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Beginner DSLR....which basic model is the best...


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38 replies to this topic

#21
IanB

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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.



#22
K-9

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D5200

The body alone is over $600 and the op wants to stay under that.

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.

#23
Afterimage

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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.


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#24
Adamwesleyo

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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
K-9

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This is good advise.

 

Thanks!



#26
Graham Johnson

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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 AND its cheap at the moment as it has been superseded.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
MikeSudomaPhoto

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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
scoobymax

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I am currently using the D3100 with either 18-55mm or 55-200mm and I cannot fault it at the moment, it's done me proud! Take a peek at my gallery. I would like to upgrade to a full frame DSLR in the future but who knows!

#29
PrettyCranium

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Loving my D5100.



#30
lindax

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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
bredies

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http://www.amazon.co...rds=nikon D5100

 

Under $500 at amazon



#32
Tony892

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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
K-9

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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
Graham Johnson

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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
Purrado

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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
nader wolf

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you can get the Nikon d3200 dslr which features a 24.2-megapixel, for less than $500.



#37
Tony892

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So many choices, however, the great thing about choosing Nikon is that the controls are very similiar on every camera and the advantage of being able to use the lens on other Nikon models as you upgrade. I am really inexperienced compared to many of you other folk, but I would suggest going for second hand body and use spare cash for getting best lens possible.

#38
scoobymax

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I had a D3100 for my first two years of serious photography and it never let me down, great to handle and great pictures and performance. It may have a slightly "budget" price but it is by no means a budget camera, it is a great camera and would definatly recommend it for a beginner.

#39
pjb808

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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.