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Archive 2013 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100

  
 
mwalker973
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


Looking for thoughts on an older used D200 or a refurbished D3100, with a 18-55mm lens as a starter camera for my son. Any thoughts? If I went with the D200, I have an older lens I could let him use.

Thanks,

Mike



Jun 10, 2013 at 08:23 PM
spentomuch
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


I think the 200 let him lean control of the camera better


Jun 10, 2013 at 08:39 PM
dasams
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


spentomuch wrote:
I think the 200 let him lean control of the camera better

Including how to use the AF-ON button to decouple auto focus from shutter activation. Dave



Jun 10, 2013 at 08:42 PM
jasoncallen
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


D200. Your son will enjoy the faster responsiveness of the camera. The D200 was very zippy as I recall as compared to the D3100. Pair it with an old prime lens, and he'll be learning on a platform that will grow with his capabilities.


Jun 10, 2013 at 08:54 PM
frankpetronio
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


D200 unless he is tiny.


Jun 10, 2013 at 08:57 PM
hijazist
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


Both are fine bodies. My first DSLR was a used D3000 with a kit lens and IMO a D3100 is a better choice for starting out. Easy controls, responsive, guide mode, decent performance and above all lightweight which means he'll carry it around more often. If he likes the hobby he can move on to more advanced bodies


Jun 10, 2013 at 09:00 PM
Avi B
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


As long as he doesn't find the D200 too big, then I'd suggest that. As a bonus, you can get him cheap manual-focus macro lenses (AI 55/3.5 or 55/2.8) as the camera will meter with AI/AIS glass.




Jun 10, 2013 at 09:01 PM
kcartwright27
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


Did the exact same thing.. except the D200 was my first DSLR and it was about to go the fleabay after i had upgraded..... i thought about it and gave it to my boys ( 10 and 11) instead along with a couple of my old manual lenses..
They are doing very well and learning the ropes at a good pace.. the manual glass forces to them to slow down and think ... :-)



Jun 10, 2013 at 09:02 PM
Nikon_14
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


For $200 more, your son could have a D300.

It has the better controls of a D300, a much larger LCD, significantly longer batter life, and is able to shoot noise-free at ISO 800 instead of ISO 400 like the D200.

With the D200 and a "dark" lens like the 18-55mm, he's going to be limited to outdoor daylight images unless he uses flash.



Jun 10, 2013 at 09:03 PM
ytwong
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


If he is not showing strong interest in photography, just give him a D3100 so that the camera will be with him more often.

If he is interested in photography, give him a D200. And yes, the ability to use cheap AI macro lens is a real plus.

About the D300... it's more expensive, and I don't consider it's "noise free" even at low iso.(never really loved D300 NEF, low or high ISO, in terms of color, DR and noise..) D200 color is much more pleasing.



Jun 10, 2013 at 09:18 PM
mwalker973
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


Thanks for the quick responses everyone

I'm still a little torn. I don't know how serious he's going to be with it, and I think he would probably use the video on the 3100, but I like the controls better on the D200... too many choices. I could go with the D300s and have it as a backup for myself



Jun 10, 2013 at 09:48 PM
JimFox
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


mwalker973 wrote:
Thanks for the quick responses everyone

I'm still a little torn. I don't know how serious he's going to be with it, and I think he would probably use the video on the 3100, but I like the controls better on the D200... too many choices. I could go with the D300s and have it as a backup for myself


Excellant reason for the D3100... the video, kids today really like to use video. Also, the IQ on the D3100 is much better than the D200, so he will get better shots generally speaking with greater DR. You aren't spending much money, and if the interest level grows, you can then upgrade to a D7000 or so. I had the D200, and it was a great camera in it's day....

Another thought... you might consider the D5100, I think it has better IQ and also it has the back LCD that articulates... a fun feature that he might enjoy using.

Jim



Jun 11, 2013 at 12:56 AM
Chris Court
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


The D200 was awesome! I had one (with 18-70 kit lens) as my first dslr and still think that some of the shots I took with that body are some of my best ever. I think that most of its disadvantages are psychological (as in knowing that yes, there are newer, tecnically better performing cameras out there) than actual show stoppers that prevent you from getting a shot. The colors from the ccd sensor are great, and the body encourages exploration outside of P-mode.

I briefly had a d3100, but it never really clicked with me, so I sold it soon afterwards.

If video is important, get him an iPhone or GoPro. As a device for taking still images and learning about photography, my vote is strongly for the D200.

C



Jun 11, 2013 at 03:56 AM
Nickyb21
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


D200... I started with the D3100 and it was a great camera and all, but menu diving was a real PITA!


Jun 11, 2013 at 07:30 AM
BenV
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


D200 if it might he might want something more serious, D3100 if he just wants a nicer point and shoot.


Jun 11, 2013 at 07:51 AM
butchM
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


Just put a camera in his hands ... it really doesn't matter to him what it is ... if he hasn't used a DSLR much before ... he won't know what he is missing, or what extra he has as compared between model features.

Heck, at age 8, my great grandmother gave me her old Brownie 127 that had been in her attic for years, maybe a decade or two ... I was happy as a lark ... as I recall ... it had two buttons ... shutter release and film advance knob ... it was VERY mundane camera, fixed focus, one shutter speed (1/50 I think) ... but it was enough to light a fire that has been burning for half a century ...



Jun 11, 2013 at 08:16 AM
monoatomic72
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


The D90 would be the way to go in this case. It has everything you are looking for and if you buy used, it's probably the cheapest of the two proposed options.


Jun 11, 2013 at 10:03 AM
Avi B
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


Well if you're uncertain how serious he might be, how about a D40? Much cheaper than the D3100!



Jun 11, 2013 at 11:35 AM
mwalker973
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


monoatomic72 wrote:
The D90 would be the way to go in this case. It has everything you are looking for and if you buy used, it's probably the cheapest of the two proposed options.


I think this might be the way to go... Thanks



Jun 11, 2013 at 12:45 PM
trevanian
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Starter Camera: D200 or D3100


Maybe I missed in the earlier posts but how old is your son? That would skew my choice in cameras. My grandson is 12 and I just got him a D50 for his smaller hands. He had handled my old d70 before but it seemed a bit big for him.


Jun 13, 2013 at 01:47 PM
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