[clevermax]

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

How is the D3100 with respect to Manual Photography. I was considering the D5000 but got to know that selecting parameters for Manual photography is quite a chore on it. On my current camera, which is the HS10, I do not need to dive into the menu for the following:

1. ISO
2. Exposure
3. White Balance
4. Focusing (On DSLRs this is on the lens)
5. High Speed Capture
6. Video shooting

I don't think you need to dive deep into the menu for Exposure, ISO or aperture in any of the DSLRs. (I've noticed in D3000 ISO isn't that straight forward.. or was it my ignorance?) The dial would enable you to control the exposure and aperture and there should be a dedicated button for ISO.

[nitrous]

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

How is the D3100 with respect to Manual Photography. I was considering the D5000 but got to know that selecting parameters for Manual photography is quite a chore on it. On my current camera, which is the HS10, I do not need to dive into the menu for the following:

1. ISO
2. Exposure
3. White Balance
4. Focusing (On DSLRs this is on the lens)
5. High Speed Capture
6. Video shooting

In the D3100, There's a key or key combo for everything that you've mentioned.

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

How is the D3100 with respect to Manual Photography.

It meets all your requirements, it has dedicated buttons for all the frequently used menus and is rated as the best beginner level DSLR to date. Direct control over Aperture, ISO and Exposure (dedicated buttons) you can shoot almost everything with ease. Thats one reason I moved from D60 to D90. Nikon D3100 has similar button layout. If anything is missing, the 'info' button should do the rest.

[amitk26]

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

How is the D3100 with respect to Manual Photography. I was considering the D5000 but got to know that selecting parameters for Manual photography is quite a chore on it. On my current camera, which is the HS10, I do not need to dive into the menu for the following:

1. ISO
2. Exposure
3. White Balance
4. Focusing (On DSLRs this is on the lens)
5. High Speed Capture
6. Video shooting

Purely for above requirements "ALL" dslrs in Indian market meet your requirement and there is no need to dig in the menu for all the 6 points in your list.

Edit : except may be white balance but white balance is not so important becuase most probably you will shoot RAW and white balance will be applied later on using the tool.
Also WB setting is done initially but you will not change it between the shots.

While comparing DSLRs for manual shooting I think you need to look at the following points in addition.

1. Metering modes available
2. Ease of selecting the focus points out of multiple AF points and no. of AF points
3. Available Exposure compensation steps ( Ev values)
4. Flash exposure compensation
5. Availability and ease of exposure bracketing ( for HDR)
6. ISO range available and how noisy are the pics on high ISO ( 1600 , 3200) this is important if you do not want to spend on external flash.

for nikons availability of focus motors so that you can use primes with out inbuilt motor.
In canon range all AF lenses have a motor but in Nikons it will have impact on pocket because there are some lenses which you can use only on body with motor.

[typeOnegative]

Thank you all. I never expected to get so many responses in such a short time frame. Will be with a DSLR this Feb or March.

[DRIV3R]

Originally Posted by kkr2k2

If you are tight on budget, buy 450D(if it still available!) or 500D. With the money saved buy good quality lenses. If NO, buy the 550D, at least you get warranty. BTW, does the Kiss X4 come with global warranty which is honored in UK??

450D is obsolete now. 500D is the best bet as the only differences between it and the 550D is that the 550D has a little greater ISO (3200 vs 6400, while both are extendable to 12800), marginally more colors and that it records 1080P videos @30fps, while the 500D does it @20fps.

Not worth the extra 11k premium, I say.

[smsrini]

what is a good tripod / monopod for the Nikon D3100 ? Any suggestions w.r.t brands / models / Price ?

Where can i get a lcd protector ( either film or plastic type ) for the D3100 in Bangalore

thanks
Srini

[kkr2k2]

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

......
Not worth the extra 11k premium, I say.

11K!!!! Thats pretty steep!!! You can buy the 50mm lens, a good tripod and a camera bag for that money!!

Anyways, what is the price difference between 450D and 500D?? (just for academic purposes!! )

[DRIV3R]

Originally Posted by kkr2k2

11K!!!! Thats pretty steep!!! You can buy the 50mm lens, a good tripod and a camera bag for that money!!

Anyways, what is the price difference between 450D and 500D?? (just for academic purposes!! )

Canon Coimbatore tells me that the 500D itself is obsolete now (They didnt have stock too). They are busy marketing the 550D.

I couldn't see the 450D in any of the stores i visited. 500D was available at few stores. Reliance digital quotes 34k for the 500D. MRP is 38K.

[devil_klm]

Originally Posted by smsrini

what is a good tripod / monopod for the Nikon D3100 ? Any suggestions w.r.t brands / models / Price ?

Where can i get a lcd protector ( either film or plastic type ) for the D3100 in Bangalore

thanks
Srini

You can contact Foto Circle(Jayesh) for tripod and LCD protector.
His number is 9845022654

[joshguy]

Hi All,

One of my buddy is going to china and hongkong so i just have a thought to buy a lens.

Will it be cheaper there in any of the countries?

[aburagohain]

Originally Posted by joshguy

Hi All,

One of my buddy is going to china and hongkong so i just have a thought to buy a lens.

Will it be cheaper there in any of the countries?

It will be cheaper, also good place to search for used items, better to buy at Hong Kong out of the two options. Go through the link
Recommended Camera Shops in Hong Kong « The World According to Roland

The Ebay link shows an actual shop where items could be bought personally
Canon EF 80-200mm F/2.8 L Lens w/ES-79 Hood *MINT-* - eBay (item 300507504713 end time Jan-21-11 02:47:01 PST)

Disclaimer: I haven't been to Hong Kong markets but do have lots of experience with second hand camera shops in Korea and Taiwan and as such one might get some great deals. Better to carry a camera along and test the items in the shop itself. The general idea is that the less prominent the shop is, the better the deals, it is up to your friend how much he wants to look around.

[Jaguar]

Originally Posted by kkr2k2

11K!!!! Thats pretty steep!!! You can buy the 50mm lens, a good tripod and a camera bag for that money!!

Canon 50mm 1.8 - Rs 4950
Camera Bag - Rs 2000? (Slim chance to get a decent one at this price but still)
Thats 7k already. Now please suggest me a good tripod for 4k

[shyamhegde]

Originally Posted by Jaguar

Camera Bag - Rs 2000? (Slim chance to get a decent one at this price but still)

I wish if a decent one was available at this range which can host body with kit lens, 50mm, flash and other few accessories like extra battery, bulb blower etc. etc.
Any pointers to non-branded ones but with utility features ? not those boxy type should bags.

[phamilyman]

500D has crap high ISO. even 450D is better. You'd be rather illadvised to buy it when other better options are there.

I know because i've been using the 500D for 1.5 years now (over 12k pics)