Noob Looking for a Camera

Delta3D · 1 Apr 2019 at 22:31

Hey!

As above, I'm not really "in the know" about DSLR/SLR's.

Could anyone suggest a used option of a camera that would be good for a newbie to use? Budget would be around £200-230 on the used market. (Just camera names and not links to abide by the rules

)

I'd be taking pictures primarily of cars, mainly static but the occasional drift day shots of cars on the track and then the odd scenery shot of old buildings and the countryside etc.

Sorry if this is a bit vague and there could be many many options? I saw the Nikon D3300 but not sure if this would be any good? Also would I need a lense that's larger than the standard ~18-55mm?

Thanks in advance!

doodah · 2 Apr 2019 at 10:07

Obligatory - you can't go wrong with a D3XXX or D5XXXX (I have the D5200 myself and it's a fantastic entry/first camera). I think you can get the D5XXXX for under £300 used and then something like the D3300 with a kit lens for a little over £300 (new).

If you're shooting cars and buildings, I would imagine you would need wider lenses (<35mm*), so your kit lens might be a good start to get to grips. A few months down the line, probably worth checking out the 35mm f1.8 which can be had for under £150 and is a great lens.

*with these cropped lenses, all focal lengths are actually multiplied by a crop factor (x1.5) so a 35mm lens would actually be nearer 50mm equivalent to a full framed camera.

Delta3D · 2 Apr 2019 at 15:16

doodah said:
Obligatory - you can't go wrong with a D3XXX or D5XXXX (I have the D5200 myself and it's a fantastic entry/first camera). I think you can get the D5XXXX for under £300 used and then something like the D3300 with a kit lens for a little over £300 (new).

If you're shooting cars and buildings, I would imagine you would need wider lenses (<35mm*), so your kit lens might be a good start to get to grips. A few months down the line, probably worth checking out the 35mm f1.8 which can be had for under £150 and is a great lens.

*with these cropped lenses, all focal lengths are actually multiplied by a crop factor (x1.5) so a 35mm lens would actually be nearer 50mm equivalent to a full framed camera.

Thanks Doodah, much appreciated!

Just bit the bullet and bought a used D3300, picking it up tonight.

Thanks for the info about lens’ I’ll see what the kit one is like and if not amazing I’ll look at the 35mm f1.8 lens

doodah · 2 Apr 2019 at 15:33

Delta3D said:
Thanks Doodah, much appreciated!

Just bit the bullet and bought a used D3300, picking it up tonight.

Thanks for the info about lens’ I’ll see what the kit one is like and if not amazing I’ll look at the 35mm f1.8 lens

Awesome

. The kit lens will be fine enough but when you have the money - definitely get the 35mm f1.8. It made using the camera so much more fun and whilst it isn't going to be competing with an equivalent Sony GM lens - I think it's one of the best bang for buck lenses you can get.

Exact model is Nikon AF-S Nikkor DX 35mm F/1.8G. You can also use sites like Fat Llama to hire lenses to try before you buy.

Delta3D · 2 Apr 2019 at 23:05

doodah said:
Awesome . The kit lens will be fine enough but when you have the money - definitely get the 35mm f1.8. It made using the camera so much more fun and whilst it isn't going to be competing with an equivalent Sony GM lens - I think it's one of the best bang for buck lenses you can get.

Exact model is Nikon AF-S Nikkor DX 35mm F/1.8G. You can also use sites like Fat Llama to hire lenses to try before you buy.

Thanks again, will look into getting one

I think I need a tripod for night shots as I'm struggling to get anything to look good in dark scenes.

This was my favourite so far just messing around tonight. (Excuse the filthy car, my friend isn't the most frequent at washing his car

)

MartinPrince · 3 Apr 2019 at 15:54

Delta3D said:
Thanks Doodah, much appreciated!

Just bit the bullet and bought a used D3300, picking it up tonight.

Thanks for the info about lens’ I’ll see what the kit one is like and if not amazing I’ll look at the 35mm f1.8 lens

That's a great choice and hard to beat for the money. Try not to let the GAS take too hard a grip of you.

Delta3D · 3 Apr 2019 at 16:09

MartinPrince said:
That's a great choice and hard to beat for the money. Try not to let the GAS take too hard a grip of you.

I think it’s already gripping me in!! Getting a tripod tomorrow morning and then looking st getting more batteries, the 35mm f1.8 lens and some filters, going to be an expensive one I think!

MartinPrince · 3 Apr 2019 at 16:26

Delta3D said:
I think it’s already gripping me in!! Getting a tripod tomorrow morning and then looking st getting more batteries, the 35mm f1.8 lens and some filters, going to be an expensive one I think!

Haha, too late I see.

To be fair, spare batteries and a tripod are almost prerequisite with a new camera. Enjoy your new acquisition! Nice picture by the way, are you shooting only jpeg or processing RAW?

Delta3D · 3 Apr 2019 at 19:07

MartinPrince said:
Haha, too late I see. To be fair, spare batteries and a tripod are almost prerequisite with a new camera. Enjoy your new acquisition! Nice picture by the way, are you shooting only jpeg or processing RAW?

Thank you!

and those two were in JPEG Normal with a little touch up in Photoshop for exposure.

Just ordered a polarising lense now too ready for Saturday's drift event!

doodah · 4 Apr 2019 at 11:04

Like the Mini picture, keep them coming once you're set up.

Delta3D · 4 Apr 2019 at 17:38

doodah said:
Like the Mini picture, keep them coming once you're set up.

Thanks Doodah! Will certainly post some more shots when I get any good ones

Delta3D · 6 Apr 2019 at 19:13

Got a nice one today. Also set up a photography instagram as a place to store my good ones

@ollywphotography if anyone wants to follow and I'll follow back

Energize · 18 Apr 2019 at 18:31

I like that, maybe try seeing what's it's like after lifting the shadows?

Delta3D · 18 Apr 2019 at 20:40

Energize said:
I like that, maybe try seeing what's it's like after lifting the shadows?

Thanks!

I unfortunately lost the original with a silly mistake setting up a new HDD on my PC

Got this one recently, I know it's just a Juke but thought it was a nice spot. (And yes, we struggled to get my friends Juke up the slightest slope

)

doodah · 24 Apr 2019 at 09:39

That's the best you're going to see a Juke

, nice work.

MrRockliffe · 24 Apr 2019 at 09:42

Not a bad lens at all to be fair - only a tiny bit of chromatic aberration on the trees to the left, tiny bit of corner softness but it's otherwise a very well exposed, clean shot :-)

Delta3D · 24 Apr 2019 at 20:09

doodah said:
That's the best you're going to see a Juke , nice work.

MrRockliffe said:
Not a bad lens at all to be fair - only a tiny bit of chromatic aberration on the trees to the left, tiny bit of corner softness but it's otherwise a very well exposed, clean shot

Haha, thanks both, really appreciate it

It's comments like those and little tips that keep me going! Means a lot