The Nikon D5100 was released in the year 2011 and I have had it for years. It’s lasted far longer than all of my relationships — and has provided a lot more fun.
In an era of rapid technological advancements, where newer is often perceived as better, my old Nikon D5100 is still my favorite camera. Despite the allure of newer models offering cutting-edge features like 6k video, image stabilization, much higher megapixel images and improved overall performance, the D5100 is still my go-to camera for anything important.
Here are a few reasons why I tend to choose this camera for shooting rather than the more modern or advanced cameras that I own.
I’m Used to The Quirks
For some reason, this camera never did autofocus properly. It always back-focused. I have had to do repeated maintenance on it such as mirror alignment and resetting a few ribbon cables on the circuit board to get it to take reasonably sharp photos. Dropping it a few times hasn’t helped. It also over-exposes almost every shot, and not by a small amount. But after so many years I am used to working around these issues and can generally get the exact images I want.
Image Quality
The most important part is of course, the image quality. This old Nikon DSLR seems to produce images that have a special “something” lacking in a lot of other cameras. It seems to be from a richness in the shadows and perhaps more information in the highlights, causing them to have a soft and gentle feel. I’m actually not sure, and have tried and failed to replicate the “look” with other cameras.
It’s Dumbed Down
Because this is an old camera that was considered “entry level” when it was released, it’s very straightforward to use. There’s not much happening in the menu system and the controls are super simple. This makes it good for quick shots and run-and-gun style street photography.
For What It’s Worth, It Has Been Reliable
I mentioned above that I dropped this camera a few times. The worse drop is when I took photos during a snowstorm and the camera slipped and came crashing down to the ground. That’s when I had to do the circuit board repair as a few ribbon cables inside the camera had come loose. But it still worked after all of that and still takes pictures to this day. The shutter count is very high in 2024 and it’s still chugging along.
Yes, There’s Sentimental Value Here
Looking back on all the photos I have taken, this camera has consistently taken my favorite shots. It’s been with me on all sorts of strange adventures, deep into the crazy parts of New York City, at private parties, at rooftop bars, alongside me during my journey through the art world and it helped capture scenes during the pandemic. And now, in 2024, it’s ready for more.
Do you have an old camera that you use to this day? Leave a comment below! Follow me on Instagram. All photos in this article were taken with a Nikon D5100 and 35mm f1.8DX lens in March 2024.