Top of the morning to ya

OK, figured it'd be best for me to introduce myself before I started asking annoying questions.

Currently live in South Carolina, originally from Florida. Married for (um, what is it....22, 23 years now? something like that.) Two kids, 20 yr old son and a 15, very soon to be 16 yr old daughter. You can tell I have kids because I'm totally bald at 49. Am currently under house arrest, er...I mean forced retirement as I am 1 yr post triple bypass surgery (and I have a cool scar to prove it).

Only SLR I've ever owned (and still have) is a Olympus OM 1 w/ 28-70mm lens. After 30 years, I still don't know how to use it. I'm the guy who if I ever took an award winning shot it would be by total accident. Now that's not to say I haven't taken some great shots, hell even a blind squirrel can find a nut occasionally. But I could never explain what setting I chose or for what reason. Shoot and pray seems to be my motto. But times are a changing and I decided in my infinite wisdom (translation: my wife told me to) to buy one of them newfangled digital SLRs. Yeah, you got it....no new golf clubs this year.

So, been doing some research...which means I know less now then when I started. Always loved that OM 1, but in my secret desires have always wanted to play with a Nikon. And after letting the dog vote on my choices (one bark yes, two barks no...licking the jewels means quite possibly but wait for rebates) I've narrowed it down to the 5100 or 7000. I want the 7K, but the wife has that look on her face when I mention the price as opposed to the 5100. That battle will continue up until I actually use the plastic....if I can pry it from my daughter's grip.

Which leads me to a question. Now I have frequented several websites, this being the only one I have joined and have actually gleaned a nugget or two of wisdom but am curious. It's easy to learn the why's of which camera or lens to purchase from you folks based on X, Y, Z reasons. But I kinda figured that a person can learn a great deal from the mistakes of others. We all have regrets, some profound, some embarrassing, some painful.

So....knowing what you know now and could do it over again, what would you advise a newbie NOT to do? It could be something small and silly, or something that was a very expensive lesson. Bought that widget you thought would win you that award only to have it take up space in your sock drawer?...let me know. Paid the equivalent of a mortgage payment on a lens that you just had to have only to learn that a lens for the third of the price was much better?....yeah, that's useful info. You get the idea.

The advise can be funny, or tragic. But allow me to learn from your mistakes. The life you save could be mine.....

The best advice I can give is to make sure you buy a camera that will suit your needs 1 yr from now. The last thing you want to do is spend big bucks on a camera that you outgrow in short order. Having said this, to what extent do you see yourself taking your photography? If you can envision yourself pushing this hobby into something more serious than weekend shots of the kids/grandkids, then I would suggest looking at something like the D7000 or the D600. Both will give you plenty of head room to grow but neither are too complicated for someone just getting to know Nikon's way of doing things. On the other hand, the D5100 is an awesome camera that takes wonderful images, too. It does limit you to the types of lenses you can use but the image quality is excellent.

I guess it all boils down to what you want out of your photography. A camera body is like a swiss army knife and it's up to you to decide which has the right number of tools that fit your needs. And like any tool it's up to the user to put those tools to work.

I'd recommend purchasing the camera that will not merely meet your needs currently but in the years to come, too. Budgets are of course, to be considered, and if it is tight go with the best your budget will allow. Nikon has a fabulous line of dSLRs, all at different price points. Since you have narrowed it down to two I will assume it's because you have already investigated all the available options in the Nikon line up. I doubt you will regret purchasing either of those cameras. They both are capable of capturing great images. The question is.... which one do you prefer?

I currently have the D7000 and I LOVE it. Why would I recommend it over the d5100? Well, for me, just a few things I preferred was the built in focus motor, to be able to use the older glass as well as the new was a positive. I also love that it is made in part with Magnesium Alloy construction, so it's body is bit more durable, it fits well in my hands, the weather sealing, the 39 focus points versus the 11 with the d5100, it has 9 cross points vs 1 with the d5100, Dual storage slots so you can continue to shoot without changing cards midway through. I also love having instant access to some of the features via dedicated buttons and not having to navigate through the menus to make those changes...Just a few of the selling points for me.

If you are not interested in using old glass or having a built in focus motor, go with the d5100. It's cheaper, has an articulating screen, the sensor is the same, and you will still have a terrific camera. The money you save could be used to pick up an extra lens as you determine where you want to take your photography. Look through the forum and see some of the shots taken with both cameras; they are excellent!

Welcome to Nikonites, Knave. The advice you have been given so far would be my recommendation, too. Just remember....Happy Wife, Happy Life.

I was forced (some real arm twisting) into a D3100 by a friend who, after seeing my photos for the past two years, thought I could do better with an upgrade. OK, entry level and two lenses it gives me time to work on the learning curve before I upgrade again. Also allowed me to spend a little on a few extras. In the end it still boils down to the wants, needs and the satisfaction of the person behind the camera. IMHO

Dave