Discussion
Hello all, not been in this part of PH before but am looking to make the move to a dSLR having never used one before.
Someone suggested the Nikon D3000 to me as a good value starter. Amazing have them for £304 (inc lense) - is this a) a decent deal and b) a good camera to learn how to use an SLR?
Cheers,
Ben
Someone suggested the Nikon D3000 to me as a good value starter. Amazing have them for £304 (inc lense) - is this a) a decent deal and b) a good camera to learn how to use an SLR?
Cheers,
Ben
benjj said:
Terrific, thanks.
As well as some moody shots of my cars I'm really looking forward to learning how to properly use an SLR. I just read the Which? report on the D3000 and they were impressed too.
Cheers
You'll not be disappointed. I have the D5000 which is similar ish. Eventually you may get frustrated with a lack of some of the higher end features but there are usually work arounds.As well as some moody shots of my cars I'm really looking forward to learning how to properly use an SLR. I just read the Which? report on the D3000 and they were impressed too.
Cheers
If you want a great book for learning, I highly recommend 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson. That teamed with some sort of field guide for the camera (the Nikon manuals may as well be written in greek) will be a great combo.
Gad-Westy said:
benjj said:
Terrific, thanks.
As well as some moody shots of my cars I'm really looking forward to learning how to properly use an SLR. I just read the Which? report on the D3000 and they were impressed too.
Cheers
You'll not be disappointed. I have the D5000 which is similar ish. Eventually you may get frustrated with a lack of some of the higher end features but there are usually work arounds.As well as some moody shots of my cars I'm really looking forward to learning how to properly use an SLR. I just read the Which? report on the D3000 and they were impressed too.
Cheers
If you want a great book for learning, I highly recommend 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson. That teamed with some sort of field guide for the camera (the Nikon manuals may as well be written in greek) will be a great combo.
That's a decent price for a starter kit, although possibly worth hanging on a wee bit. The 3100 is due out soon, so you'll be able to pick up the last of the 3000 stock cheaply.
That's how I started off, I got a D40 with kit lens brand new from Amazon for just over £200. Not that I'm suggesting the 3000 will ever get that cheap, times have changed and the pound isn't as strong as it was then.
There's probably another £30-50 quid to come if you can hang on, but if the time is right and it suits you for getting out for some summer photography then go for it!
Worth budgeting for a bag to carry it about in, and if you can stretch to a 50mm lens then they are great and you learn a lot about the basics from them imo.
We'll have you spending the thick end of £500 soon enough!
Why not get the D3100? (It's been out for ages so not sure why the post above says it's coming out soon, I bought mine in January) - It only costs a little bit more (with £40 Nikon cashback available) and at least then you have HD video recording along with a few other changes. Also, at least you'll then be getting the latest model...
Edited by Joyrider1 on Friday 24th June 15:51
mcflurry said:
The 50mm won't autofocus with the D3000 or D3100 
When weighing up the likely cost reduction vs the chance to take a summer worth of pictures I would go for it
That's sort of the point though. It forces you to do things "properly", and for me you learn a lot more about how to use a DSLR with that simple little lens than you would with something that cost 10 times as much with motors and stabilisation in it!When weighing up the likely cost reduction vs the chance to take a summer worth of pictures I would go for it
You can also get some cracking shots with a very cheap lens.
Welcome to the Photography section
Not much to add to the above comments really - looks like a lot of camera for the money, reviews pretty well, £300 looks like a bargain actually.
The Nikon lens system also allows you a lot of alternatives for future lens purchases from other manufacturers as well. Most people recommend going for Nikon or Canon...
Imo the comment about checking out 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson is a good one. If you like reading books then this will certainly give you a good grounding on the technical site - explain the f-stops from the shutter speeds
If you have any q's with your new camera then there are lots of talented and helpful people around in the photography section to answer any queries
Not much to add to the above comments really - looks like a lot of camera for the money, reviews pretty well, £300 looks like a bargain actually.
The Nikon lens system also allows you a lot of alternatives for future lens purchases from other manufacturers as well. Most people recommend going for Nikon or Canon...
Imo the comment about checking out 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson is a good one. If you like reading books then this will certainly give you a good grounding on the technical site - explain the f-stops from the shutter speeds
If you have any q's with your new camera then there are lots of talented and helpful people around in the photography section to answer any queries
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