Nikon D100 - $150, worth it?

[lkiller123]

Some of you guys might have known me in the Picture of the Day thread..

Currently I am shooting with a P&S Sony DSC-H10; the more I use it, the more limiting I find it to be.

First off, the lens is extremely narrow, 38mm at its widest setting. I am very interested in shooting cityscapes, and 38mm is not enough for me.

Secondly, the noise level is way too high. I usually take night shots, when I forget a tripod, I am done for the day. ISO400 is already too much for me to bear.

Time for a DSLR...

I've found a deal on the Nikon D100 for $150.
Also got a deal on the 20D for $225.

The lens I am looking forward to get is the Tokina 12-24mm f/4.

I am a bit leaning toward the Nikon since the Tokina is cheaper as a Nikon mount, about $330 from what I've seen. On a Canon it is normally sold for at least $400.

Are there any better alternatives? I am not that high on cash so I would need a very inexpensive solution.

[itznfb]

Some of you guys might have known me in the Picture of the Day thread..

Currently I am shooting with a P&S Sony DSC-H10; the more I use it, the more limiting I find it to be.

First off, the lens is extremely narrow, 38mm at its widest setting. I am very interested in shooting cityscapes, and 38mm is not enough for me.

Secondly, the noise level is way too high. I usually take night shots, when I forget a tripod, I am done for the day. ISO400 is already too much for me to bear.

Time for a DSLR...

I've found a deal on the Nikon D100 for $150.
Also got a deal on the 20D for $225.

The lens I am looking forward to get is the Tokina 12-24mm f/4.

I am a bit leaning toward the Nikon since the Tokina is cheaper as a Nikon mount, about $330 from what I've seen. On a Canon it is normally sold for at least $400.

Are there any better alternatives? I am not that high on cash so I would need a very inexpensive solution.

I'm not 100% sure, but pretty sure... that the D100 has the same sensor as the D70. IF that's the case then $150 for the D100 would be a great price. They seem to be selling for around $250 though... where the D50 and D70 can't really be found for less than $300. If that's you're tight on cash though it'd probably be your best option. Also dig around on FM forums. Often good buys to be found there.

[lkiller123]

The $150 deal is from some posting on Craigslist. I've also seen some other D100s for around the $200 tag.
A D100 around $200 and a 20D around $250, which one should I pick?

Wow, just found a 20D for $225 with ~3600 shutter counts. Thanks for the FM link!

[itznfb]

I'm not really familiar with the older generation Canon's so I don't really have anything useful to add for the 20D

[Planet]

D100 is from 2002. In the age of digital that should not eve be a consideration. If you tight on cash look at maybe something like the G10 or G11. No interchangeable lens but still has all the other options.

[lkiller123]

This will probably be my hobby for many years to come, so I am trying to have a nice SLR to get started.

[Planet]

If this is going to be your hobby. Save up the money and buy a newer gen camera. D90s can be had for fairly cheap now around 700. Then invest in glass. You dont want to buy the D100 only to want a new camera in a month or two and have wasted money and time on the D100.

[lkiller123]

Ugh, 700 dollars will take me years to save in my current condition. I am just a high school student, so I will be very, very tight on money. I am just trying to spend no more than $550 on a complete set.

[RADCOM]

A Nikon that old may be in need of a service in a short while too. That is a very good price for the TOKINA 12-24mm f/4 IT IS >£300 in the UK

[Planet]

You can get a Nikon 3100 with a 18-55 for ~$600. Look for maybe a D3000 used or used D3100.

[itznfb]

D100 is from 2002. In the age of digital that should not eve be a consideration. If you tight on cash look at maybe something like the G10 or G11. No interchangeable lens but still has all the other options.

You don't know what you're talking about. A top of the line APS-C CCD sensor from 2002 can still be relevant today. There was only 1 generation difference between the D100 and the D3000. So the sensor in the D100 might as well only be two years old. There were some improvements in the D70 and the D50 so functionally they will be a bit easier to use. I would recommend maybe stretching your budget if you can and trying to find a used D50/70.

You can get a Nikon 3100 with a 18-55 for ~$600. Look for maybe a D3000 used or used D3100.

For someone with a limited budget recommending and extremely overpriced kit with a lens that doesn't even suit their intended uses isn't the best advice either. The 3100 won't AF with the less expensive 3rd party lenses or older Nikon lenses whereas the D100/50/70 will.

[RoadconeTuning]

FWIW, i've done WORK with my D70... but a D100 is old crap you dont want to mess with... just like a D1...

all D70 images of mine... either 50mm f/1.8, Tokina 12-24 f/4 or Tokina 80-400 f/4-5.6





D70 w/ 70-200 f/2.8VR

w/ SB-600 on camera...

[lkiller123]

Damn it, the listing is gone, now the cheapest D100 I can find worths 200 bucks.
Just found another deal on the 20d WITH the 24-85mm. 200 bucks!

[itznfb]

D100 is old crap you dont want to mess with... just like a D1...

I'd like to see some proof that the D100 is "old crap" compared to your D70. Considering they have the same internals... good luck.

[weston]

FWIW, i've done WORK with my D70... but a D100 is old crap you dont want to mess with... just like a D1...

as far as sensors go...

D100 = D70 = D40

just like

D300 = D90 = D5000

pretty funny you are so positive about a D70 when a D100 has the same sensor.

I'd say any DSLR would be good, but I'd stay away from the D3000. (I own one as a second body and can't stand it) it has horrible luminance noise despite having the same sensor as the D80, it is much worse in image quality. It takes Lightroom's new NR to get it clean, even at ISO 400.

Keep looking for a used D100 or D70, either of those would give you great image quality.

[lkiller123]

Well, if the D100 has the same sensor as the D70 AND the D40, I will give this another look. I am looking around and can sometimes find a deal at around or less than 200 dollars. D70s are slightly more expensive.

Thanks guys for the help!

[Mescalamba]

If you want good old and somewhat cheap camera, get Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D (or 5D). Lens for that are cheap and pretty high quality.

[thegt1]

My advice to you will be to not overthink the decision so much, the difference between all these models is truly insignificant. The one think that i will make sure if i were in your shoes, is manual control so you can learn and practices skill that will carry over to the next higher model in the future.

As far as the glass is concern, that's another story all by itself.