Camera and Editing Options

[kathy65]

I have decided to get a Nikon D3300 camera. I am a beginner and from everything that I have read, I think this is a good choice for me. It is also in my price range of a budget.
Now, I m not sure which bundle to get. I am ordering through Walmart, so I have an actual place to take my camera to should I have issues.

Would you buy the extended warranty on the camera or will do you think it is a waste of money?

Also, the battery on these cameras are like a battery pack correct? They aren't like the point and shoot cameras that you buy "AA" ones for correct? How long of a life overall does it have before you need to buy another one? When it comes to that point where do you purchase tem from? Is that gonna be an issue? I don't want to buy a new camera in a couple years because I cant purchase a battery somewhere.
How about how long they last on an average use of camera? Hours?


Nikon Black D3200 Digital SLR Camera with 24.2 Megapixels, Includes 18-55mm and 55-200mm Lenses, PLUS Carrying Case (I believe this doesn't have a transfer cable included correct?) if not what is it I need to look for to buy for that?

• Nikon Black D3200 black digital camera
• 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses
• Carrying Case
• Battery, charger and power cable
• Quick Start Guide
• CD with software and digital manual

Nikon D3300 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm and 55-200mm Lens Bundle and 32GB Deluxe Accessory Kit:
Model: ANIKD33001855B55200VRK1. Nikon D3300 Kit Bundles includes:

• Nikon D3300 DX-format Digital SLR Kit w/ 18-55mm DX VR II Zoom Lens (Black)

• Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200MM f/4-5.6G ED VR II Lens

• Sony 32GB SDHC/SDXC Class 10 UHS-1 Memory Card

• Secure Digital SD/SDHC/MMC 2.0 USB Card Reader

• Focus EN-EL14 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Replacement Battery Pack for D3100, D3200, D5100, D5200, P7000, P7100, & P7700

• Vivitar Quick Charger for Nikon EN-EL14 Battery

• 2- Tiffen 52mm UV Protector

• Focus Silicone Band for Zoom Lenses

• Focus Deluxe SLR Soft Shell Camera Gadget Bag

• Focus 5 Piece Digital Camera Accessory Kit

• Focus Lens Cleaning Pen

• Focus Mini HDMI Cable 6ft

• Vivitar SP-12 12-Inch Spider Tripod

• Focus Professional Wrist Grip Strap for Digital & Film SLR Cameras

The first option says battery, charger, and power cable. This second one doesn't have it?

Is this the correct lens I need for the camera?
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Standard Lens



Also, due to budget right now, will Adobe Lightroom 3 be a good editing program also? What is the major differences between that one and the Lightroom 5 or 6?

Can someone explain to me what it means on a memory card when it says class ,,,and a number?

Thank you for you help. I hate being a pain but I know nothing on cameras and I don't want to get screwed on my purchase.

 

[The_Traveler]

battery gets recharged but virtually everyone has at least one additional.
the higher the class number, the faster the read (not very important at the start.)
If $10/month is within budget, just subscribe to PS/LR combo.
buy the first set and then whatever else you need.
they generally overcharge for crap.
no filters needed
before you buy from Walmart (who can't provide any real info or support) look at prices from Adorama or BHPhoto online.
terrific support, they actually know something.

 

[kathy65]

battery gets recharged but virtually everyone has at least one additional.
the higher the class number, the faster the read (not very important at the start.)
If $10/month is within budget, just subscribe to PS/LR combo.
buy the first set and then whatever else you need.
they generally overcharge for crap.
no filters needed
before you buy from Walmart (who can't provide any real info or support) look at prices from Adorama or BHPhoto online.
terrific support, they actually know something.

How long is shipping time from those companies?

 

[Designer]

Thank you for you help. I hate being a pain but I know nothing on cameras and I don't want to get screwed on my purchase.

Excellent choice!

You've got lots of time to purchase a backup battery unless your plane for Europe leaves tomorrow. (lol)

You really only need a backup battery if you are away from the charger or can't plug it in anytime soon.

Typically any new kit from a reputable dealer will include the battery (the first one anyway), the charger, and the upload cable. Oh, and also a CD with your user's manual, and some software from Nikon.

It would be nice if the dealer would allow you to delete some of those items for a reduction in price, but unfortunately that is how they are bundled, so you'll end up with some cheap stuff that you don't need and will probably never use, but at least you've got the main components.

 

[TCampbell]

Buying from any local retailer other than an actual "camera" store isn't helpful because the staff at the store aren't able to service the camera and won't be able to provide helpful information about using it. If you have a real "camera" store within reasonable driving distance, then they can provide assistance. Otherwise, you're better off getting questions answered by asking questions online (e.g. here at TPF) and phoning Nikon for phone support.

As a general rule, I _never_ buy an extended warranty for any product. It's like gambling at the casino... the odds are stacked in the favor of the house. We've had a few people post on these forums who did buy extended warranties, tried to use them, and had great difficulty getting the vendor to honor the warranty (persistence pays off.) The warranty isn't through the original equipment manufacturer, but rather through some third party that doesn't necessarily know anything about cameras (they sell insurance) but they "partner" with some repair facility (which seems to be incented to find reasons to NOT honor the warranty.) Extended warranties are not the same as "insurance". Insurance would protect against damage -- even if that damage was your fault. An extended warranty will not cover you if they think the damage was caused by abuse (even if accidental). They'll declare your product got wet (even if it didn't) or that you dropped it, etc. etc. Odds are... if you take care of the product and don't abuse it, it won't fail. This would be true of most consumer products that offer an extended warranty.

I see Walmart charges $44 for a 3 year warranty on that camera and $54 for a 4 year warranty. But if it fails in the 1st year, the original Nikon warranty covers it. Suppose you buy the 3 year warranty for $44. That warranty really only helps you if it (a) does not fail in year #1 (Nikon covers that) but does fail in year #2 or #3... and if it fails in year #4 it's also not covered.

The failure curve for a product like this resembles the shape of a bathtub and they sometimes call these things a "bathtub curve". Most products are fine out of the factory but the factory won't catch everything. If there is a problem with a product, it'll usually manifest in the fist few months. In other words, there's actually a HIGHER failure rate in the first 6 months of ownership then there is for the next several years. (This is, in party, why the manufacturer provides that first year warranty.) But once you get past that ... the failure rate is low... UNTIL the product gets very old... then the failure rate climbs again.

In other words the "extended" warranty actually only covers the period of time when the product was least likely to fail anyway (it's really not much of a gamble for them.)

Let's say only 1 in 10 products fail and you signed up for the 4 year warranty (which really covers years 2, 3, and 4). And let's say you buy 10 cameras and one is guaranteed to fail. You'd still be better off by not buying the extended warranty because you'd have paid $540 in warranty coverage for a camera that costs less than that to replace. But be realistic... if 1 in 10 Nikon cameras failed within 4 years of ownership... these forums would be flooded with complaints about them. The actual failure rates aren't published, but it's far far lower than 1 in 10 (it's probably lower than 1 in 1000).

This is one of many reasons why I never recommend an extended warranty... the "house" always wins in those bets.


Next... What's in the box:

• Nikon D3300 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens (Black)
• AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II Lens
• EN-EL14A Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery for Select Nikon Cameras
• MH-24 Quick Charger for EN-EL14 Battery
• UC-E17 USB Cable
• EG-CP14 A/V Cable
• BF-1B Body Cap
• DK-25 Rubber Eyecup
• AN-DC3 Strap
• ViewNX 2 Software CD-ROM
• Limited 1-Year Warranty

I colored the lens because "which" lens (or lenses) you get depends on the kit that you buy. But the lens listed above is the one included with the basic single-lens kit.

Notice you do get a USB cable to transfer the images to your computer. You also DO get a battery and battery charger. The batteries tend to last a long time (these things don't go through battery power very quickly when using the viewfinder to take shots -- the normal way.)

Notice you do not get a memory card. You'll need to get one of those - they aren't expensive.

I'm not big on camera "bundles" because the stuff they include in the bundle tends to be "junk" grade (you would probably pick a better product if you got to hand pick each thing they included.) They often use these "bundles" as a way to pump up the perceived value, but most of it belongs in the rubbish bin.

You probably will want a camera bag, but you can get a camera bag for less than $15 (frankly you can get them for less than $10) so the bag alone is not a reason to buy a bundle (the one include with the bundle will definitely be a sub-$10 bag.)

Skip the filters (UV protector filters -- your camera already has a UV filter built-in. Low quality filters can cause reflections, ghosting, and degrade image quality.)
Skip the "quick" charger (fast-charging batteries is hard on them and shortens their overall life.)
Your computer may already have an SD card reader -- if so skip the card reader. If not, then buy an SD card reader.
Skip the lens cleaning pen.
Skip the HDMI cable.
Skip the tripod (it's junk). If you want a tripod, there are many tripods that will be significantly better.
Skip the wrist strap (if you want one, there are much better straps, but your camera comes with a neck strap and if you're a very active shooter (using the camera all day long), then you might want a "sling" type strap).

The D3300 doesn't have a built-in focus motor (in body motor). For auto-focus, it uses lenses which have the focus motor in the lens. These are the "AF-S" lenses. So...

AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G will have working auto-focus when used with the D3300.
AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D will not have working auto-focus (it will only auto-focus if attached to a camera body that has an in-body focusing motor.)

Since you want auto-focus to work, you want the "AF-S" version.

 

[Derrel]

Lightroom 3-x variants will not handle Nikon D3300 .NEF (raw) files, according to this Adobe in formation page:Camera Raw plug-in Supported cameras

Adobe Camera RAW plug-in version 8.4 or newer is the minimum. Adobe lists Lightroom version 5.4 as the minimum for being able to natively handle D3300 .NEF files.

I think you'd need to convert the D3300's .NEF files using Adobe's free DNG Converter if you were using Lightroom 3. But seriously--you do NOT want Lightroom version 3...you want a much newer version, which has much higher functionality as far as automatically masking shadows off from highlights. Bite the bullet, and buy a NEW version of Lightroom!

 

[kathy65]

Thank you so much for the helpful information! I learned alot. So basically looks like I will skip the bundle one since I wouldn't use all of it.

So this one would be good?

Nikon Black D3200 Digital SLR Camera with 24.2 Megapixels, Includes 18-55mm and 55-200mm Lenses, PLUS Carrying Case

• Nikon Black D3200 black digital camera
• 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses
• Carrying Case
• Battery, charger and power cable
• Quick Start Guide
• CD with software and digital manual

BUT it doesn't have the transfer cable correct? What exactly would I need to buy?

 

[Derrel]

Memory Card Readers, aka Card Readers, are fairly inexpensive. I can't give any advice on bundles/packages unless I see 1) the vendor 2) USA warrantied or gray market 3) Price and 4) EXACT lens models: older, pre-VR 18-55, or newest VR-II model of the lens?

The earlier camera, the 3200 is lower-priced than the 3300; Thom Hogan's d-slr site is really good in terms of reviews of specific Nikon models.

 

[Designer]

So basically looks like I will skip the bundle one since I wouldn't use all of it.

Well, here's my take on it:

Even though some of the stuff is not going to be essential to your making good photographs, the bundle is what it is. Meaning, compare each deal by looking mainly at the camera model, lenses, and the like. Don't make your decision hinge on whether it comes with three extra (cheap) "filters" or not. Just look at the main components, and the price.

So now you've seen the D3300 and the D3200. Since the D3300 supersedes the D3200, it is bound to cost more, and the second lens is worth something, and you can verify the true worth of that (or any) lens by looking at the prices asked for used ones. People are always putting up their "kit" lenses for sale, and they are not expensive items, especially used.

So if you happen to find a good deal and it doesn't have that second lens, just look around for a used one.

I don't presume to know your exact circumstances, but I usually recommend buying the latest and greatest camera (body anyway) that you can afford and then you've got something upon which to build your kit. Then you can be somewhat more selective when you are in the market for a lens, and you'll know what to look for and approximately what the going price is.

 

[Designer]

The listing dealer might not have listed everything, so it might be a good idea to call and verify that the upload cable comes the it, as all new Nikons are supposed to come with one. Like the battery, charger, CD, etc.

The carrying case is probably the first thing that you will not use. They're too small to be of any practical value.

The memory card reader is essentially a multi-socket thing that you can plug in several types of memory card. There is no software with them. I think I paid around $12 for mine.

We usually recommend that newbs who have installed their UV "protector" attachment remove them and just use the lens cap.

The band for a zoom lens is something like a rubber band, and you shouldn't actually need one anyway, but if your zoom creeps out when you point your camera straight down, then you might need it.

We're only telling you this now so that you're not too disappointed when you later find that you really didn't need some of that stuff.

Many consumers buy the kit anyway, because they do need most of it, and that is the way the bundles are bundled.

 

[The_Traveler]

[
QUOTE="kathy65, post: 3515103, member: 208263"]
How long is shipping time from those companies?[/QUOTE]

If it is in stock (and BHPhoto and Adorama are two of the largest sellers of camera equipment in the world so the chances of it being in stock are good) it all depends on where you live.

Both of those companies are in NYC, I live in MD and if I order by 4 PM, I often get it the nxt morning.
Both of those firms are run by very religious Jews and the stores are closed for all Jewish holidays and a 2 PM on Friday until 6 PM on Sat, so keep that in mind.

Both of them and KEH.com have used equipment. You might want to start with that to see how you like photography. KEH is big in the used equipment.

Digital Cameras Digital Camera Kits B H Photo Video

for example - decent bundle with card

 

[kathy65]

So since I a doing mainly engagement, newborn, maternity, and famiy pictures what lenses would I really need?
Isnt a 55-200mm kinda not worth it? The kit lens and I am purchasing the 50mm f/1.8g Af-s should be enough correct?

 

[Designer]

So since I a doing mainly engagement, newborn, maternity, and famiy pictures what lenses would I really need?
Isnt a 55-200mm kinda not worth it? The kit lens and I am purchasing the 50mm f/1.8g Af-s should be enough correct?

I consider a 50mm about the shortest lens that I would use for general portraiture. If you have more space available, I'd get the 50 AND a longer lens, like the 85mm for instance.

 

[robbins.photo]

So since I a doing mainly engagement, newborn, maternity, and famiy pictures what lenses would I really need?
Isnt a 55-200mm kinda not worth it? The kit lens and I am purchasing the 50mm f/1.8g Af-s should be enough correct?

You should be able to get by on that just fine for quite a while, the 50 mm 1.8 is an outstanding lens. It's fast, sharp and just takes amazing photos. The kit lens is pretty versatile. I've never owned or used the 55-200mm myself so I can't speak to how good it renders personally but I think you will find that sometimes having something with a little longer focal length can be handy even for portrait work.

So rally you don't necessarily "need" the 55-200 but I think you might be surprised at just how handy a lens in that focal length can be even for portrait work. Nice part about a DSLR though, even if you don't get the lens now you can always get one later if you feel the need.

 

[Derrel]

So since I am doing mainly engagement, newborn, maternity, and famiy pictures what lenses would I really need?
Isnt a 55-200mm kinda not worth it? The kit lens and I am purchasing the 50mm f/1.8g Af-S should be enough correct?

The 50mm 1.8 AF-S G functions as a nice, lightweight, easy-focusing short telephoto lens on any D3000-series Nikon. It's gives a selective, somewhat narrow angle of view, an angle of view of about 30 degrees on an APS-C Nikon. ( Angles-02z.jpg )

It would be nice to have a somewhat longer lens which would allow you to stand back a ways, yet be able to zoom in on smaller sections of outdoor events, to be able to "pull things closer", which is the forte of the longer zooms like the 55-200 or 55-250, or 70-300mm lenses. However, it's not absolutely necessary to have a telephoto zoom, since with a 24-million pixel capture, there is a pretty good amount of cropping that can be done at the computer, and still allow you to end up with a high quality image.

With a longer prime telephoto, like Nikon's 85mm f/1.8 AF-S G, you get, in THAT specific lens model, one of ***the*** absolute sharpest lenses Nikon sells for under $4,999. The lightweight 85mm f/1.8 G series lens is **extraordinarily** high-resolving, and can be used as a really good tool for both normal medium tele shooting OR as a way to shoot loose, and crop later; the new 85/1.8 G is an amazingly sharp lens at a bargain price for what it can do.