1st DSLR for an auto enthusiast

nola.ron · Nov 28, 2012

Hey guys,

I've been stalking this forum for about a month now. Seems like you guys have a pretty good community here. I have taken this time to research and learn as much as I can. I've narrowed my purchase down to 3 models and I hope some of you can help steer me into which one would be best suited for me and what I plan to do.

Nikon d3000 kit w/ 2 lenses, bag and card
Nikon d5100
Nikon d3200 kit w/ 1 lense

I would like to get started for no more than $650ish. The d3000 kit is very appealing because I have found it "on sale" for $450ish with the 2 lenses, bag, cards, etc. But I don't want to be in a situation where I start getting good and then have a useless kit that I need to replace in like 6 months.

I have had P&S cameras before but this is my first DSLR purchase. I am pretty sure that I will enjoy the new hobby and stick with it, but my main hobby is my 'car life' (Volkswagen enthusiast!). That's actually where this interest came from - I'm tired of going to meets and relying on other people for good pictures. I want to make my own and hope to do better than the people I know. I also have a strong interest in micro shots as well as cityscape (I live in New Orleans, AMAZING architecture here). I have no interest in sports photography nor typical landscapes. I have no interest in doing portraits but if I get good at this and it can help pay for some gear then I won't be opposed to it. I also do a little web development work for my company so it would be nice to be able to get quality images of various things for my own websites.

I have done a lot of research on lenses, filters, tripods, etc. I have all the editing software anyone would ever need (I'm an IT consultant) so that's not a factor in the budget luckily. I also know that I will need a polar filter, i believe it was called, for car shots to reduce glare/etc on the paint. None of that comes in any kits though, so that just makes it harder to decide. I would like the versatility of getting 2 lenses out the box, but is it a better choice for that over a better body from the get-go? Would I even use the other 2 lenses in the d3000 kit for my car meets, etc?

So with all that being said... steer a noob in the right direction for his money and goals? :blushing:

TheFantasticG · Nov 29, 2012

I suggest the D5100 for the flip screen as its easier to get those low angles. Composing with the flip screen when the camera is sitting on the ground is Better than trying to do it through the viewfinder. Not mention you can pick up a Nikon D5100 (body only) for $446 shipped from B&H.

Pick up a used 35mm 1.8G.

Solarflare · Nov 29, 2012

Its called polarization filter. They last forever, so get a good one. Ken Rockwell claims Hoya has the best ones.

If you can still get a D3000, well, thats probably not a bad camera either. The "2 lenses" part tells me squat, though. Which lenses ?

Well, probably they add the AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR. These are okay-ish, but dont expect them to work well in low light. For that you will love the already mentioned 35mm f1.8 DX that offers a lot more light. There is also a 50mm f1.8 which some people prefer. Both lenses are awesome, even more so for their price.

The 18-55mm already offers a whooping 1:3.2 macro, so thats a start into that field. Even the expensive Zeiss Macro Planar lenses offer "only" 1:2 macro, so thats not as bad as some people claim. "Real" macro lenses like the micro Nikkor AF-S 60mm f/2.8G or the micro Nikkor AF-S 105mm f/2.8G offer 1:1 macro, though. But they are expensive.

12sndsgood · Nov 29, 2012

Im also an auto guy, (still editing pics from my trip to SEMA) I started out with the D3000 with the two standard kit lenses after 2 years I ended up upgrading. I would likely say go for the 5100. they say the 5200 should be out early next year I believe and have the new sensor that the D3200 has. I guess it really depends on where you plan on going with it and how much you will end up spending in the long run. I mean if this is a big expense and you might not have any extra cash for new lenses for awhile then going with the 2 kit lenses will be a better option. but if you can see yourself dropping some more cash in a few months going with the 5100 now (body only) and buying 1 decent lens to start with might be a better option.

Mully · Nov 29, 2012

Don't buy a D3000

nola.ron · Nov 29, 2012

Solarflare said:
Its called polarization filter. They last forever, so get a good one. Ken Rockwell claims Hoya has the best ones.

If you can still get a D3000, well, thats probably not a bad camera either. The "2 lenses" part tells me squat, though. Which lenses ?

Well, probably they add the AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR. These are okay-ish, but dont expect them to work well in low light. For that you will love the already mentioned 35mm f1.8 DX that offers a lot more light. There is also a 50mm f1.8 which some people prefer. Both lenses are awesome, even more so for their price.

The 18-55mm already offers a whooping 1:3.2 macro, so thats a start into that field. Even the expensive Zeiss Macro Planar lenses offer "only" 1:2 macro, so thats not as bad as some people claim. "Real" macro lenses like the micro Nikkor AF-S 60mm f/2.8G or the micro Nikkor AF-S 105mm f/2.8G offer 1:1 macro, though. But they are expensive.

Yep, that's the lenses it comes with. I already read great things about the Nikon 50mm lense from a few youtube videos that was showing it in action, etc. I'll compare that with the 32mm you guys are referring to. I definitely want something that does well in low light. My dog (boxer) is another main focus for photography... she is so goofy and I'm always taking pictures with my crappy phone camera and I really wish I could capture those moments better.

TheFantasticG said:
I suggest the D5100 for the flip screen as its easier to get those low angles. Composing with the flip screen when the camera is sitting on the ground is Better than trying to do it through the viewfinder. Not mention you can pick up a Nikon D5100 (body only) for $446 shipped from B&H.

Pick up a used 35mm 1.8G.

I actually thought about that after I typed the OP! You have a very valid point.

12sndsgood said:
Im also an auto guy, (still editing pics from my trip to SEMA) I started out with the D3000 with the two standard kit lenses after 2 years I ended up upgrading. I would likely say go for the 5100. they say the 5200 should be out early next year I believe and have the new sensor that the D3200 has. I guess it really depends on where you plan on going with it and how much you will end up spending in the long run. I mean if this is a big expense and you might not have any extra cash for new lenses for awhile then going with the 2 kit lenses will be a better option. but if you can see yourself dropping some more cash in a few months going with the 5100 now (body only) and buying 1 decent lens to start with might be a better option.

That's good to know you made it a couple of years with the kit. I am trying to avoid going all in on this right now because of the HOPE that Audi announces the S3 for the US in Jan at the detroit auto show. I'm banking everything right now just for the possibility that I put an order in for the car this spring, if it actually does get released!

Mully said:
Don't buy a D3000

I actually just got home and got a pretty strong reason to believe that my GF actually picked up the D3000 kit for me for Christmas. She was with me the day I was looking at it in best buy. I got in the mail what appears to be an SD card... she then told me not to open it, that it's a present, and she has to return it for a different one. Just last night I was talking to her about cameras and different qualities of SD cards. I was wondering why she kept questioning me more... because apparently she ordered some regular SD card instead of a photography class 10 one or whatever they are called. Happy and bummed at the same time. If I'm wrong then I'll grab the D5100 and buy a lense separately. If I'm not then I'll just invest in a good filter and a good lense then worry about the body upgrade later next year. She is so excited about whatever this is so if I am right then I don't want to hurt her feelings by saying she got the wrong one and swapping it out

Thanks EVERYONE for the information. I know what to do regardless of whether or not she already purchased the D3000, and if she didn't then I know what to go buy the day after Christmas!