Hi folks. I have been using Nikon's "entry level" DSLR D50 for six years and I love it. It is a 6 MP machine (Heavens! and no Video?) but I have always figured I didn't need 10,12, 14 MP to make billboard sized prints. At 6 MP an 8X10 print is excellent. I am now tempted, since they are probably dropping, or have already dropped these models, to buy a 3100 or 5000. I am asking for comments from any of you who own one of these, as the price is right, discounted $150 or more from the original. Pros and cons? How about the Coolpix 500? Any shutter delay? Thanks for any feedback. :question:
Hi Fitz, I own both the D3100 and the D5000. The D3100 is a newer camera model then the D5000. I purchased the D3100 about 18 months ago and the D5000 was given to me by my brother this year when he decided to purchase another body to add to his collection and I shamed him into giving me one of his older bodies. At this time I'm trying to get a second one (D3000) out of him. Wish me luck. LOL If you are thinking about a kit that has both the standard 18-55 lens and a second lens I suggest that you try to get the 55-300 instead of the 55-200. That extra 100 mm lets you reach out a bit further. The D3100 has more mpix then the d5000 but I don't think you will really notice the difference unless you want to make poster size photos. Extra batteries for the 3100 are less expensive then for the 5000. The lowest ISO setting is 100 for the 3100 and 200 for the 5000. I like to shoot with the lowest ISO possible and use manual mode most of the time. The D5000 does have the view screen the swivels and makes it nice for taking shots that you can't get down to the view finder. An example would be taking a shot of the loco coming out of the tunnel where the camera is sitting on the rails. Another is doing close ups and macro shots of things on the ground. It's hard to get your eye to the view finder when the camera is down there. The batteries for both cameras take about 90 minutes to charge from fully dead. I suggest an extra battery. Both cameras use the same type of memory cards. Please be advised that "Live View" will eat up the batteries on either model. I use both cameras on a regular basis and find them both very easy to use. Hope this helps. Regards, Gary
I am a new 3100 owner and not a camara buff. Just want to take better pics and learn some new things. I have never owned a DSLR. I did have an old Pentax back about 30 years ago... but using film at the time priced me out of taking many pics. I cannot compare it to other DSLRs, but so far I have found it easy to learn the basics and am getting better every time I use it. http://www.pegnsean.net/pics/trains/proto/6_24_12/
Gary and Sean, thanks to both of you for the feedback. The D50 doesn't even have "Live View." Can you tell me more about it? The D50 also has an almost un-rundownable (is that a word?) battery. I have taken many hundreds of photos over several days without needing to recharge it. I do have a spare and have never needed to use it. :wink:
Live view is what lets you use the LCD instead of the viewfinder. The D50 is probably the best entry-level DSLR Nikon has ever made, with more photo control (not user control) than any of the follow on models. But, there is something to say about some of the convenience features built into the newer units. As long as you can do what you want (including full manual mode), I always say "the more the merrier" when it comes to camera bodies. I agree with the D50 battery life, I can go weeks without swapping batteries.
