My first Camera

<p>Hi everyone I work in comet and we have a decent range of cameras, I spoke to one of the camera guys and he recommended this one for me: <a href="http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/677388/NIKON-D3100-18-55-VR">http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/677388/NIKON-D3100-18-55-VR</a><br>

Its just over £500 pounds in the shop but being and employee and the camera being the last 1 in stock I can get a very good deal on it. Around £380.<br>

Any tips? : P </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>Cemal: The D3100 has got good reviews, and seems to be a good entry-level camera (and the kit lens is fine). It's very recent - pop into a nearby newsagent and you'll probably find a magazine reviewing it (unfortunately you're a week too late for Amateur Photographer). DPReview.com has a preview.<br />

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Just a word of warning: I'm concerned by your comment that it's the last one in stock. The D3000, as opposed to D3100, has just been discontinued; it's significantly inferior, in resolution, image noise in low light, and handling speed. Not that it's a bad camera, but if that's what you're being offered, it's much less of a good deal. I just thought I'd be paranoid and check. :-)<br />

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I doubt anyone here would advise you against the D3100. There are alternatives by competitors, but the D3100 is a perfectly good piece of kit, and a good entry into the Nikon system.<br />

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That said, I've only glossed over a few reviews in magazines - I've never actually tried to use one, so I wouldn't trust my opinion. If it's your first DSLR, have a play and see how you get on - no point in buying it if you find it makes your hand cramp in five minutes. If it's your first <i>camera</i>, have a play and compare it to some compacts (like the Canon S95 or G12) and mirrorless systems (Olympus PEN, Panasonic GF1, Samsung models, Sony NEX). There's nothing wrong with the D3100 so long as a DSLR is what you want; if you want something to fit in a pocket, it's a poor choice.<br />

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I hope that (uninformed opinion) helps.</p>

<p>It is not clear whether this is your first camera or your first upgrade to a DSLR. If you are new to photography, I'd recommend a point-and-shoot, which is easier to use, less expensive, and can take excellent photographs, albeit with limitations. If, however, you're upgrading to a DSLR, the Nikon 3100 is likely an excellent choice. I recently bought its predecessor, the Nikon D3000, for a friend who was upgrading to a DSLR, and was impressed with its flexibility and quality of the photographs it produces. Again, as an entry-level DSLR, it lacks features a higher-end (and more costly) camera may have, and the lens is, after all, a kit lens, but I believe the camera is a good balance between function and cost. At the same time, I strongly recommend that you buy a copy of Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure", which is a treasure-trove of tips and suggestions to take better photographs and exploit the power of a DSLR. I wish you happiness going down this path!</p>

<p>Yea first camera, as in I only use my girlfriend or Iphone recently lol. Yea I think ill get a point and shoot first, so you recommend any good ones at a decent price? (I know its going a little off topic)</p>

<p>If you are ambitious, why not an SLR? You cn always set it to Auto and it does everything for you. With a P&S, you will soon notice the limits. It all depends on what kind of photography you want to do and how compact you want it to be. GF-1, PEN. NEX cost just as much.</p>

<p>Good P&S? Check out dpreview.com, I think they have a review on compacts. Panasonic LX5 if you do not need a long zoom comes to mind. Maybe the Nikon P7000, as we are on the Nikon forum.... :)</p>

<p>Hi. That price is excellent - cheapest anywhere else is £494. I've seen some of your images from your 'hello' post. If you buy a point and shoot, you'll probably want a dSLR eventually anyway. Buying into the Nikon system is an excellent starting point. If you later invest in quality lenses, you will be able to keen them as you upgrade bodies. The D3100 is a fine starting point. The kit lens will also see you well until you want something faster, longer or wider.</p>

<p>FWIW I started with a manual everything film camera and the lessons learned are still with me today. Bob's recommendation of Bryan Peterson's book is very sound. I also found John Hedgecoe's book The Art of Digital Photography useful from a creativity point of view. Your key words in photography are (in no particular order, although the first two are <em>very</em> important!): Light, Composition, Creativity, Colour, Tone, Pattern, Texture, Shape and Form. </p>

<p>Hmm true, and I can get it for a decent price, if it does sell out before I next get paid, I guess I can look somewhere else. How about the D3000?</p>

If you stop using your girlfriend you might get Some decent shots with That d3100

<p>The D3000 uses a sensor that's a few years old. It's basically the same one that was introduced on the D200 5 years ago, and the D3000 is mostly a D40X or D60 with an upgraded AF sensor. The D3100 is much newer and a much better sensor - a bigger difference than the modest increase in model name implies.</p>

<p>If you're looking for a camera in this price and size class, you're definitely not going wrong with a D3100.</p>

<p>Mmm probably a D3100 then..Thanks for the feed back!</p>

<p>I have been using a D90 and a D60. I recently got the D3100 and I love it. It has better image quality than the D90 and has the small size and light weight of the D60. I've been shooting seriously for over 40 years and the D3100 fills all of my needs and it will fill the needs of most amateurs.<br>

It's a great camera for a beginner and for any amateur who wants a compact camera with great image quality. I had been thinking of going to a micro 4/3 camera, but the D3100 is so small and light that I no longer consider the micro 4/3.</p>

<p>Cemal - one last bit of feedback: I dug out last week's Amateur Photographer, to ensure I hadn't misadvised you. They like the D3100 and consider it a good step forward, with their only reservation being that the (introductory) price is a little high (which sounds like something you can work around). I wouldn't be scared of the D3100 being "too advanced" for you - there's a myth that SLRs are hard to use - but I would think carefully about whether you need something the size of an SLR (even a small one like the D3100). The best camera is the one that's with you: a D3100 has plenty of technical advantages over something like a G12 or P7000, but that won't help you if you left it at home because it didn't fit in your pocket. If you're keen enough to carry it around, go for it and I doubt you'll regret it.</p>

<p>Thanks for the feedback, ill go for this when I get paid. If I have any problems with it im sure people on the forums will help out! ;p</p>