D5100 Again

This almost forgotten camera popped up in a local camera store post on IG, very moderately priced. So for old times sake I checked it out. The sensor/processor makes lovely, creamy images with good dynamic range and a color signature I've always liked.

So I took it home! Am posting one of today's photos with the 18-55 VR II, processed in NX Studio 1.7.0. Central AF point was on the tree.

Will make a rather nice kit again, I think.

I agree with you. I miss the d5100 I gave to my daughter.

Good catch!

Nice pickup Howard!

The one plus with the D5100 over the D5000, that I own, is that OEM batteries are more readily available. It's pretty much third-party batteries for the D5000 now.

Very nice, thank you for posting this. Some more examples would be cool, too.

ryanschwartz80 said:

Nice pickup Howard!

The one plus with the D5100 over the D5000, that I own, is that OEM batteries are more readily available. It's pretty much third-party batteries for the D5000 now.

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I can't be real specific about the reasons (this was a long time ago) but I remember thinking at the time the D5100 just seemed like a more modern camera and a real improvement over the D5000

toomanycanons said:

ryanschwartz80 said:

Nice pickup Howard!

The one plus with the D5100 over the D5000, that I own, is that OEM batteries are more readily available. It's pretty much third-party batteries for the D5000 now.

Click to expand...

I can't be real specific about the reasons (this was a long time ago) but I remember thinking at the time the D5100 just seemed like a more modern camera and a real improvement over the D5000

Click to expand...

The biggest improvements with the D5100 spec wise were an increase to a 16 MP sensor from 12, and higher ISO performance with a max ISO 25600 vs. 6400. Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D5100 vs (dxomark.com)

I haven't used a D5100, but the biggest limitation with the D5000 is that it doesn't take much of an ISO jump to start seeing noise in images. I pretty much reserve shooting with the D5000 to daylight or if I have a F2.8 or faster lens on and can keep the ISO low. One thing I appreciate with these modern cameras is not having to worry about ISO as much.

I hold onto my D5000 because of the sentimental value, it was my first DSLR, which holds more value than monetary at this point. My copy might also have the lowest shutter count for a D5000 out there with a little more than 3k.

ryanschwartz80 said:

toomanycanons said:

ryanschwartz80 said:

Nice pickup Howard!

The one plus with the D5100 over the D5000, that I own, is that OEM batteries are more readily available. It's pretty much third-party batteries for the D5000 now.

Click to expand...

I can't be real specific about the reasons (this was a long time ago) but I remember thinking at the time the D5100 just seemed like a more modern camera and a real improvement over the D5000

Click to expand...

The biggest improvements with the D5100 spec wise were an increase to a 16 MP sensor from 12, and higher ISO performance with a max ISO 25600 vs. 6400. Nikon D5000 vs Nikon D5100 vs (dxomark.com)

I haven't used a D5100, but the biggest limitation with the D5000 is that it doesn't take much of an ISO jump to start seeing noise in images. I pretty much reserve shooting with the D5000 to daylight or if I have a F2.8 or faster lens on and can keep the ISO low. One thing I appreciate with these modern cameras is not having to worry about ISO as much.

I hold onto my D5000 because of the sentimental value, it was my first DSLR, which holds more value than monetary at this point. My copy might also have the lowest shutter count for a D5000 out there with a little more than 3k.

Click to expand...

My 12mp D5000 was a backup to my D90 which I grew to dislike (even though there are those who think it's a really great camera, I never did)

And, yeah, I enjoyed shooting with it at the time. But once I got the D5100 my opinion of the D5000 diminished. Overall, it was just a great upgrade and I sold the D5000

But you'd have to shoot with both to know what I'm talking about

Of course, time marches on and I eventually got a D5200 because 24mp and on and on, selling one camera to buy the next one. Now I shoot with a Z6, among others, for snapshots and 4k video. My list of cameras (both point and shoots and DSLRS) is ridiculously long but therein lies the fun in being a photography, acquiring different gear and seeing which purchase gives me what I'm looking for...which changes year to year

toomanycanons said:

toomanycanons

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toomanycanons said:

Of course, time marches on and I eventually got a D5200 because 24mp and on and on, selling one camera to buy the next one. Now I shoot with a Z6, among others, for snapshots and 4k video. My list of cameras (both point and shoots and DSLRS) is ridiculously long but therein lies the fun in being a photography, acquiring different gear and seeing which purchase gives me what I'm looking for...which changes year to year

Click to expand...

Yeah, it’s fun trying new gear and seeing if “new and improved” eliminates limitations I was dealing with. I enjoyed the D5XXX series so much I picked up the D5600 since I knew the likelihood of a D5700 is about zero. Really have enjoyed using the trio of AF-P DX VR lens with it, the 10-20, 18-55, 70-300. Sharp, and quick to autofocus. You could sense the AF-P lenses were the beginnings of the mirrorless line of Z glass.

ryanschwartz80 said:

I picked up the D5600 since I knew the likelihood of a D5700 is about zero. Really have enjoyed using the trio of AF-P DX VR lens with it, the 10-20, 18-55, 70-300. Sharp, and quick to autofocus. You could sense the AF-P lenses were the beginnings of the mirrorless line of Z glass.

Click to expand...

Agree. The D5600 is the last of the D5xxx and is the best of D5xxx.

My D5100 is still in its box with broken lens mount, I think something to do with dislocated or misaligned contacts.

I had a D40x but would like to have articulating LCD, video capability, better AF and a better sensor. The D5100 ticked all my boxes.

I since found that the D5100 did not like my Sigma lenses, my 18-200 and 30 f1.4.

While I got very good AF with 18-200 when using the PDAF OVF, the 18-200 did not AF at all in Live View. That was a major issue to me as I got the D5100 for video. Every dark cloud has a silver lining, I was forced to learn how to use manual focus when in taking video. Once I managed to master the manual focus, I actually liked it, as I was in full control of what to focus on.

The other issue was with the Sigma 30 f1.4, which was excellent on the D40x with perfect AF, but always front focus on the D5100.

I was forced to use LV when using this lens. like the manual focus in video, I became hooking onto using LV, especially with the articulating screen, not just getting perfect focus, I could compose and take photo at different levels and angles, and with all lenses, not just with the 30 f1.4.

My Sigma 18-200 since broke and I replaced it with the current AFS 18-140 which would AF well on the D5100 in LV.

When I got the D5600 when the D5100 broke, the touch screen took how I used the D5100 to a different level, allowing me to use the touch-shutter with the articulating screen on LV and allowing me to manually select AF point on the LCD when in taking video.

While to me, the D5600 was heaps better than the D5100, the D5100 was the stepping stone to my LV photography and MF video, which I enjoy doing when using my D5600 and even more so when using my D780.

A (long) while back, I bought a D5100 on eBay, from Japan. Virtually unused, under 100 shutter clicks.

Other than being too small for my hands (solved with an add-on, gee-whiz-you-must-be-a-pro 2-battery holder) the thing remains a very favorite toy.

It's a pattern in my life -- love our 2003 Toyota Avalon, just discovered Cokin filters (1950s? 60s?) and am stocking up at ridiculously low dollars, and have no reason to move on from the D5100.

Only problem is, intervals between use are long-ish and I have to consult the manual all over again... the manual's on my phone...

Manual? They come with instructions!?

Howard V said:

This almost forgotten camera popped up in a local camera store post on IG, very moderately priced. So for old times sake I checked it out. The sensor/processor makes lovely, creamy images with good dynamic range and a color signature I've always liked.

So I took it home! Am posting one of today's photos with the 18-55 VR II, processed in NX Studio 1.7.0. Central AF point was on the tree.

Will make a rather nice kit again, I think.

Click to expand...

+1

Nice find!

I picked up a Nikon D5100 when they were new.

It was replacing a Nikon D70s, which only went to ISO1600. I wanted to get north of that for chasing my daughters around at gymnastics meets.

The 1st time I shot with a D5100, I started getting shots I couldn't get with my D70s (as much as I liked that camera.) and I thought . . . this may be the last camera I need.

And for all my personal shooting it still is all the camera I need.

I still have the D5100 and I still take it out and about, and on vacation.

It's so small, yet so powerful.

It is a pocket rocket.

It's IQ is still relevant today IMHO.