D5100 LCD unusable for manual shooting...should I care?

Thanks very much Graystar. I have a long way to go and that was a good start. I did not understand what you mean by I need to know where the tones are, but hopefully that will become clear in time. Yes, it seems pretty silly now that I was judging Nikon.I suppose my thinking has been shaped by my years with my S3.

Please keep the guidance coming...

Jim