Nikon D3100 - AF-S DX 18-55 VR Lens

£1,923.60.... WHAT A JOKE

Se non si hanno particolari esigenze la D3100 è un buon prodotto. Svariate funzioni che raramente verranno utilizzate da chi la usa per fare semplici fotografie. L'obiettivo in dotazione non le fa giustizia.

The specification is in the product listing for everyone see, so I won't review that, other than to say that this camera is a good specification for the price. I'll aim this review towards detailing my experience with using this camera. People looking at this model are likely comparing it to the similarly priced Canon model. Both brands are quite comparable, so at this level of the market it is really a matter of personal preference as to which brand you choose - and the current deals and discounts on offer. I choose the Nikon D3100 camera with the kit 18-55mm lens over the Canon model because I got a large discount off the second lens I wanted - the 55-200mm. (I see now that Amazon sells the camera with this lens in addition to the 18-55mm as an option, but this wasn't an option back when I bought then.) I thought with these two lenses I would have an adequate kit to get started in DSLR photography, although either a 35mm or 50mm prime FX lens is next on my wishlist. (FX lenses work fine on a DX body such as the D3100, although with a 1.5x effective focal length boost so I can somewhat future proof my lens purchases in the event I eventually upgrade to a better camera body.) I bought my camera and lenses back in April 2013 and decided to use it for several months before I reviewed them. I was heading on a trip a month later that I wanted this camera to accompany me on, and also wanted time to get to grips with the step up from many years of just using point and shoots before I offered a public opinion. I had wanted a DSLR for years, but couldn't justify the cost to myself, (I have kids and feel guilty spending money on myself), and so I had already read several books that explained the science of taking photos in a fully manual mode with a DSLR but I had never so much as picked up a DSLR before buying one. From using both film camera and digital point and shoots I was already fairly experienced and proficient in the composition aspect of taking a photo as well as in using image processing software such as Lightroom, Photoshop (Elements) and Paint Shop Pro to improve my photos. Of course, with a point and shoot or a scanned film photo I was forced to edit lossy JPG files - and now with a DSLR I can process native RAW files, (.NEF format on the Nikon), and the results from this change alone are phenomenal! I was amazed by just how much detail can be found in a RAW file using Adobe Lightroom 5 from what looks like a flat white or black area in an over/under exposed area. I'll never shoot in JPEG again if I have an option to shoot in a native RAW format. When I had received the camera I read the manual from cover to cover while the battery fully charged. I then jumped in my car and headed off on a drive to somewhere fairly scenic but local(ish) to test out my new purchase. I was determined that I would rarely use the fully AUTO mode unless I wanted to take an unplanned rush shot of something I'd miss photographing otherwise. My several hours that day out taking photos was a very educational (and fun) time for me, and certainly cemented my enthusiasm to learn more about photography that I had hoped I would have when taking the jump up to a DSLR. I toyed around taking photos of things with differing apertures in Aperture Priority mode until I was comfortable controlling the depth of field, (as best I could with the kit lens.) took photos of things both close, and the mountains far away, at varying focal lengths, confirming for myself various aspects of photography I had read so much about but hadn't been able to practice and experiment with before fully, (e.g. bringing the background scenery closer while keeping a foreground subject a constant size.) Back home that evening I went out in the back yard and mounted my new camera on an old tripod I have with the 55-200mm lens and took photos of the moon and my house in the dark until I better understood shutter speed settings and how different ISO settings affect the photos I take. Again, this was all stuff I'd read about, but never really fully had practical experience with regard to my own photographs before. My kids were also willing models so I could experiment with portraiture.photos using different settings until I achieved the effects I wanted or could achieve with just the kit lens and it's lack of a large aperture (small f-stop). Over the next few weeks before the family trip I planned to take this DSLR on with me, I picked the camera up and experimented daily. I took better photos every day and started to instinctively know what settings to use in full manual mode - my first guesses became increasingly correct, or were otherwise a pretty good starting point to fine tune when I had set the camera incorrectly for the conditions or photo I wanted. This is a tremendous camera to learn with and takes fabulous photos. My family went on the trip overseas. I took close to 3000 photos in the weeks we were traveling. Granted, I used the camera in a continuous shooting mode almost exclusively -- taking several photos of the same scene to try to guarantee a good shot - especially when photographing movement or people, so the total figure was bumped up somewhat. If I'm taking photos left, right and center, I do now cheat a little and use Aperture Priority mode quite a lot so I just control the depth of field and let the camera do most of the rest, (although I retain control of the ISO as the camera seems to do a poor job in auto mode sometimes.) If I am planning a photo that I want to be proud of, I will still switch to full manual mode for the satisfaction that I am "making" a photo rather than just "taking" a photo. Oftentimes though, when out and about, one of the semi-manual modes (Shutter Priority or Aperture Priority modes) are all that is required to get the shot wanted and are a time-saver to use. Okay, I admit it - I sometimes use Auto-mode now too... I hope others decide to take the plunge from a point-and-shoot camera to a DSLR and ignite a similar passion for photography. I'm very happy with my purchase.

My first ICL digital camera and I'm still VERY much learning my way around with this one. It arrived in good condition, on time, I'm pleased with the quality of the photos ... certainly an improvement over my old "point and shoot" camera, My only regret is that the camera is WAAAY smarter than I am, once I know enough to be impressed (or not) with the more technological aspects I'll upgrade this review. Don't hold your breath though.

La camera a l'air neuve et fonctionne parfaitement Je l'adore

Before people start freaking out I am not comparing this to a Canon 1DX when I mention "PRO" in the review title, rather, that I use this consumer targeted camera for a very specific professional task. I own 4 of these "kits", basically the D3100 and the 18-55 lens. My company does high volume photography, mostly sports, schools and events (we will photograph over 90,000 kids this year) and I thought I would give these a shot to see how they would hold up for some of my basic sports portraits shoots and I am pleasantly surprised. Make note of the word PORTRAITS after sports, we do not use these for action. I actually compared this, side by side, shot by shot with the Canon T2i when deciding which way to go since I was going to be purchasing so many of them. It was actually a pretty big decision since I was deciding on a Nikon camera when my personal camera is a Canon 7D. When comparing the 2 cameras I literally set them up on tripods right next to each other, took shots in the exact same settings, conditions, etc. First, I compared everything in Manual mode, then I let the camera do the work in Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and full Program Mode. Without running through every single shot I can simply say the Nikon D3100 beat the Canon t2i, much to my surprise. This was a VERY close comparison and, in the end, the price of the Nikon helped tip the scale in that direction. Image Quality The D3100 wins here. How, you say, is that possible? The Canon is 18 megapixel and the Nikon is only 14.2...true, but Nikon has a secret weapon, the 18-55 lens! Believe it or not, the 18-55 Nikon lens, the KIT lens that comes on this camera and many others, is actually one of the sharpest images Nikon makes. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't taken hundreds of shots, blown them up to 100% and compared them side by side. Now, if you are looking for something where you plan to change lenses from time to time, then the Canon is the better choice. However, in the case of my very specific needs, where I will never need to change out the lens on this camera because it is for sports portrait shoots only, you cannot beat the D3100. I actually chose the Canon for another area of my business out of state where I needed more durability and flexibility...more on that in another review. As with any product, it will ultimately boil down to how you plan to use it. If you are a consumer who is just getting into Digital SLR cameras, this is a great way to start. It is cheap and it takes great images. It has video, which is nice, although I do not use it so I can't give an in depth review of that functionality. Make sure that you get the kit with the 18-55 lens though, that makes a big difference in image quality. It also has a great little feature that would be really helpful to beginners trying to understand how Aperture works. It has a little animation on the LCD screen that shows an actual camera iris opening or closing as you adjust the aperture, which is helpful for beginners trying to understand the lower number being a bigger aperture concept. So, to sum it up: PROS: Price: You can't beat it, if you watch Amazon closely you will be able to catch it in the $500 range or maybe a bit less if you are lucky Image Quality: Really amazing image quality WITH the 18-55 lens especially. Good for Beginners: Has some really good tutorials to help beginners understand the basics of DSLR. Great "Auto" settings: Produces really nice images on many of the standard settings for Shutter and Aperture Priority and full Program. (although I recommend to beginners to try to learn how to shoot in Manual mode at least to understand how it works and NEVER use any of the silly settings like "Sports" or the other ones.) CONS: Not very tough: It feels a lot cheaper than the Canon Really small: It looks ridiculous with an SB900 flash on it! (This is a con for me but might be a pro for others) Overall, I definitely recommend it for a beginner or someone with a very specific professional need like I have. It earns 5 stars for how I use it.