Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post - Is this a good deal? (or: please help the noob!)

phelan · 06-23-2011, 11:37 AM

Thanks guys. I read up on the DSLRs (I did decide to just go for the full up DSLR), and went out to a few camera stores to handle the models I was looking at. I really liked the T2i in terms of performance, but holding it just felt...weird. It never sat quite right in my hand. The fullerton camera store guy said there's some battery pack or something that people find helpful, but I wasn't really interested in adding even more bulk to the camera.

I really, REALLY enjoyed the D3100, very easy to use, felt just about right, and the performance was comparable (maybe a little less but to a beginner I'm not really too tuned into it) to the T2i in my rookie opinion. I was pretty much set on that...until I noticed a 'New' D5100 on sale on Amazon for the same price of a new D3100. I did hang on to the D5100 a bit at my local Best Buy. Just seemed like a little more advanced D3100. I grabbed that instead. I think the only knock I have against it is it's a little slower than the T2i, but I'm not really going to be looking for a lot of high speed sequential shooting.

I know, I know, probably a little more than I need, but I hope to grow into it and its more advanced features (I'm going to have fun reading the user manual). I'm sticking with the included lens, and grabbed a 16GB card and a spare battery. I'll be back for the...ahem....critiques when I get used to the camera

Plus, I think my neighbor has the 300mm zoom lens I can borrow...

Hopefully the D5100 lasts me a long time. Besides, if what I understand is correct, the lenses are more important, and ultimately, it's the eye that sets everything apart, right? (/cliche) One thing about me is I love to learn, and while this won't be something that can command a lot of my time, nor will it turn into a job, but I've always been impressed with a really well put together photo, wanted to get better at photography myself. And if I get really involved in it, I'd rather have a camera that I can grow with, rather than one that I'll have to swap out.

You know what was crazy? I saw the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 (MILC camera), and thought, hot damn, I found my camera! Then I looked at the price....over ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS good Lord! Hence...I went with a DSLR.

So anybody have any reading recommendations? I think I saw a book in Red_Zed's thread that I will go look for.

06-23-2011, 11:37 AM	#12 (permalink)
phelan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Age: 38 Posts: 9,513 Drives: Scoobaroo Rep Power: 3406	Thanks guys. I read up on the DSLRs (I did decide to just go for the full up DSLR), and went out to a few camera stores to handle the models I was looking at. I really liked the T2i in terms of performance, but holding it just felt...weird. It never sat quite right in my hand. The fullerton camera store guy said there's some battery pack or something that people find helpful, but I wasn't really interested in adding even more bulk to the camera. I really, REALLY enjoyed the D3100, very easy to use, felt just about right, and the performance was comparable (maybe a little less but to a beginner I'm not really too tuned into it) to the T2i in my rookie opinion. I was pretty much set on that...until I noticed a 'New' D5100 on sale on Amazon for the same price of a new D3100. I did hang on to the D5100 a bit at my local Best Buy. Just seemed like a little more advanced D3100. I grabbed that instead. I think the only knock I have against it is it's a little slower than the T2i, but I'm not really going to be looking for a lot of high speed sequential shooting. I know, I know, probably a little more than I need, but I hope to grow into it and its more advanced features (I'm going to have fun reading the user manual). I'm sticking with the included lens, and grabbed a 16GB card and a spare battery. I'll be back for the...ahem....critiques when I get used to the camera Plus, I think my neighbor has the 300mm zoom lens I can borrow... Hopefully the D5100 lasts me a long time. Besides, if what I understand is correct, the lenses are more important, and ultimately, it's the eye that sets everything apart, right? (/cliche) One thing about me is I love to learn, and while this won't be something that can command a lot of my time, nor will it turn into a job, but I've always been impressed with a really well put together photo, wanted to get better at photography myself. And if I get really involved in it, I'd rather have a camera that I can grow with, rather than one that I'll have to swap out. You know what was crazy? I saw the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 (MILC camera), and thought, hot damn, I found my camera! Then I looked at the price....over ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS good Lord! Hence...I went with a DSLR. So anybody have any reading recommendations? I think I saw a book in Red_Zed's thread that I will go look for. __________________ 凛 ('Rin') - 2009 Nissan 370Z With silence comes peace. With peace comes freedom. With freedom comes silence. Last edited by phelan; 06-23-2011 at 11:52 AM.