[jc9394]

I use both Photoshop and Lightroom, love both.  LR for something quick and PS for extensive work.

 

[HawaiiFi]

Between the D5100 and the D3200 I would get the D5100, or fork over a little more for the D7000. The camera should come with View NX2. Shoot fine + RAW and then use the NX2 to play with your RAW files. You can always get Lightroom or Photoshop later if you need more than the NX2.

 

[jc9394]

if you are only viewing the NEF file, you don't need NX2.  Just download this...http://www.nikonimglib.com/nefcodec/

 

[Szadzik]

Quote:

Between the D5100 and the D3200 I would get the D5100, or fork over a little more for the D7000. The camera should come with View NX2. Shoot fine + RAW and then use the NX2 to play with your RAW files. You can always get Lightroom or Photoshop later if you need more than the NX2.

 
If you can afford it, D7000 brings a lot of good things over D5100 and D3200. A lot.

 

[bigshot]

It's twice as much isn't it? For my money, I'd spend more on lenses, not the body.

 

[xxhaxx]

I would say skip the d5100/d31000 and look around for a used D90

 

[HawaiiFi]

The D5100 has the flip screen FWIW. I seem to use mine more than I thought I would. The D5100 also shares the same great sensor as the D7000 and has bracketing. The D3200 does not shoot brackets.

 

[NeonPirateKing]

Quote:

The D5100 has the flip screen FWIW. I seem to use mine more than I thought I would. The D5100 also shares the same great sensor as the D7000 and has bracketing. The D3200 does not shoot brackets.

It's kinda weird, that when I first asked the question a couple weeks ago, barely anybody replied. Then 2 or three weeks later, people are finally replying haha. I'm thinking of probably getting the D5100. It's already pushing the limit of my budget(for now). 

 

[Ponefish]

I have a d5100 and love it. It is still my first DSLR so I am still learning a lot about it. I found it on ebay for a good price, used with a case, 2 lenses, and 1000 shutter actuations. Might want to try there for a good deal, just be careful what you are looking for.
 

 

[Chris J]

It's kinda weird, that when I first asked the question a couple weeks ago, barely anybody replied. Then 2 or three weeks later, people are finally replying haha. I'm thinking of probably getting the D5100. It's already pushing the limit of my budget(for now). 

An amateur opinion here:
I'm no expert on this stuff, but when I was buying a year ago, I compared a D90 with a D7000.
For what I do, I could not figure out why I needed the extra features of the D7000 so I went with a D90 and I have never regretted my decision.

I would rather spend the difference on lenses!

 

[bigshot]

Most people spend too much on camera bodies and not enough on lenses. I know I did.

 

[xxhaxx]

Quote:

Most people spend too much on camera bodies and not enough on lenses. I know I did.

 
It depends on what lenses you have. I started off w/ a D90 + Tamron 17-50 + 35 1.8 which is a really good setup IMO. Now I am currently sitting on a D800 + 24 1.4 and 85 1.4 might sell my 85 to get the 1.8 since it performs better on teh d800

 

[bigshot]

Most people spend so much on the camera body, they can only afford one lens. A DSLR with one lens might as well be a camera without interchangable lenses.

 

[xxhaxx]

But the image quality is that much better  

 

[jc9394]

Quote:

 
It depends on what lenses you have. I started off w/ a D90 + Tamron 17-50 + 35 1.8 which is a really good setup IMO. Now I am currently sitting on a D800 + 24 1.4 and 85 1.4 might sell my 85 to get the 1.8 since it performs better on teh d800

 
X2 on the 85 f1.8 bette on D800.  I brought both from BH and end up return the 1.4.