Advice needed

D

Danny

Senior Member
So I have $540 dollars saved in my bank account for a car, (I'm 16) but I've recently gotten a job working for a photography business and I feel like this will be a necessary investment. I found a manufacturer refurbished one on EBay for $484 and I just wanted to know if you would recommend this camera. I'm not a novice but I'm self taught so whatever else I need to learn, shouldn't be a problem. I understand the major things like ISO, composition, exposure, aperture and shutter speed already. Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated. :thumbup:

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W

WhiteLight

Senior Member
That's a great idea!
You can always get a car (i know how it feels at 16), but you are really going to enjoy photography.

The D5100 is a brilliant, awesome camera especially at the price it is available now.
You won't regret it!
 
K

KWJams

Senior Member
I bought a Minolta XG7 back in 1979 for what was almost an entire paycheck. Took years and years of memories with that camera and still have it.

Owned a bunch of cars, trucks and motorcycles over the years and sold, traded or retired everyone of them for one reason or another.
 
nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
check the internet for pricing of a new d5100. Full warranty unit would have me sleeping better at nite. Look at d3100 if 5100
is going to stretch the budget to much.
 
D

Danny

Senior Member
nikonpup said:
check the internet for pricing of a new d5100. Full warranty unit would have me sleeping better at nite. Look at d3100 if 5100
is going to stretch the budget to much.
Click to expand...

Actually, the camera was manufacturer refurbished so it comes with a 1-year warranty. Would you recommend the 3100 though?

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S

Somersetscott

Senior Member
Congratulations on the job!

Do they use Nikons? - may want to chat to one of the field photographers, they'll give you some good advice and perhaps a go on their cameras :).

I find old nearing retirement type people to most willing to share their knowledge and have patience for beginners questions.

I took a 4 year apprenticeship in Engineering at 16 and the oldies were the goodies when it came to advice - having moved into an office job I do miss the old guys that literally taught me my trade. College was only good for theory on those 4 long years.

The D5100 is a damn good camera, I do like it's fold out screen which is ideal for getting accurate/control on unusual perspectives on subjects. A lot of bang for the buck!

Here in the UK starting to drive (at 17) costs bloody loads of cash lol, hope its better for you guys in the US.

Good luck with your job, camera hunting and car buying.


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Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Hi Danny, welcome to this forum.

I'd say get the camera, work with it and pay for the car later. The camera will make you earn money while the car will make you spend it. For me it's a no brainer.

I've never handled the D5100, but I've hear a lot of people on this list and have seen wonderful pictures that were taken with it. It has the same sensor as the D7000 which is great and the price is right so I would not hesitate too long and get it now. The sooner you get it, the sooner you start making money with it.

Best of luck.
 
D

Danny

Senior Member
Somersetscott said:
Congratulations on the job!

Do they use Nikons? - may want to chat to one of the field photographers, they'll give you some good advice and perhaps a go on their cameras :).

I find old nearing retirement type people to most willing to share their knowledge and have patience for beginners questions.

I took a 4 year apprenticeship in Engineering at 16 and the oldies were the goodies when it came to advice - having moved into an office job I do miss the old guys that literally taught me my trade. College was only good for theory on those 4 long years.

The D5100 is a damn good camera, I do like it's fold out screen which is ideal for getting accurate/control on unusual perspectives on subjects. A lot of bang for the buck!

Here in the UK starting to drive (at 17) costs bloody loads of cash lol, hope its better for you guys in the US.

Good luck with your job, camera hunting and car buying.


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Click to expand...

Thanks! But sadly no :/ they use Canons. I'll be the rebel (ha, ironic since they use rebels) of the company with the Nikon :). Again, thank you for the good wishes sir

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D

Danny

Senior Member
Marcel said:
Hi Danny, welcome to this forum.

I'd say get the camera, work with it and pay for the car later. The camera will make you earn money while the car will make you spend it. For me it's a no brainer.

I've never handled the D5100, but I've hear a lot of people on this list and have seen wonderful pictures that were taken with it. It has the same sensor as the D7000 which is great and the price is right so I would not hesitate too long and get it now. The sooner you get it, the sooner you start making money with it.

Best of luck.
Click to expand...

Thank you Marcel. I entered a Nikon high school photographer's competition where first place is a D7000 and a $2000 grant, how awesome would it be to have the D5100 AND a 7000? Lol one can only dream...

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Katie1987

Katie1987

Senior Member
Just ran across this thread -- If i'm not too late: if you're budget allows, definitely go with the D5100. I recently upgraded from the D3100 and I wish I would have just ponied up the little extra cash to get the D5100 in the first place. I absolutely love the D5100 and have been happy with it. The nice thing about the D3100 is I sold it to my sister (at a "family discount" price) and I hope this gives her the photography bug, I've seen some of her shots with her camera phone and digital point-and-shoot and she just seems to have an eye for composition.

Hope you're happy with your purchase! I'm sure we'll all be anxious to see some of your photos!
 
E

Eye-level

Banned
OK I thought real hard about this...get you a cheap used D5000 from KEH and a couple of old school lenses...and spend the rest of the money on a first generation S10 like mine! Hey man I live a good life I'm just saying... :)

Blacked out D5000 with legendary 105 portrait lens...450 1987 Blue Chevy S10...1200 Kodak moments? Priceless! :)

Don't worry about the Canon boys...we have them covered.






 
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