Gramaisc
Forum O. G.
It doesn't mean that it isn't, though - does it come with the 16-day return? If so, then it can be worth a look in the box - you never know..
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Digital Camera Recommendations
- Thread starter Lunar Scorpion
- Start date
Lunar Scorpion
Anarchy in the UK
Also, just remembered the Nikon has a much greater range of apertures so I think I'll go with that.
Stafford College
Well-Known Forumite
Hi Lunar Scorpion
If I've understood correctly, you are looking at a Nikon camera and a Canon lens? Do check, before you part with your money, that they are compatible. I am definitely not an expert like some of the other people on this thread, I just need to know enough to cover when our 'proper' photographer isn't available to take a shot for us at College. When I was going through the same choosing-process as you, Canon and Nikon had different mounts. So one of the deciding factors was which lenses I wanted to use. For instance, you might want to think about which lenses you already have, which lenses you might be able to borrow/hire and whether those are mostly Nikon or Canon. Things might have changed, you might be able to buy some kind of adaptor and I might have misunderstood your post completely but wanted to warn you, just in case!
If I've understood correctly, you are looking at a Nikon camera and a Canon lens? Do check, before you part with your money, that they are compatible. I am definitely not an expert like some of the other people on this thread, I just need to know enough to cover when our 'proper' photographer isn't available to take a shot for us at College. When I was going through the same choosing-process as you, Canon and Nikon had different mounts. So one of the deciding factors was which lenses I wanted to use. For instance, you might want to think about which lenses you already have, which lenses you might be able to borrow/hire and whether those are mostly Nikon or Canon. Things might have changed, you might be able to buy some kind of adaptor and I might have misunderstood your post completely but wanted to warn you, just in case!
Lunar Scorpion
Anarchy in the UK
You did misunderstand completely. It's a choice between a Nikon and a Canon camera - both come with a lens, and I don't have any lenses as I've never owned an SLR before, so it's a simple case of choosing which camera.
Gramaisc
Forum O. G.
I can't be the only person concerned about the thought of the Scorp getting an SLR, surely..?
shoes
Well-Known Forumite
STOP!
Do NOT under any circumstance purchase the 3100 from Nikon, it is a steaming pile of turd. I have it's predecessor, the D40, and you would do much better sourcing a second hand one of those in my opinion. I borrowed a 3100 for a shoot and frankly I was appalled at how much worse Nikon had made it in order to expand their range (at the time the D40 came out the consumer range was two cameras, when moving to the next era they introduced five cameras and had to really cut back on the low end to make any sort of differentiation at all.
I would thoroughly recommend a Nikon, but I can't recommend to anyone, even someone who I've argued with bitterly in the past, the 3100.
Do NOT under any circumstance purchase the 3100 from Nikon, it is a steaming pile of turd. I have it's predecessor, the D40, and you would do much better sourcing a second hand one of those in my opinion. I borrowed a 3100 for a shoot and frankly I was appalled at how much worse Nikon had made it in order to expand their range (at the time the D40 came out the consumer range was two cameras, when moving to the next era they introduced five cameras and had to really cut back on the low end to make any sort of differentiation at all.
I would thoroughly recommend a Nikon, but I can't recommend to anyone, even someone who I've argued with bitterly in the past, the 3100.
shoes
Well-Known Forumite
Oh, and if you do get a second hand D40 (mine has been to countless festivals, photo shoots, days out, been dropped smashed about, and has taken over 60,000 shots and works as it did when I opened the box) then spend the difference on either the nikon 18-135 VRII lens (VR - vibration reduction, an exceptional system) or the sigma equivelent.
Beware that the low end nikon cameras do not have an autofocus motor so you must get EG lenses from nikon (as they have an integral motor) - I have a sigma lens with no motor in and its manual focus only (although having used it for years to shoot motorsport I am confident you will get very good with autofocus as a result).
Oh, and don't worry about megapixels, the 6PM D40 is more than adequate for most things
Shots like this one would be nigh on impossible with the 3100 as the sensor's low light capabilities are very very poor:
Beware that the low end nikon cameras do not have an autofocus motor so you must get EG lenses from nikon (as they have an integral motor) - I have a sigma lens with no motor in and its manual focus only (although having used it for years to shoot motorsport I am confident you will get very good with autofocus as a result).
Oh, and don't worry about megapixels, the 6PM D40 is more than adequate for most things
Shots like this one would be nigh on impossible with the 3100 as the sensor's low light capabilities are very very poor:
shoes
Well-Known Forumite
As big a fan of Nikon as I am, between the two you have posted, in your position (i.e. with no lenses or other proprietary equipment) I'd spend the money on the Canon.
shoes
Well-Known Forumite
Sorry for the multi posts, it's easier hitting reply.
My previous comment notwithstanding, the bokeh effect of the nikon when the aperture is wide open is divine
Lunar Scorpion
Anarchy in the UK
That was close... Just so happens the Canon is cheaper now anyway! http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Browse/ID72/33026565/c_1/1|category_root|Technology|33006169/c_2/2|33006169|Cameras and camcorders|33008331/c_3/3|cat_33008331|Cameras|33012615/c_4/4|cat_33012615|Digital SLR cameras|33026565.htm
Lunar Scorpion
Anarchy in the UK
Ethical dilemma... I may have to try to get hold of second hand camera. Buying a new Canon when I could get something more ethical doesn't sit well. =(
monkey bidness
Well-Known Forumite
I'm sure that somebody who really knows will be along in a minute, but that looks non-IS to me - the IS lens looks like this.
..with "IS II" after the f-rating.
...not to mention the stabiliser on/off switch on the lens?
Lunar Scorpion
Anarchy in the UK
What about this one? http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5778959.htm
proactive
Enjoying a drop of red.
LS, have you been into Peter Rogers to see what they might have in the way of pre-owned equipment, or had a look here
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Stafford-Cameras?_rdc=1 ?
Their address is
Cash4Cameras
Stafford Cameras
Unit 2
Parkside Shopping Precinct
Stafford
ST16 1TQ
Telephone 01785 605475
email:- cash4cameras@ntlworld.com
I keep meaning to upgrade my Canon 400D, but whenever I compare the image quality to new equipment, the difference simply doesn't justify spending the extra. In fact, often as not, to my eye at least, it is just as good.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Stafford-Cameras?_rdc=1 ?
Their address is
Cash4Cameras
Stafford Cameras
Unit 2
Parkside Shopping Precinct
Stafford
ST16 1TQ
Telephone 01785 605475
email:- cash4cameras@ntlworld.com
I keep meaning to upgrade my Canon 400D, but whenever I compare the image quality to new equipment, the difference simply doesn't justify spending the extra. In fact, often as not, to my eye at least, it is just as good.
shoes
Well-Known Forumite
Yes, better in every way compared to the 3100. Better sensor, autofocus system, image processing... in fact it's an upgraded D40x.
The 5100 also ships with the 18-55VR too
shoes
Well-Known Forumite
Image quality peaked ages ago in this market segment, it's all about handling now.
proactive
Enjoying a drop of red.
Well my 400 seems to go round corners as well as any other camera, as far as I can tell.
Perrier
Banned
just been playing with a raynox dcr 250 macro attachment for my canon 600D . first attempt so take pity on me im still learning. the insect was around the size of a greenfly and the leaves were moving so it was hard to focus.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/96556397@N08/8844689940/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/96556397@N08/8844689940/
shoes
Well-Known Forumite
That technology peaked around the time of the pinhole camera in this market segment
There's a TED lecture on a kind of camera which may, in the future, be able to see around corners, sadly this tech is not available to us mere mortals yet.