Nikon D3100

gray19lfc

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I'm about to purchase my first ever DSLR. I set myself a budget of £500 maximum, to cover a camera and a couple of starter lenses. After reading lots of reviews etc, I am going to go for the Nikon D3100

MPB had one for sale recently for £310 in excellent condition but Amazon have the D3100 18-55VR kit at £400 brand new. Would I be better off buying the kit new from Amazon and then adding a second hand 55-200mm lens as a used D3100 and used 18-55mm is going to cost up to £400 anyway?

Can anyone explain what type of 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens will work on a D3100 as there seems to be a load of different types in those ranges?
 
To answer your question regarding which lens will work on the D3100. I would say look for lens that have AF-S on them because this means the lens have AF motor build in for auto focus, because the cheap D3100 body don't have AF motor build in so you need AF-S lens to use auto focus, otherwise you have to manual focus if you use some older Nikon lens or non Af-s lens.

If you going to buy used from MPB, why not spend abit more and get the used D90 on MPB then grab yourself a 18-135mm lens to start off with? The D90 have build in motor so you can use auto focus on older lens as well.
 
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I agree with badboy, you should think about getting a used D90. If you are going to be taking photos of the family you may want to get a 50mm f1.8D which can be picked up for about £70 second hand and it is a lovely lens.

This lens will not auto focus with D3100.
 
The choice between D90 and D3100 comes down to what you want to do with it. The D90 is large and heavy and doesnt do 1080p video. However if your very serious about photography it probably is the best choice.

The D3100 is small and very light, and produces pictures that are every bit as good as those from a D90. You'll probably use it more than a D90 too, because its small enough and light enough to take anywhere.

I've just come back from Italy. The pictures from my D3100 are great, so glad I took it with me.

Don't worry about the lens motor, the kit lens is fine and the superb Nikon 35mm can be had for about £140.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3100.htm
 
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