Nikon D3000. Should I buy?

[jess128]

Hi!
I've found a Nikon D3000 for sale online for $500. I currently have a Nikon Coolpix P100 and would like to upgrade but money is tight. I'd also rather wait to save up more money for a better camera than getting something I will want to upgrade again fairly soon. What do you guys think of this camera?

[OsmosisStudios]

Is it being sold as new from a dealer or as used by a private seller?

If the former: that's about right pricing wise. It may be a demo model.
If the latter: that's a rip. Take at least $50 off, if not closer to $100

[Poider]

deja vu, I have just upgraded from the P100 to the nikon D3100, at first I was a little worried that I had made a mistake and should have kept the P100, mainly for the convenience and the zoom.
Now my only regret is that I didn't pick my own lenses, whilst the kit lenses are good, I would have pick probably a good macro lens and a more versatile zoom lens with a wider range.
But that will come in time, I am extremely happy now that I am learning more, thanks to osmosis and co.
peter

[jml79]

The Nikon D3000/3100 and D5000 are cripled cameras. They don't have an AF motor which limits the lenses you can buy for them and really limits the used lenses that you can use. Nikon is the only company who criples their entry level cameras this way.

My thoughts are to save up for a D90 or D7000 or find a good used D80 with a few lenses or look into systems that don't punish the budget limited with cameras that can't use a large portion of the lenses available (at least not with AF)

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by jml79

The Nikon D3000/3100 and D5000 are cripled cameras.

HOLY CRAP IT'S KEN ROCKWELL!

/runs

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

HOLY CRAP IT'S KEN ROCKWELL!

It's funny because that's what I thought. Ha

[jml79]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

HOLY CRAP IT'S KEN ROCKWELL!

/runs

I wish... I have to have a day job to pay the bills.

Honestly that is my opinion. If you have a D3100 and want a 50mm prime (one of the most popular add on lenses) you have to buy one with a focus motor.

Nikon 50MM/1.8 AF D - $159.99 Can't be used on D3000/3100 or D5000
Nikon 50MM/1.4 AF D - $389.99 Can't be used on D3000/3100 or D5000
Nikon 50MM/1.4 AF-S G - $579.99 - Can be used.

So you got an inexpensive camera but you can't get lenses that match the budget. You can buy a D3100 and the f/1.4 lens or a D90 and the f/1.8 lens for the same price. I realize that the f/1.4 is a better lens but aren't you buying a D3100 because you are budget limited or value concious? You can get a Canon, Sony or Pentax of the same level and get inexpensive (but still good) lenses for it and you have access to years of used lenses.

So is stand by my opinion (and it is just my opinion). Nikon has cripled their entry level cameras.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by jml79

Honestly that is my opinion. If you have a D3100 and want a 50mm prime (one of the most popular add on lenses) you have to buy one with a focus motor.

Except that most pople (such as His Majesty, Sir Rockwell) say that 50mm on a crop is a useless focal length and that people should just be getting the 35mm f/1.8 AF-S instead.

[Trankonia]

I currently have a D5000 and it is a nice camera. However, had the salesperson been more clear on the differences between the D5000 and D90 I would have passed on the D5000. Since the D3000 also does not have a body motor you will be in the same situation I found myself in.

You thyink you are saving some by getting a lesser priced body but it will bite you in the long run. I found out too late that two key features were missing from the D5000 and D3000. These were 1. the lack of an in-body AF motor (causing me to pay more for lenses and reducing my options) and 2. the built-in flash will not work as a master control for the creative light system. So as you evolve an might want to do off-camera flash you ould then need to buy a Flash commander unit.

The 200-300 U.S. dollars I saved on the body have quickly been lost due to AF-S priced lenses and a master flash controller.

I would save for a D90 or D7000 as suggested above. Youwill not regret the extra investment since it will actually save you money in the long run.

[jml79]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Except that most pople (such as His Majesty, Sir Rockwell) say that 50mm on a crop is a useless focal length and that people should just be getting the 35mm f/1.8 AF-S instead.

I don't read Ken Rockwell. I came by my opinion all on my own from friends with Nikons getting stung by the AF-S only problem.

There is no useless focal length. Just focal lengths that are to long or to short for what I am pointing my camera at.