Nikon camers(s): Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

April 29, 2011 10:48 p.m. formula747 None

My wife wants a new digital camera for Mother's Day. We only have a point n' shoot and she wants to be able to take pictures fast to get good shots of the kids & shoot video. We have a Nikon N75 (35mm) we bought back in 2003 before we converted to digital. I understand Nikon is known for interchangeability. We have a 70-300mm zoom lens as well as an external flash which I'm hoping will fit whichever new digital camera we decide to buy. I guess my main question is does anyone have any experience or trust any reviews regarding the Nikon D3100? It seems to have great reviews, is light, shoots fast pics, and video. Of course, we're on a budget so the $500-ish range is preferable. We'd like to sell the 35mm since we don't use it anymore. Thoughts anyone? Thanks in advance.

Hopefully Mr. Wallens takes a peek at this thread and offers his two cents!
April 30, 2011 7:22 a.m. David S. Wallens Editorial Director

I honestly don't know much about Nikons, but can generalize that today's DSLRs are pretty impressive. For reviews, dpreview.com is pretty good.
April 30, 2011 7:59 a.m. Toyman01 SuperDork

My wife has a D3000 that she loves. She has had it about a year. It has been a really good camera. I'm not sure about the lenses, but the flash should work.
April 30, 2011 9:55 a.m. donalson SuperDork

i LOVE my DSLR... being that you've got nikon glass thats a good way to go lol... the glass will work no prob... the flash... likely will work but i'd do some due diligence on research for your specific model... some are comparable but limited in function, others aren't at all to the point they will fry your hotshoe...

I know ken rockwell has those he loves and hates... but check out his web page... http://www.kenrockwell.com/ some good info if you can read past the tounge n cheek cometary... and not take everything he says as gospel...

the 3100 is an entry level SLR... compare it to somewhere in the line of canon's rebal line... so you may hear some negative comments about lots of little things in the reviews... but that will be stuff comparing them to other DSLRs... going from a digital point and shoot to DSLR is night and day even for an entry level DSLR... good lenses will go further than a higher end body would anyway :)
April 30, 2011 10:38 a.m. formula747 New Reader

Awesome - thanks for the links guys!!

Gonna go put my hands on some at the local camera store and hope to buy one if the price is right.
April 30, 2011 10:44 a.m. BoxheadTim SuperDork

One of the big advantages of Nikon kit is that IIRC Nikon never changed the lens mount for the SLRs so old lenses will work on modern cameras, however some of their features might not.
April 30, 2011 11:05 a.m. rebelgtp SuperDork

BoxheadTim wrote:

One of the big advantages of Nikon kit is that IIRC Nikon never changed the lens mount for the SLRs so old lenses will work on modern cameras, however some of their features might not.

Almost correct the pre Ai lenses wont mount to later cameras without modification. However Ai and later lenses can mount to newer cameras though will require manual focus and metering on most bodies (some pro bodies will meter with old lenses).

That being said I love using old glass on modern cameras in many cases it is superior and gives beautiful results.