Nikon D3100/5100/7000

[darkman]

Looking to buy one of ethese bodies.

Mainly for zoo use shooting kids, holidays etc.

This year am heading to England to do a few zoos, visit some RAF airfields to catch some aircraft I would never see at home, RIAT and Bovington amongst other places.

Any recommendations why I should go for the D7000 over the other two. The D7000 stretches beyond my intended budget but thats what credit cards are for - isnt it.

Having read numerous reviews I cant quite decide which body to go for.

Looking at the following lenses if i go for whichever body.
18-105 VR
70-300 VR
35mm 1.8 G

Currently have Pentax gear which I am looking to sell off to help fund the change.

Any one got any comments/advice for me?

 

[vrapan]

Why do you want to swap from Pentax is the first question? What do you currently have? What do you expect to gain from moving to Nikon?

The 55-300 from Pentax is a £200 bargain that is on par with the 70-300 VR and half the cost. The 17-70 is also a very good lens if you can still find it at last months price as prices have increased recently.

You can even get a K-5 for 2/3s the cost of the D7k a camera that beats (in my humble opinion) the D7k in most things other than AF speed...

 

[darkman]

Currently have k10d,k100d 50-200wr kit lens and a couple of other cheap lenses.

Had considered k5 as it was similar in price to d7000. Basically looking to get a camera that will do me for a few years.

For the cost of change to Nikon I reckoned I would have a better set up. But again I am looking opinions from others who have changed or considered the bodies above along with pentax options. Recently sold my rtamron 70-300 and still considering a pentax 55-300
K-5 £750
55-300mm £270

d5100 twin lens bundle £800 plus 70-300mm

D7000 £850
Second hand lenses £420

 

[vrapan]

I moved from Nikon to Pentax last year exactly because after buying the D7k I decided it was too big and bulky, it was not very comfortable to hold and VR lenses are both expensive and quite heavy.

Not so sure where you live but the K-5 can be had from Amazon at 679 at the mom and the 55-300 is often found in forums for less than £200 s/h.

The 35mm 2.4 is about the price of the Nikkor 1.8 although admittedly not as fast but it is considerably smaller.

If the D7k will last you for a few years not sure why the K-5 won't? It is better built with better weather sealing, it has built in stabilisation which does not restrict you to VR lenses and you can take it with you every where if you buy a couple of the tiny pancakes. The sensor is the same as the D7k and the lenses plentiful.

I would consider a move to the D5100 only because of the articulated display and the admittedly better Live view and video but I don't care about either of those really.

BTW the 50-200WR is not a great lens really so maybe an upgrade of that is something to consider?

I currently have my 21mm on my K-5 and it is such a great combo, portable lovely pictures and so light I could drag it around with me all day.

I'd consider the EM-5 +100-300 and a couple of the brilliant zuiko primes but that is nearly £2000 and IQ is not on the K-5 levels but at least has all the other advantages (small, light, weather sealed, IBIS, great small primes).

Good luck whatever you choose

 

[darkman]

Tried contacting the seller on amazon ref warranty and no response hence £750 for known UK stock.
55-200 due to be sold to help budget either way. My main concern with pentax is the direction they are going ie recent price rises etc

Thanks for the input