In the market for a DSLR

[gbru316]

I'm in the market for a new camera, specifically a DSLR. I've never owned a DSLR before, but I've played around with a 35mm SLR years ago, so I'm familiar with aperture, shutter speed, iso, etc on a very basic level. I also have a coolpix 4300 that I bought 10 years ago that I've managed to take some decent pictures with using manual mode.

I'm trying to decide between the Canon t3i, Nikon d5100 and the Nikon d90. I know that the d90 is obsolete, but I like that it has more buttons and an internal af motor making af glass cheaper. However, the d5100 has a better sensor, especially for high iso shots, and I like the folding LCD's of both the t3i and the d5100. I'd love a d7000, but that's out of my price range. I'd like to spend less than $500.

I realize that I really can't go wrong with any of these bodies, but I'm having a hard time making a decision. Other than price (They all seem to be within about $100 of each other, refurbished/used), is there anything that would be a determining factor?

 

[djberg]

If you're contemplating the d90 why not a d300? Again pretty much obsolite but so is my d700 lol.

 

[gbru316]

If you're contemplating the d90 why not a d300? Again pretty much obsolite but so is my d700 lol.

That's a good point.

Another thing I like about the t3i: The histogram. The d5100 doesn't have one. However, the d5100 has a higher fps and takes more pics before filling up the buffer.


Question: Is it common to shoot above iso 1600? That's where the signal to noise ratio difference really begins to present itself between the d5100 and t3i.

 

[djberg]

After buying the d700 and shooting is dark places, I felt like I should have went with the d300 and a few strobes. High iso is rad but it still doesn't like truly dark areas. In spots with low naturalnlight is great, but like a skatepark that's all dark masonite and lit by florwcent t12s pretty much worthless, lookes like my old d80 @1600...

 

[gbru316]

So if I plan on taking photos in low light areas, or movement in low light areas, I should stick with the newer sensor? The d5100 has better signal to noise ratio by about 2 dB across the band from ISO100 through ISO6400 as compared to the d300.

We're expecting our first child in March, which is what is prompting this purchase. The primary use will be family pictures, but I'll most likely use it for outdoor and aquarium photography as well. I'm sure there will spontaneous low-light occasions where setting up flash isn't possible.

 

[Holyreefer]

I'm in the market for a new camera, specifically a DSLR. I've never owned a DSLR before, but I've played around with a 35mm SLR years ago, so I'm familiar with aperture, shutter speed, iso, etc on a very basic level. I also have a coolpix 4300 that I bought 10 years ago that I've managed to take some decent pictures with using manual mode.

I'm trying to decide between the Canon t3i, Nikon d5100 and the Nikon d90. I know that the d90 is obsolete, but I like that it has more buttons and an internal af motor making af glass cheaper. However, the d5100 has a better sensor, especially for high iso shots, and I like the folding LCD's of both the t3i and the d5100. I'd love a d7000, but that's out of my price range. I'd like to spend less than $500.

I realize that I really can't go wrong with any of these bodies, but I'm having a hard time making a decision. Other than price (They all seem to be within about $100 of each other, refurbished/used), is there anything that would be a determining factor?

We bought the D90 Nikon about 7 years ago and love it!
We have now about 3-4 different lenses for it as well and it's honestly a great product

Don't stress yourself out about the difference between canon & Nikon as both companies make good lenses & cameras it just comes down to 1.either your thAt camera savy 2. Most folks I come across personal preference.
I can tell you I recently did a model shoot for a major company and noticed the photographer was shooting with a canon so I asked the typical ? Of "do you prefer canon or Nikon" his response was dude they both are good companies I shot with both don't become bias to a name brand

 

[gbru316]

We bought the D90 Nikon about 7 years ago and love it!
We have now about 3-4 different lenses for it as well and it's honestly a great product

Don't stress yourself out about the difference between canon & Nikon as both companies make good lenses & cameras it just comes down to 1.either your thAt camera savy 2. Most folks I come across personal preference.
I can tell you I recently did a model shoot for a major company and noticed the photographer was shooting with a canon so I asked the typical ? Of "do you prefer canon or Nikon" his response was dude they both are good companies I shot with both don't become bias to a name brand

Yeah I'm not sold on either brand. I want the most bang for my buck, regardless of who makes it. The problem is, I'm not experienced enough to know what I actually need. Is good IQ above ISO1600 necessary? Is 4 fps good enough for children's sporting events? Does a histogram make much of a difference when determining proper exposure? How often do you adjust settings when shooting in aperture and shutter priority modes, and will I be hassled with the menu based setting selection vs button based?

I understand that I will be the weakest link regardless of which body I choose because of my inexperience.

 

[Holyreefer]

Yeah I'm not sold on either brand. I want the most bang for my buck, regardless of who makes it. The problem is, I'm not experienced enough to know what I actually need. Is good IQ above ISO1600 necessary? Is 4 fps good enough for children's sporting events? Does a histogram make much of a difference when determining proper exposure? How often do you adjust settings when shooting in aperture and shutter priority modes, and will I be hassled with the menu based setting selection vs button based?

I understand that I will be the weakest link regardless of which body I choose because of my inexperience.

Ok when we were in the market we had crazy questions like that too that never got answered so what we did was buy it and started shooting & playing with the settings so you know what works best for you. Within us doing that we then learned our lenses abilities. Once we got that down we then started noticing out limits per lenses so now we have a lens for macro shots, extra long shots, family pic taking, shooting raw, there are so many options it's not even funny . The faster the shutter speed on the lenses the faster it's ability to shoot something. So if we went to a Knicks game & u wanted to get a shot of Carmelo Anthony clear with no blur you would get a lenses that has a faster shutter speed because a non fast one won't catch the action shot your looking for. When shooting our tanks you have to sometimes play with the whit balance etc...but you learn the more you shoot

 

[gbru316]

So it comes down to what I'm the most comfortable with, physically, and the price?

Another feature that I'm not sure will make an impact that is on the t3i and not the d5100 (but present on the other nikons): depth of field preview.

 

[djberg]

Pretty much yeah, technology is so fast all of the new camera gear is sweet!

And I gotta laugh my daughter wwas the reason for my first dslr, and wanting to take a picture now not in 2 seconds.