Newbie seeks camera suggestions

[SCraig]

Is the 18 55mm a good all around lenses? Is the equivalent to 3x zoom? I'm looking at both Nikons but found one (3100) with 2 lenses that I will watch the bidding:

New Nikon D3100 14 2MP Double Zoom Lens Kit 18 55 55 200 mm Lens 018208097982 | eBay

As I said, the "x" factor is really meaningless so we seldom use it. All it means is that from one end of the zoom ratio to the other is 3 times as much magnification. This gives no indication of how it compares to what you will actually "See" through the lens. 55 / 18 = 3.05 so it is in fact a 3x zoom lens. However on a D5100 (and other Nikon DX-sensor cameras) a "Normal" field of view, as compared to the human eye, is about 35mm so the 18-55 is more like a 1.57x telephoto (55/35) to 1.94 (35/18) wide-angle. It is a decent walkaround lens but for your first criteria ("Not Enough Zoom") it isn't going to be enough either.

 

[rowekmr]

Ok I am starting to understand. Will the 55-200mm then be considered a moderate zoom lens? I found another camera that included both the 18-55mm and the 55-200mm lens and wondered would that be a good start.

Is the 18 55mm a good all around lenses? Is the equivalent to 3x zoom? I'm looking at both Nikons but found one (3100) with 2 lenses that I will watch the bidding:

New Nikon D3100 14 2MP Double Zoom Lens Kit 18 55 55 200 mm Lens 018208097982 | eBay

As I said, the "x" factor is really meaningless so we seldom use it. All it means is that from one end of the zoom ratio to the other is 3 times as much magnification. This gives no indication of how it compares to what you will actually "See" through the lens. 55 / 18 = 3.05 so it is in fact a 3x zoom lens. However on a D5100 (and other Nikon DX-sensor cameras) a "Normal" field of view, as compared to the human eye, is about 35mm so the 18-55 is more like a 1.57x telephoto (55/35) to 1.94 (35/18) wide-angle. It is a decent walkaround lens but for your first criteria ("Not Enough Zoom") it isn't going to be enough either.

 

[robbins.photo]

Ok I am starting to understand. Will the 55-200mm then be considered a moderate zoom lens? I found another camera that included both the 18-55mm and the 55-200mm lens and wondered would that be a good start.

Yup.. a 200 mm is a pretty good start. I haven't used the 55-200 myself so I can't vouch for the image quality personally but from the reviews I've read it's supposed to be a pretty good lens for the price. I use the 18-55 occasionally and it is capable of producing some very nice images.

 

[rowekmr]

I was just checking the settings on my current camera and somehow it wasn't in auto mode but SNOW mode which can explain why the pictures looked so dark when I was at the Field's Museum this weekend. I am still looking at the D5100 and D3100 combinations though but need to learn more about how to use and manipulate the camera settings to get optimum shots.

 

[robbins.photo]

I was just checking the settings on my current camera and somehow it wasn't in auto mode but SNOW mode which can explain why the pictures looked so dark when I was at the Field's Museum this weekend. I am still looking at the D5100 and D3100 combinations though but need to learn more about how to use and manipulate the camera settings to get optimum shots.

Well it certainly couldn't hurt to work some more with the camera you have and get a better grasp on some fundamentals before deciding whether or not you want to replace or upgrade it. Just out of curiosity what sort of camera do you have now? Apologies if I missed it in the original post

 

[SCraig]

It's considered a moderate telephoto lens.

I'm not a big fan of the 55-200 lens. I mentioned in post #11 that part of my lack of image quality with my D60 was caused by my lenses. That would be the lens that was causing the problems. Maybe I got a bad copy, I don't know. All I know is that I personally don't think much of them. I bought a 70-300, threw the 55-200 in a closet, and haven't seen it since. I guess it's still there somewhere.

There are many factors that define the quality and usability of a lens, and each of them costs more. That's an inexpensive $200 lens and in my opinion you get what you pay for. It would be OK for a start but I honestly think you'll be wanting to replace it rather quickly. The 55-300 is a much, much better lens and the 70-300 is even better. Of course they cost more to.

Ok I am starting to understand. Will the 55-200mm then be considered a moderate zoom lens? I found another camera that included both the 18-55mm and the 55-200mm lens and wondered would that be a good start.

 

[rowekmr]

The current one is Sony Cyber Shot DSC-W180. It has 10.1 MP and 3x optical zoom.

I was just checking the settings on my current camera and somehow it wasn't in auto mode but SNOW mode which can explain why the pictures looked so dark when I was at the Field's Museum this weekend. I am still looking at the D5100 and D3100 combinations though but need to learn more about how to use and manipulate the camera settings to get optimum shots.

Well it certainly couldn't hurt to work some more with the camera you have and get a better grasp on some fundamentals before deciding whether or not you want to replace or upgrade it. Just out of curiosity what sort of camera do you have now? Apologies if I missed it in the original post

 

[rowekmr]

I was reading Consumer Reports and they rate the Canon EOS Rebel T3 higher than the Nikons mentioned but it cost about the same/less. Anyone have any input on this camera?

 

[SCraig]

I was reading Consumer Reports and they rate the Canon EOS Rebel T3 higher than the Nikons mentioned but it cost about the same/less. Anyone have any input on this camera?

The T3 or the T3i? There is a big difference between the two.

 

[rowekmr]

T3 (for now). I haven't checked the prices for the T3i.

I was reading Consumer Reports and they rate the Canon EOS Rebel T3 higher than the Nikons mentioned but it cost about the same/less. Anyone have any input on this camera?

The T3 or the T3i? There is a big difference between the two.

 

[SCraig]

T3 (for now). I haven't checked the prices for the T3i.

The T3 is nowhere near the camera the T3i is. There is a full generation difference between them.

If you want comparisons of cameras use someone that specializes in camera testing. I prefer DxO Mark personally. Note that their ratings don't use the US names for Canon bodies. The T3 is the EOS 1100D and the T3i is the EOS 600D.

 

[rowekmr]

Any experience or opinions on the T3 in relation to what I am looking for?

T3 (for now). I haven't checked the prices for the T3i.

The T3 is nowhere near the camera the T3i is. There is a full generation difference between them.

If you want comparisons of cameras use someone that specializes in camera testing. I prefer DxO Mark personally. Note that their ratings don't use the US names for Canon bodies. The T3 is the EOS 1100D and the T3i is the EOS 600D.

 

[SCraig]

Any experience or opinions on the T3 in relation to what I am looking for?

Sorry, I shoot with Nikon gear so I can't help much in that respect. Lots of Canon shooters here though so I'm sure some of them will be able to help.

 

[robbins.photo]

T3 (for now). I haven't checked the prices for the T3i.

I was reading Consumer Reports and they rate the Canon EOS Rebel T3 higher than the Nikons mentioned but it cost about the same/less. Anyone have any input on this camera?

The T3 or the T3i? There is a big difference between the two.

Well when you comapre the T3 to the D3100 the D3100 is superior in pretty much every category, image quality, low noise at high iso, etc - so really the only reason I'd consider a T3 over a D3100 would be price - and that's only if I could find one quite a bit cheaper than a D3100.

 

[rowekmr]

I just want to thank everyone for their help. It is really hard breaking into a new hobby learning terms, characteristics and theories but forums like this with people lending their spare time trying to help out a others make it all possible. So I want to just take a moment to thank everyone because I am learning (albeit slow and look forward to pursuing this hobby beyond what I have been doing.