Hello, I am trying to be a beginner

robbins.photo · Nov 2, 2013

julio99 said:
sm4him said:

I'm kind of curious as to why you'd be hesitant to buy used, from a reputable dealer. After all, it wasn't a used camera that you had a problem with, it was a brand new one! Problems happen--with ANY electronic device, you are occassionally going to get one that is a "lemon."

Refurbished doesn't necessarily mean the shutter count is at 0 (unless they had to replace the shutter mechanism). It just means that IF there was a problem, it's been fixed AND--whether there was a specific problem or not--the camera has been tested nine ways to Sunday and everything has checked out. Refurbished cameras have typically been much more thoroughly tested than a new camera.

I bought my first camera, a D5100 new. But my current camera, a D7000, I bought used from, I think, KEH photo, and I would not hesitate to do so again. KEH.com, B&H Photo, and Adorama are all really good, reputable sites that usually have pretty good prices, whether you choose to buy new again or go the used or refurbished route.

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Hi there! I also share the same sentiment about acquiring a refurbished camera. I'm just a newbie and I'm not really knowledgeable about it. Do you have a list of reputable sites to buy refurbished cameras?

Both Adorama and B&H Photo usually come highly recommended by most.

Lucky_lefty · Nov 4, 2013

a few new questions added. Since I cant find a D5100 new I have been looking at the D3100 and the D3200 and the canon T3i. I am trying to stay around 500 bucks for the camera and lens. I have found the 3100 and 3200 for around 450-500 and the canon for 549 at its cheapest. is this the best I am going to find?

sashbar · Nov 4, 2013

robbins.photo said:
The 3100 uses the same sensor as the D5100 so image quality will be roughly the same

No, it does not.
D3100 has an older 14.2 Mp sensor. D5100 has a similar to D7000 16.2 Mp sensor.
D5100 records twice more colors than D3100 in RAW due to 14-bit vs 12-bit resolution.
D5100 has better high ISO performance ( D3100 is a stop lower) and broader dynamic range.