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Veteran
If you allow me to deviate from the question: why not get a D3200 with cheap pre-AI Nikkor lenses?
Pros:
- Pre-AI lenses are cheap because nobody wants them for their 'big' DSLR
- You have an optical VF with a focus confirmation dot in the lower left corner. It's not a RF but neither is the X-pro1.
- ISO and shutter speed are sufficient for almost all situations
- with the kit lens you get AF too, and VR is also possible
- Any chipped lens will give you a working exposure meter
- the 25 MP sensor wipes out both options you asked about
- It's a fraction of the price of either option you asked about
- It's new and if the LCD screen fails you can at least get it fixed
- It's hardly any bigger or heavier than either of the options you asked about
Cons:
- you will not have aperture priority
- you will not have a working exposure meter in the camera (could be a pro: more M4 style!)
- you will not be considered a 'real photographer' unless you mount something obviously antique on the camera, like the Nikkor-S 1.4/58mm
which can be had for about USD 150 in pre-AI and turns into a perfect 1.4/85mm on the D3200
Cross-posted from the 'Show your SLR' thread:
I was looking for a replacement with superior image quality for my G10 Canon last year. Inexpensive, small, very high quality files, Relatively compact lenses and high quality video were important. I never shot much video but when I did the G10 fell short of expectations.
I originally set out to get an Olympus or Panasonic 4/3 camera and wound up with a G3 Panasonic and kit lens. It was small but the image quality was a long way from what I expected. It was bad enough that I returned the camera for another and found it fell short of expectations just like the first. That's when I found the D3100. To make the story short I bought two. One for standard color/ B&W and the other I had converted to IR. I mainly use my non AI manual lenses and have a couple of smaller zooms if I want to go full auto.
I love the D3100 / D3200 cameras. Image quality is extremely good and I use my old Nikkor lenses withe exceptional results. Actually I discovered I like the new generation of Nikons so well I sold my Canon system I use in my work and went to a D800 system. Actually I like the look of the D3100 images better than my previous Canon 1DsII.
If you want some super fine glass, cheap and very fast you can easily find Nikons AI or pre AI 28 f2, 35 f1.4, 50 F1.2, 84 f 1.4, 105 f1.8 and a truck load of other fast and cheap lenses.
No meter with non chipped lenses has never been a problem. Just use your best guess and adjust per the histogram results. Very easy.