Upgrading to my 1st DSLR

[3prettyprincesses]

Hi all,

I'm looking to upgrade to my 1st DSLR camera and am considering the Nikon D3000. I am definitely a beginner and want a user friendly, entry level DSLR. Is this a good choice? I don't want to spend $1000 on a camera at this point. Are there better lenses that work well with this camera? I was looking at the Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S lens. My interests are nature photography, portraits and close ups of interesting objects. Does this sound doable with this camera and extra lens? Thanks so much for any help!

 

[ukcatfan]

For nature you are probably going to need something with more reach than a 200mm. You should look at kits with two lenses that include something like a 55-300mm (or similar with the 300mm number being the key factor). There are plenty of better lenses, but they will be more than your entire budget alone. If the nature is animals then you also want a fast burst rate. The D3000 is not so great there at 3fps. In your price range the Pentax K-x and Sony A500 are the segment leaders at around 5fps. The D3000 also does not have much range in high ISOs. For close up you really need a macro lens, but again that might throw you out of your budget range.

Check out the Pentax kit that includes the 18-55mm and 55-300mm.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Thanks for the info. I'm not too interested in animal shots, more like trees, foliage and things of that sort. I do like close ups so maybe I need to look into a macro lens as you suggested. Portraits do interest me very much as I have 3 daughters and am forever making them pose for me! I think I'd be fine with the 3 frames per second. Do you have any other suggestions, particulary for a macro lens? I did see a Nikon 50mm f1.8D AF that looked like a nice buy, considering I can't spend $500 on a single lens right now!

ETA: I do love bokeh too but am a definite novice. Is there a better lens to capture that effect?

 

[photo_chick]

My advice would be to buy the body and the kit lens until you know more of what you want. That way you don't end up buying a lens you don't really use.

You can't go wrong with any of the entry level DSLR's.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

The 50mm 1.8 won't auto focus on the D3000 or even the D5000. The 35mm 1.8 goes for $200 brand new and works just fine. Honestly I'd look at the D5000 if you want to stay with Nikon. I rarely use the video on it, but when I have, I'm pretty impressed. Also the higher ISO is a must for me since I prefer shooting at night.

 

[sss]

Hi,
I just got my first dslr in June...I got a Nikon d90 and LOVE it! I took it on a trip (not disney) and took a two hour tour (well gilligan, that sounds ominous) that focused on nature just to get used to it. I haven't handeled a dslr really since high school which was well...when people were still exclusively using film....I have had my heart set on a d90 for a long time and I LOVE it! I cannot compare it to anything else though. I agree with the person who suggested you get the kit lense and then see what you like/are comfortable with. For what it's worth, thus far, the kit lense is just fine. I am lusting after a good telephoto zoop though (3 cute girls who move fast and many school performances that I may be too far back in the room for, kwim?). Anyway, about the nature tour, I got some really great shots from a safe distance of a 500 lb. alligator. Going to disney in 8 days and bringing the dslr with me for the first time....we'll see how that flies since i am the family sherpa. I got this really great looking tamrac backpack camera bag thing which I think may work fine. Anyway, check out the d90. I LOVE it and it's very user friendly.
hth
sss

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Thanks everyone. I would love to get a D90, it's been in my Amazon shopping cart for awhile but it's expensive. That's why I was contemplating the D3000.

I went to Best Buy this afternoon to play around with one. It handles nicely but it was stuck in demo mode which drove me crazy. For some reason it wouldn't let me use the LCD to see what I was taking a picture of. Not a big deal, I just looked through the view finder instead. I liked that it was familiar too, I used to have a Nikon Coolpix P5100 that I loved.

I'm surprised the 50mm 1.8f won't focus on the D3000 though. Is it because the aperture is 1.8?

 

[ukcatfan]

Thanks everyone. I would love to get a D90, it's been in my Amazon shopping cart for awhile but it's expensive. That's why I was contemplating the D3000.

I went to Best Buy this afternoon to play around with one. It handles nicely but it was stuck in demo mode which drove me crazy. For some reason it wouldn't let me use the LCD to see what I was taking a picture of. Not a big deal, I just looked through the view finder instead. I liked that it was familiar too, I used to have a Nikon Coolpix P5100 that I loved.

I'm surprised the 50mm 1.8f won't focus on the D3000 though. Is it because the aperture is 1.8?

The D3000 does not have live view, so you cannot use the LCD to take a pic.

The lower end Nikon DSLRs do not have an AF motor in the body, so lenses that need one will not AF on those cameras (D40, D40x, D60, D3000, D5000, D3100).

 

[Suz725]

The Nikon D3000 is a GREAT camera for a beginner....I tried out the Nikon D5000 and was very overwhelmed by it..I have a D40 that I LOVE and we are getting a Canon DSLR soon..

 

[3prettyprincesses]

The D3000 does not have live view, so you cannot use the LCD to take a pic.

The lower end Nikon DSLRs do not have an AF motor in the body, so lenses that need one will not AF on those cameras (D40, D40x, D60, D3000, D5000, D3100).

It doesn't have a live view? That's not a huge deal but it is good to know. I actually prefer using the veiw finder anyway.

Thanks for the info. on the lenses too. I didn't realize the D3000 doesn't have AF (the 18mm-55mm kit one it comes with). I thought it did, the description of it on Amazon indicated it was auto focus. Or do you mean other accompanying lenses?

 

[ukcatfan]

It doesn't have a live view? That's not a huge deal but it is good to know. I actually prefer using the veiw finder anyway.

Thanks for the info. on the lenses too. I didn't realize the D3000 doesn't have AF (the 18mm-55mm kit one it comes with). I thought it did, the description of it on Amazon indicated it was auto focus. Or do you mean other accompanying lenses?

Older Nikon lenses have no AF motor in the lens. They must rely on the motor in the body. The newer lenses have a motor in the lens. Nikon removed the in body motor with the introduction of the D40 and all entry level models since have not had it. The next level body up still has a motor in the body (i.e. D80 D90 and above). There are a decent amount of lenses that will AF on the D3000, but be aware that there are many that will not. The ever popular 50mm f/1.8 is one that will not.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

The d3100 is coming out any day now (16th maybe?). So you should see some clearance pricing on the D3000. Canon has a new one come out (d60) so you can get a good deal on the canon d50 while supplies last

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Older Nikon lenses have no AF motor in the lens. They must rely on the motor in the body. The newer lenses have a motor in the lens. Nikon removed the in body motor with the introduction of the D40 and all entry level models since have not had it. The next level body up still has a motor in the body (i.e. D80 D90 and above). There are a decent amount of lenses that will AF on the D3000, but be aware that there are many that will not. The ever popular 50mm f/1.8 is one that will not.

Ok, let me see if I have this right!

The D300 does NOT have an internal focus motor. Therefore it will only auto focus using a lens that is labeled as such? If that is so, the 50mm 1.8f should've worked since it does say it is AF. What am I missing? I know I sound ignorant and I am definitely a beginner but I'm trying to understand so that I don't make an unwise purchase. Thank you so much for your help.

 

[ukcatfan]

Ok, let me see if I have this right!

The D300 does NOT have an internal focus motor. Therefore it will only auto focus using a lens that is labeled as such? If that is so, the 50mm 1.8f should've worked since it does say it is AF. What am I missing? I know I sound ignorant and I am definitely a beginner but I'm trying to understand so that I don't make an unwise purchase. Thank you so much for your help.

This is where a Nikon user will have to step in to help. There is a designation that lets you know which is which, but I do not know it. The 50mm f/1.8 is Nikon's old way of doing AF. The lens is AF, but the lens has no AF motor. The lens must rely on a motor in the body to AF. Nikon stopped putting that motor in the entry level DSLRs (it saves a few production bucks and forces more expensive lens purchases). The new method of doing AF for Nikon is to put the AF motor in every lens. It does AF by the body sending a digital signal to the lens to AF with its built in motor.

I understand how all this is confusing. I do not know what Nikon was thinking when it did away with the in body motor. All more the reason I am glad I shoot Pentax.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

This is where a Nikon user will have to step in to help. There is a designation that lets you know which is which, but I do not know it. The 50mm f/1.8 is Nikon's old way of doing AF. The lens is AF, but the lens has no AF motor. The lens must rely on a motor in the body to AF. Nikon stopped putting that motor in the entry level DSLRs (it saves a few production bucks and forces more expensive lens purchases). The new method of doing AF for Nikon is to put the AF motor in every lens. It does AF by the body sending a digital signal to the lens to AF with its built in motor.

I understand how all this is confusing. I do not know what Nikon was thinking when it did away with the in body motor. All more the reason I am glad I shoot Pentax.

Ok, I think I understand although it seems really backwards for Nikon to remove the internal focus motor. My head is spinning a little!

I'm rethinking my decision to go with the D3000 now. Thanks so much to everyone for helping, it is greatly appreciated!

 

[Pineapple Whip]

It doesn't have a live view? That's not a huge deal but it is good to know. I actually prefer using the veiw finder anyway.

Thanks for the info. on the lenses too. I didn't realize the D3000 doesn't have AF (the 18mm-55mm kit one it comes with). I thought it did, the description of it on Amazon indicated it was auto focus. Or do you mean other accompanying lenses?

Are you into taking action shots? Because a live view LCD comes in real handy, especially if it rotates.

 

[ukcatfan]

Ok, I think I understand although it seems really backwards for Nikon to remove the internal focus motor. My head is spinning a little!

I'm rethinking my decision to go with the D3000 now. Thanks so much to everyone for helping, it is greatly appreciated!

IMO Nikon did it for marketing reasons. With less AF lenses available to pick from, they are able to encourage the body upgrade to a mid level. Also, the lenses with AF built in just so happen to be more expensive than the ones that rely on the body's motor.

You really should consider the Pentax K-x I mentioned earlier. Pentax DSLRs can use lenses made decades ago with no limitations. Go back far enough and AF didn't even exist, but even the very earliest AF lenses made by them still AF just like normal. All that said, the Pentax K-x also blows the D3000 away in the specs and at the same price point! I have been touting this camera a lot lately, but for good reason. It may be one of the best bang for the buck deals in years.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

IMO Nikon did it for marketing reasons. With less AF lenses available to pick from, they are able to encourage the body upgrade to a mid level. Also, the lenses with AF built in just so happen to be more expensive than the ones that rely on the body's motor.

You really should consider the Pentax K-x I mentioned earlier. Pentax DSLRs can use lenses made decades ago with no limitations. Go back far enough and AF didn't even exist, but even the very earliest AF lenses made by them still AF just like normal. All that said, the Pentax K-x also blows the D3000 away in the specs and at the same price point! I have been touting this camera a lot lately, but for good reason. It may be one of the best bang for the buck deals in years.

Well that makes sense regarding Nikon then. It's almost as if they are forcing your hand to upgrade, as you said, in order to accomodate the lenses.

I just popped over to Amazon to look over the Pentax you suggested and I'm very impressed! I love that you can use all their lenses without worry over that stupid internal focus motor! The price is extremely reasonable, only about $50 more than the D3000. Can I ask how long you've had your Pentax K-x? And what lenses you'd recommend then? Thanks again for your insight!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Are you into taking action shots? Because a live view LCD comes in real handy, especially if it rotates.

The action shots I like are usually of my 3 girls, who are quite active! I also like taking ballet shots of them during their observation classes. So yes, I think I really do want a live view which unfortunately I learned the D3000 doesn't have! Thanks for the advice!

 

[ukcatfan]

Well that makes sense regarding Nikon then. It's almost as if they are forcing your hand to upgrade, as you said, in order to accomodate the lenses.

I just popped over to Amazon to look over the Pentax you suggested and I'm very impressed! I love that you can use all their lenses without worry over that stupid internal focus motor! The price is extremely reasonable, only about $50 more than the D3000. Can I ask how long you've had your Pentax K-x? And what lenses you'd recommend then? Thanks again for your insight!

They are the same price at $500 at B&H. They also have good deals on the two lens kits. The only downside, to me, of those kits are that you can only pick a black body. I have the red body, but came really close to getting the white one.

I have had it since last December. I upgraded to it from a Pentax K100D. You did get some good advice to wait to see what you need, but those two lens kit deals are sometimes hard to pass up. You probably will need a longer focal length for nature shots, so if it were me I would get one of those kit deals.

The action shots I like are usually of my 3 girls, who are quite active! I also like taking ballet shots of them during their observation classes. So yes, I think I really do want a live view which unfortunately I learned the D3000 doesn't have! Thanks for the advice!

Everyone is different, but I would never use live view for action. On almost all DSLRs the live view is slower to focus than when using the viewfinder. I only use live view for tripod work or when I need to get above a crowd.