dslr for xmas

For xmas I am getting a dslr. My family already has a sony, however I am getting my own now and am interested in getting something a little better. I have a lot of experience with the nikon as that is what PSU rents out to its students.

Now I have narrowed it down to either a D90 or the newer D3100. Both have their pros and cons when compared to each other... I am leaning more towards the 3100, I think... but im not sure. Which would you buy?

Also, can anyone speak from experience how the stock lens is... the 18-55mm lens? And what lens do you prefer for shooting macro?

 

Hi Dingo.

This should probably be moved to the bucket. 

Its all about the optics and not so much the body of the camara. I strongly suggest you purchase a true macro lens. I suggest a 100MM non zoom true macro – I use the canon EF 100MM 1:2.8. An amazing lens. The 18-55 that will come with the camera is a trash in my opinion (but then again I am a camera snob). I ordered the body without the lens and purchased the optics from B&H Photo.

For the all around lens I suggest the 17-55 similar to what comes in the packages. I purchased the EF IS F2.8 and am amazed. Image Stabilizer is amazing and the 2.8 aperture lets in so much light I often do not require a flash indoors. A high selling feature for my children’s events requiring “no-flash photography”. For the zoom I went over board and no need to diguss, but I will say I bought two more optics and one shoots craters on the moons surface (with the use of a tripod).

As for your specific housing questions – I am a canon guy, but I am on photography forums as well. The Nikon is a great camera. The 3100 does not have a focusing motor in the body as the 90 does, there is no auto bracket, vertical grip or low-pass filter. But the 3100 is cheaper – so it comes down to preference. No one can answer that for you but you – are this items important to you and worth the extra cash ? Most info on the net will tell you the 90 performs better.

Edit - just googled this link of a coparison between the two bodies:

http://artoftheimage.blogspot.com/2010/08/nikon-d3100-vs-nikon-d90.html

 

Dingo, I think Crimson Ghost provided the info you need to help make your decision, but just to backup what he's saying...

I have the Nikon D80 and D3000 (this one was a gift), I also have the 18-55 nikkor VR lens, not a bad lens but for your tank photography you should definitely invest in a true macro. I would get something in the 90mm-100mm range, check out tamron or the nikkor lens. I have the nikkor 60mm f2.8 macro AF lens, very sharp lens and well built in my opinion, however if I had to do it again I would get a 90mm because with the 60 you have to be too close to your subject for macro shots and sometimes it's not easy getting close to corals in a tank.

As far as the body goes, as CG already mentioned, the 3100 does not have a motorized body so you would always buy AF-s lens if you want it to AF. I rarely ever use my 3000 because I don't like the feel of it. If you could spend the extra few $$ I would get the 90 over the 3100, on the body it has a lot to do with preference, most dslr bodies would do the job...especially the Nikons...figure I'd throw that in there since CG is a Cannon guy;D

 

The d90 is way better then the d3100. You can get a d5000 for the same price as a 3100 and it has a much better sensor. (its the same sensor as the d90) If you can afford it I would definitely go for the d90 but you can't go wrong with the d5000. The reason I opted for the Nikon is personal preference. The Nikon felt better in my hand and I don't like the cheap feeling of the Canon.(unless you opt for the metal body) As Crimson stated the lens is one of the most important parts so if you go body only you can get whichever lens you feel you need. Hope this helps.8)

 

Dingo, I shot this picture this morning with my 100MM 2.8, dark outside, lights off in my room, in tank moon lights on - no flash. I put on my old 3.5 lens (18-55mm) and attempted the same shot but the camera would not take it as it was too dark. This is the difference between the 3.5 and 2.8 len's - I hope this help you a little as well.

I should also note, this particular lens is AF IS 1:2.8 cannon -- thus a $1,100 lens....but its much cheaper without IS.

Do you know what this is a picture of?

oh yeah, dirty glass so its not the clearest shot....

 

Wow..I'm clueless to all of this...but that picture has me sold lol

 

I'm actually a professional wedding photography (I shoot all Canon, sorry). Fast lenses are a must. Most of the kit lenses that come with cameras (the zooms) are variable f/stop. Usually 3.5-5.6. These lens are usually not fast enough (let in enough light) to take good photos indoors without a flash. Everything in my camera bag is 2.8 or faster.

Your other option is to crank up the ISO. It will produce more noise in the image, but noise reduction software can lessen the effect.

Nikon and Canon both make great cameras, so you'll be fine. Photography was my first love, then fish!

 

….Or faster? Damn !! Jealously setting in over here !!

 

First, thank you all for such great responses! Secondly, I do love the feel of the D90 that i can rent from campus so I might go with it then. Didnt they just come out with an upgraded replacement for the D90 though? I dont want to be getting a camera that is on its way to being outdated.

to address a few other things brought up; generally speaking, the higher the mm the more "macro" a lens is, right? so if I were to get a lens that is say 200mm would that be better and more macro than a 105mm?

lastly, is there a true benefit to having a motor for focus? most of my shots are manually focused anyways so how much better does the motor make them? im looking at a D90 right now and didnt even know it had a motor until I did some reading this morning lol

just a guess... but bubble coral?

 

a true Macro is a lens that can acheive magnification of 1:1

Yes, you are correct - that's my bubble coral.....he survived me ignoring my tank while I was working on that project, I was very pleased.

Since we have a professional photographer posting I will let him respond to your questions -- I am just a dad taking pictures of the kids ! But I like to do my homework !!