First Impressions and my new "entry level dlsr" recommendation: Nikon D3100

Damian Brown

Damian Brown

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Damian Brown
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Just fired off some shots to see how the D3100 performs. Even before I did that I was very impressed with how capable this entry level dslr is!

It has so many features that I will use along with the family friendly features I don't use that I really can recommend this now as the best entry level dslr. And to be honest, calling it entry level seems unfair! Features wise though clearly not a competitor it stands up well to my d300s bodies in some areas I didn't think about.

Simple things seem to have been tidied up by Nikon such as automatically assigning the centre button to recentre the focus point, the live view being better implemented with focusing etc and of course for the family user the menus are simple and easy to manage.

Here's some random shots... nothing mind blowing and most at 1.8 with my other recommendation... The Nikon 35m 1.8. Get this or the 50 1.8 and you're laughing. Cheap as chips too.

What will now follow is a series of mundane images showing you/me just how well Nikon have done. And these were very random images, nothing particularly special photography wise.

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Switching between metering modes etc is pretty simple too, not a one touch operation but two presses of the i button and a little scroll and voila. Happy with that.

Had to update my DNG converter because I still use CS3 and it doesn't work with the newer NEFs and neither did my previous DNG converter update. But that's sorted now.
 
Also to add... the info screen on the back rotates with you, so turn the camera vertically and your info is the "right way up" Wasn't expecting that.
 
Ye I do, shot a little more with it today and I'm really impressed. Very very capable little thing
 
Great pictures!

As someone who would like a D3100, i think those photos are great!
 
I just upgraded to a D7000 from the even more basic D3000 which I think is an awesome little camera. So, the D3100 must be even more awesome!
 
I think for hi iso the d7000 edges, though I've not tried it! But yes, the 3100 is a little wonder.

I'd definitely recommend it for starters/low budget enthusiasts.

The images I took weren't particularly complicated to create, of course once you know the concepts and functions it's way easier. This camera clearly let's you create great images pretty painlessly! Nikon should sponsor me :)
 
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