New lens needed with Nikon D3300 kit?

[Ido]

It wasn't just the viewfinder it was also the actual photos on those cams - the D750 and D810. It seemed like composition was more effortless. Maybe there is a mirrorless + lens combo for around ~<$1000 that could give me the practicality I am looking for. I don't need 3 lenses laying around if I could just use 1 or 2. Appreciate the feedback as always!

Do you know what lens / focal length you used there?
I assume it was a zoom lens that starts at 24mm. If that’s the case, then you can get the same on a DX body with a lens that starts at 16mm, like the Nikon 16-80mm f/2.8-4, or Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6. If so, you may wish to replace the kit lens with one of those.

 

[James W.]

Sorry for the late reply,

I'm into landscapes, wildlife and other outdoor types of photography. The kit lens does work quite well but you do have to move your feet to get the shot sometimes. As others have said, camera lenses come in all focal lengths (mostly) so for a DX camera, something like a 14mm or 12mm would have the equivalent field of view (the amount of landscape showing up on the sensor like 7.8 degrees vs the approx 140 degrees our eyes see) Some people say that 50mm lenses are close to what the human eye sees, but I don't think that applies to field of view, more comparable to distortion, sharpness and what the lens can focus on.

As for the viewfinder, when I'm setting up the shots I just go into live view. The LCD is large enough that, when equipped with a shade or cover (approx $12) I can see the screen in daylight. Besides that, in live view you can zoom into the shot to ensure you've got focus. It's miles better than looking through the cross hairs of the viewfinder. IF you want a more expensive option, you can get video camera style viewfinder attachments for the LCD screen. So you look into the attachment like a normal viewfinder, but you are actually looking at the LCD screen. Haven't tried it myself, but the concept is interesting.

BTW, GREAT SHOT!!! I don't see what's disappointing you with the kit lens, it seems to be performing well.

Anyways, good luck, can't wait to see more photos!

--James

 

[photo12345]

Hello all, I am wondering if I'll need a more wide angle or just a better lens in general for landscape photography. This kit came with a 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens but the widest aperture size in the standard lens is like f/4.2. I tried a friend's nice lens while he was lecturing me on basics, and it seemed so nice and had like a f/1.5 at its largest. Your thoughts?

I found my self in a similar situation. I first bought a d5300 with the two kit lenses you have.

The next thing I bought was a camera bag and a cheap tripod because my intentions starting photography was for landscapes/Cityscapes. I knew I would be going on many hikes and so on.

The next think I bought was a set of cheap netural density filters. Which I just upgraded to the lee system. Netural density filters might be something you'd like to look into.They can be a great help while doing landscapes.

 

[Re3iRtH]

Did you find that the 18-55mm lens was not quite 'wide-angle' enough for some landscapes?

Hello all, I am wondering if I'll need a more wide angle or just a better lens in general for landscape photography. This kit came with a 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens but the widest aperture size in the standard lens is like f/4.2. I tried a friend's nice lens while he was lecturing me on basics, and it seemed so nice and had like a f/1.5 at its largest. Your thoughts?

I found my self in a similar situation. I first bought a d5300 with the two kit lenses you have.

The next thing I bought was a camera bag and a cheap tripod because my intentions starting photography was for landscapes/Cityscapes. I knew I would be going on many hikes and so on.

The next think I bought was a set of cheap netural density filters. Which I just upgraded to the lee system. Netural density filters might be something you'd like to look into.They can be a great help while doing landscapes.

 

[photo12345]

Did you find that the 18-55mm lens was not quite 'wide-angle' enough for some landscapes?

Hello all, I am wondering if I'll need a more wide angle or just a better lens in general for landscape photography. This kit came with a 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens but the widest aperture size in the standard lens is like f/4.2. I tried a friend's nice lens while he was lecturing me on basics, and it seemed so nice and had like a f/1.5 at its largest. Your thoughts?

I found my self in a similar situation. I first bought a d5300 with the two kit lenses you have.

The next thing I bought was a camera bag and a cheap tripod because my intentions starting photography was for landscapes/Cityscapes. I knew I would be going on many hikes and so on.

The next think I bought was a set of cheap netural density filters. Which I just upgraded to the lee system. Netural density filters might be something you'd like to look into.They can be a great help while doing landscapes.

The 18-55 served me well. I used it much more than my 55-200. There were times I wished it was wider. My next purchase will be a tokina 11-16 2.8. For $400 Canadian used isn't a bad price and then I will be pretty much covered 11-200mm until I have enough saved for a wildlife lense. After that I'll look into upgrading my kit lenses for something faster but for the time being there fine.

 

[Re3iRtH]

Is there any security/warranty in purchasing a used lens?

I am thinking if the ASP-C (wrong spelling I know) crop format is even sustainable after a year or so when you become better at photography. Maybe its better to just bite the bullet and start with a full frame camera that you would purchase a few years down the line anyway.

Did you find that the 18-55mm lens was not quite 'wide-angle' enough for some landscapes?

Hello all, I am wondering if I'll need a more wide angle or just a better lens in general for landscape photography. This kit came with a 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens but the widest aperture size in the standard lens is like f/4.2. I tried a friend's nice lens while he was lecturing me on basics, and it seemed so nice and had like a f/1.5 at its largest. Your thoughts?

I found my self in a similar situation. I first bought a d5300 with the two kit lenses you have.

The next thing I bought was a camera bag and a cheap tripod because my intentions starting photography was for landscapes/Cityscapes. I knew I would be going on many hikes and so on.

The next think I bought was a set of cheap netural density filters. Which I just upgraded to the lee system. Netural density filters might be something you'd like to look into.They can be a great help while doing landscapes.

The 18-55 served me well. I used it much more than my 55-200. There were times I wished it was wider. My next purchase will be a tokina 11-16 2.8. For $400 Canadian used isn't a bad price and then I will be pretty much covered 11-200mm until I have enough saved for a wildlife lense. After that I'll look into upgrading my kit lenses for something faster but for the time being there fine.

 

[photo12345]

Is there any security/warranty in purchasing a used lens?

I am thinking if the ASP-C (wrong spelling I know) crop format is even sustainable after a year or so when you become better at photography. Maybe its better to just bite the bullet and start with a full frame camera that you would purchase a few years down the line anyway.

Did you find that the 18-55mm lens was not quite 'wide-angle' enough for some landscapes?

Hello all, I am wondering if I'll need a more wide angle or just a better lens in general for landscape photography. This kit came with a 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens but the widest aperture size in the standard lens is like f/4.2. I tried a friend's nice lens while he was lecturing me on basics, and it seemed so nice and had like a f/1.5 at its largest. Your thoughts?

I found my self in a similar situation. I first bought a d5300 with the two kit lenses you have.

The next thing I bought was a camera bag and a cheap tripod because my intentions starting photography was for landscapes/Cityscapes. I knew I would be going on many hikes and so on.

The next think I bought was a set of cheap netural density filters. Which I just upgraded to the lee system. Netural density filters might be something you'd like to look into.They can be a great help while doing landscapes.

The 18-55 served me well. I used it much more than my 55-200. There were times I wished it was wider. My next purchase will be a tokina 11-16 2.8. For $400 Canadian used isn't a bad price and then I will be pretty much covered 11-200mm until I have enough saved for a wildlife lense. After that I'll look into upgrading my kit lenses for something faster but for the time being there fine.

There are always concerns buying things used. I haven't had an issue buying used yet but you really want to check things over well. You can grab some pretty good deals.

When I go to buy the 11-16 I've talked about it my previous post I'll be checking the external for any damage or sign it has been damaged or dropped.I'll also be bring my camera body which has wifi and my iPad. I'll be able to shoot the lense through all focal lengths/focus and upload them to my iPad with in a few minutes then I can take a better look at the images . The person selling the item might think it's an inconvenience waiting 15-20 minutes for me to test out the gear but at the end of the day if your tossing out hundreds of dollars you want somthibg in great condition.

Edit: it's worth typing buying used camera gear into YouTube. Lots of videos that will run you though tips and things to check as I only mentioned a few. And I'm sure many other members could give more input .

 

[Ido]

I am thinking if the ASP-C (wrong spelling I know) crop format is even sustainable after a year or so when you become better at photography.

Of course it is! It only becomes better, letting you take better pictures, as you improve your skill and technique.

Maybe its better to just bite the bullet and start with a full frame camera that you would purchase a few years down the line anyway.

Why are you so sure you’d end up buying a camera with a 35mm-format sensor in “a year or so”? Seriously, why do you think that APS-C is so bad? I’ve been shooting for nearly two-and-a-half years now with a Micro Four Thirds camera as my primary (and only) camera; the Micro Four Thirds standard revolves around a sensor that’s smaller still than APS-C. Do you think that makes me any less of a “serious” photographer? I’ll be honest here and say that it really does seem like a personal insult to me, and a bunch of other photographers who do absolutely marvelous imagery, that a 35mm-format sensor is somehow paramount to that.