Should I buy a decent camera?

[g8ina]

Does the D3100 have a lens motor fitted ? I cant remember. If not it may limit choice of lenses.

[GeorgeStorm]

No idea, I can ask.
Just posted them to show the kinda stuff I've been offered, not entirely sure if they are good deals, think they are.
£400 is my max.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The D3100 like the D40 lacks a focusing motor in the camera body.

[g8ina]

Thanks Cat, I thought so.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

your not trying hard enough.





http://stillmotionblog.com/2011/02/0...he-helmet-cam/

http://www.videomaker.com/community/...met-camera-rig

what the hell?

[GeorgeStorm]

Been wondering how you guys use your cameras?

As in whether you just take it whereever you go, and just take pictures of things you like the look of, or whether you deliberately go places/do things so you can take pictures?

[g8ina]

George, take a look at my Flickr pages in my sig.

I do macro of insects, dragon/damselflies, birds, and infrareds of churches.

I do tend to plan my shoots, but there is always a camera in the car, plus my Sony Xperia Arc which has a fairly good 8MP camera built in.

[kalniel]

Been wondering how you guys use your cameras?

As in whether you just take it whereever you go, and just take pictures of things you like the look of, or whether you deliberately go places/do things so you can take pictures?

Both. Different people have different criteria for their cameras. I wanted something small and light, even with lenses, so I could take it on walks etc. I don't carry it with me on the off chance, but any time it's a nice/interesting day I'll put it in my bag, or anytime I visit relatives or go anywhere interesting.

[GeorgeStorm]

Fair enough, as I've said, I see myself being the kinda guy who will go places/do things so I can take pictures, rather than have the sudden urge to capture something.

[Saracen]

Been wondering how you guys use your cameras?

As in whether you just take it whereever you go, and just take pictures of things you like the look of, or whether you deliberately go places/do things so you can take pictures?

Like Kal, I do both.

My setup for a given day might be anything from a decent quality shirt-pocket compact, to a DSLR, macro lens or two, extenders, twin-flash and tripod, and a host of bits from filters, to reflectors, to white balance targets.

It's kinda what I meant when I said earlier, depends what you want it for.

I've lugged a good part of that clobber over most of the planet, a good few times, but I might also just go out with a compact point-and-shoot. Nothing you can buy will give all the advantages of both ends of the spectrum, so you either have to have multiple options, or if that's not practical (or not practical yet), work out what your priorities are and what you'll sacrifice, for now. i.e. what will you use the most, and what will you miss the least.

[Bobster]

Been wondering how you guys use your cameras?

i beat people round the head with mine..

[j.o.s.h.1408]

Been wondering how you guys use your cameras?

As in whether you just take it whereever you go, and just take pictures of things you like the look of, or whether you deliberately go places/do things so you can take pictures?

i sometimes take mine to work. I work in central london near london bridge. I usually lug around my 70-200mm f2.8 lens. such an amazing piece of kit man!

[TheAnimus]

i beat people round the head with mine..

You might jest but I've actually done that before with a k20d, someone decided to threaten me for it in Bangkok, I don't think he expected me to hit him as hard as I could with it... Didn't even scratch it. Funny thing is, whilst I'm selling one, I should probably sell that one too, as I've no need for it, but I'm very emotionally attached to my first DSLR, hell first SLR since the OM1!

</Aside >

[GeorgeStorm]

Well, I think I'm pretty close to buying.
At the moment, the D3100 looks like the frontrunner, since I'd like it to be able to record video aswell (not something I'll be using a massive amount, but I'd like to have the option)

Looking at £340 for the stock body and lens, or £370 for it with a 18-105mm VR lens, would it be worth the extra money?
Both under 4000 actuations.
Other option is to spend £400ish and get one with a Sigma 18-50 2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM lens, although no idea if that's worth it. I'd be getting a 3rd party battery grip and battery aswell.

Which of those sound the best? Chose the D3100 over the 500D which I could get for roughly the same price, since it just seemed to be slightly better.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Get the 18-105MM VR.

[kalniel]

They feel very different in the hands, so go to shop and try them both, and go with the one you're most happy operating. Do NOT buy either of them without doing this first. There is no other difference between them of consequence to a new shooter.

Why third party grip? If you need it to make the camera comfortable then consider getting a bigger body in the first place. (Unless it's free )

What is the specification/full designation of the kit lens you would normally get with the camera in each case? If the quality is poor then it might be worth considering at upgrade from the start, but more recent kit lenses from the big two are finally catching up to some decent quality, to the point where you're better off buying a dedicated telephoto lens in addition if you need extra reach.