like what you would like and check what focal length was used for them.
 
I started off with the d3100 too. Lovely wee camera to start off with
I had a 70-300 and kit lens, but soon found the need for faster glass so bought a 70-200 sigma f2.8, a 35 f1.8 and you wont be disappointed if you go that route, wont cost a great deal getting second hand either
remember to get afs lens, as you wont have a motor drive on body for autofocus and as you have a crop sensor, whatever length you have is roughly multiplied by 1.5 so a 70-200 will give a similar focal length reach of 300mm, before you crop, which you can do easilly with all them pixels. More than ample for shooting the kids playing cricket
The fella in Jessops must have got himself mixed up, as others have said Nikon has VR (vibration reduction) Canon has IS (image stability i think) and sigma for Nikon has OS (optical stabilisation, i think) all pretty much the same thing
 
Many thanks to Phil, Al, John, Graham, Mr Kong and Bruce for your contributions. I think I'm on the right path now.
If you ever need advice on cricket matters just let me know
Cheers
Steve
 
If you ever need advice on cricket matters just let me know

Yes
What does anyone see in it? :lol:
 
IMO, the chap in Jessops is shifting boxes. I think Jessops are at least partly either owned or financially propped up by Canon and get extremely preferential terms from them, making Jessops hard to beat on price for Canon. Jessops still can't get a simple order for a box of paper and ink correct though - even though it was Canon stuff!
 
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