Is the D5300 a significant upgrade from the T3i?

R

RupertPupkin

Active member
Hello all,

I'm currently shooting on a Canon T3i, but would like to upgrade to a slightly better camera before I make the leap to the 4k cameras and what not coming out.

For a while I've been set on getting a Panasonic G6 or GH3 because of how sharp they are, and they do 1080p/60, until recently I saw some footage from a D5300 and was really impressed.

From my understanding, the D5300 has better dynamic range than the Panasonic cameras, and is most likely a better performer in low light conditions, which is a huge plus for me. Only thing I can think that the 5300 loses in is sharpness. Is the 5300 more sharp than a T3i or about the same?

Also, I like doing night photography and long exposure time lapses, so thats another reason the Nikon appeals more to me than a MFT camera.

So is the D5300 really the bees knees or is a Panasonic camera a better option?

Oh and I shoot video/stills with a full set of Nikkor pre-ai lenses if that matters at all.
 
I can't speak to the specifics of which camera is better, but pre AI lenses will have to be modified in order to work properly with any modern Nikon DSLR.
 
Interesting, I was under the assumption they would work perfectly shooting all manual. Do you know what needs to be done to the lenses?
 
My perspective comes from owning the D5200. The D5200 has a lot more real detail in the image than a T3i AND it doesn't have the aliasing/moire issues. Also... you can record 1080 out of the HDMI port to an external recorder. The D5300 should be even better than the 5200 with its 1080 60p mode.
 
Rupert the 5300 is a lot better than the t3i. It is a noticable upgrade.

I upgraded last year from the t2i to the d7100 and like it alot.

Your PreAI glass will not work right with the d5300, or any nikon dslr except for that new DF throw back one.

The Nikon DSLRS have a physical coupling thing that needs the AI notched backs to mount properly.

You will either have to sell/buy new lenses or have your current ones modified to fit your current camera right.

I'm still kind of in this pickle myself as I have Non Ai lenses from my t2i (35 1.4, 20 3.5, 50 1.4) that I need to have modified or sell still.
 
The fairly inexpensive 35mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.8 G lenses are a couple of good options that work with the 5200/5300. I love them for both photos and video.
 
Oh and I shoot video/stills with a full set of Nikkor pre-ai lenses if that matters at all.
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....sounds like a good reason to go the g6 route, as well as the new focal reducers available for these lenses to m43.
 
I would definitely go Nikon right now. From your current camera, the D5300 will give you a much cleaner image (basically no aliasing/moire) with more real detail and better DR.
Right now Panasonic is sharper than Nikon, but it's a smaller sensor and it has a lot less DR, which is a deal-killer for me.

This is what you'd have to do to your lenses: http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/repair/aimod/aimod.htm
Big hassle, I know...
 
Also remember that you can use in camera setting to raise the sharpening on the Nikon (which is neutral from factory) . These sensors a lot detail.
 
Im looking forward to seeing footage from the new nikon d3300. It could be very similar to the d5300 in terms of video features, but for a cheaper price. Also image quality for stills will probably be better than the MFTs.
 
Keep in mind for the Ai modification - the guy in Samuel's post modded his lens to work for stills. If you aren't concerned with meter coupling and just want a very "dumb" lens, I believe you just have to grind the flange down (the first step). I'M NOT POSITIVE of this, but there are less steps needed - google a little more.

Or just get some AI or AIS or even AF lenses with aperture rings - between Nikon, Tamron, Vivitar, etc - there are piles of 'em out there. You've got decades of production to choose from.

My first year of DSLR video, 80% of my stuff was shot with a $50 series-E 28mm. (People always say "get a 50" since they're cheap and plentiful, but the FOV is more like a 70mm on APS-C. I found 24 and 28 to be my go-to lenses for a natural feel).
 
I love and have all the series E

There are options I've considered to mail the lenses away to be modded as well.

It's like $25 a lens for someone to essentially do what is listed in Samuel H's link.
 
Interesting thing about the lenses...

I have a question that I've never seen answered before and I've done a lot of searching for it. How do the pre-ai lenses really compare to the AIS? I chose to buy all pre-ai because I really liked the all metal design, but do the AIS lenses actually give better images? I've heard people argue both ways, that AIS are faster and sharper at same apertures than the pre-ai, but I've also heard the opposite.

If the AIS lenses are that much better I wouldn't have a problem selling my pre-ai for a set of AIS, or if the difference is next to nothing I wouldn't have a problem modifying my pre-ai lenses, and I could also get a Series E for cheap to hold me over if I don't replace all my lenses immediately.

Does the D5300 have HDMI out like the D5200? It would be awesome to have the option of shooting 10bit ProRes with something like the Ninja in the future.

I think I had more questions but I can't seem to think of any at the moment....uh the Nikon is good for taking long exposure timelapses of stars and stuff like that right?

EDIT: Okay I thought of something. As far as the AIS lenses go, are the faster counter parts always better or is it not worth the extra cost? For example the 85mm f1.4 vs. the 85mm f2, is the f1.4 justifiable or is the f2 a better overall purchase?

Also, the 50mm f1.2 is really attracting me for obvious reasons, is it truly a great lens or is the 1.4 or ever 1.8 a better option?

Thanks
 
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it has HDMI-out, and you can record 10-bit prores, but the signal out of the camera is only 8-bit 422, so that's all the info you'll actually get.
 
I think its not just which series (E, AI, AIS) but also the specifics of the different lenses, for example the 28 f2.8 AIS are suppose to be much better than than the other versions but in some cases the AI-versions are just as good.
 
I upgraded in april 13 from the t2i to the d5200 and I like it. I think it’s a great upgrade.
No moiré or aliasing. Better DR. Better h264 coder type (CABAC vs CAVLC).


Now I would upgrade to the D5300.
Somebody knows if the D5300 HDMI out get 1080p24 or it's only 50i (in PAL) like D5200 ?
 
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RupertPupkin said:
I have a question that I've never seen answered before and I've done a lot of searching for it. How do the pre-ai lenses really compare to the AIS? I chose to buy all pre-ai because I really liked the all metal design, but do the AIS lenses actually give better images? I've heard people argue both ways, that AIS are faster and sharper at same apertures than the pre-ai, but I've also heard the opposite.
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There's not cut & dried answer. There's a wide variance of quality, from a few stinkers, to lots of good glass, to some excellent stuff and a few absolute classics. And throw in some cheap sleepers as well.

Ai and newer are likely to have better coating technologies. Other than that, you have to research, and get a feel for reviews... is it some-internet-guy who owns the lens and thus loves it whether it's any good or not, vs. someone who has tested the lens or done pro work with it? But there are plenty of Nikon articles with very specific info.
 
homestar_kevin said:
I love and have all the series E

There are options I've considered to mail the lenses away to be modded as well.

It's like $25 a lens for someone to essentially do what is listed in Samuel H's link.
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The 50 series E is as good as any 50 1.8 nikkor, Ai and up, as I understand it - pretty much the same formula for decades.

The 28 series E is a great bargain lens, but softens up until you get to 5.6 or so. Not a champ, but a heck of a deal. It does have a pretty look wide open, but I avoided going wider than F4 with it.

The 100 2.8 is pretty freaking beautiful. Sharpness open is so-so, but it's a beautiful "soft" look. Bokeh's decent, flares are getting ugly. But until you can afford the legendary 105, it's a great beauty/telephoto lens. At around $100, I'd consider it a must-buy for music video, beauty stuff, narrative when you need to go long. You could buy 5 100-E's or ONE 105.

Many people love the series-E zoom. Overall though, if you can afford the 35-70 2.8 AF ($400-$500 used), that's a pretty magnificent lens that covers a lot of series-E territory. With bonus macro capability. The 28mm AI-S 2.8 (not series E) is legendary.

I've posted this before, but... it says it all. 100mm 2.8 Series E, frame grab from a T2i video:

MVI_3026.jpg
 
Samuel H said:
Right now Panasonic is sharper than Nikon, but it's a smaller sensor and it has a lot less DR, which is a deal-killer for me.
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A lot less DR? The D5200 has an impressive amount of DR no doubt, but the GH3's DR according to DxO is maybe about 1 stop behind. Both of which are a healthy amount more than the popular Canon DSLRs the OP is coming from.

Also, the sensor may be smaller, but the lens selection and focal reducers (which have been mentioned in this thread) open up way more options in glass. None of this AI/pre-AI hoopla, you can all kinds of cool options like EOS and even FD (neither of which work on Nikon) and with a nice speedbooster you'll get an even WIDER fov as well as an extra stop of light.

That being said, I still think the latest batch of Nikons are excellent choices. Ok, maybe aside from the inability to change aperture while recording (who thought this was a good idea?!). But still, fantastic cameras especially for the price.

But I think your use of the descriptive "deal killer" is out of place for the Panasonic options, Samuel. :)
I'd say the pros and cons with those options are pretty head-to-head.
 
RupertPupkin said:
really impressed

better dynamic range

loses in is sharpness?
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I don't think you will see much difference. I have been shooting a 550D then a 60D, 5D, and 600D and making a living with them. I used to rent an EX3 but since canon came along I haven't rented a camera in 4 years. I'm not a Canon maniac, just they had a huge start over Nikon 5 years ago so that's where I began.
I too was intrigued when I heard about the raved 5300 I went to the camera dealer with cash in hand, but the second I picked it up I was unimpressed. The menu and controls on the 5300 are complected for video and dedicated for stills. The camera is very cheaply constructed along the lines of the "50 1.8 Plastic Fantastic" which I own. Just my take, sorry 5300 fans.

Make no mistake most Canon's under $1,000 are cheaply produces as well, but great money makers and have never failed me, like an old taxi you just change the oil once a year.
That said the picture can look very good when the light is right, shooting ultra flat for better DR and sharpen up in post. I keep using them because the clients keep paying and the cameras won't quit.
But in reality it's all (Canon Nikon Panny) 100% CRAP consumer disposable cameras now that raw is out. The last 2 years have the most revolutionary for affordable raw cameras including a free ML option to add to many cameras.
There is no reason to upgrade to a camera for maybe 10% improvement.

Since you have those great Nikon lenses and you want to go 4K, why don't you start with a BMPCC for just $1,000 and will blow any DSLR out of the water right now. If you plan to shoot 4K why not start with something in that playing field. I don't know what your budget is, but I wouldn't waste your money on obsolete camera technology.
 
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