Thinking of buying this camera?

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Stylis10

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I'm still looking to buy my first dslr and after doing alot of reading and online browsing. Everything Im looking for in the camera seems to constantly point me to the Nikon D5100. So I decided to go to a camera shop in town and actually held it in my hand to see if it felt comfortable and the weight and such (I did forget to take my own memory card with me so no pictures with the camera I took). My budget is £580, however I have found this Nikon D5100 With AF_S DX 18_55mm And 55_200mm-Lenses for £480

However I don't know if these lenses have VR, even though a google link showed it had VR but no mention of it on the webpage? Also has anyone bought from this site! They seem to have pretty good google seller reviews.

I wouldn't mind going for a cheaper body/model with better lens, however as I have never actually used a dslr regularly I can't be lens specific yet I suppose.

Any help is appreciated
 
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I dont know anything about this site but it is incredibly cheap, Lets hope its not like simply electronics. I once oredered a lens from them and even though it said it was instock it took up to 3 weeks to come, I had given up waiting for it so bought another from a more reputable retailer then when it was finaly delivered i returned it. Getting a refund was a hastle i made about 3 emails and after hearing nothing followed it up with phone calls before eventualy getting a refund around 4 weeks later.

Always a good idea to google the retailer to see what reviews people are giving them before placing a order.
 
DO NOT buy from SLR Hut.

They are unreliable, have no uk presence and work with grey imports.
 
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Pegasus2 said:
DO NOT buy from SLR Hut.

They are unreliable, have no uk presence and work with grey imports.
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Thank you for that, I guess that puts a d5100 out of my range.

I would like a lens with VR or IS, because I don't intend to use a tripod very often. And I have also read and been told on more than one occasion that the lens is more important than the body, so would a D3100 be that much different from the D5100. I know I've seen the specs of both and done spec comparison on the 2, bust as a beginner would I notice a huge difference?

Would a D3100 with a good 18mm-55mm and 55mm-200mm suite me fine as a beginner, or should I got for a 18mm-105mm lens?
 
There is a cashback offer on at the moment from Nikon so the 5100 is in your price range as far as I can tell from your first post: http://www.jacobsdigital.co.uk/p-49612-jacobs-digital-nikon-d5100-18-55mm-vr-kit.aspx

Should be more than enough if you are a first time DSLR user. I would ask yourself if you really need the longer lens. Is it just for general use or do you have a particular subject matter in mind. Eg sports or wildlife?
 
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Cyprio said:
There is a cashback offer on at the moment from Nikon so the 5100 is in your price range as far as I can tell from your first post: http://www.jacobsdigital.co.uk/p-49612-jacobs-digital-nikon-d5100-18-55mm-vr-kit.aspx

Should be more than enough if you are a first time DSLR user. I would ask yourself if you really need the longer lens. Is it just for general use or do you have a particular subject matter in mind. Eg sports or wildlife?
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I'm also the media sec for my rugby team and often I would like still photos to go with the filming I get people to do for the matches.
However this isn't the main priority, a lens for normal photography would do me fine then I could buy a second hand zoom lens later on
 
You could try looking here http://panamoz.com/index.php/digita...0-digital-slr-camera-18-55mm-vr-lens-kit.html for the camera and kit lens and this http://panamoz.com/index.php/lens/nikon/nikon-af-s-dx-vr-zoom-nikkor-55-200mm-f-4-5-6g-if.html for the lens.
It might go a few pounds over budget, but at SLRHut where you saw it cheaper you have to pay vat and duty, whereas at Panamoz the price you see is final. I've had a few items from them, most recently a 60D (which was delivered in 4 days) and Sigma 120-400 OS (which is being delivered today). They give great service and have great prices.
 
Personally, I'd go for a 18-105 over a 18-55. This is because I often use a polariser and the front element of the 18-105 doesn't rotate on focus (unlike the 18-55).
 
Whilst VR can be useful, don't get hung up about having it. If it's in your budget fine, however it is perfectly possible to handhold a camera without it, and will really only be useful in low light conditions when the players are not moving.

If they are running around you will need a higher shutter speed to capture the action and VR is therefore negated.
 
Sphinx said:
worth considering the new D3200 :

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nikon-d3200-digital-slr-with-18-55mm-vr-lens/p1530655
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I don't think i can stretch my budget to that, my whole budget is everything that was given to me on my birthday. I was actually thinking for going for the D3100 instead as its cheaper and i could get some better lens' or a cannon within a lower price range. However the rotating display on the D5100 was a real bonus for me.


PsiFox said:
Whilst VR can be useful, don't get hung up about having it. If it's in your budget fine, however it is perfectly possible to handhold a camera without it, and will really only be useful in low light conditions when the players are not moving.

If they are running around you will need a higher shutter speed to capture the action and VR is therefore negated.
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ahh i though VR (vibration reduction if im right in thinkign thats what is ment) was just there for helping to stop blurry images from unsteady hands. i didnt know it affected the shutter speed.

Clearly i need to do more homework on this...i really dont intend to buy another camera for years after this one as i most likely wont have the funding too.
 
Have you considered buying second hand?

If you search hard enough, you can often find kits where the previous owner has taken less than 100 shots and the camera has been put away and forgotten about. This makes them practically brand new, though you may run into issues with warranty etc.
 
Stylis10 said:
ahh i though VR (vibration reduction if im right in thinkign thats what is ment) was just there for helping to stop blurry images from unsteady hands. i didnt know it affected the shutter speed.

Clearly i need to do more homework on this...i really dont intend to buy another camera for years after this one as i most likely wont have the funding too.
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It does just steady the lens (important at lower shutter speeds), therefore, it doesn't matter if your lens is being steadied if your subjects are moving, you'll still get blurred shots.

So if you're shooting subjects with a lens at 80mm and your shutter speed would be 1/30, a VR or IS lens will give you a sharp shot (a non IS/VR lens won't). But at 1/30 even a 'still' human being will show signs of movement. So the VR / IS won't help when the subject is moving and requires a shutter speed of 1/200 or higher.
 
faddius said:
Have you considered buying second hand?

If you search hard enough, you can often find kits where the previous owner has taken less than 100 shots and the camera has been put away and forgotten about. This makes them practically brand new, though you may run into issues with warranty etc.
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I have looked into the second hand cameras, but being a complete novice with dslr's aka having never owned one, I would like the safety of a warranty.
Maybe a second hand camera in the future when i have more experience.


Phil V said:
It does just steady the lens (important at lower shutter speeds), therefore, it doesn't matter if your lens is being steadied if your subjects are moving, you'll still get blurred shots.

So if you're shooting subjects with a lens at 80mm and your shutter speed would be 1/30, a VR or IS lens will give you a sharp shot (a non IS/VR lens won't). But at 1/30 even a 'still' human being will show signs of movement. So the VR / IS won't help when the subject is moving and requires a shutter speed of 1/200 or higher.
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well i dont mind that trade off considering the camera use isnt mainly for the rugby, but more for personal uses. i just dont want to buy a camera and then realize, oh i need to spend money on this or that and then find i spent it all on the camera body and 1 lens and not have any left over.

I know my budget is miniscule to some others on this forum, but hopefully its not too much of a constraint for me needs?
 
ahh i though VR (vibration reduction if im right in thinkign thats what is ment) was just there for helping to stop blurry images from unsteady hands
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Unsteady hands can be eliminated to a great extent by correctly holding the camera and practice. You can also buy a strap that fits around your hand to help you with this.
 
If you buy second hand from a dealer, you will get a warranty. For example, MPB photographic offer a 6 month warranty.

In my opinion, it's better to buy 2nd hand if you are unsure about your needs, as with new kit the resale value plummets when you leave the shop.
 
Stylis10 said:
I don't think i can stretch my budget to that, my whole budget is everything that was given to me on my birthday. I was actually thinking for going for the D3100 instead as its cheaper and i could get some better lens' or a cannon within a lower price range. However the rotating display on the D5100 was a real bonus for me..
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if you want the D5100 and that's the model you've set your sights on, then don't start thinking about other makes and models now, you'll confuse yourself - been there and done it loads of times :-D and still do it
 
andyred said:
if you want the D5100 and that's the model you've set your sights on, then don't start thinking about other makes and models now, you'll confuse yourself - been there and done it loads of times :-D and still do it
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yeah, i went back to the local camera shop again today (still forgot to take my sd card as i was just passing by this time), I really like the feel of the D5100. ive pretty much got my heart set on it now.

so im definitely goign to be getting that, and now i just have to choose the lens/es.

im debating between the 18mm-55mm+55mm-200mm kit or just the 18mm-105mm kit.

Considering that most of my photography will be candid and at family events (we have alot!), the occasional landscapes when on holidays and maybe some wildlife (rarely though)
 
Hi

Can't help you directly with the Nikon lenses, but from a canon perspective and my own view, I would opt for the 18-55 and 55-200 (250 for Canon) over a superzoom - for me there is too much of a compromise with 1 lens covers all, as I said, it's my view, others may feel different.

Don't forget aswell, if you opt for the 2 lens option from your choice, you have a very wide range of focal length covered. If you opt for the 18-105, you will probably still need a longer lens in the near future.

As I said, I don't know the quality of the Nikon 18-105. Hopefully some Nikon bids will give more in depth to this lens.

Good luck
 
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Ive just been onto the nikon website and they are doing a cashback offer with the d5100..£50 if you buy body and 1 lens and £65 if you buy body and 2 lenes..thats an added bonus right now.

But i have come across this: Nikon D5100 + 18-105mm VR for £585.

Also extra £12 off with a voucher code given and it has 2 year warranty
 
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andyred said:
Hi

Can't help you directly with the Nikon lenses, but from a canon perspective and my own view, I would opt for the 18-55 and 55-200 (250 for Canon) over a superzoom - for me there is too much of a compromise with 1 lens covers all, as I said, it's my view, others may feel different.

Don't forget aswell, if you opt for the 2 lens option from your choice, you have a very wide range of focal length covered. If you opt for the 18-105, you will probably still need a longer lens in the near future.

As I said, I don't know the quality of the Nikon 18-105. Hopefully some Nikon bids will give more in depth to this lens.

Good luck
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I read some online reviews and watched some review videos on the 18mm-105mm lens..the main problem with it I have read about is the distortion of the picture at either end of the zoom scale, but it seems everyone disregards this as it is easily correctable through editing software (i have Photoshop [well my dad does] and GIMP)
 
or my other option from this: Nikon D5100 + 18-105mm VR for £585.

would be to buy the D5100 body only (with 3 years warranty) from here: Nikon D5100 Body Only
and get this lens: Used Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6g ED VR/
for a total of £570 (not including the shipping)

So if i include the shipping and the cashback from Nikon(as it applies to body only or body+1 lens) they both turn out to be the same price, but HDEW and MPB are more reputable on this forum and i cant find many reviews for pixmania. also i get one more year warranty with HDEW on the camera body

the only downside with the second option is the second hand lens, but im sure it wouldn't be a bad lens
 
I seem to remember that Pixmania are non-UK based and there can be issues with warranty returns. Not this as fact but it would be worth you looking into a bit deeper.

Not used Hdew but I can vouch for MPB being excellent. I wouldn't worry about buying used lenses, most people look after lenses and they tend to be pretty robust. If you buy from a reputable secondhand dealer with a good returns policy, you'll be absolutely fine. I don't think I've ever bought a new lens yet!
 
I would strongly suggest going for a second hand body, and saving the money for a future lens. Bodies deprecate in value fast. Lenses tend to hold their value well (in some cases, increase!)
 
Lwys said:
I would strongly suggest going for a second hand body, and saving the money for a future lens. Bodies deprecate in value fast. Lenses tend to hold their value well (in some cases, increase!)
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I know it would be alot cheaper, however I can't seem to find many second hand bodies for the d5100, from sellers I know are reputable
 
Stylis10 said:
I know it would be alot cheaper, however I can't seem to find many second hand bodies for the d5100, from sellers I know are reputable
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When you've access, the classifieds on here are good. There is a D5000 for sale at present, but no D5100's.

You could put a wanted thread up, or get your hand in your pocket and get it bought :D
 
andyred said:
When you've access, the classifieds on here are good. There is a D5000 for sale at present, but no D5100's.

You could put a wanted thread up, or get your hand in your pocket and get it bought :D
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Already done, i dought the Body only from HDEW for £420 with the 3 years warranty, and then the 18-105mm lens from MPB...im happy with the purchases, now i just cant wait to get my hands on them
all in all £570 without shipping
 
Stylis10 said:
Already done, i dought the Body only from HDEW for £420 with the 3 years warranty, and then the 18-105mm lens from MPB...im happy with the purchases, now i just cant wait to get my hands on them
all in all £570 without shipping
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Excellent, can't wait to see some shots put up.

You do realise its going to be a very looooooong few days now until you get your hands on them :D

Congrats on your new purchases
 
andyred said:
Excellent, can't wait to see some shots put up.

You do realise its going to be a very looooooong few days now until you get your hands on them :D

Congrats on your new purchases
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Thanks, but i fear i may not get to play around with it very much for atleast a month, sure ill take some photos but i got finals soon, that has to come first.
 
Stylis10 said:
Already done, i dought the Body only from HDEW for £420 with the 3 years warranty, and then the 18-105mm lens from MPB...im happy with the purchases, now i just cant wait to get my hands on them
all in all £570 without shipping
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I ordered my d5100 from hdew on Monday night and it's being delivered tomorrow can't knock them for service. I also emailed them about the warranty they give and they emailed me back in half an hour saying if it goes faulty after 7 days then you send it to them and the Nikon service centre in Glasgow repair it.

Andy
 
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