Nikon D3300

[Skyedriver]

My son & I did a photography day earlier in the year and he's doing a year course of photography at school.
We've had the chance of a Nikon D3300 and 70 - 300 lens at what would appear a reasonable price. Any known problems with the Nikon, are there better options (inc the lens and a few extras) for a couple of hundred

[Simpo Two]

Skyedriver said:

My son & I did a photography day earlier in the year and he's doing a year course of photography at school.
We've had the chance of a Nikon D3300 and 70 - 300 lens at what would appear a reasonable price. Any known problems with the Nikon, are there better options (inc the lens and a few extras) for a couple of hundred

It will be fine, though if there's no lens shorter than 70mm it will be limiting so you'll need something wider as well.

There are at least three versions of the 70-300. The G version is cheap and best avoided IMHO; the older ED version is OK, but the best is the VR version. I use the VR on my D500, and had the ED before that.

[Nigel_O]

It’s a good starter DSLR

I’d be tempted to keep an eye out for the ‘kit lens’ too - 18-55mm and by all accounts, a pretty decent lens in VR format. They are quite cheap on Ebay due to how common they are

[LunarOne]

Nothing develops an eye for photography like a prime lens, and some of the older ones can be picked up quite inexpensively used from various sources. But the cheaper modern cameras don't work with the older AI (aperture indexing) lenses, so that metering wont work, and they don't have the focus motor to driver older AF lenses so you'll have to focus manually. This includes the D3300. Personally, I'd go for something older, which has an AF motor.

Having said that, I MUCH prefer Nikon's control system over Canon's and Sony's. I haven't used the D3300 at all but I'm sure it's more than fine as long as you are happy to use more expensive modern lenses. But you really need something like the 16-85 VR lens as 70 is very long on an APS-C camera and you'll find it very limiting.

[hairy v]

My wife has that camera and lens, she is very happy with it and enjoys taking flower pictures.

[Skyedriver]

Great thanks. I'll check which lens it has. There is a more standard lens too, not sure the length.
We used a Sigma 70 - 300 on out photography day out hence the interest.
Random pic for interest

[Skyedriver]

Three pics of the 70 - 300 lens

[Simpo Two]

LunarOne said:

Nothing develops an eye for photography like a prime lens, and some of the older ones can be picked up quite inexpensively used from various sources. But the cheaper modern cameras don't work with the older AI (aperture indexing) lenses, so that metering wont work, and they don't have the focus motor to driver older AF lenses so you'll have to focus manually. This includes the D3300. Personally, I'd go for something older, which has an AF motor.

If you're into 'heritage' lenses I'd agree. But really, these days AF-S is the suffix to look for - fast and quiet.

Skyedriver said:

Three pics of the 70 - 300 lens

Ah you didn't say it was a Sigma! Don't be fooled by the 'macro' label, it isn't a macro lens. That comes along a bit later

Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 1st November 21:51

[Hrimfaxi]

Simply can't go wrong with it. These are some example photos I took with a D3200 and the Nikon 70-300mm

[bobski1]

I have the D3300 with an 18-300 and a 17-50 lens. Covers all I need to do, very robust camera and easy controls, a good starter

[Skyedriver]

Well that didn't go as planned, it was on ebay but only a few miles from me so could check it and the seller over etc when collecting. Was winning bid until a split second from the end then sniped.
However I now have a good idea what we're looking at and I'll probably go to a reputable camera seller.

[Skyedriver]

The more I read up, the more I realise I know so little....

Been keeping an eye open for another 3300 but son tells me they are using a Canon D2000 at school. Now a read of a few reviews suggests the Nikon is the better camera but then a 3500 is better again and doesn't seem that much more expensive s/h. Looking for a decent body with low count, an 18 - 55 lens and a 70 - 300 lens but after that all the options are way over my head.

[Simpo Two]

Skyedriver said:

The more I read up, the more I realise I know so little....

Been keeping an eye open for another 3300 but son tells me they are using a Canon D2000 at school. Now a read of a few reviews suggests the Nikon is the better camera but then a 3500 is better again and doesn't seem that much more expensive s/h. Looking for a decent body with low count, an 18 - 55 lens and a 70 - 300 lens but after that all the options are way over my head.

Either camera will be absolutely fine, especially for a photography course. The 'better' thing is like cars with top speeds that are 1mph different - it doesn't matter.

Much more important is a camera that feels right in the hand and has the main controls where you want them.


ETA It probably isn't a D2000 but a 2000D! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EOS_D2000

Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 15th November 11:20

[toohuge]

I agree with SimpoTwo above.

I will add... if you're looking at the Nikon D3300, I'd also look at the D7000 / D7100 for similar money (mpb.com).

These bodies have a built in AF motor allowing you to use a much wider (and more affordable) range of lenses. Some of which are excellent optically and vfm.

[Skyedriver]

Oh howay man, just when I was beginning to narrow down the search...

Aye, I'll add that to me list. Thanks

[TC7]

I upgraded from a Nikon d3100 that i learnt to shoot on to a d5500 when it first came out and i find its a perfect spec for entry level photography, not crazy money sat about if you dont use it but great quality pics when you do decide to take it out for a day of remembering how to take proper pictures over using my samsung phone.

It's slightly older than the d3400 you were considering but has the same sensor with added advantages like wireless connection to send pics straight to your phone / use your phone as a remote and viewfinder for tripod shot. It also has an articulated touchscreen lcd too over the d3400 so is perfect for tweaking settings or seeing the shot on the live view when you've got it set up on a tripod or a wall etc.

[satfinal]

Granted I'm not local, do you want to buy my D3400 gear? I upgraded in 2019 but was very lazy in selling.

D3400 Body, Nikkor DX 35mm AF-S F1.8 Prime, Nikkor 55-200mm F4-5.6 VR, 16-55 Kit lens.



(Yes I'll properly dust them off, they've just been sitting around for a while now doing nothing)

[LunarOne]

satfinal said:

Granted I'm not local, do you want to buy my D3400 gear? I upgraded in 2019 but was very lazy in selling.

D3400 Body, Nikkor DX 35mm AF-S F1.8 Prime, Nikkor 55-200mm F4-5.6 VR, 16-55 Kit lens.



(Yes I'll properly dust them off, they've just been sitting around for a while now doing nothing)

I bet that 35mm is a peach!

[Skyedriver]

Still not sorted but have decided to move up to a D3500 (bit more expensive but newer etc) will be buying the 70 - 300 lens separate to the camera but there are so many different versions, some compatible, some not apparently - which do I need please. I'm getting more confuse the more I research.

[Turtle Shed]

Skyedriver said:

Still not sorted but have decided to move up to a D3500 (bit more expensive but newer etc) will be buying the 70 - 300 lens separate to the camera but there are so many different versions, some compatible, some not apparently - which do I need please. I'm getting more confuse the more I research.

Let's consider only Nikon bodies and lenses. You are buying a "crop sensor" camera. For that you only need what Nikon describe as "DX" lenses. "FX" (full frame) lenses will work, I recommend you ignore those completely.

The main issue though is that your camera will not have an internal focus motor. Sounds bad, it isn't. Stick to "AF-S" lenses, that's pretty much every single one you can buy these days, and also pretty much every lens going back 10-15 years.

So, buy lenses designated DX and AF-S and you'll be fine, there are gazillions to choose from.

All Nikon DSLR lenses fit all Nikon DSLR bodies. You can't buy something that doesn't fit.

One final note though, about third party lenses, and that means Sigma or Tamron.

Sensor size:
Sigma: "DC" is the same as "DX" - Stick to "DC"
Tamron "Di-II" is apparently the same as "DX"

Focus motor:
Sigma: HSM is their internal focus motor designation
Tamron: USD seems to be what they use as a designation

If you are considering a Sigma or Tamron lens then a quick Google will of course confirm whether it is designed for crop sensor cameras and whether it has an internal focus motors.