I am thinking of upgrading my DSLR, i have a couple of lens, so would like a body that would fit these, what would be a sensible step up from the D3100? nothing to fancy, and nothing that is going to break the bank!
I upgraded to a D7100, but with Nikon you can use the lenses you have for the D3100 on pretty much any other Nikon DSLR body. If you go to Nikon's website, you can check compatibility.
I suppose the question is, what is it that you need that the D3100 doesn't offer?
I have the D5100 which I like a lot although I slightly regret not having bought the D7100 for the inbuilt autofocus motor which makes it compatible with a greater range of Nikon lenses.
Something else to throw into the mix: you can get a reconditioned s/h full frame D600 for the same price or less as a new D7100. (although I think there were complaints about dirty D600 sensors at one point...)
Thanks jasper, I will have a look at that.. My d3100 is starting to show its age, iI have had it for abut 5 years now, so thought it would be a good time to upgrade. Thanks for the advise!
I suggest to you to check D7100 or D7200. With the D7xx series and beyond you can use AF-D, older nikon lenses and third party lenses all without internal focussing motor, opening a new door to you for exploring photography.
If you have DX lenses and go for full frame on a D600 or D610 the crop factor applied to sensor with DX lenses mounted will lower your sensor captured images from 24mp to 10mp.
Hello again - I had the D5100 when I started and loved it. Perfect to learn on. I have also used the D3100 which is a great little camera.
I considered full frame a year ago when I up graded. I then had the opportunity to use a D800 (full frame). Eventually I went for the D7100. Why?
1. Cost - I had lenses that would fit - a full frame would mean new lenses. I am an amateur/enthusiast. I do not sell pictures. The camera body was half the price as a full frame.
2. Size - full frame weigh a lot - seriously bulky.
3. Functions - I am a simple chap - I shoot in M mode mostly
4. The camera is way better than I will ever be - for twice the price does it give me twice the results.......?
5. It does not limit me in any way technically, I am the limited one.
6. You cannot tell the difference between a full frame camera and a crop sensor when looking at the pictures it is all about the pictures not so much the equipment.
7. Lenses are cheaper (still expensive but cheaper)
The DX7100 is a very capable camera - I still have not used it to its fullest potential. I didn't use my D5100 to its fullest potential either.
If I were in the same position now I would still go for the D7100.
Two things that the D7200 does appreciably better than the D7100 - a much deeper buffer so high speed drive mode will get you more than twice the capacity of the D7100 before buffer overflow and neat in-camera time lapse video with nice flicker reduction. Indeed, if you are in to video, the D7200 implementation is significantly better all round than in the D7100. But is that worth the $1,100 body only MSRP? I am more than comfortable keeping my D7100 until the next significant Nikon new product cycle.
The D5300 is also an excellent choice - it's the same sensor as the D5500 and probably a tad better than the D7100. But there are significantly more very useful "advanced" features that you won't find on any of the D5xxx cameras - built-in flash as a wireless commander, significantly more exposure auto bracketing options, really intelligent Auto-ISO Sensitivity, a full 51 (rather than 39) focus points covering more of the frame, better 3-D AF tracking, superb auto focus especially in low light (at least two stops better and the 7200 better than the 7100) and full 100% viewfinder visibility to list just seven...
I was able to buy a used Nikon lens - 28-300mm FX lens -- at KEH which is an online company that sells used equipment. I don't know of others' experiences with them, but they were good to deal with and fair with their prices. You might want to see what they have available.
Thanks guys, i am deffinatly looking at the D7100, i have been also recommended it from other sources as well.
If i just purchased a body only my kit lens will fit from my D3100?
Thanks
also has anyone had any dealing from the SLR Hut, they have cheap prices, and some decent reviews, but i know the old saying if its too good to be true it probably is!
@taffy I have this lens too, and I have it on my D7100 almost all the time. I find it is a great "walk around" lens. It would perhaps be even better for you and your D610 (I think I remember), with the 28 short end a lot wider than on my APS-C camera, yet 300mm still nicely long.
@andy_holding BE CAREFUL!!! with SLR Hut. I have a very good friend that bought a Canon 1Dx and it has been a complete disaster from start to finish - he most certainly received a used camera but has been left with it and they wouldn't refund his money.
i agree with the others above, the D7100 is really great (i used to own one). You really get a lot more camera in the D7100 vs the D5xxx. Not only in terms of features but the ergonomics are *much* improved - to me it feels like a proper camera not a toy.
I suggest you avoid FX cameras if you are on a budget, the camera body price is not too bad but getting quality lenses is where it really hurts...
@andy_holding A great discussion and since I shoot with a D3100, here are my two cents. A few folks have suggested that you need to know why you are upgrading to determine what would be the most appropriate camera body. This makes very good sense to me. Nikon's recent selection of DX format DSLRs have all been excellent, so there are no bad choices here. Do you want exposure bracketing? A better sensor? Weatherproof sealing? More focus points and better A/F performance? Wireless flash commander? For me, I like light and small camera bodies. I am willing to sacrifice many of the above features for small size and light weight. And since I have sold 3 images this year taken with my D3100, I plan to keep using it until it breaks. Let us know what you end up with and try before you buy!
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I have the D5100 which I like a lot although I slightly regret not having bought the D7100 for the inbuilt autofocus motor which makes it compatible with a greater range of Nikon lenses.
Something else to throw into the mix: you can get a reconditioned s/h full frame D600 for the same price or less as a new D7100. (although I think there were complaints about dirty D600 sensors at one point...)
If you have DX lenses and go for full frame on a D600 or D610 the crop factor applied to sensor with DX lenses mounted will lower your sensor captured images from 24mp to 10mp.
I considered full frame a year ago when I up graded. I then had the opportunity to use a D800 (full frame). Eventually I went for the D7100. Why?
1. Cost - I had lenses that would fit - a full frame would mean new lenses. I am an amateur/enthusiast. I do not sell pictures. The camera body was half the price as a full frame.
2. Size - full frame weigh a lot - seriously bulky.
3. Functions - I am a simple chap - I shoot in M mode mostly
4. The camera is way better than I will ever be - for twice the price does it give me twice the results.......?
5. It does not limit me in any way technically, I am the limited one.
6. You cannot tell the difference between a full frame camera and a crop sensor when looking at the pictures it is all about the pictures not so much the equipment.
7. Lenses are cheaper (still expensive but cheaper)
The DX7100 is a very capable camera - I still have not used it to its fullest potential. I didn't use my D5100 to its fullest potential either.
If I were in the same position now I would still go for the D7100.
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-Camera-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B00BZVTZ54/ref=sr_1_3?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1446513156&sr=1-3&keywords=D7100
Two things that the D7200 does appreciably better than the D7100 - a much deeper buffer so high speed drive mode will get you more than twice the capacity of the D7100 before buffer overflow and neat in-camera time lapse video with nice flicker reduction. Indeed, if you are in to video, the D7200 implementation is significantly better all round than in the D7100. But is that worth the $1,100 body only MSRP? I am more than comfortable keeping my D7100 until the next significant Nikon new product cycle.
The D5300 is also an excellent choice - it's the same sensor as the D5500 and probably a tad better than the D7100. But there are significantly more very useful "advanced" features that you won't find on any of the D5xxx cameras - built-in flash as a wireless commander, significantly more exposure auto bracketing options, really intelligent Auto-ISO Sensitivity, a full 51 (rather than 39) focus points covering more of the frame, better 3-D AF tracking, superb auto focus especially in low light (at least two stops better and the 7200 better than the 7100) and full 100% viewfinder visibility to list just seven...
Good luck with whatever you decide on.
Also d3100.
Also 5 years old.
And am thinking what to buy...
If i just purchased a body only my kit lens will fit from my D3100?
Thanks
Thanks
I suggest you avoid FX cameras if you are on a budget, the camera body price is not too bad but getting quality lenses is where it really hurts...