Nikon D3000

[mickeysmyboy]

I'm by no means a pro but I got a Nikon D5000 about 6 months ago and it's absolutely fabulous! I've gotten numerous complements on my pictures since I got the camera! It's super easy to use! I love, love, love it!!!

 

[Twingle]

If you can, go to a store and try them out. I've wanted a dSLR for years, finally go to the point financially where it was possible, had my mind made up for a Nikon - and hated how it felt in my hands. For me personally, it wasn't a good "fit". I ended up with the Canon T1i, and while I'm still learning, I *love* it.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the brands mentioned here, just go with the one that feels best.

Good luck!

 

[mouselovenfamily]

So I'm still looking for a camera for my 17 yr. old. I have the chance to get a used D3000 off Craigslist, of she can buy the L110. I have the D90 and can not afford to give her mine. If she gets the D3000 she will learn to use lenses, we can share some lenses if they will AF on her camera or she can MF. If she gets the L110 it will still have settings for her to play with and to learn on, but possibly be a little easier.

Any input??

 

[coconutprincess]

So i got the camera with lens. I also go the starter pack with the exta lens for more close ups, and the bag.

I started playing around with it last night. I want to switch lenses today to start playing around with aperture and such.

Any suggestions how I can play around with night shots before our trip in Sept?

 

[ukcatfan]

Any suggestions how I can play around with night shots before our trip in Sept?

Unless you live in the Arctic Circle, then it gets dark every night. Your subject does not have to be interesting to practice. Just get out and do it. If it is anything like where I live, I suggest some bug spray as well

Pay particular attention to the interaction of the aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. If you plan on shooting moving subjects, then shutter speed is the most important factor. You might have to give up some DOF and use a noisy high ISO. If not, get a tripod and then worry about how you want control the DOF and the ISO noise. A remote shutter release is a really nice option.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Get yourself a copy of Understanding Exposure.

 

[Icemann]

Read the manual that came with the camera.Did you get any DVD's with your camera.Like Pea-n-me said get that book very good one at that and then re-read the manual

 

[curtiswheat]

Itunes podcasts rock! Can learn some great stuff on many camera/photography topics.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

Blue Crane Digital makes some awsome DVD's for your camera. I'd get one - very well worth it!

Oh, and shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot and shoot some more!

 

[Frantasmic]

Find neon signs and photograph them.

Go to any park where they may have illuminated statues, flag displays, etc. Illuminated buildings would also work. Go to the zoo in late afternoon when animals might be in the shaded portion of their cages.

Set your camera on a tripod and set it to focus on your object. Then play with your shutter speed and see how things turn out. Note what happens (back home at your computer with the downloaded pictures) with shutter speed.

Do the same thing with aperature and a constant shutter speed to see how that affects your picture.

 

[coconutprincess]

Thanks so much guys! We do have a DVD but I haven't used it yet. I just started playing around with the aperture and shutter speeds. I love it!

 

[bentos]

put it on your tripod and shoot long shutters at night scenes. man i loved doing that when my camera was new.

 

[Agent P]

Just go out and take pictures of all sights in your neighbor and city in different conditions to see how this effects your pictures. Give yourself a chance to learn the different settings and how that effects the outcome. Practice composition so that it is interesting and not just a snap shot.

And don't forget the most important skill: lots of pix of dogs and cats doing nothing.

 

[Bstanley]

Too bad I hate the placement of the shutter release - oh yeah and the fact that I bought that 70-200 f4 L lens...

Seriously though, looks like a fantastic price for a starter DSLR.

 

[TEK224]

I'm looking to get my first DSLR. I am not a pro, just like to take photos. I take photos of vacations, family, animals, kids' sporting events and sunsets.
I've read reviews for several different cameras. They all start to run together. What I read about the D3000 was that it was a good DSLR for a newbie and the price.
Anyone have this camera and willing to share the pros and cons?

Thanks!
Terri

 

[Ashmanarion]

I have the camera and I do love it. It is my first DSLR and has really helped me get quick shots which is what I mainly wanted it for. However, I would say spend the extra money and get the D5000. It will give you a couple more options that will benefit you in the end. Also, in my little experience, the D3000 has limited ISO capabilities and is tough to work with in low light. Look around review sites like www.dpreview.com, amazon.com, adorama.com, and other sites and figure out what you might like.

 

[NLD]

If you're worried about ISO capabilities and can afford it, you want the D90 (not D5000) in my opinion. With the D90 you'll get the better ISO PLUS the ability to use lenses without autofocus motors built in. Could save you some money on the glass needed (wide apertures) for low-light shots.

I don't have the D3000 but do have the D60 (approximately an earlier incarnation). I did like the D60 but eventually upgraded, largely for wanting: better high ISO performance, better focusing system, and an in-camera focusing motor.

That focusing motor is something to keep in mind. If you think you'll only get the kit lens plus maybe one or two others, it may not be a big deal. But... with both the D3000 and D5000, you need to know that because the bodies don't have motors in them, any lenses that don't have motors in the lenses will NOT autofocus on those cameras. You can still use lenses without motors, but you'd have to manually focus.

You mentioned shooting kids' sporting events--which sports? Indoors or out?

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Since you haven't purchased yet, you may want to look at the other brands also. IMHO the two best entry level DSLR's are the Canon T2i and the Pentax Kx. The Canon is a little more pricey and if you want image stabilization you will have to purchase that type of lens which costs more. The Pentax Kx has in-body stabilization and is one of the best high ISO cameras. The price is very reasonable. Pentax also produces some of the best kit lenses. For a beginner I would recommend the 18-55 and 55-300 kit. That gives you a great range and good optics. I shoot Pentax but I don't own a Kx, but there are others here who have it and the the Canon who can give you their opinions. I wouldn't limit myself at this point. You need to handle the cameras for the ergonomics because that is very important. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[Ashmanarion]

Since TEK mentioned the D3000, I figured they were looking at entry level and I don't consider the D90 as being entry level especially at about twice the price of a D5000. NLD and Gianna's Papa have both given great advice. You will enjoy any camera you get I believe.

 

[ukcatfan]

Since you haven't purchased yet, you may want to look at the other brands also. IMHO the two best entry level DSLR's are the Canon T2i and the Pentax Kx. The Canon is a little more pricey and if you want image stabilization you will have to purchase that type of lens which costs more. The Pentax Kx has in-body stabilization and is one of the best high ISO cameras. The price is very reasonable. Pentax also produces some of the best kit lenses. For a beginner I would recommend the 18-55 and 55-300 kit. That gives you a great range and good optics. I shoot Pentax but I don't own a Kx, but there are others here who have it and the the Canon who can give you their opinions. I wouldn't limit myself at this point. You need to handle the cameras for the ergonomics because that is very important. Good luck with your purchase.

I am a K-x user and I have to say that it really is amazing for the price! It even has better specs than some more expensive models from other brands. It does not have the 18MP of the T2i, but believe me the 12MP is way more than enough for an amateur user. I was happy with the 6MP of my old K100d. So, unless you plan on shooting for poster size prints all the time, don't let more MPs sway you.

Some of the specs that are really impressive are the in body IS, the fastest burst rate in its class, best control of noise for a JPG in its class, ISO 12800 (don't think D5000 has it), fastest max shutter in the class, more flash option like rear curtain and wireless, slightly better viewfinder than the D5000, and last but not least are kit lenses with arguably the best build quality of any kit. To be fair, here are some of the things it does not lead in: MPs, LCD screen size (2.7" vs. 3"), HD video mode (1080p on T2i vs. 720p on D5000 and K-x), and less metering zones than T2i (have not had any exposure problems though). Also to be fair, the high ISO performance on the D5000, T1i, T2i, and K-x are all impressive. When shooting RAW, it would be almost impossible to tell any difference between any of them. Also, the K-x uses AAs instead of proprietary rechargeables so you are open to many different battery sources. Sanyo Eneloops are great rechargeable AAs. If you see a hybrid Duracell rechargeable with a white top, it is a re-branded Eneloop.

One last thing. The K-x comes in a variety of colors to chose from. I got a red one, but there is also black, white, navy, green, blue, orange, and purple. The last four are only available direct from Pentax, so they are full retail instead of the cheaper street price found at places like B&H and Adorama.

Good luck choosing a camera. I am sure you will be happy with any of them as they are all a huge step above a p&s.