Questions about my camera choice.

[Venomhatch]

Learn with what you have for now. In the future, if you feel the need to move up (technical reasons, need increased functionality, etc) then go ahead and do so then. However, for most people, the SLRs last for many years, much longer than P&S cameras do.

Of course, lens buying becomes an addiction... and those lenses are usually more money than a top of the line P&S anyway.. but the body will last a good long while.

Also to note that today's kit lenses are VERY good, especially for starting out. They're nothing like the cheap ones that SLRs came with years ago. They won't be the end-all be-all, but until you get to the point where you need the faster and more expensive glass, they'll work just fine.

As for the different lenses, I current run my 18-55mm kit, 55-250mm kit, 50mm f/1.8, and just picked up the Sigma 8-16 f/4.5-5.6 last week (that was a present for myself due to stupidly high amounts of OT recently ). Each has a purpose and a role, whether it's simple walk-around, increased range, low light, or fun with ultra wide angles.

I did wait for a few months before I bought even the 50mm though and learned the ins and outs of my current camera on the 18-55 kit. (I did SLR photography about 10-15 years ago with an old Canon Rebel X 35mm, so I already had a handle on much of the stuff.)

Very sound advice, so if it was within my means to go ahead and get the d7000 youd say no? Or could I learn this brand and level on the 7000 instead. I just want something that I will be able to not feel left behind in. You know? I just can't stand to be behind.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Very sound advice, so if it was within my means to go ahead and get the d7000 youd say no? Or could I learn this brand and level on the 7000 instead. I just want something that I will be able to not feel left behind in. You know? I just can't stand to be behind.

What does the D7000 have on it that you'd prefer where the D5100 doesn't?

 

[Venomhatch]

What does the D7000 have on it that you'd prefer where the D5100 doesn't?

Actually your right I will just stick to my current dicision, with the d5100. I saw the manufacturing dates on the two models, and the 5100 coming out this year, i like a lot.

 

[Venomhatch]

Everyone, I am not feeling to confident about my selection. I know it seems like a roller-coaster of emotions for this purchase, but... I found something today that made me second guess this purchase.

I found that the Nikon D5100 doesn't have manual control during video recording. So no zoom in and out it is fixed. I am sorry that is not good for me. I like to zoom and pan out while video recording. So this camera may not be for me. Unless someone can prove this wrong for me.

I am almost leaning to Canon 60D. But can anyone help me. Either tell me this is not true and show that to me, or Give me a suggestion on a camera the same level as the Nikon D5100 that has the same features but more control during video. Maybe a step up but not too big up. I am not rich!

If someone is in the US and up for it Id love to have a phone conversation if someone wants to better understand where I am coming from.

Thanks to all who are helping me. I do appreciate it!
Don

 

[photo_chick]

Everyone, I am not feeling to confident about my selection. I know it seems like a roller-coaster of emotions for this purchase, but... I found something today that made me second guess this purchase.

I found that the Nikon D5100 doesn't have manual control during video recording. So no zoom in and out it is fixed. I am sorry that is not good for me. I like to zoom and pan out while video recording. So this camera may not be for me. Unless someone can prove this wrong for me.

I am almost leaning to Canon 60D. But can anyone help me. Either tell me this is not true and show that to me, or Give me a suggestion on a camera the same level as the Nikon D5100 that has the same features but more control during video. Maybe a step up but not too big up. I am not rich!

If someone is in the US and up for it Id love to have a phone conversation if someone wants to better understand where I am coming from.

Thanks to all who are helping me. I do appreciate it!
Don

DSLR's suck for video. They're still cameras first, video cameras second. They can produce great quality video when on a tripod and with most of them you can pan, zoom and focus manually. But with most DSLR's that shoot video you don't have the control you do with a good quality camcorder. They're great for making a scripted movie where you have time to practice the camera movements, but if you shoot vacation video it comes out like The Blair Witch Project.

The mirrorless cameras are supposed to do better with video, but I've not had any hands on experience with them. If that's a priority you might check into those.

 

[Venomhatch]

DSLR's suck for video. They're still cameras first, video cameras second. They can produce great quality video when on a tripod and with most of them you can pan, zoom and focus manually. But with most DSLR's that shoot video you don't have the control you do with a good quality camcorder. They're great for making a scripted movie where you have time to practice the camera movements, but if you shoot vacation video it comes out like The Blair Witch Project.

The mirrorless cameras are supposed to do better with video, but I've not had any hands on experience with them. If that's a priority you might check into those.

You made me laugh, at the blair witch part. Thank you for that. I am just so discombobulated right now, not even sure if I spelled that right. I need guidance. lol. Wish someone could go with me to the store and guide me lol.

 

[traylorc]

You made me laugh, at the blair witch part. Thank you for that. I am just so discombobulated right now, not even sure if I spelled that right. I need guidance. lol. Wish someone could go with me to the store and guide me lol.

IMHO you are feeling so discombobulated because you are trying to make the 100% perfect decision of what camera to purchase. I was in the same position over a year ago, and I spent months being paralyzed by indecisiveness instead of simply purchasing a camera and going out and shooting some pictures.

Many of these questions regarding what you need, want, or desire in your camera will be answered after you have had some time to learn more about photography and use your camera.

Don't worry about trying to find "the best camera in the history of mankind" or the "perfect camera". Find a reputable place that has a good return policy, purchase a camera, and go out and shoot.

Last bit of advice, be weary of "gear lust" or "new equipment disease". It happens to everyone after you get your first DSLR. You start thinking about the next lens, or a tripod, a monopod, the perfect camera bag, step up rings, step down rings, teleconverters....the list goes on.

Good luck!!

 

[Venomhatch]

IMHO you are feeling so discombobulated because you are trying to make the 100% perfect decision of what camera to purchase. I was in the same position over a year ago, and I spent months being paralyzed by indecisiveness instead of simply purchasing a camera and going out and shooting some pictures.

Many of these questions regarding what you need, want, or desire in your camera will be answered after you have had some time to learn more about photography and use your camera.

Don't worry about trying to find "the best camera in the history of mankind" or the "perfect camera". Find a reputable place that has a good return policy, purchase a camera, and go out and shoot.

Last bit of advice, be weary of "gear lust" or "new equipment disease". It happens to everyone after you get your first DSLR. You start thinking about the next lens, or a tripod, a monopod, the perfect camera bag, step up rings, step down rings, teleconverters....the list goes on.

Good luck!!

Omg, that bolded part in the quote mad me laugh. Yeah so whats your opinion as to my choice. I am coming from a Sony A200 series to this. I love to take pics of character greets, airplanes taking off and landing at local airports, pics from planes down, video of all of that also, random foliage shots, bugs, birds, family, and cars for ideas of what ill be imaging.

 

[traylorc]

Omg, that bolded part in the quote mad me laugh. Yeah so whats your opinion as to my choice. I am coming from a Sony A200 series to this. I love to take pics of character greets, airplanes taking off and landing at local airports, pics from planes down, video of all of that also, random foliage shots, bugs, birds, family, and cars for ideas of what ill be imaging.

I thought I read an earlier post where you indicated you went into a store and spent some time with a few cameras and decided you liked the Nikon 5100. I'm a Nikon guy, but I'm not such a Nikon fanboy that I would tell someone stay clear of another camera manufacturer.

What camera that feels best in your hands, whatever camera is more intuitive in terms of buttons and/or menus is the camera I would get.

 

[Venomhatch]

I thought I read an earlier post where you indicated you went into a store and spent some time with a few cameras and decided you liked the Nikon 5100. I'm a Nikon guy, but I'm not such a Nikon fanboy that I would tell someone stay clear of another camera manufacturer.

What camera that feels best in your hands, whatever camera is more intuitive in terms of buttons and/or menus is the camera I would get.

I had, decided that is, but I have read about the lack of manual control during video recording. The Nikon felt good, but I noticed that my pinky didn't dangle of the bottom of the grip on the canon like it did on the Nikon. I love the lens selection that I have seen with Nikon. But I want the shots i can get in a sec if i need to take advantage of an action shot. But I am trying to stay below 1300-1400 for my start up on camera and secondary lens.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Sent yout a pm with my cell#

 

[Venomhatch]

Sent yout a pm with my cell#

Thanks Can I call tomorrow? If so when is good?

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Everyone, I am not feeling to confident about my selection. I know it seems like a roller-coaster of emotions for this purchase, but... I found something today that made me second guess this purchase.

I found that the Nikon D5100 doesn't have manual control during video recording. So no zoom in and out it is fixed. I am sorry that is not good for me. I like to zoom and pan out while video recording. So this camera may not be for me. Unless someone can prove this wrong for me.

I am almost leaning to Canon 60D. But can anyone help me. Either tell me this is not true and show that to me, or Give me a suggestion on a camera the same level as the Nikon D5100 that has the same features but more control during video. Maybe a step up but not too big up. I am not rich!

If someone is in the US and up for it Id love to have a phone conversation if someone wants to better understand where I am coming from.

Thanks to all who are helping me. I do appreciate it!
Don

I think there might be a bit of miscommunication somewhere. Exactly what are you trying to manually control? If it's the zoom, there's no fears in that. Every DSLR will let you zoom in and out while taking video. The camera body has nothing to do with the zoom, zooming is all done with the lens.

I'm curious if the person may have been referring to focusing while taking video. Even so, that person might be thinking of the D5000 by mistake. The D5100 will auto focus while taking video as long as the lens has the focus motor built into it (same with taking pictures.) In fact, it's one of the biggest reasons I upgraded from the D5000 to the D5100.

Thanks Can I call tomorrow? If so when is good?

Sure. Anytime from 10am till 9pm. I work during the day but can usually talk. If I get tied up leave a message and I'll call you back.

 

[Venomhatch]

I think there might be a bit of miscommunication somewhere. Exactly what are you trying to manually control? If it's the zoom, there's no fears in that. Every DSLR will let you zoom in and out while taking video. The camera body has nothing to do with the zoom, zooming is all done with the lens.

I'm curious if the person may have been referring to focusing while taking video. Even so, that person might be thinking of the D5000 by mistake. The D5100 will auto focus while taking video as long as the lens has the focus motor built into it (same with taking pictures.) In fact, it's one of the biggest reasons I upgraded from the D5000 to the D5100.




Sure. Anytime from 10am till 9pm. I work during the day but can usually talk. If I get tied up leave a message and I'll call you back.

Ok thanks, will do... I am talking about controlling the iso and other adjustments while videoing. But yeah I will call tomorrow, thanks again!

 

[rhonimouse]

I am a very amatuer photographer, just stepping up from point and shoot and I just bought the D5100 last month after to talking with folks and checking out reviews on line. It offers a lot of scenes and effects so that I was able to take it right from the box and really begin enjoying it and actually capture some remarkable pictures. We did a family photo outing to a local sunflower field that turned out very nice and the photos of my son's football team have been so well received that parents are ordering prints (just at cost) from my smugmug albums.... I am planning on taking a few classes at a local adult vocational center to enhance my knowledge more but I am really enjoying my camera and new hobby so far! Hope you find the right camera for you

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Just an update for anyone else considering the D5100, I took a video today while on the phone with Don and it adjusts the ISO and Aperture automatically for you while recording.

Don, nice talking to you. Sorry about being a little distracted......work always finds ways to get in my way!

 

[Venomhatch]

Just an update for anyone else considering the D5100, I took a video today while on the phone with Don and it adjusts the ISO and Aperture automatically for you while recording.

Don, nice talking to you. Sorry about being a little distracted......work always finds ways to get in my way!

Yeah thanks for that by the way, you were very informative, no biggie. I ordered my remote shutter trigger and I am decided I am getting the D5100 tomorrow.

 

[Venomhatch]

Yeah thanks for that by the way, you were very informative, no biggie. I ordered my remote shutter trigger and I am decided I am getting the D5100 tomorrow.

Well I got my d5100 two days ago and love this camera. Can't wait to get my 10-20mm lens, 35 or 50mm lens, and maybe a fisheye lens. I already think I may need a bigger bag!

 

[KCmike]

Well I got my d5100 two days ago and love this camera. Can't wait to get my 10-20mm lens, 35 or 50mm lens, and maybe a fisheye lens. I already think I may need a bigger bag!

10-22, 35 or 50mm...Your seriously going "all in"! When do we get to see some of the first shots?

 

[Venomhatch]

10-22, 35 or 50mm...Your seriously going "all in"! When do we get to see some of the first shots?

Well I was unfortunately in a slip and fall at walmart, they offered me a settlement and well thank you walmart. As to first shots should start surfacing tomorrow or Tuesday, we have been in a crazy rain weekend and even though I bought the three year warranty I am still reluctant to take it out in the rain. I did take some indoor shots.