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Thread ID: 135917	2013-12-27 10:27:00	Entry level DSLR	sahilcc7 (15483)	Press F1

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1363705	2013-12-27 10:27:00	Been thinking of getting a DSLR to replace my current large digital camera. There is a Nikon D5100 on sale @ pbtech : www.pbtech.co.nz Is this a good buy? It will be my first DSLR so is it a good beginner / entry level camera or should I be looking for something a little higher end for future proofing? Thanks guys :)	sahilcc7 (15483)
1363706	2013-12-27 10:59:00	I've used Nikons for 10yrs now (digital) but still prefer film . . . D5100 is a nice choice, good price etc . The other to think about also is a D7000 . It has two command dials, the D5000 series only has one . If you are in shutter or aperture priority mode all you need is just one dial yes . But at times the computer might get it too bright/dark so if you put it into manual so you've chosen the aperture and let's say you wanna purposely change the shutter than what the computer is saying you need to hold a shift button and scroll - cos you only one one dial . Also note that the D5000 and under models like the D3000 series does NOT focus with the older legacy AF Nikon lens . You need AF-S lenses which have inbuilt motors . Or you would have to manual focus every shot . It's a limitation if in future you wanna pick up some used or new cheap lenses . There are quite a no . of AF-S zoom lenses and now macro but if you wanna get the wide angle prime (non zoom) lenses with the low f number for low light work they are all non AF-S unless you want the 24mm or the 28mm F1 . 4 or F1 . 8 - ~$2000-3000 . Instead you can get them for a few hundred . There is no real difference in quality but it's features . So if you want 2 dials, more lens support and also dual memory card slots - consider the D7000 which is cheaper than the D7100 . You can do mirror RAID like setup or put RAW into card 1 and jpeg into card 2 or just spill it, when card 1 is full it goes to card 2 . You don't have to go latest . Sure if you grab every January edition of the Sports Illustrated you see a difference from film years into the digital era to the present 2013 . Going to the D600 from my 10yr old D70 to me is just a different modern look . Like how film evolved over the years . You had old film and modern film and film that gets revised now/then . IMO upgrading can be done every 5yrs or so . . . if you are like me shooting at the sweetspot at lowest ISO for landscapes you can make the upgrade even slower . . . The tech have been in high ISO noise, better white balance . In a way some people see digital as maybe less arty now, to more technically accurate . D5100 is nice, the D5200 is not much diff I think it does 24MP and I think the current D5300 just some months ago released does a v similar resolution but it has builtin Wi-Fi and GPS . The others you need to buy and plug in an accessory if you want that . Not long ago pro's and they are still using 12MP for wedding shots, even the top model sport camera is still 16MP only I think that's the $8,000 machine . But non sports have the luxury of higher reso as they don't go as fast not affecting the buffer . I've printed A3 with a 6MP model . I did A1 once for a friend . Yeah the 12MP will look nicer but the gap closes to say the 24MPs . If you grab the 24MP file and zoom at 100% view that's like a 48 inch print size I was told . . . or something . . . . The world is going full frame IMO . Full frame is now $2,000US and you can get 1yr old D600 used now at $1200US and also the D700 used ones . I think the Canon 5D original first one is under $1,000US . So future proofing - you buy a crop sensor body you need crop sensor lenses starting with kit lens that might be included . Once you go full frame they cannot be used anymore - well you can if you kill of 65% of the resolution . The Nikon full frames can work in crop mode . Used full frames are also others to consider . If you go new crop sensor it's not bad as a once off investment though . . . . but be careful not to get too much crop lenses . For those maybe get used, many of them I think . People moving over to full frame .	Nomad (952)
1363707	2013-12-27 11:17:00	If you wanna keep to a budget and maybe you can make do with jsut one dial like with your current camera a D5100 is probably fine for you. Non zooms wider angles might not be something you plan to do anytime soon ... And maybe in some yrs jump over to full frame be a new or a used model. The D5000 series are the only ones to have swivel rear LCD. But also don't rule out mirrorless they are picking up too when people get sick of the SLR boat anchor ... A photography friend got a Fuji XPro1s. When his hands are tied with family stuff .... some can change lenses too but they are NOT cheap. Olympus are quite good too in that dept as well as SLRs too. For holidays, Sony RX100 and Ricoh GR1 point and shoots are quite good the latter has a very fast aperture prime lens doesn't zoom at all but it's a great moment / street photography designed in mind. They both have larger sensors than most digicams with the Ricoh sporting the same size sensor as the crop sensor Nikon dSLR for better ISO performance in low light. I know a Leica b/w film old timer photographer who uses the Sony now well he still shoots film :lol: and a wedding photographer goes on holiday for time off and shoots with the Sony. Sony does the R1 I think and is a point and shoot with a full frame sensor :D just saying ... big sensors are now not just SLRs. Well in all schemes of things the Nikons and Canons are about mobility at least in the film days, fashion was shot in much larger size and even more so landscapes (still being done today).	Nomad (952)
1363708	2013-12-27 17:31:00	Been watching these camera's and that pricing from PB Tech is very sharp Check out here to compare www.dpreview.com	Lawrence (2987)
1363709	2013-12-27 18:38:00	www.google.co.nz Best way to do it. The articles are good for reading about features and performance. The user reviews are far better for checking for any issues and how others found it, including reliability. make sure you check user reviews too.....Amazon usually has heaps.	pctek (84)
1363710	2013-12-27 21:32:00	A nice kit is the following - they all have buillt in motors. D5100 + kit lens 35mm Nikon AF-S F1.8 - low light, pple like it on travels etc. 3rd party like a Tamron or Sigma or Tokina 10-20mm as the Nikon cost almost double. The consumer bodies lacks the motor so it requires a lens with a motor inorder to AF. www.dpreview.com As with all the recent 'little' Nikons, the D5100 lacks a body-integral AF motor. This means it's unable to achieve autofocus with older (although still currently available) 'screw-drive' lenses. Fortunately most popular entry-level lenses are now available with built-in focus motors. The issue that Joe/Jane comes up with is - they get a great camera like the D5100 then they want to take nice portraiture of their children, family and friends with the background rendered into a blur. Even thou there are AF-S non zooms like the 85mm F1.8 (way cheaper than the F1.4 version). Because you need AF-S that is the newer version so you would be paying more for it. While it is newer and I guess technically it is better than the older ones, you still don't have the other option to consider the older one which IMO is still quite a good lens I still have and use it. The 85mm AF-S cost maybe 20-33% more than the AF-D version. Probably half the cost if you were to get it used. If you have an interest in sports or wildlife - AF-S does work quicker for action shots and it is recommended but some people don't want to spend as much money and opt for the older ones there is again money savings but since the AF-S goes for maybe $1,500-2,000US the difference in cost is even greater. Like the 300mm F4. But in a way if you are into that, in theory - cheaper body with nicer lens or better body and cheaper lens. You have your own drawbacks. A nicer camera than the D5100 probably produce the same results for static images like people, scenic, flower etc. But if you are into action it's not as fast. Not just in the frames per second with continous burst but the autofocus module inside the camera isn't as quick/sensitive. So if it is darker or if things are moving it may hesitate more. By definition the D5000 and under are consumer bodies, while your D7000/600 might be better it is still not professional. For hardcore sport nuts, some get a used D3. If you are into action you might wanna get the D7000 instead. At times you might find some lenses cost more with a added motor and other gadgets like image stabiliser etc. inside but the lens optical formula hasn't changed.	Nomad (952)
1363711	2013-12-27 21:57:00	The Nikon D5100 is a very good camera as entry level. I am a bit prejudiced because I have a Nikon, nevertheless a Canon user would almost certainly tell you the same. However, countless posts on other forums would tell you that the most important thing is to hold the camera and see how it feels to you. If you have large or small hands how well can you reach the buttons and how does it hold in your hands. Compare with similar Canons and perhaps even Sony. I am cautious and when buying do so from a reputable dealer in cameras and get a three year warranty. If you get it from Harvey Norman or PB Tech, check that to make sure that it does not only have a one-year warranty. Though you might be comfortable with that. Remember though that neither of these are dedicated camera dealers and will almost certainly not be able to help with problems. The Nikon D5100 has now been superseded with the Nikon D5200 (which I have) and again by the D5300. The 5200 has 24.2 Mgs, which is not necessary, unless you do a lot of cropping like me. The 5300 has built in GPS which could be useful for you if you do a lot of travelling. I suggest you look up the reviews of all of these and any Canons, etc which interest you on dpreview website. It gives a huge amount of information in their reviews - often up to ten pages, from memory. Any further queries then ask again. Let us know what you get !!	Misty (368)
1363712	2013-12-27 22:10:00	Not afaik, Nikon only does 1yr on paper althou the CGA might help . A large local camera store here advertises that Canon now has a 2yr warranty . The 3yr and 5yr set by the manufacturer themselves tends to be overseas in selected countries . USA which we mainly hear about provides 5yr warranty but after contacting them I was told that maybe the first year can be posted to them at your own expense (and returned) but the other 4yrs are for domestic customers only or if you went back there or have people over there . Same as HKG except they provide 6yrs with the first year limitation . Note that bodies might be shorter . . . lens tend to be longer warranties from what I seen .	Nomad (952)
1363713	2013-12-27 23:20:00	The thing that worries me is the recommendations for a D7000 which is an advanced camera. At this stage you have properly asked for an entry level. Using something like a D3200 will get you used to things at a more basic level and how DSLR's operate. Even the D5100 etc are identified as upper-entry level, so I strongly urge you not getting to carried away with advice which is well intentioned and enthusiastic, but can be misleading. All camera forums will tell you to start off with entry-level and this from even professional users. You could do searches on the "Beginners forum" of Photo.net or dpreview, which will give much better advice than from here. This is the place for computer questions, for which it is first-rate ! Best of luck	Misty (368)
1363714	2013-12-28 00:04:00	I am still of the view of the D7000 that should be considered at least. The D5000 and D3000s are ones mum and dad gets for Christmas as presents and they use them as point and shoots. A friend gave his dad a D3200 for his dad's birthday. You can use the D7000 as a D3000 if you want. A friend bought a D7000 earlier this year and he's doesn't get too involved with photography he seems ok with it when he took group shots for a church event. It has auto and P mode. It just doesn't have the pretty lady or the running man or the vista icon buttons etc. If you wanna future proof or grow into it, maybe head to the local camera club .... but if you are just wanting a camera to do a bit of that and that ... maybe the D5000s are fine. If it's the D5000 the D3000 series is another one you might consider too. The D5000 does share the same sensor as the D7000 I have read .. maybe if you are doing more low light stuff thou like street photography, dark cafes / restaurants / city events / music bands etc. You might not save much going to the D3100 however.	Nomad (952)
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