We had always wanted a Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens
,but since we had never  owned a DSLR camera before, it was way too much money to spend on a camera. We had also heard of a lot of people buying DSLR cameras, and then not really using them to get their monies worth out of them. So, we decided to get a camera we could afford, and make sure we used it enough to make an upgrade worth it later. So, we randomly kept our eyes open for a Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens
so if there was a good enough deal we could jump on it.
This is our old Camera a Nikon Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
, it is a great camera, and we were able to sell it on craigslist already. We only got about half the price we paid for it,but we also had bought this one in December of 2010 and the price has drastically reduced since then for a brand new one of these. We feel we have really gotten some great use out of it. However, there were a few drawbacks that the Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
didn’t have.
We got our Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens
for a great price on Craigslist and drove to Nashville to get it as well as see Kira and Andrew which is always awesome.
Here is a table showing the differences, this camera has a ton more features,but a few of the things we had to consider was the size and weight. DSLR cameras are already large, and this one is larger and heavier than our first camera,but we decided it was worth it. Also, the Camera shoots 2xs more pictures per second than our previous one, and man can you tell a difference. Also, the screen has a lot better of a display which makes it a lot easier to see whether or not the picture is what you wanted it to be.
Just a top view comparison Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens
on the left and Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
on the right.
Just showing the different buttons and layout. Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens
on left and Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
on right.
Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
screen and its controls.
Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens
screen and its controls.
Another view from the top, on the left is the Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens
on the right the Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
. This new camera has soooo many features, it will take a while to get used to all of the different settings, but we are not complaining.
On the left the Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens
and on the right the Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
. The Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens
has two slots for SD cards which is nice because you can store a ton more pictures at one time. The Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
had one slot only, also as I mentioned in a previous post, you have more options on the Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens
with interval settings, and with this camera you can get a infrared remote since it is built in. We could have gotten something similar to work with the Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
, but since it isn’t built it, it would have been a plugged in transmitter with either a cable to a clicker or a wireless receiver, but still doable.
With our Craigslist purchase, we also got this Case Logic SLRC-202 Medium SLR Camera Bag (Black)
which costs around $31.00 new. It is super nice, and I love the way it stores the camera and extra lenses where they are really secure and well padded.
We also were very deliberate with all of our purchases from the very beginning. When buying the first camera, we made sure the flash and the lenses that we bought would all fit the Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens
model as well since we were hoping to upgrade eventually. Â So, we sold the Nikon Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
body and Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens
kit lens that came with the Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
, but we still have the Nikon SB-400 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
, the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
, as well the kit lens that came with the Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens
body which is the Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
.
After this upgrade, we don’t plan on ever changing our current camera, we might eventually buy a tripod and a few different lenses in addition to the ones we have,but as of now we wouldn’t use those lenses enough to justify those purchases especially since most of the items that Grant would like to purchase are super expensive. I know this camera upgrade wasn’t a huge must, but the deal was amazing and since we had the funds we decided it wasn’t a bad decision. We both LOVE the new Camera; we are in no way experts but both look forward to becoming more proficient at using this camera.
Also, as a side note, this post is not bashing the Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
1 comment
sounds like a good way to go about it. I am glad you were watching the lens situation right away. That is often more money than the body. Have fun with it!