Newbie- with some questions

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Mini

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Mina
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Hi guys

I’m new to the forum and would like some advice :D

I used to own a Sony a350 (purchased second hand of eBay) and took some really nice photos but didn’t feel like I used it as much as I should. When the snow hit us this winter I thought it would be fantastic to take some shots outside of the snow. It was dark, however the snows made it look really light outside. Anyhow I got my Sony and tripod and started shooting away with photos. They didn’t look great on the camera, however I thought once plugged in my iMac it would look different. After spending (what felt like hours) some time I came inside and the photos looked awful. The pictures looked extremely noisy and pixilated. I was upset and felt like it was the cameras fault so I decided to sell it. Now after a few months have passed I feel like I made such a mistake as I’ve been on a few adventures with my partner and always mention (“this is time when you need an SLR to take photos)

Now I went to Currys/ PC world today and was speaking to a very helpful chap who seemed to know a lot about cameras. He’s a keen canon enthusiast as it seemed as he kept trying to sell me a canon SLR.

I really like the look and reviews on Nikon cameras. So I explained that I wanted this brand. This is what he said to me:

Nikon D90 (£699)- Old body camera, however the lens that it comes with is brilliant and is worth over £300 just for the lens. The camera is only 12.1 mega pixel

Nikon D3100 (£439)- Very good camera but not brilliant lens. 14.1 mega pixel

Nikon d700 (£1179)- very good camera and lens 16.1 mega pixel

Nikon Lens 18-200MM f3 VRII (599) – outstanding lens

So I was going to purchase the d3100 with the 18-200 VR lens but felt a bit pressured to do so. So guys this is when I need your help. What do I doo?

I want a camera that will last me many years (10-15 years) and I will be taking close portrait photos and scenery photos. I really like the look when you focus on something and absolutely everything in the background goes really blurry.


Can someone help meeee… which is a good camera to get and why. Many thanks in advance (sorry for the essay)
 
If the guy is trying to sell to you with Megapixels, walk away. He is just talking marketing crap.


The D700 is "only" 12 Mp, I presume you mean D7000. The D90 is a fine camera and would be my choice out of all of those.

Unless you intend to print huge billboards, 10MP is plenty.

As for the other bit

I want a camera that will last me many years (10-15 years) and I will be taking close portrait photos and scenery photos. I really like the look when you focus on something and absolutely everything in the background goes really blurry.
Click to expand...

This is down to the lens, not the camera. For a blury background you need a wide aperture lens, something like f/2.8. The 50mm f/1.8 is a good buy or the slightly more expensive 35mm f/1.8
 
I have the d90 and to be honest is an awesome camera. I upgraded from a d60 and boy what a difference. I also have a 50mm lens love it for indoor and low light shots. The advantage with the d90 is that it has an internal motor so you can use older lenses with it. Unlike the 3100 ( i think im correct).

But you have come to the right place for advice i have learnt so much here.
 
:wave:

TCR4x4 said:
The D700 is "only" 12 Mp, I presume you mean D7000.
Click to expand...

Sorry thats what i meant... d7000

im steering away from d90 because he said its old? im really considering a d7000 but is this a wise choice and will it fit the older lens?
 
The D90 is brilliant (I use one), the D7000 is supposed to be better as its newer with more features. The 3100 is lower down the line from the D90 and I believe the 18-200 can be a bit soft as its such a massive zoom range.
The 50mm f1.8 lens is superb for only about £100 for that fuzzy background look.
The best thing to do is go to a specialist camera shop (not a white goods retailer) and have a play and see what suits you best. You may find you prefer the feel of Canon or Pentax or some other make.

All the above is just my opinion - please don't buy on what I have said - go and have a play with some kit

The D7000 will work with older kit. The D90 is not really that old - it will still take pictures as good as it did a year ago.
 
Hi Mini,
First and foremost SLOW DOWN..... you went to a salesman who wants to make a sale - not sell you what you NEED.

I can't comment on Canon, my only Canon uses something called 35mm film :thinking: and not been used for 10 years :D

If you're serious about getting back into photography, go back to the shops, leave your money and cards at home, pick some up, play with them, how do they feel, are the buttons easy to use, is the menu system easy to navigate. TBH there is very little in different makes at the lower end for starter systems.

If you want to learn and develop, grow your kit and get good results then I would say the Nikon D90 here would be a great starter system. It will give you the confidence to develop, and the ability to add on to as your photography grows, don't forget to add into your buying price, spare battery, memory cards, lens filters, bag. This is why you NEED to leave your money at home. Do your homework, find a camera that suits you, not the salesman, and see you back soon with a smile on your face.

Phil.
 
My D700 is older than the D90, yet strangely it still takes amazing photos.
Yes the D7000 is newer, its also almost double the price. The D90 is enough camera for anyone who isnt a very advanced amature or pro.
 
I'd give the 18-200 lens a miss and go for a 50mm f/1.8 for portraits (circa £70 second hand) and a standard zoom (I use a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 for 90% of my landscape shots).
 
If you want a Nikon, get a Nikon. All current DSLRs are very similar in performance pound for pound and the main difference is features - like video, fold-out screen, that sort of thing. Images themselves will be indistinguishable.

You don't say which lenses are great and which are not according to your shop assistant, but I think it's safe to say that's just sales talk. The 18-200 for example is only brilliant compared to other 18-200 lenses, of which there are very few and none of them has many fans.

The only thing to add to your shopping list is a low f/number lens which is what you need for those nice blurry background - like f/1.8 or f/2.8, preferably no higher than that. It's mainly a shallow depth of field effect and the best way to get that is with a prime lens with a fixed focal length - something like a 50 1.8. Zooms don't go lower than f/2.8.

I suspect your noisy snow pictures were just under exposed. There are various reasons why the camera, any camera, will not know what to do with a night scene like that, which is where a bit of knowledge gained through experience comes in. Take your time, shoot stuff, think what the camera is doing and why, ask questions, and shoot some more.
 
Good advice above; just remember that you will need a quality lens to get the best from any of them. If you can afford the D7000 and a good lens, go for it. If not, go for the D90 and one of the lenses above - 35 f1.8 for example.
 
Go to a proper camera shop and try out a few. They will (in theory) give you much more helpful advice specific to you. It seems you have your mind set on the nikon but do also try out the canons too.
 
I'll echo the advice on getting to a 'proper' camera shop to try out some different kit, see what suits you. The D90 isn't the latest release but it'll do all you ask of it until you advance your skills to a hugh level. I've got a D90 with a 35mm prime and it's a very capable combo- great in low light and excellent bokeh.
 
D90 is old, but it has been around for a while and still available.

There is a reason it is the most popular non professional dSLR to date.

Just get the D90.
 
And Jessops have the D90 body only for £549.

£679.95 with the 18-105mm lens.
 
The Sony a350 had a Snow Mode which would have helped make pictures of Snow come out better (if it wasn't already used). It's mainly changing the Exposure Compensation, but maybe changing a few other things as well, but is basically an aid to get better pictures in that situation. I think all of the cameras you are interested in have scene modes which would help until you are experienced about what to change yourself.

As to the choice of camera, what people say about trying them in your hand is a valid one, I chose my first DSLR after handling the two cameras I had narrowed it down to

It you've only felt the need occasionally when walking for a camera, then maybe a large DSLR may not be the camera to go for as it may put you off carrying it. Plus you don't spend too much on occasional use. ;)

The D7000 is the better camera no question from the reviews I've read. It is a replacement for the D90, though the D90 may still be available. It doesn't make the D90 a bad camera. The D3100 seems to be a good camera for that section of the market. Depends on what you can afford and how serious you are, or intend to be, about photography. Any current DSLR will give you stunning pictures though, and paying extra just gives slightly more options/usability.

Pair any of them with the 18-200mm lens, and the D7000 may show the weaknesses of that lens, as it is a compromise lens for a longer zoom range. If the extended range is what you want then you live with it's weaknesses, if you notice them in the first place of course. ;) :lol:

It is OK advising fast lenses and expensive cameras, but only the OP can say how seriously they want to take this hobby. :shrug: If it for occasional use on walks, then a D3100 + 18-200mm lens would suffice, as it does for thousands of people.

If it a serious thing, and there is no shame to say that photography is not you reason for living btw, even here, ;) and you have the money then the sky could be the limit on what you spend. :eek: :lol:
 
If you're interested in the D7000, but put off by the price, try out a Sony a580. It uses the same sensor. The build quality is undoubtedly not as good as the Nikon, but it's nearly half the price. A friend of mine just went from a Canon 40D to an a580 and he's very pleased with his choice.
 
I agree with many here, go for the d90 and you ll not regret it, however I think I should point out to you that jessops has a deal on just now, d5000 with twin lenses, 18/55 and 50/200mm for £499, my partner is seriously considering it as a starting dslr
 
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