cameras

Broodie, may I suggest something?

Check to see if it can take photos in 16X9 aspect ratio.

I put all my photos on a thumbdrive and plug it into my TV and run it as a slideshow. 16X9 means the whole screen is used.

If the Nikon can't do that, have a look at the range of Sony DSLRs.

Cheers

I think the days of even averadge cameras have gone. Sure they might bring out better ones but your really splitting hairs these days unless your a top line proffesional

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond5100/22

Broodie

I went through this exercise last year and as said most camera's in a similar range, nowadays are pretty good.

The advice I finally followed was to go and "feel" the camera's in a store, also look for things like lens mounts (eg plastic or metal) lens availability for required shots you like shooting.

My original choice was the Nikon ,Cannon, Sony but eventually I went for a Pentax K5 with 18-135 zoom lens !

It just felt right in my hands does what I wanted it to do and I just love it the more I use it.

Broodie,

just to throw your search into total confusion, I use a Sony HX9V when travelling overseas or when a small camera is needed.

It is, I believe, a pocket camera with SLR features.

There is a new HX20V which has replaced it.

If you look at my blog GB in a BT all the photos taken on the trip to Norway were taken with that small Sony, including the panoramas.

Hi,

I have an outdated Nikon D90 and still love it.

Check out Ken Rockwell's review.
Ken Rockwell

People tend to love or hate this guy but in my opinion he does do some good Nikon reviews.

Regards,
David.

Hi Broodie,

I have the Nikon D5000, the older version of the 5100. This was my first DSLR camera and a great choice IMHO amongst a raft of similair cameras. I have the Nikon 18-55 and 55-200 lenses and this covers virtually all my needs. It takes a great shot and you can use it from full auto to full manual as you progress.

Interestingly, I still use my Olympus Tough more than the Nikon! The Olympus lives in my pocket so is always on hand and great for taking the more candid shots and would take like 80% of all my shots. While the Nikon lives in a slingshot bag, I tend to only grab it for scenery of set shots.

While I wouldn't be without my Nikon now, I am suprised how much I still use the Olympus. But must admit when I get to look at the pics I often say I wish I took that one with the Nikon, the quality is that much better.

Cheer

Captain

Hi Broodie,

It's a great entry level DSLR. I am personally a Canon man because I prefer the user interface and I love the Canon range of lenses for reasons I won't bore you with here but it is much of a muchness really. Nissan/Toyota, Potato/Potarto! The only thing I would say about the Canon equivalent to this camera (from memory the 600D) is that it produces brighter/contrastier JPEG's straight out of the camera. It's actually a fairly significant difference however if you are shooting manually this can be easily compensated for.

What you have to ask yourself is what you want to get out of your Photography. If you want to learn the finer points and learn how to shoot manually including learning how to take long exposures including moving water, lightning and night exposures then steer clear of the point and shoot style cameras. Some of the newer ones have some fantastic functions but you simply do not have the control you will find with a DSLR. I took these shots recently in the Pilbara with a Canon 5DmkII which is basically a scaled up version of a 60D withy more functions and a full frame sensor.

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The movement in the sky you can see in these shots is difficult to capture without a "bulb" setting which allows you to control exposure length etc. If you're like me you will be hooked from the word go. The minute you snap that first great image you will want to keep going and improve. It is with this in mind that I urge you to go with the DSLR. Good luck!

Craig

Broodie,

Is your budget very limited? If not, I would suggest one of the mid-range Canons like the 60D. I got a 60D body recently for my 50th. I managed to source adapter rings so it can use my old Zeiss and Tamron lenses so I'm a happy chappy. If you need the lenses as well, there are plenty of package deals going. I liked the 60D because the LCD viewfinder on the back can be swivelled to just about any angle. This is very useful when you are taking closeups in awkward positions, or have the camera on a low tripod. If you want to, you can run it in full auto mode for easy photography. As you want to get more experimental or achieve more with it, drag out the manual (and yes, it does come with a printed manual) and go through it.

Like most cameras these days, they'll do a lot more than the old SLRs we used to have. However, like the old SLRs, the photo quality is often dictated by the quality of the lens. It might not be the last camera body you'll ever buy, but get the right lenses and you can pass them on to your grandkids. I still have an excellent Zeiss 50mm lens that is 30 years old and works just fine on the new Canon body.

Brodie

If you are a novice (I thought you said that), book yourself into a photography course. I recently purchased a DSLR , after not having a SLR for 20 years.

What these cameras do now is phenomenal. Though it's all there in the instruction manual, I didn't grasp it until I did a course run by a professional photographer.

Mark

Broodie H3
G'day
I have a Nikon D5100 with the Nikkor 18-55mm lens, as well as the Nikkor 55-300mm lens. I bought it about 12 months ago and found it to be a good all round
camera.It takes excellent photos and has been trouble free.
My outfit cost about AU$1000. They are probably a bit cheaper than this now as they have been on the market for a couple of years.
Regards
Jeff.O

Hi Broodie,

Onlly you can decide which best suits your needs.

I reckon you can't go wrong with a Nikon if that is the brand you are leaning towards.. I bought a Nikon D7000 late last year after using a Pentax for the previous few years.
While I was happy with the Pentax, it was an entry level camera and only certain lenses would fit it. Also for me it was time to challenge myself and learn to use more than the Auto settings.

With Nikon (or Canon or Sony) there is a much bigger choice of lenses and it is one of the advantages of owning a SLR camera.

The D7000 has two card slots and is so complex that I will no doubt be learning how to use all the feature for years yet.

You will probably be able to download free video workshops or buy books which explain in detail how to use the features of your particular camera, so have a look at what is available. Or if you live in one of the major capital cities, you may be able to go to a Nikon workshop.
Sometimes the manual is a bit confusing.

Whatever you choose...get out there and enjoy.

regards,

Heather

Broodie,

This is where I bought mine:

DWI digital cameras

Check their prices on the other brands/models you are interested in. I got very good service and the price was excellent.

The camera was shipped from Hong Kong.

I have a Nikon D5100 and am very happy with it. I had a Nikon film SLR from about 1997 to 2002 when I got a small compact digital. After going through a fuji cross over camera I finally got myself the D5100 a year ago with the 18-55 and 55-300 twin lense kit.
A good all round camera with very good low light performance.

My Photos are on Flickr here

There is also a D5100 group on Flickr here

As well as traditional paper books that will help you get the most from the Nikon D5100 you can get an e book called the Nikon D5100 experiencehere

Hi Broodie.
A lot of advice above and I will add that the Nikon that you are considering or a Canon brand is a good lead into DSLR shooting.
Having said that please understand that the art of shooting good shots is with the photographer and NOT the camera he/she uses.
Quality shots are made after much practice and even after many years of experience you will find that probably only 10% of your shots will be worthwhile keepers.
If you are looking at Landscape work get yourself a good tripod also and use it often.
Try to shoot in the "golden hours" being first light in the morning or late light in the afternoon.
Light is everything in quality photography.
Courses will help as well but the main thing is to get out and practice , practice and practice more.
Take several shots of the same scene using differing settings and when you get home see what gives you the best results.
It is a great hobby and a wonderful way to capture your trips and relive them over and over.
Good luck.

Peter
http://peterwpa1.zenfolio.com/

Hi my 2 bobs worth
I am going thru the process of selecting a new dslr and have done a couple of courses to help me along. As has been stead nikon/canon/sony etc from what the 'professionals' have said is what suits your feel and needs is currently whats best for you. personally I like canon due to its heavier feel.
anyway there are currently some excellent online buys with Australian warranty. Kogan off a nikon 5100 dslr for 499 camera only also a couple of options with lenses. max price was 869 with 2 lenses.

Regards

M
PS i shop regularly online using a paypal account and in3 years of buying and selling on a weekly basis have had no problems. BUT i do a lot of research into the suppliers first.

Broodie, D5100 is a fantastic camera. I recommended it to my brother a year ago when it came out, along with the 28-300 full frame lens. He loves it. But that was a year ago, Nikon is about to release an affordable full frame (36x24mm) DSLR called the D600. APS-C sensors (24x16mm) are going more toward mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras like on the Sony NEX series. Go full frame! Wait for the D600. Get the 28-300 lens to go with it. That's actually the combination I am getting. I am told the D600 will be out around September. If you can't wait, D5100 is fantastic, I have used it.

Thank you to all that have contributed to my quandary of a camera to buy, We have finally brought a Nikon 5100 dslr, twin kit, tripod hdmi cable16gb memory card,and a camera case the lenses are 18-55 and 70-300mm with delivery and insurance $871.95 ex Melbourne so they reckon I should have it by Saturday at the earliest Monday at the latest. I just want to thank every one that has contributed so much to the question, your in put has been invaluable to me and my wife. thank you so very much. I will post some photos when I get some proficiency with it. thank you once again.
Broodie H3 and pj

This is an information update for all who thankfully gave their time and knowledge for my quest for a new camera. I have just taken delivery of a new NIKON D5100, and the battery is on charge as I am typing this reply to you, Photos following. Does anyone know how long it takes to charge the battery.
Broodie H3

Congratulations on your 5100 - welcome to the Nikon family :) A good online information resource is nikonians.org There are hundreds of thousands members, with many in Australia. You will come across an acronym "NAS" that is a well documented disease - Nikon Acquisition Syndrome" The beauty of a DSLR is what you can add over time to produce a particular result including lenses, filters, flashes etc etc.

I have a D300 with fast lenses and other additions. One of the sports I photograph is fencing. Always inside, fast moving, crowded venues. I often get comments from other parents about the great photos and why theirs never turn out as well. Apart from lots of practise, it is this type of situation which sorts out the point-and-shoot cameras from DSLRs.Bright sunlight, nice landscapes and slow subjects you can shoot with almost anything and get a pleasing result. It's the difficult situation (in my case fencing) where $4k of camera/lens/grip vs $200 makes a difference. Travel photography often presents similar "difficult situations" which are fleeting and in variable light or conversely provide the time to properly compose an image. As you learn more about your own preferences and how to achieve the look you're after (using depth a field to isolate a subject, slow shutter speeds to smooth water as examples) you can add to your kit. The 5100 is a great foundation.

All the best,

Adrian

[/fi]]Image Could Not Be Found[/url]I wish to thank everyone that contributed to my search for a camera. I said I would post some of my first photo's for you to look at, any criticism or advice on how to improve will be greatly appreciated. Once again thank you very much for the input that I received from you all
Broodie

I am trying to down load some photo's and not having much luck, so bear with me and I shall try agian. Broodie