I have had my D5100 for a year now, just cannot fault it. Very easy to use as a point and shoot and also gives fantastic results when you want to get more creative and play about with the various shooting options and built in functions.
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Beginner DSLR....which basic model is the best...
#21
Posted 02 October 2013 - 08:55 AM
#22
Posted 06 October 2013 - 03:07 PM
The body alone is over $600 and the op wants to stay under that.D5200
Always better to go with a new and current model if you're a beginner, so the D3200 is my recommendation. Not worth trying to get a used or refurbished D5100 if you're not knoweldgeable enough to spot if there could be something wrong. Go new and get the full warranty.
- Afterimage likes this
#23
Posted 06 October 2013 - 04:39 PM
Always better to go with a new and current model if you're a beginner, so the D3200 is my recommendation. Not worth trying to get a used or refurbished D5100 if you're not knoweldgeable enough to spot if there could be something wrong. Go new and get the full warranty.
This is good advise.
- K-9 likes this
#24
Posted 06 October 2013 - 08:25 PM
I bought a d80 off of one of my professors for $300. It was a great buy. Came with a vertical battery grip and a 28mm lens. Taken some great pictures. Especially when I bought some other lenses.
#25
Posted 06 October 2013 - 09:30 PM
#26
Posted 07 October 2013 - 03:21 AM
I bought my daughter a D3100. Its a very nice camera. BUT my wife didn't want the DSLR look and weight. I ended up getting her a Nikon 1 V1 twin lens kit.
The PQ on the V1 is quite outstanding for a small camera. I am really amazed how good it is. AND its cheap at the moment as it has been superseded. There are new single lens kits around for under $300.
V1 is a nice, well built camera with a full magnesium body and so LIGHT its amazing.
#27
Posted 08 October 2013 - 07:02 AM
Definitely have to agree with you guys there... D5100 with a 50mm 1.8. Especially since The 5100's are sold at Costco now.
#28
Posted 08 October 2013 - 10:59 AM
#29
Posted 08 October 2013 - 11:13 AM
#30
Posted 17 October 2013 - 02:07 AM
D5100! I own one and it's awesome! Not too amateur, and still has most of the settings to do what you want it to do.
But now, the D5300 is releasing soon, so maybe wait for it. It's more beginner friendly with the interface and all, so maybe it'll be better for you
#31
Posted 18 October 2013 - 02:33 AM
#32
Posted 21 October 2013 - 02:07 PM
I started with a D40 and I personally would consider them to be a very good camera. Think you can pick up a second hand model quite cheap and the beauty of the Nikon lenses is that you can use them with the models you upgrade to, well I have been able to do so, going from a D40 to D7100. Not sure whether there are Nikon models that can't accept the D40 lenses.
#33
Posted 21 October 2013 - 08:53 PM
The D40 shouldn't have any lenses that won't work on higher model Nikon bodies. The problem is only with Nikon bodies that do not have built in screw drives for autofocusing the older AF and AF-D series lenses.
Here are the bodies that will not autofocus with AF and AF-D lenses:
D5200, D5100, D5000, D3200, D3100, D3000, D60, D40
I don't know for sure yet, but I believe the D5300 will also be on this list.
#34
Posted 08 November 2013 - 12:44 AM
The D3100 the 5100, the 5200 are all great cameras. So you cant really go wrong. But one suggestion Don't buy the 2 lens kit. Buy the kit with the 18-105 lens then later on buy the 70-300 if you want a telephoto. You will find the 18-105 will be good enough for 95% of photo you will take.
These 18-105 and 70-300 are worlds better than the dodgy 2 lens kit lenses.............
#35
Posted 10 November 2013 - 03:42 AM
I suggest you get a D3200 + 18-55mm kit lens, and invest in a prime lens as early as now (35mm f/1.8G or f/50mm 1.8G).
#36
Posted 10 November 2013 - 04:49 AM
you can get the Nikon d3200 dslr which features a 24.2-megapixel, for less than $500.
#37
Posted 18 November 2013 - 05:45 AM
#38
Posted 19 November 2013 - 02:33 AM
#39
Posted 03 December 2013 - 08:53 AM
D3100 or D3200 for a beginner are fantastic cameras plus a built in guide, some will say not helpfull others will say invaluable. go new. get the waranty.
I started with the D40, broke it, so went to the D3000 which at the time i thought was not as good as the D40. But always go new in the begining.