Beginner Nikon D3000 Suggestions

[VQpoweredZ]

Hey guys,

I've always been very interested in high quality pictures. Especially of cars that are nice and low . When i'm on the internet, I'm usually looking through flickr after flickr looking at all of the amazing pictures some people take.

I've always wanted to get into photography and learn more about taking the type of pictures I save to my computer and use as desktops. I've researched many different DSLR's and I came up with the Nikon D3000.

The question: Is the Nikon D3000 a good starting camera for a beginner at DSLR's? I know absolutely nothing about photography now, but I'm willing to learn. I know that buying an expensive camera will not just magically take fantastic pictures, it's a two way street. This camera seems to be in my budget. And this will be used for mainly shooting cars. Anything that I should know before I make a purchase?

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan

[Svenska94Aero]

I find that Nikons are an excellent choice for first-time dslr users. There's just something about the way they're set up that makes them very easy to use and get the hang of, but also encourages diving deeper into the manual controls. I think the best way to learn is to experiment, and Nikon seems to agree. I was extremely close to buying a D5000 a couple years ago, and the D3000 is more or less the same camera, just a little bit smaller, more compact package. Also, your lens is more important than your body. If you're planning on sticking with a kit lens for starters, then Nikon's 18-55 (in my experience) is a better quality product than that of say Canon. I just bought a Nikkor 28-80mm, which can be found extremely cheap (I got mine lightly used on eBay for $75) and gets extremely good reviews. I have a few friends who bought either the 5000 or 3000 for their first dslr and they have been extremely happy with them, so I'd say it's a pretty solid choice, and you can't really go wrong for the price either. Hope this helped.

[VQpoweredZ]

I find that Nikons are an excellent choice for first-time dslr users. There's just something about the way they're set up that makes them very easy to use and get the hang of, but also encourages diving deeper into the manual controls. I think the best way to learn is to experiment, and Nikon seems to agree. I was extremely close to buying a D5000 a couple years ago, and the D3000 is more or less the same camera, just a little bit smaller, more compact package. Also, your lens is more important than your body. If you're planning on sticking with a kit lens for starters, then Nikon's 18-55 (in my experience) is a better quality product than that of say Canon. I just bought a Nikkor 28-80mm, which can be found extremely cheap (I got mine lightly used on eBay for $75) and gets extremely good reviews. I have a few friends who bought either the 5000 or 3000 for their first dslr and they have been extremely happy with them, so I'd say it's a pretty solid choice, and you can't really go wrong for the price either. Hope this helped.

Good to hear, thanks it did help. I'm really leaning towards buying the D3000.

[besthaticouldo]

I find that Nikons are an excellent choice for first-time dslr users. There's just something about the way they're set up that makes them very easy to use and get the hang of, but also encourages diving deeper into the manual controls. I think the best way to learn is to experiment, and Nikon seems to agree. I was extremely close to buying a D5000 a couple years ago, and the D3000 is more or less the same camera, just a little bit smaller, more compact package. Also, your lens is more important than your body. If you're planning on sticking with a kit lens for starters, then Nikon's 18-55 (in my experience) is a better quality product than that of say Canon. I just bought a Nikkor 28-80mm, which can be found extremely cheap (I got mine lightly used on eBay for $75) and gets extremely good reviews. I have a few friends who bought either the 5000 or 3000 for their first dslr and they have been extremely happy with them, so I'd say it's a pretty solid choice, and you can't really go wrong for the price either. Hope this helped.

i just bought a canon rebel for my first DSLR and its a great camera. as far as quality goes, its next to impossible to tell a difference between canon and nikon until you get to higher end cameras.

if you are going to buy extra lenses and crap pick your company now and stick with it. because canon and nikon lenses are not interchangable (obviously)

but canon has better high end cameras (5d, 7d, 1d) and the lenses are nothing short of incredible once you start using the L series lenses.

nikon does not make a bad product, but my canon is simple as hell to shoot and it was like 30 bucks less then the d3000. so i went with it.

something you should know...get a CPL filter and a tripod. thats what you really need to know, and lenses make the picture, not the camera.

[Kielan]

something you should know...get a CPL filter and a tripod. thats what you really need to know, and lenses make the picture, not the camera.

Sure good lenses make the pictures BETTER, but I doubt the OP is about to go out and start dropping serious cash to get L glass.

The gear doesn't make the picture. The photographer makes the picture good, the gear only makes it better.

OP try both Canon and Nikon out, see how each feels in your hands, which one has better software for you, which ever you just like more. Don't buy the camera with out first trying it out.

[besthaticouldo]

Sure good lenses make the pictures BETTER, but I doubt the OP is about to go out and start dropping serious cash to get L glass.

The gear doesn't make the picture. The photographer makes the picture good, the gear only makes it better.

OP try both Canon and Nikon out, see how each feels in your hands, which one has better software for you, which ever you just like more. Don't buy the camera with out first trying it out.

a lot of L glass isn't THAT expensive. you can get a 24-105 for like 850...thats about going rate...

[VQpoweredZ]

Sure good lenses make the pictures BETTER, but I doubt the OP is about to go out and start dropping serious cash to get L glass.

The gear doesn't make the picture. The photographer makes the picture good, the gear only makes it better.

OP try both Canon and Nikon out, see how each feels in your hands, which one has better software for you, which ever you just like more. Don't buy the camera with out first trying it out.

That's what I'm doing tomorrow after finals. Going to best buy and trying out the different lower end Canon and Nikon DSLRs. Just wish I had enough cash to buy this at a discounted rate on black friday or something. Upgrading or changing to different lenses is far down the road for me obviously. I'm probably going to be terrible haha.

Thanks for the input though everyone!

[besthaticouldo]

no worries...honestly buying a used camera is not a bad idea either dude.

photograhpy-on-the.net has some good deals sometimes. people sell bodies all the time at a fraction of their new cost.

[Kielan]

It takes time to get better, and as you do, you will see the need for what lenses you want and other accessories. No one can just pick up a camera and be good. (Well not no one, but 99.99999999999% of the time thats the case).


Yeah POTN has good deals on used bodies, just whatever you do. Don't listen to some of the guys in the Automotive sections. Most of them have no idea what they are talking about, but they give a ton of advice, and in the long run make your pictures crappy.

[besthaticouldo]

It takes time to get better, and as you do, you will see the need for what lenses you want and other accessories. No one can just pick up a camera and be good. (Well not no one, but 99.99999999999% of the time thats the case).


Yeah POTN has good deals on used bodies, just whatever you do. Don't listen to some of the guys in the Automotive sections. Most of them have no idea what they are talking about, but they give a ton of advice, and in the long run make your pictures crappy.

this.

he speaks the truf.

[VQpoweredZ]

Very true, thats why I wanted to keep it in the photography section. I'll update this thread after I get back from best buy tomorrow.

[VQpoweredZ]

I think i'm leaning towards the D3000. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to pick up a cheaper wide angle lens...ebay right?

[Svenska94Aero]

I think i'm leaning towards the D3000. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to pick up a cheaper wide angle lens...ebay right?

I am the biggest eBay whore...90% of the stuff I've bought for my car has come from there, as well as my laptop, and my camera gear has come from either there or craigslist. It's definitely worth looking. Even the 18-55mm kit lens that comes with the d3000 is pretty decent, but look at some reviews and such so you know what you're looking for. The Nikkor 28-80mm can be had extremely cheap, and the reviews for them are unbelievable for the price range. Good luck!

[a4edwin]

Check out the d3100 it's replacing the 3000 and it received pretty good reviews from pop photog. I have a d3000 and I love it super easy to use.