OMG... So Confusing

[tinkerbell615]

Okay... so I bit the bullet and bought my DD a Nikon D3100 camera with the 18-55mm lens, as well as the 55-200mm lens. I have thought about it in the past, but I finally did it! I also bought a UV filter, a bag and an instructional DVD.

She is a college student and has an absolute passion for photography. It is not going to be her profession, but she loves it and takes some really good pictures with just her point and shoot cameras. She is taking an elective class next quarter on photography and is always talking about how she is going to buy a DSLR camera with her first paycheck from her job after graduation.

I have talked to a friend who does a lot of photography and he recommends this camera. I have also read some really good reviews about it here and other places.

I just need some reassurance that I have gotten the right thing for her to start and learn. I don't understand a thing about these cameras. Will she be able to zoom at all with the 55-200 mm lens? If anyone has anything that I can tell her after she gets the camera to help her get started, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[photo_chick]

You got a good setup for someone starting out that does not want to pursue a professional career. However if she is taking a college intro photography course that camera may be useless for the class, as many programs still start with black and white film. Check the course syllabus and see what's required, a 35mm body and kit can be had very cheaply (often free if you ask around enough) if it is needed.

 

[disneyboy2003]

I think you did good with the Nikon D3100. For an amateur photographer, any dSLR from any brand will be more than enough for the basics of photography. And that Nikon D3100 is actually marketed specifically for beginning photographers who know nothing about photography. The Nikon D3100 has specific menus and options that teach photographers what settings to use. Sounds like these would be especially helpful for your daughter. The Nikon D3100 is an excellent entry-level dSLR camera. (Although, being a Canon shooter, I must give you the obligatory "you should've bought Canon" ) Honestly though, *any* brand's dSLR would serve your daughter well. I think you did well with the Nikon D3100.

Yes, both your lenses will zoom. By definition, "55-200 mm" means that the lens can be zoomed from a focal length of 55 mm (a "normal view") to a focal length of 200 mm (a telephoto view). I'm not sure if you had a chance to play around with the camera and its lens at the store before you purchased it, but you would have noticed that there was a ring on this lens that you could turn to zoom in and out.

Just as an aside, there *are* lenses that cannot zoom, or in photography terms, these lenses have a fixed focal length and are called "prime lenses". You'd know you have a prime lens if there's only one focal length listed on the lens. For example, a "50 mm" lens is a prime lens because there's only one focal length listed. Prime lenses are usually sold separately. They are usually not sold as part of a dSLR kit.

On the other hand, a zoom lens have 2 focal lengths listed, such as "18-55 mm" and "55-200 mm".

Hope that helps. I think you did good with the Nikon D3100, and I know your daughter will enjoy using her first dSLR camera and her first 2 excellent lenses.

 

[tinkerbell615]

Thank you both so much. I am excited for her to get the camer and see the pictures that she takes.

 

[DreamLikeWalt]

You absolutly did the right thing! I am pretty much the same as your daughter only I am 18 - I dont plan on doing photography as a profession but I love it and wanted to get started ! So a year ago my mom bought me the Nikon D5000 , which is pretty much the same camera that you got your daughter! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It is so perfect for a begineer like myself! I've had it for a little over a year and I am still learning, but i love it so much!
Go you! Shes going to love it!

 

[tinkerbell615]

You absolutly did the right thing! I am pretty much the same as your daughter only I am 18 - I dont plan on doing photography as a profession but I love it and wanted to get started ! So a year ago my mom bought me the Nikon D5000 , which is pretty much the same camera that you got your daughter! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It is so perfect for a begineer like myself! I've had it for a little over a year and I am still learning, but i love it so much!
Go you! Shes going to love it!

Thank you so much for this note! She is 19 and like I said in an earlier post, I can't wait for her to get it!

I was also able to get the limited edition Red camera!!

 

[GrumpyGoat]

Thank you both so much. I am excited for her to get the camera and see the pictures that she takes.

A DSLR is a quantum leap up from the typical point and shoot and as such there is a bit of a learning curve. She and you may be disappointed with her results right "out-of-the-box." Just don't let her get frustrated and lose confidence. The good pictures will come.

I've been a photographer for over 45 years and have been shooting digital for about ten years. I don't know all there is to know about digital photography and I still shoot a lot of junk. The nice thing about digital is that it costs nothing to experiment. If a picture doesn't turn out, delete it...

 

[larryz]

But then again, there's always the "full auto" setting, which makes the dSLR pretty much a very expensive "point-n-shoot."

 

[tinkerbell615]

A DSLR is a quantum leap up from the typical point and shoot and as such there is a bit of a learning curve. She and you may be disappointed with her results right "out-of-the-box." Just don't let her get frustrated and lose confidence. The good pictures will come.

I've been a photographer for over 45 years and have been shooting digital for about ten years. I don't know all there is to know about digital photography and I still shoot a lot of junk. The nice thing about digital is that it costs nothing to experiment. If a picture doesn't turn out, delete it...

Thanks for the words of advice. I be sure to let her know not to get frustrated. Just reading posts on these boards makes my head spin. LOL Of course... she is a lot more persistant than I am.

 

[GrumpyGoat]

Another thing to consider is for her to get a mentor. There are literally thousands of camera clubs around the country and I feel fairly certain there are people in those clubs that will help out a beginner. Have her check out clubs in her area and see if she can find one that suits her.