Nikon D3100

[APoc184]

I've been looking at getting a new camera for a while now. Been stuck with a bridge camera for years now and frankly I am not happy with the quality or features anymore.

I've also got an old Canon EOS 300 but my father has been using that for years now and I have no intention of taking it back or going back to film.

I've decided to go the Nikon route a while ago after playing around with the different Nikons and Canons in a store. I just find the Nikon easier to use and more comfortable - All just personal choices.

NOW. According to a friend, Nikon is running a special at the Photo & Film Expo at the Coca-Cola Dome until Sunday when the expo ends.
I will confirm later today about the complete package when my brother goes to the expo. I am currently on honeymoon in Cape Town and will have to organize the purchase via him.

They have the Nikon D3100 Lens Kit on special @ R6499.00

The package includes:
Nikon D3100 body
15-55mm VR Lens
55-200mm VR Lens
4GB SD Card
Camera Bag

This seems like a bloody good price and I'm not sure if I should keep shopping around anymore.

What are your thoughts about the D3100 and especially this deal? Should I be looking at another Nikon model?

Camera will be used mostly for recreational purposes (holiday, birthdays, home, etc) and I will occasionally use it in my rugby reporting and some work functions.

I've limited knowledge and use of SLRs and doubt I will ever want to reach the level and of someone like bwana (if I may use you as example).

Thanks for the answers and advice to follow. Will follow replies on the phone and try to answer any questions too.

 

[Quantum Theory]

That was just launched, so no one really has any thoughts on the cam, besides what we've read on the webs. Really good on paper. That is a nice starter kit . You should be able to built on that...

 

[PostmanPot]

Very nice price!

 

[APoc184]

Looks like the sale was just made a little bit easier.

I've secured the combo for R5800 and I would be stupid not to take this once of special.

 

[APoc184]

/last minute doubts

Just before I grab this deal. Please help a 'noob' out.

What does something like a D90, D5000 or D7000 offer more than the D3100 I'm looking to get.

I am not aiming at becoming a professional photographer but I would obviously like value for my money and take some awesome pictures. If that means saving a little longer, then so be it.

Except for a higher MP count, higher ISO and faster fps, what would the mid range cameras offer more? I'm assuming I have complete Manual settings on the D3100 just like the other cameras if i want to play around a bit?

Thought the decision would have been easier to make.

(The higher MP count is not that big a influence for me. I'm going from a 6.0MP bridge to a 14.1MP so another 1 or 2 will not make a big difference to me.

Higher ISO - I am not going to be shooting in a lot of low light situations. And after the initial purchase my next step would be a decent flash.

Faster FPS - This is probably the only thing that might have an influence on going bigger and better. But 3 FPS is already a big step up from my almost 1 FPS bridge camera.)

 

[Dolby]

I think that's it

Though I'd say performance at higher ISO too ...

 

[Quantum Theory]

I was waiting to get the D7000, but because of budget issues I went for the D90, even though the D3100 has higher resolution and better video at a lower price... 12MP is more than enough resolution. For me, video is not that important. Built quality and extra buttons on the D90 is awesome. I like the extra screen to check settings. Excellent viewfinder coverage, FPS, ISO, metering etc. etc. I will eventually upgrade the body to whatever succeeds the D300s. Now that's going to be an awesome camera.

 

[SubliminalThought]

I think you have answered most of it yourself. The entry level D3100 at that price is a bargain and if you are not aspiring to be professional then this kit would do fine.

Higher Mpx - If you are going to crop heavily or blow up your pictures then it would be a difference. But yes, 1 or 2 Mpx is hardly that much.

Higher ISO - If you can compensate with the external flash, then this would give you MUCH MUCH better images in low light than a more expensive lens or body. Unless you are not able to use flash, then a body with higher ISO and brighter lens will help.

Faster FPS - It is nice to shoot fast for action shots. The question is what kind of action and will the given shooting rate be fast enough. Sometimes its better to just time (and it comes with practice) the one shot than relying on shooting fast but that only works for slower action. And then its to weigh this worth right now.

While certainly it does pay (to some extent) to invest in bigger and better, but if you have this SLR for say 2 years and have learned how to use it well, you can then upgrade then to something that will be more current, which will most likely have even better ISO and even faster FPS. You want to commit money now for features that you will not take advantage of immediately and the features are likely to improve in future.

Learn to shoot well first. Then rely on tech.

 

[Juggy]

I'll add to this the reasons I upgraded from 450D to 50D and maybe that will help.

1. Higher FPS, I went from 3.5 to 6.3 which I needed
2. Higher RAW burst cache, was 6 now 16 images
3. Higher LCD resolution so I can get better idea of what the image looks like, 450D has 230 000 pixels, 50D has 920 000. Both LCD's are 3"
4. Higher ISO for low light
5. Faster shutter speeds
6. Compact Flash card for the faster write speeds they offer

So that is quite a list which made the upgrade the sensible thing to do. Maybe it's worth considering the same things I did.

 

[bwana]

I am not aiming at becoming a professional photographer but I would obviously like value for my money and take some awesome pictures. If that means saving a little longer, then so be it.

Of what? What do you like photographing?

Have you run a side by side comparison between the models you're interested in? http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp - I did a quick one between the D3100 and D5000 and I can't find a compelling reason for you to even consider the D5000 over your current choice.

 

[APoc184]

Of what? What do you like photographing?

Have you run a side by side comparison between the models you're interested in? http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp - I did a quick one between the D3100 and D5000 and I can't find a compelling reason for you to even consider the D5000 over your current choice.

I would say 70% of the photos will be for personal/leisure (Holiday, family, friends and pets)

The other 30% will be work(10%) and rugby(20%) related. So their will be quite a few action shots of schoolboy rugby but not too much(Just need one or two good shots to use with articles and match reports) Provincial and other rugby tournaments are all covered by professional photographers that supply us with photos, so I will not even take the camera with me to the big games.

If I decide to play around a bit, it will be mainly for macro photography and nature photos.

From all the answers above it really does seem good enough for what I want to do. And as quoted, I can always upgrade years later when I have grown out of the current camera.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[APoc184]

Received my package last night.

1 x Nikon D3100
1 x 18-55mm VR Lens
1 x 55-200mm VR Lens
1 x 8Gb SanDisk III SD Card

No bag. Will shop around and until then use an old camera bag lying at home.

Haven't taken any photos yet but will give it try tonight and over the weekend.

 

[klokx]

Received my package last night.

1 x Nikon D3100
1 x 18-55mm VR Lens
1 x 55-200mm VR Lens
1 x 8Gb SanDisk III SD Card

No bag. Will shop around and until then use an old camera bag lying at home.

Haven't taken any photos yet but will give it try tonight and over the weekend.

Sounds awesome. If you manage to get some time would love to see the pics you take, planning on possibly buying the camera as well but since this is gonna be my first SLR camera im abit critical as too what to buy.

 

[APoc184]

I really haven't played with it as much as I wanted to this weekend, but here are some photos I took at home.

I'm still learning so hang in there. Will upload better photos when I get time to play around more.

Got home and wife was busy making chocolate muffins.

My pet and his friend (the neighbour's dog)

 

[APoc184]

Here is another one. Taken with camera's monochrome setting.

Cropped it slightly in photoshop.

 

[klokx]

Looks Good thanks for the uploads

 

[bwana]

Nice pics APoc84

Here is another one. Taken with camera's monochrome setting.

Avoid that, I know it's fun to play with but doing it on a computer will always yield better results. Assuming you're shooting in RAW all the colour info should still be available to you in the RAW file, right?

 

[APoc184]

Nice pics APoc84Avoid that, I know it's fun to play with but doing it on a computer will always yield better results. Assuming you're shooting in RAW all the colour info should still be available to you in the RAW file, right?

Hi Bwana

Thanks for the compliment and thanks for the advice.

Yes, I was only fooling around with the settings and playing around. Will always do the B&W editing afterwards.

I am currently shooting in RAW + JPEG mode. For some reason my Photoshop does not support the RAW file from my Nikon. Says something about camera model's RAW not supported.
I will try and sort that out tonight. Probably just a upgrade I need to download.

 

[bwana]

I am currently shooting in RAW + JPEG mode. For some reason my Photoshop does not support the RAW file from my Nikon. Says something about camera model's RAW not supported.
I will try and sort that out tonight. Probably just a upgrade I need to download.

You'll need Adobe Camera Raw 6.3, hope you've got the latest photoshop to run it.

 

[Corbin]

Hows this for a deal ?

Nikon D3100
18-55mm VR + 55-300mm VR
+ 35mm f/1.8 DX
Nikon Action 8x40 Binoculars
Nikon SLR Backpack
Lexar Premium 8GB SDHC Card

R 9,999.00