Noob at photos, will a Nikon D3200 be overkill?

steinooo

steinooo

steinooo

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HI all,

Just wanted to sound off a bit before a big purchase for me.

I've always been keen at taking photos but I haven't ever considered myself any good. After recently having a baby I decided that mainly mobile phone pictures of her will be regretted in future.

I therefore want a new camera, and a DSLR is top of my list as I have always admired the quality of the pictures produced with them. I also have an option for a very cheap D3200 (and value wise I think that's the only DSLR I would consider) BUT I have been warned that for an amateur like myself, I Could do myself more harm than good with using a DSLR as opposed to an "intelligent" compact, and that the photos could end up worse than on a point and shoot compact.

What are your thoughts?
 
My friends did the same, bought a 550D with a basic lens when they're baby arrived.

They use it literally like a point and shoot camera, but even so, it's way better than that. Stick it on auto, get infinitely better photos; learn to use it, get even better photos... I'd go with it. Can't see how you'd do more harm than good!
 
Well that's what my philosophy was.....surely the photos on auto would be better than my compact or my phone, but my wife's been speaking to someone with a high end DSLR who is a pro photographer and he seems to think if we don't know how to use it, then the photos would look worse than a compact as the compacts are designed for thickos like me lol

(disclaimer : I am not that thick and would quite enjoy learning the finer points of using a DSLR :P)
 
The only reason photo's would look worse than on a compact is if your using some of the more manual settings and don't know what your doing.

If you get stuck, the DSLR still has "auto" but the whole point is that you learn how to use it.

When I first got my DSLR, I used it in auto for the first few weeks and tried some of the creative modes too and I loved it! The quality of pictures turned out so much better than any of my old compacts, a few months down the line I now understand exposure, aperture, ISO and I can use it in manual (truth be told I use AV most of the time). The thing is though if photography is something you want to try then you need to get yourself a camera and have a play, making mistakes is how you learn!

Have a look at Mike Brown on youtube. When I didn't have a clue about anything I learnt allot as he explains it really simply!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs4S07E5NC0R7pVuzBJ0e8Q
 
Thanks man thats helpful.

That's two people who've discounted this theory that I could take worse photos on a DSLr rather than a compact....
 
Second all thats above. If you want to let the camera do all the settings etc, it'll get on and do it all day long if you stick it on auto.

Also gives you any degree of freedom you want if you want to go wild in the future :D
 
cwgk, what do you think of a novice shooting on auto settings on a D3200 vs a novice shooting on auto settings on a nice compact?
 
You get a different sort of picture with a DSLR, just because of the way you are shooting through the viewfinder; It almost forces you to take more attention of what you are taking rather than just glancing at the back of the camera while you click away. While the kit lens I assume you will get with it will be more restrictive in what you can do (won't have as wide a zoom range), the potential quality of the image will be better as fewer compromises are made. You also get better control and easier access to depth of field and other higher functions when you inevitably want to try them out :D

If you have the chance to get one then I would definitely recommend it, though if you are nervous, do you have a chance to try before you buy?

Also, out of interest, what compact camera are you using at the mo?
 
Having recently purchased the Nikon DS3200 I'll admit it's a cracking entry level DSLR. Even more so given my previous experience consisted of a Samsung Bridge camera (WB101) and a Samsung CSC (NX series)

In all honesty the Nikon really is a brilliant camera and I genuinely doubt that many here would disagree with me there. Having said that the Samsung NX is an awesome CSC weighing in at a fraction of the DSLR . . . . . . . .

Decisions, decisions :p
 
Forgot to say about weight... but as DSLRs go, the D3200 is small and light! Can sling it on your shoulder and forget about it. Especially if you get an 18-200 or something, just leave the lens on the camera and get on with life :D

Would def recommend a DSLR compared to a bridge though
 
cwgk91 said:
You get a different sort of picture with a DSLR, just because of the way you are shooting through the viewfinder; It almost forces you to take more attention of what you are taking rather than just glancing at the back of the camera while you click away. While the kit lens I assume you will get with it will be more restrictive in what you can do (won't have as wide a zoom range), the potential quality of the image will be better as fewer compromises are made. You also get better control and easier access to depth of field and other higher functions when you inevitably want to try them out :D

If you have the chance to get one then I would definitely recommend it, though if you are nervous, do you have a chance to try before you buy?

Also, out of interest, what compact camera are you using at the mo?
Click to expand...

I'm using a Fuji compact, I THINK it's called an F300 EXR but I could be wrong. I've always been a nikon man for compacts and everything but I had some strong persuasion from a friend on this compact and do think it's good. Just want that next step though as I believe once I have a DSLR that is it then, I'm set. I won't need another one just maybe lenses in future if I get advanced.

thanks for all the comments I am glad to see the opinion which was worrying me is not supported on a bigger scale.
 
You wont be disappointed :) can be a bit of a learning curve at first, so may be worth investing in a 'how to use your dslr' book if you're not totally confident.

Main thing is to go out and take pictures, best way to learn :D
 
SLR on full auto works exactly like a point an shoot only the photos will be better quality. I regularly hand people my slr on 'green square mode' and am often surprised by the quality of the results.

The only negatives are size, weight and the inveitable upgrades and extras! If you can live with those and have an interest in getting better at photography go for it.
 
Camalot said:
Why mate?

I'm trying to decide between the two.

Canon D600 or Nikon 3200.

I don't know my stuff with cameras mate so sorry if I seem stupid to you.
Click to expand...

Because a Canon D600 doesn't exist. You mean the 600D.

The Nikon D600 however is borderline Pro-levle, so really nothing near the D3200!!

I'm going through a similar thought process. Want a lower end SLR, probably looking second hand, but not sure what to choose between Canon or Nikon. Had a play with both, both have features I like and features that I like less!
 
My 450D seems to love using the flash when I have put it in auto, and that has only been to see what sort of setting auto would apply.

I hated auto so never use it. The P setting does basically everything for you, so that might be a good one to use. The shutter speed priority is also very easy to learn.
 
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