Everything you see on this blog is through this camera. I used it every day for the van conversion and for the past 10 months of travelling on the road. I couldn’t be without it.
People often ask what camera I use, so I thought I’d answer with a blog post…
What camera am I using?
It’s a Nikon D5100 with the standard 18-55mm kit lens. This is pretty much marketed as an ‘entry-level’ DSLR – I read somewhere that it’s ‘a girls camera’, but that’s the kind of person who thinks guns and sports cars are cool – I think what he meant was that this camera is small for an SLR – ignore.
[Tweet “The D5100 is a modest looking camera, but with serious insides. The perfect travel camera?”]
Is this the perfect camera for travelling? – 8 reasons why I think so:
I did have to make a few simple modifications to make this the perfect camera – See post
1. It’s small and light (for an SLR)
When you’re travelling it’s no use having an amazing camera, which stays at home because its too big and heavy to carry. You need a good camera that can easily be taken everywhere. I keep this camera in my rucksack all the time with no problem – can also just about fit into jacket pockets if I really need it to.
2. It’s tough!
Maybe not as tough as a magnesium body (this is all plastic), but it has survived the van conversion (paint, dust, glue, oil) and also many beaches, mountains and muddy festivals. You need to be able to take a camera everywhere without the worry of it easily getting damaged. Or at least, I do.
3. It has some serious insides!
The sensor and processor is the same as the D7000 (a well known high-end Nikon camera)
4. Packed with features
The reason I bought this over a Canon: way more features for the money. My favourite features (not often found on entry-level cameras) are bracketing (for HDR) and interval programing (for time-lapse). This does have everything I’ll ever need
5. Built-in help
All parameters and settings are explained if you press the ‘?’ button. This has helped me a lot for the first few months… OK I still use it sometimes
6. Can be controlled with your smartphone
I recently discovered the ‘DSLR Remote’ app, and the D5100 is fully compatible. It is perfect for taking long exposures, so you don’t have to press the button on the actual camera. The app has other nice features such as timers and HDR bracketing
7. It can be ‘hacked’ to unlock the hidden features
Most modern electronic products are capable of way more than what their features specify – it’s a marketing thing. This camera is no exception. Check out nikonhacker.com – I’ve used several of these hacks (you can pick and choose) – I love the people who spend time to do this for us… and for free!
8. The picture quality (and HD video)
I want to capture the amazing things I see whilst travelling as well as I can. According to Ken Rockwell (internets most honest and unbiased camera fanatic) the image quality of the D5100 is exactly the same as the D7000 (a pro Nikon cam).
Oh yeah and Nikon used this camera to film the television advert for the camera it’s self.
Nikon D5100 on Amazon UK
Nikon D5100 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm VR Lens Kit (16.2MP) 3 inch LCD
You will help me if you click on this link and then buy something on Amazon. I get 5% of the total checkout value – it’s a few pence but it will help me run this site and maybe buy an avocado once in a while. Thank you!
*note: if you want to know more about the product link (above) then please read what is an affiliate link?
Conclusion
- There are probably now other cameras similar to the D5100 that would also suit me for travelling just as well, but when I bought this in 2013 it definitely stood out in terms of features and quality for the money.
- I’ve learnt a lot on this camera, and still have a long while before I grow out of it.
So what do you think makes for a good travelling camera? Does anyone also have this camera? Maybe (now at the end of 2014) there is something even better for the money? Please let everyone know in the comments below…
are you still using the same camera now, what soft ware did u use to edit you most recent video. Im starting a trip in a month cant wait, first stop porto. what computer do u use do u have the screen calibrated
Dude, I’m just discovering your site and loving your entire vibe! Totally amazeballs epic! Question (there will be more, muahahahaaa): I see there’s a more recent version of this camera. Do you reckon it’d be better to get that or is the one you’ve got giving you all you need? Also, does is shoot HD video? Sorry if I missed that :D. PS: thanks again!
so, which remote app do you actually use? There are several to download.. no idea which one to choose!
the pictures of the inside of the van looks like taken with a fisheye lens! did you take them with the 18-55mm?
Nice one! Looks well done. I’ll try it at some point down the line I think. I just don’t know why anyone would buy photographs of my travelling. You know what I mean?
And the displate thing. I’ve never even seen it. Have you had anything from here?
I know what you mean man! 😉 But remember there’s people out there that live off their photographs! It’s just an idea for some extra cash, I guess it just comes down to building a name for your photography and get a good following – maybe submit photo’s to some curatored websites (your “story in a van” is such a unique thing to match to each photo!) Check out sites like 1x.com
(I know first-hand that selling photography is a lot harder than clothing, but, I started selling my t-shirt designs online 5 or 6 years ago thinking “no one will ever buy these, but it’s fun anyway”. Now I’m making a few hundred bucks a month for doing absolutely nothing haha)
Whhhaaa!?! A remote app? That is sweet! (Canon better have this shit or I’m switching! HA!)
Didn’t know about the hacking either…
P.S. You should think about selling some prints maybe? 😉
Yeah, It’s a recent discovery. Real useful and has a really good interval timer programmer function. Prints? Yeah maybe, if someone could print them… and if someone wanted to actually buy them
I found Canon does have it, but it’s only compatible with a few different models! (Not compatible with my 60D!)
I think people would be interested, especially as your blog grows! Check out FotoMoto – it lets you sell directly from your site and they take care of the printing and shipping to your customers. Also Displate does the same, they are metal art prints. Here’s mine: http://displate.com/graemevoigt/all/
Well your photos all look great. Its a nice camera and looks pretty professional 🙂
I’m no photographer at all. I know nothing about cameras. When I take a pic its with a Canon Power Shot A620 and the photos usually come out great. It also has a wonderful macro feature for really close up shots. In the miniature world (that’s what I do for a living) its a boon 🙂 My model is probably way out of date now but still serves it’s purpose.
Have you been on that squatters plane yet? Please take some pics inside if you do.
The powershot is my choice of compact! it doesn’t matter about out of date cameras, like you say, it does the job you need. The plane? nah I couldn’t work out what was going on and didn’t get close enough… quite a lot of squatted things in Athens