Nikon D5100

[TheSiege]

http://1saleaday.com/wireless/ has it for 450 bucks, about 50 bucks more than similar Canon T3 packages, I have never used Nikon, but I don't have any canon lenses so it won't hurt me to switch, should I get this?

 

[CuriousMike]

Note that it is a refurb.

With that said, I bought my D5000 as a refurb and it's been great.

As to the "canon vs. nikon" question, you're going to find a thousand opinions online... the most sensible seem to culminate with "If you can, hold both cameras in your hand. Purchase the one that feels the best."

 

[Sunny129]

...I bought my D5000 as a refurb and it's been great.

there's a darn good reason for that too...read THIS THREAD, as its got great information on Nikon refurbs (provided by an Adorama Camera customer service rep no less).

 

[AkumaX]

Note that it is a refurb.

With that said, I bought my D5000 as a refurb and it's been great.

As to the "canon vs. nikon" question, you're going to find a thousand opinions online... the most sensible seem to culminate with "If you can, hold both cameras in your hand. Purchase the one that feels the best."

Also, "Purchase the one where you can trade lenses with your friends"

 

[TheSiege]

Yeah I probably won't be trading lenses, I just want it for better shots of my kids really.

 

[kbp]

I have a D90 now with a 18-105 lens for sale. Just under 2 years old with about 3200 shots taken on it. I'll move it up in the for sale forum.

 

[AkumaX]

Yeah I probably won't be trading lenses, I just want it for better shots of my kids really.

The D5100 will work then. The competitor would technically be the T3i, but you'd have to find one w/ a kit lens for $450 to compare the two.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

$450 is $100 less than Adorama, so it is a great price.

Resellerratings gives that vendor a score of 8.2 out of 10 (customer reviews)
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/1_Sale_a_Day

I'd go for it. Here's a review:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d5100.htm

JR

 

[CuriousMike]

Yeah I probably won't be trading lenses, I just want it for better shots of my kids really.

I wish I had gone DSLR sooner for kid shots.

Really.

 

[TheSiege]

Well I just bit the bullet and bought it, now to not get raped by a decent flash

 

[TheSiege]

I saw a used SB-600 for sale for 160, is that a decent price?

 

[CuriousMike]

I'm not sure what a good price on the SB600 is (quick Googling seems to indicate 160 is fair.)

I bought a SB-400 to go with my D5000 and bounce-flash is a revelation.


The next bug to bite you is lenses. Yah baby!

 

[sswingle]

I bought one of these and love it. As long as you are in a room where you can bounce the flash, the difference is amazing.
http://www.amazon.com/Professor-Kobr...ds=flash+scoop

 

[iGas]

Also, "Purchase the one where you can trade lenses with your friends"

My 2 brothers in-law both own Nikons and they have 5 lenses between them. Our mutual close friends also own 2 Nikons and they have 6 lenses between the 2. That is a total of 11 Nikkor lenses among them, and not once they traded or loan each others equipment. And, they all tried to talk me into getting Nikon equipment so that they can leach off me, but I ended with an upgrade from a Canon EOS 10s to a 5D mkII with 3 new L lenses along with a Rokinon 14mm. I now own a total of 8 Canon lenses, and no way in hell I would loan my gear to someone (I once loan out my Canon F1n + 5 lenses and I haven't seen it again in the last 25 years).

IMHO, do not buy something just, because you think that you can trade/loan...you are a sucker for other to use if you do so.

I'm reiterating what others has said...get a camera that is comfortable in your hand, because you are more likely to use it much more than an uncomfortable camera.

 

[blastingcap]

Depends on how good of friends they are.

 

[iGas]

I'm not sure what a good price on the SB600 is (quick Googling seems to indicate 160 is fair.)

I bought a SB-400 to go with my D5000 and bounce-flash is a revelation.


The next bug to bite you is lenses. Yah baby!

Bounce flash is nice, but IMHO the better way to go is to use flash diffuser or combine it with bounce.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

I saw a used SB-600 for sale for 160, is that a decent price?

The SB-600 is a neat flash. But for family snaps, I like the SB-400 simply because of the size. I find myself more likely to keep the SB-400 on the camera than I do the SB-600.

 

[CuriousMike]

swwingle link to the flash bounce gadget looks like a great (and inexpensive) idea.

While I love the SB400's small size, there are times I wish it could swivel for portrait orientation.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

swwingle link to the flash bounce gadget looks like a great (and inexpensive) idea.

While I love the SB400's small size, there are times I wish it could swivel for portrait orientation.

me too.

 

[gus6464]

What is the recommended prime for this camera, 50 or 80mm?

 

[JohnnyRebel]

What is the recommended prime for this camera, 50 or 80mm?

35mm f/1.8

 

[gus6464]

35mm f/1.8

Ohh really? With Canon they usually recommend 50mm on Rebels and 80mm on D's.

 

[CuriousMike]

The 35 or the 50 is the recommended prime.

I have the 35, and sometimes I feel squished for space indoors.

Put the stock 18-55 on, and walk around with it locked at 35 and see what you see.
Then lock it at 50 and compare.

I find 50mm a bit "zoomy" for indoors... but I still want to pick it up because
a) it's relatively inexpensive
b) it'll make a slightly better portrait lens (getting closer to that 75-100mm portraiture focal length sweeter zone )

 

[JohnnyRebel]

Ohh really? With Canon they usually recommend 50mm on Rebels and 80mm on D's.

On DX, the 35mm will have the same field of view as a 50mm on FX (full frame). This would be a "normal" prime. You will want wider inside a normal house. I have considered the 20mm af-d prime (will not AF on the D5100), but the 18-50 zoom does pretty well in those situations.

I have a 50mm f/1.4 that I use on my DX as a portrait lens, for the same field of view as an 85mm lens on FX. I also have the 105mm DC and would recommend that lens to anyone for both sharpness and bokeh, even though its field of view feels long on DX. I can only really use it outside.

I recommend them all, but the 35mm f/1.8 is sharp and affordable.

 

[kbp]

Get at least the SB600. You can "remote" trip it with a nikon SG-3IR (about $12.00) on your "pop-up" flash. Thus putting the SB600 NOT on your camera, but off to one side.