Which nikon...

[Lunarneko]

Hello,

I'm brand new here and I'm about to get my college return check and I'm going to buy a DSLR.

I'm stuck because I was looking to get a nikon d5100 but now I'm reading stuff like theres no after market battery grip, and no "commander unit" (I don't know what this is)

I've also read a little about the d3100 and that seemed interesting to.

I don't know which camera to get. I have about $900 budget.

Advice?

 

[flatflip]

Check out the D90.

 

[KmH]

There is also no grip for the D3100 and it also has no "commander unit", which is actually Nikon's Creative Lighting System's (CLS) Commander mode.

How many megapixels a camera has is actually not all that important.

The D90 is a good recommendation because it does have CLS commander mode, after market grips are available for it, and it has a focus motor in it. the D3100 and the D5100 don't have an auto focus motor in them.
Nikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)[/url

Since you don't indicate what the camera would be used for no one else knows what you should get either.

You might want to also consider the [URL="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00427Z7OG/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hdiumds-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399377&creativeASIN=B00427Z7OG"]Pentax K-r 12.4 MP Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and 55-300mm f/4-5.8 Lenses (Black)

Pentax K-x Digital SLR with 2.7-inch LCD and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL Lens (Black)

and the
Canon EOS Rebel T3i 18 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC 4 Imaging with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

 

[Drake]

I usually advice to take the cheaper body and save some cash for additional lens or a flash unit in the future, especially if you don't want to spend a few thousand dollars on your whole set. There is not that much difference between the D3100 and D5100. Both more than enough for a beginner.

 

[Patrice]

Since the op has asked for input on a photography forum I take it he/she is beyond the point and shoot stage or at least has reasoned such a camera would not be suitable. To carry that thought just a bit deeper, I would differ with opinion that bottom tier dSLR's are "more than enough" for a beginner. A mid-tier body will do all that the stripped down bodies will do but also much more. It does not take very long before a dedicated beginner will start looking for more and then he/she will again be shopping. Buy decent to start and grow into it. The bottom tier cameras will only fully function with newer afs lenses whereas the previously recommended d90 will be fully operational with older less expensive, but equally good or better, lenses. CLS commander mode, focus motors and two command wheels are very handy features to have, not to be dismissed out of hand.

If the op later finds that photography is a waste of time, it is much easier to resell a gently used d90 than a gently used bottom tier camera.

That is my opinion based on my experience.

 

[Lunarneko]

Thanks for all your advice...



Main reason why I am trying to stay with nikon is because of the very good lenses I keep hearing about. So I'd like to do that if I can.


This camera will be pretty much a general use camera, but I do really enjoy macro photography, but this could only be because I've never really done protrait or landscape.

Should I just squeeze some more pennies and try to get a nikon d7000?

 

[mjhoward]

Should I just squeeze some more pennies and try to get a nikon d7000?

If you don't mind not having a lens attached to it, then sure! The D90 is a great camera body and you can get a used one that looks new for around $600. That leaves plenty extra for a macro lens and a nifty fifty for portraits over what the cost of the D7000 body alone will cost new.

 

[VannahRose143]

I'm new to photography, so I would go with the Nikon D7000. For me it just feels right in my hands. It is also very user friendly, which I love about it and if you're like me, you take ALOT of pictures in one sitting and the D7000 has duel memory slots.

 

[VannahRose143]

But only close the d7000if you are willing to pay about an extra 100$ over your budget for it.

 

[jake337]

I'd look into a used d80 as well and use the extra cash for some lens.

Nikon Digital D 80 10.2 MEGAPIXEL WITH BATTERY & CHARGER (SD CARD ) DIGITAL SLR INTERCHANGEABLE LENS CAMERA - KEH.com

For around $3-400 used. You would nearly $600 to spend on lens. A used macro for around $250-350, a 50mm f1.8 used for around $75-100, and a sb600 which you can trigger off camera used for around $175

50mm f1.8d $79-100 - Nikon Autofocus 50 F1.8 (52) 35MM SLR AUTO FOCUS STANDARD ANGLE LENS - KEH.com

couple macros tokina and sigma - $325

Nikon Autofocus Non-Mfg Fixed Focal Length Lenses - KEH.com
Nikon Autofocus Non-Mfg Fixed Focal Length Lenses - KEH.com


I can't find any good prices on used sb600's right now but if your local best buy has any in stock they'll be $220.