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Wanna buy a beginner DSLR, need guidance

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captainEMERICA
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 122
Hey,
So I would like to buy a DSLR. I have not really done any photography yet but am going to take some classes and it seems really interesting. Nikon just released their D5100 as you probably all know and that is at the tip top of my price range but judging from the thread about it people are not stoked about it. I would like to stick with Nikon because I have worked with them in the past but I need some guidance on witch one would be a good starting camera. I was thinking the D5000 or the D3100 but the D3100 has less continuous shots per-seconds, should I be concerned about that because I plan on doing a fair amont of sport shooting along with more artsy stuff. Any suggestions would be awesome and rewarded with +K.

Thanks!
Paul
Apr 5 2011 7:06PM
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captainEMERICA
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 122
To narrow down the subject a little bit, my question is really is it worth getting a more advanced camerca like the 5100 or to stick with like the D5000 or D3100 or even the D3000
Apr 5 2011 8:51PM
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michelle
Posts: 6290 - Karma: 428
I don't know anything about Nikon, but in any situation it's better to get the mid levelish body and get a good lens rather than the best body and the shittiest lens.
Apr 5 2011 9:06PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
Fill out the sticky
Apr 5 2011 9:09PM
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captainEMERICA
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 122
yea a few people have said that. Still I am really concerned about the 3 shots per second continuos in the D5000 versus the 4 in the D3100. I don't think the D5100 will be practical so that is out. I still need advice about the D5000 versus the D31000. +K btw
Apr 5 2011 9:09PM
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captainEMERICA
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 122
I did. It did not really help answer the questions that I am stuck on.
Apr 5 2011 9:10PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
the point of it is to give us information to help you make a better decision...
Apr 5 2011 9:10PM
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captainEMERICA
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 122
Well I a stuck between the D5000 and the D3100. I can post the filled sticky sure but I don't see what use that will do at this point...
Apr 5 2011 9:12PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
it would tell us your budget and what you will use the camera for etc. just do it
Apr 5 2011 9:15PM
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captainEMERICA
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 122
1) What is your budget? How much money can you spend right away, and do you think you can get more money to invest in the future?
Looking to spend no more that $800.00 at the very most

2) What experience do you already have with cameras? Have you ever even used one before? Have you helped your friend out with his camera? Have you owned your own?

I do a fair amount of filming with my Canon Vixia HSF100 but never have really done Photo. I have had a D40 but sold it because I had no direction at the time,

2) What gear, if any, do you currently have? (tripod, old camera lenses, mics, etc)
Tripod.

4) What are you planning to shoot and how do you want to use your camera? Are you going to use this with the sole purpose of shooting skiing? or do you think you might try other stuff as well (movies, documentaries, short films, etc)

I would be using it for its still, not as a video camera. I would shoot a fair amount of skiing, mostly backcountry (hopefully). But mostly I would like to use it for art purposes, it is yet to be discovered what kinda art photos.

5) Do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?

I will be doing the shooting/filming it would be nice to be able to hand it to my friends and have them take shots but thats what the auto mode is for i suppose.

6) When filming skiing, how do you tend to shoot? (follow cams, leave it on record on a tripod and hike, film from a tripod, etc)

Film from a tripod

7) What computer do you currently have/use to edit (if not currently editing, what would you most likely use)? If you can provide specifics, such as hard drive space, RAM, processor size, that would be great.

I have a macbook pro. 4gigs of ram. 2.4 GHz intel core i% processor.

7) What program do you currently edit on? How familiar are you with it (1- just learning; 10- I can make tutorials and know the keyboard layout)

I know FCP very well but have never worked with photoshop. so 1 on photoshop.

thanks!
Apr 5 2011 9:23PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
well the d3100 is $650 with kit lens and the d5000 is the same price but no lens (I'm on my phone, sorry if those prices aren't super current). I think I would go with the d3100 if I was you because $150 won't buy you much more than a 50mm prime. And I don't think the extra 1 gps will make a huge difference if that is what you're worried about. But also keep in mind that in the other thread people weren't too stoked on the d5100 as a video camera, not for stills.
Apr 5 2011 9:41PM
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quaive
Posts: 1055 - Karma: 99
I have a d60 which is basically the same as a d3100 just without the crappy video function and the onboard guidance shit. Its my first camera and it has taught me a lot. just don't go out buying some expensive body and not plan to buy any lenses. You could have an entry level camera, and take some fairly decent shots.
Apr 5 2011 9:45PM
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.Ian.
Posts: 1568 - Karma: 72
Just gonna give you some advice and my opinion as a D3100 owner. The D3100 is a great camera in my personal opinion. I would definitely recommend it to someone just getting started like me. Your definitely gonna wanna save up for some better glass though. I just recently bought the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 and I love it! I even notice my pictures are sooo much clearer then the shitty kit lens. I was just at best buy today and the D3100 was 599.99. Great price IMO, I bought mine when it was on sale at best buy for 560. The new D5100 does have a 16.2 megapixel sensor but the D3100 does have a 14.2 so you wouldn't really notice. I'm sure the D5100 would be great for pictures too but IMO not woth the extra cash. Definitely get the cheapest body and get some good glass, If you take good care of the glass you'll have it for a long time (i've heard) but bodies you can always upgrade. If you have further questions or would like to see some shots just with the kit lens i'd be glad to help!
Apr 5 2011 9:49PM
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captainEMERICA
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 122
The D5000 kit is $630.00 and the D3100 kit is $699.00. It seems like the only really big difference between the two is the D3100 has more Mega pixels but I was told that mega pixels do not matter that much. Also the ISO are slightly different. It seems they are very similar with a few minor differences. I would rather get the more average body with higher gps and invest in a better lens. Is my logic sound or am I missing something lol. +K

Apr 5 2011 9:49PM
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.Ian.
Posts: 1568 - Karma: 72
Sorry to dub post but I meant 'if you'd like to see some pictures or want some further help, PM me"
Apr 5 2011 9:51PM
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captainEMERICA
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 122
I would love to see some pics taken with the D3100! I think what I might do is go for a D5000 body at like $570.00 online and then get a nicer lens right off the bat. I had the kit lens on my D40 before I sold it and HATED it.
Apr 5 2011 9:53PM
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.Ian.
Posts: 1568 - Karma: 72
Ya definitely a great idea!
Apr 5 2011 9:55PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
yeah if you can afford it, buy the body only and a nicer lens. Idk if $800 will cut it though. But yeah I guess you are correct in your logic, megapixels don't matter at all but the fps difference will honestly be minimal.
Apr 5 2011 9:56PM
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captainEMERICA
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 122
ok, just to be sure. There is no real difference between the D3100 v. the D5000?
Apr 5 2011 9:59PM
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quaive
Posts: 1055 - Karma: 99
http://mansurovs.com/nikon-d3100-vs-d5000 this may answer any of your further questions.
Apr 5 2011 10:16PM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
As far as I know canon makes a better HDSLR than Nikon in regards to shooting video. Look into getting the T2i which is cheaper than the D5100 and has better video capabilities.
Apr 6 2011 12:28AM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
It's for stills not video
Apr 6 2011 12:54AM
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blatt
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 3,097
My bad. If you're shooting sports you might want to save up for something with a faster shutter speed. I know the 7d shoots somewhere around 8 frames a second and you can get it for $1300 body only online if you get refurbished. But my only suggestion is that as long as your shooting sports, shutter speed is KEY.
Apr 6 2011 1:07AM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,068
Its not shutter speed, its frames per second. And 4-5 is acceptable. Old 40Ds shoot 6.5 though, you can get one for like 700 bucks.
Apr 6 2011 1:16AM
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