been thinking about getting one of these anybody got one or knows anything about them.

cheers

I can only speak up for the D5000, and would thoroughly recommend it - might be worth seeking out a good used one on ebay

I got a D5000 too. A great camera but the 18-55 lens it came with was a bit limited for general use. 18-55 is fine for standard indoors photos but outside the zoom was too small. So I had to buy the VR 18-200 lens and the original lens has stayed in the box ever since.

Problem was the new lens cost £500, as much as the original D5000 so combined a £1000 was expensive.

So you maybe want to check what lens you are getting and seeing if you can do any different bundle deals.

A great camera but the 18-55 lens it came with was a bit limited for general use

That's why I went down the body only route, and then got the Sigma 18-250mm zoom

I've had a go of a Customer's D3100 and it was Ok - bit small in the hands for me personally, but that's to be expected, shooting with a D3 series camera on a daily basis.

I owned the 18-200 VR nikkor lens when i have a D2xs (cropped sensor camera, like the 3100) and it was a good lens, altho a little soft from 120mm onwards.

Although not keeping up with DX lenses any more, i believe a 18-200 VR2 is now out, and it's not only the VR functionality that has been improved.

A Nikon body should keep going for years, i know my Pro stuff does (almost 300,000 frames on my D3 and still going strong!)

If your going to shoot alot indoors, a good speed light is essential.

Al.

PS. 200mm on a cropped sensors is WAY more than enough - i only shoot a 70-200 VR on a full-frame camera, and have only once wished for more!

Edited 15 July, 201114 yr by ukcruiser

thanks for replies been looking for one on ebay bidding now

I got one last week, Its my first proper camera and I love it. So easy to use thanks to the built in guide. The control and setting are easy to adjust too.

Have to say that the lens is a bit rubbish for landscapes though.

Overall Id rate it 8/10.

bought new one last week got extra 5% off at currys plus £40 cashback from nikon made it cheaper than some used ones on ebay

The very big zooms such as the 18-200 will always have a compromise in absolute picture quality - we're talking about an 11x zoom and it's pretty tough to get the "best" picture quality for such a wide-ranging optic.

The newer ranges of cameras are great though with the built-in guides. Also, you have the power to go full manual and start to get properly creative in the composition, depth of field, etc. If you want to start with that, get yourself a 50mm f/1.8 (fast lens) which is pretty cheap whilst giving you a lot of aperture to play with and then ban yourself from ever using fully automatic mode ever again!

It's the lens more than the actual camera body that determines the kind of results you can produce. I started with a D70 many years ago and now do it professionally and the cost of camera bodies and lenses make you cry, but the results you get, my oh my

Be warned, it's a slippery slope. My car modding stopped as soon as I took an interest in camera gear, and I've spent more on that than on the car (includes buying the Furby!)