Nikon D3100

[Matthew A Smith]

I am not looking to start a Nikon vs. (insert brand here) war, but I was wondering if anyone has any experience or opinion on the D3100. I am entry level by every definition. I will shoot outdoors under many conditions and my wife will shoot an equal amount in the living room of her grandmothers house during family gatherings. Is this a camera for us or is there other "better" options? This will mainly be MY camera, so obviously I will have it for all things related to storms. Bright light, low light, etc. Thank you in advance for any and all opinions.

Edit: The other camera I am seriously considering is the D5000 for the ability to bracket shots. Any comparisons or opinions on the D5000 are also welcome.

 

[Lanny Dean]

Matthew,
Here are a few threads regarding the D3100 and the D7000 respectivily.

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=25237&highlight=D3100

http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?t=25489&highlight=D7000

I am a Nikon guy myself so I am a little biased, having shot with a Nikon for many years I currently have a D90 and love it. My good friend Mr. Chad Berryhill shoots with a D5000 and just loves it...maybe he can jump in and give you a little info.

IMO you would probably be a better off with the D3100 than the D5000. Both cameras are excelent cams but the D3100 has a slight edge IMO. Of course there is something to be said about a tilting screen on the D5000!
What makes it worse is the D7000....this is an wonderful cam and one that I can't wait to get my hands on! Don't forget about some of the Canon models as well, the T2I and 60D are great cameras and should be mentioned as well. But if your mind is dead set on a Nikon then I would probably go with the D3100. Great entry level camera for the price!

Hopes this helps!

 

[Patrick Martin]

Matthew - Agree with Lanny that the D3100 (or a Canon equivalent) will be your best bet. It has all the ISO capability you'll need and it's a very capable body. By your own admission, being a beginner in every sense, don't worry about getting the "most" camera you can get as a more expensive/feature laden body will never be a replacement for proper technique and control of lighting. Invest your money in quality lenses, and your time in developing good technique. Also, if you plan on doing any indoor shots, don't commit the sin of using the onboard flash, but get a hot shoe flash that will tilt and swivel.

 

[Chad Berryhill]

Either one, or their equivalents(Cannon, Pentax, Etc) would be good. The D5000 is a little soft, but you can compensate with quality glass. It also has enough features to grow into. The body is a little small, but if you add the battery pack you should be good to go. I've shot portraits, weddings, and of course weather with it. It's fun camera.

Now I can't tell you about the video capabilities, as I haven't used it. From what I understand the video is great, but the sound is lacking. If you have sound booth, that might help enhance it. Keep in mind the video on the D5000 is 720 and not 1080.

I've added a few pics below. If you have anymore questions feel free to ask.

 

[Bryce Hawkins-Fisher]

If you don't want 1080p Video the other alternative is the Nikon D90. Since the D7000 Has been released as the D90's successor the prices of D90 have plummeted. I has bracketing which you mentioned you wanted as well as alot of other features that are not available in the entry level DSLR's. The body of the D90 also feels great in the hands. I made the switch to canon and the body feels a lot cheaper. I enjoyed the D90 so much I'm considering selling my canon and buying another D90.

Anyway just my to cents worth.

 

[Lanny Dean]

Bryce,
Good call! You should try the 90 with the MB-D80 battery grip! I have it and it feels great plus with the extra battery I have been known to get somewhere around 5,000 shots before charging! That set up with the 50mm f/1.8...I love it! In fact, I rarely shot with the kit anymore at all....I just love that 50mm lens.

 

[Matthew A Smith]

I honestly don't care about video on a DSLR. It seems that the camera manufacturers would be able to lower the prices if they got rid of the video features. I never have understood that concept, but I digress. I had my mind made up about the D3100 and now I am taking another look at the D90. For my budget and my skill level, I still think the D3100 is still going to be the answer. Thank you for the input and opinions. Keep them coming.

 

[Lanny Dean]

Matthew,
I didn't really think I would care for the video from a DSLR either, however after playing with it I am finding that I can do so much more with it than I can with some of my video equipment. Case in point: being able to use a standard prime lense that is fast (f/1.4-f/2.8) really produces nice bokeh in photography, now use that same lens while your shooting video and you get some amazing results...wonderful small Depth Of Field, insane clarity, the real ability to use manual focus for shots like a "rack focus" and the like, not to mention large DOF in which you can get some great landscape video or in our case, tornadoscapes!

Back when I still worked in the media I used everything from Beta cams to DVC PRO cams to MiniDV and everything in between, and while I enjoyed most of them the down side is that they were big and heavy and I couldn't change a lens on the fly.
With a DSLR you certainly can.
Currently my video equipment includes everything from full 3CCD broadcast quality, HD Canon to Standard Def. 3CCD and while they may be able to focus in man. mode and have all the bells and whistles the fact of the matter is that these do not have interchangable lenses. I gues what I am saying is, don't discount video from a DSLR because you can get some amazing results. In fact, there are many many production houses and even some networks going to this format already. Last years final season of House was shot with a couple Canon 5Ds.

So, give it a try, you might like it! It might be of note that if you decide to play with video, that the D90 shoots only 720 not 1080 as the D3100 does. Also, be aware that there a many more "options" IMO in the photography side on the D90 such control of off camera flash units....read the full specs and you'll see what I mean.

Good luck and if you need any more info on the D90 let me know.

 

[Lanny Dean]

Matthew,
Also wanted to lead you to a few reviews and some video links on the D3100.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3100.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttOeXOQVYZg

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond3100/