Thread: Nikon D3100

Hi all,

Thinking of getting myself an SLR, anybody out there with a Nikon D3100. Thoughts please?

Thanks

James

I remember when I chose my canon 550D it was between that and a D3100. I just preferred the way the canon felt when I held it. The quality from the D3100 will be splendid, and it shoots HD footage too right?! The 550D footage is beautiful for entrylevel dslr so i imagine the D3100 is just as goodGet to the shop and hhave a play with it although you probably have already. Head for an indePendent shop that wont pester you but give you good advice and not a sales pitch. If your based anywhere near Sheffield, Harrison Cameras is a superb place.

Edit: scratch that , just noticed your Cardiff.

I used to be a Canon man (EOS5/10/3), but switched to Nikon when I went DSLR.

Both are brilliant, there really is very little to choose between them. If you can, go somewhere where you can hold/ trial/play with both nd see which feels most natural in your hand. See where the buttons fall under your fingers and check out the menu logic to see which suits you best. Also see which camera offers you the best growth potential so as your skills improve it can continue to fulfil your needs (can it support faster battery drive, does it have metal bayonet for more intensive use / pro lenses, which is the most future proofed etc.)

No wrong choice, just ensure it feels right in the hand!

Originally Posted by warren_cox

I used to be a Canon man (EOS5/10/3), but switched to Nikon when I went DSLR.

Both are brilliant, there really is very little to choose between them. If you can, go somewhere where you can hold/ trial/play with both nd see which feels most natural in your hand. See where the buttons fall under your fingers and check out the menu logic to see which suits you best. Also see which camera offers you the best growth potential so as your skills improve it can continue to fulfil your needs (can it support faster battery drive, does it have metal bayonet for more intensive use / pro lenses, which is the most future proofed etc.)


No wrong choice, just ensure it feels right in the hand!

No better explanation needed. Spot on!!

Warren's spot on as ever.

I got the missus a D3100 late last year. After a lot of research I did as MacMagician suggests & went into an independent shop and held both the Nikon and the equivalent Canon E1100 (or whatever the number was). The Nikon just felt so much more solid / less plasticky and the shop were within a couple of quid of the best web price, so I got it there & then.

It's taken some great shots. I'm sure the Canon would have been great as well, but the Nikon just felt so much better...

Canon 550D every time buddy! I've got the 550D and the 50D and both camera's deliver amazing stuff! been shooting with canon for 2-3years now but I did start off with a nikon but as soon as I got that canon in my hands I was converted! menu options 100x better, less buttons to get confused over compared to the nikons and over all IMO i feel the color tones with the canon are far richer!

550D new body only i got for just under 500quid. with lens your talking under 600.

I have the d3100, and its all about opinions i guess.
Im really happy with my purchase as its on par with canon for a couple of quid less.
I was lucky i bought mine 3 months old from ebay with an additional 55-200mm lens, for around £200 cheaper than what you would pay new.
I bought mine for a college course i am doing and must say it produces some quality pics!
Now to look for a good prime lens!

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

Originally Posted by Wozski

I have the d3100, and its all about opinions i guess.
Im really happy with my purchase as its on par with canon for a couple of quid less.
I was lucky i bought mine 3 months old from ebay with an additional 55-200mm lens, for around £200 cheaper than what you would pay new.
I bought mine for a college course i am doing and must say it produces some quality pics!
Now to look for a good prime lens!

Do you happen to have any photographs to hand with the standard lens (no editing)?

Originally Posted by Wozski

I have the d3100, and its all about opinions i guess.
Im really happy with my purchase as its on par with canon for a couple of quid less.
I was lucky i bought mine 3 months old from ebay with an additional 55-200mm lens, for around £200 cheaper than what you would pay new.
I bought mine for a college course i am doing and must say it produces some quality pics!
Now to look for a good prime lens!

I love Prime lenses. I use a 50mm 1.8 and a 30mm 1.4 such amazing depth of field with both. I've found that it really is all about the lenses. As people will say.

Nikon or Canon, either will get you great results as long as you learn how to use the camera.

Decided. Buying myself the Nikon D3100 with Adobe Lightroom 3.

Let the photography begin

sorry - only just getting back on here ibis.
I can send some pics if you require but it will prob be tmw as i am recovering from food poisoning and just hopped on here for a quick browse....
Macmagician - what camera do you have?

Originally Posted by Wozski

sorry - only just getting back on here ibis.
I can send some pics if you require but it will prob be tmw as i am recovering from food poisoning and just hopped on here for a quick browse....
Macmagician - what camera do you have?

Hi pal. Hope you've recuperated. I use a Canon 550D. Its only small, but I love it. Produces beautiful images with the right lenses. It was between the 550D and the D3100. Just liked the feel of the 550D. I'm using a Sigma 30mm 1.4 currently. Selling my other lenses on ebay as we speak just to claw back some cash I outlaid on the 30mm.

yeah they are a nice camera. I am in the market for a 50mm prime lens. they are awesome.
now just need some money lol

Originally Posted by Wozski

yeah they are a nice camera. I am in the market for a 50mm prime lens. they are awesome.
now just need some money lol

I loved using my 50mm 1.8, got some wonderful images from it. Mostly taking photos of my new daughter so needed something a little wider for indoors so I went for a Sigma 30mm 1.4. Thats why I'm selling the 50. You'll find a bunch of Nikon 50's on eBay i'm sure.... All costs money though your right. I need a get rich scheme myself now i've found this damn AudiSport website....

I'll certainly drink to that!

Right then....

Nikon D3100; awesome bit of kit. Took only a few photographs today of the car from the front door. Imported them into Lightroom which made a significant difference with my very little knowledge. One question though, how the hell can you save the imported image?

you just select it and choose export

Thought I did that. Clearly not. Anyway, here's one I did earlier: NB. Before image is not a photograph I took, it's from a previous photoshoot

Before:



After:



Thoughts?

I will upload some of my own work shortly, need to find time to clean the car and get out somewhere

Thats your car I'm assuming pal?! Lovely. Simply can't wait for my car to wear the same wheels. He will sooner or later!!

Did you get out and shoot the car yet?? I'm also on the lookout for some interesting locations to shoot the car. I like some of the shoots i've seen at industrial type locations. Big fan of adding a cinematic feel to my images so can't wait to get into it. Never used Lightroom! Any good. I just use Photoshop!

Originally Posted by TheMacMagician

Thats your car I'm assuming pal?! Lovely. Simply can't wait for my car to wear the same wheels. He will sooner or later!!

Did you get out and shoot the car yet?? I'm also on the lookout for some interesting locations to shoot the car. I like some of the shoots i've seen at industrial type locations. Big fan of adding a cinematic feel to my images so can't wait to get into it. Never used Lightroom! Any good. I just use Photoshop!

Yeah, my pride and joy. Although she is clean there. I want to change mine, not doing anything though until my warranty is up, I'm funny with things like that.

Not yet, having my car detailed soon so will then, thinking car park as a destination, always seem to get a good shot in those instances. Lightroom is very good, so easy to use which is brilliant. Can't really fault it for the price. The Nikon D3100 as well, amazing!

Originally Posted by Ibis Edition

Decided. Buying myself the Nikon D3100 with Adobe Lightroom 3.

Let the photography begin

Now, if you want help and advice on getting the best out of your equipment, think about joining a camera club.

www.cardiffcameraclub.co.uk (I might be a bit biased - I'm the President)

Dave (Nikon D300)

Just a helpful hint when photographing things. Try not to get pointless things in the frame like the bit of bush to the right of the pic and the bushes and pavement to the left. Moving closer and avoiding these two would of procuced a much better image. Not a bad start though.

Had my car detailed on the weekend and with the sun shining on the Sunday I thought I'd spend an hour 'snappy happy'. Here are the results (comments welcome):