Life after Nikon D3000?

[cprkhrst]

Hello All,

I have been pushing my knowledge with a Nikon D3000 and feel I have reached all the potential I can get out of this camera. I would like to know what your opinions would be on moving to a different camera or selecting a new lens to achieve the crisper, cleaner, no noise photos that I long to take. I am definitely a novice photographer, but I am absorbing as much wisdom I can. (I currently am using the Nikkor 55-200mm lens.)


I am attaching a picture that I took with this set up. Please let me know opinions and constructive criticism..Thanks all...

My first post..so here goes.

 

[KmH]

The D3000 is pretty capable.

The lighting in the photo you posted is rather mediocre and flat.
Pretty much all digital photos will benefit from some post process editing.

Are you aware of the 3 different light metering modes your D3000 has available for you to use?

 

[jrizal]

For sharper pictures you might want to consider a prime lens also.

 

[cprkhrst]

Thank you Keith! No, I didn't know about the metering modes. Thank you for pointing that out. Your description of "flat" is proven after you edited. Thank you. I can see where you added life to the girls. They don't look like they are a part of the wall now. I do love trying to get all I can out of my camera. I will be looking into the metering modes and how to effectively use them.

 

[cprkhrst]

I will look into what a prime lens will offer, thank you.

 

[jrizal]

I will look into what a prime lens will offer, thank you.

Just a couple of links about primes. Also the 35mm and 50mm are arguably Nikon's most popular primes and often range about $200 for the entry-level models. There is also a cheaper version of the 50mm about $100 if budget is a concern. But it will not autofocus on your D3000. But manual focus will still work. I have the said lens on my D3100 and manual focus is relatively easy tip learn.

Prime Lenses ? an Introduction

What is a Prime Lens? Why use one? by Digital Photo Secrets

 

[cprkhrst]

Thanks so much, it is unreal how much I have learned since joining this forum TODAY. I love it!

 

[jrizal]

As a follow through of KmH's suggestion regarding metering, here are some links regarding the subject.

Introduction to Metering Modes

Understanding Camera Metering and Exposure

Also, read your manual on how to set which metering mode is necessary. And contrary to what others say about the D3000, it is still a capable camera. Yes there are better models out there. But whether it will be a dud or not really depends on you.

 

[KmH]

I would like to point out that while the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens does not have an auto focus motor in it, that is the only part of the AF system that is missing. The 50 mm f/1.8D lens is a CPU lens and it sends Distance information to the auto focus module system in the camera.

Page 132 of the D3000 user's manual describes Rangefinder mode which is a manual focusing aid. Rangefinder is not available in Manual shooting mode, but in Manual shooting mode the D3000 will still light the in-focus indicator in the camera's viewfinder when focus has been achieved at the selected auto focus point by manually turning the focus ring on the lens.

I highly recommend a comprehensive review of your D3000 users manual to discover just how many features and functions you are unaware the camera has.
Hopefully you have explored the other auto focus modes and auto focus area modes the D3000 has.

Ultimately, the only excuse you need to justify upgrading your camera is because you just want to upgrade.

 

[marrythomas]

Hi Everyone,
My name is Marry and this is my very first walk into the world of photography and camera's. I am a completer inexperienced having only pointed click and go digitals in the past but I must admit that so far it's been pretty exiting and I want to learn as much as I can. I hope my all queries solved here.

 

[cprkhrst]

Fellas, I got a prime! I'm lovin' it. Thanks for the guidance!

 

[jrizal]

@Cindy congratulations on your new "toy". Enjoy.

 

[hirejn]

You're not getting the most out of the D3000. There's no element of light in the image, so that's one thing you can do with the D3000 and knowledge of flash. A new camera won't upgrade your lighting skills or ability to recognize good or bad light in a scene. Nobody can stop you from buying what you want, but understand it's not the equipment that improves photography. Have you mastered RAW processing? If you've never heard of a color profile, you have a ways to go before upgrading will be worthwhile. If you want, take a look at my website, particularly the Hawaii gallery. Every image there was shot with a D200. Only a few images on my site were shot with another camera -- the D100. I'm knocking out great images with the ability to produce stunning large canvases. You're thinking of file quality when you should be thinking of image quality.

 

[cprkhrst]

Joel, I absolutely agree that I have not gotten nearly all I can out of the D3000. I have found that out over the past two weeks. It has been amazing to watch my photos change as I learn a little something more. I do shoot in RAW, but I am in the process of learning more about it. I greatly appreciate the information, and I will go check out your work. I realize that to improve knowledge is best! I am enjoying the 50mm, it has definitely pointed out my areas of weakness when it comes to shutter speed and aperture working together. I am not sure how fast my brain can keep absorbing. I started seriously 2 months ago...so cheers to fast pace!

I just finished looking at your photos on your website, STUNNING. Thank you for taking the time to talk and share with little ole' me!

 

[Mike_E]

Sherman, forward into the past.





D300/300s if you want video. The only lenses that won't autofocus on a D300 are manual focus lenses (there are two others but if you even see one it would be a miracle and if you got to shoot with one, look for the end of the world).

They're getting fairly inexpensive and will open many lenses to you.