Nikon d3100 Help

[Pallycow]

Taken with a d3100 and kit lens.

when did it start to matter what a lens "feels" like? lol

 

[TheFantasticG]

Long long ago, Pally. Infact, before I was born.

 

[Awiserbud]

Excellent example, and proves beyond doubt that the "kit" lens is more than capable of producing some stunning shots.

 

[shents]

Fab shot pally! I cant wait yo get started in such an amazing place like china im hoping to get some artistic shots, bright colours, so much culture, Did you guys read my replies to prev mess concerning choice of reasonably priced zoom lense sorry guys I don't want to mess this up... Kelly

 

[Vautrin]

Excellent example, and proves beyond doubt that the "kit" lens is more than capable of producing some stunning shots.

Most lenses are sharpest at 1-2 stops above the maximum apereture.

With a kit lens that does 5.6 at maximum aperture (true on zoom, maybe it's 4 if you're WIDE), that means you have to be at f 8 or f 11 to get really sharp shots

YES you'll get great shots

But it's nice to be able to get sharp images at f 2.8 and get bokeh

 

[shents]

Hellooooo

 

[Pallycow]

My example was to show that if you are new, and going on a trip, you can get nice scenic shots using the "kit" lens. I shot that only having the camera for about two weeks. Sure a basic understanding of photography helped...but you will do well with it on your trip. If i recall correctly, I used 18mm at f/8 or f/11, I forget. I did crop a bit 'cause being a noob I put horizon dead center, so I cropped for that, and adjusted in raw for lens correction, cloned out a few bug circles in the water, but thats about it on the PP side of it.

as for the zoom...depends on your budget really. if you can afford the nikon 70-300 vr II get it, it's nice. If you can't, tamrom makes an ok lens for the money spent. Sure there are others, but those are the only two I've used. IMO you don't need fast zooms as you are not really ready to use them to their full advantage.

I printed that one and sold two at 12x18, looked great. and since we have our new printer up and running for large prints, I am going to print 24x36 to hang on the wall for a sample of our large prints...I won't need to do anything to it, so if you are concerned with printing, don't be. If you get a decent, well exposed, non blurry shot, the d3100 and kit can produce 20x30 prints with ease.

 

[shents]

My example was to show that if you are new, and going on a trip, you can get nice scenic shots using the "kit" lens. I shot that only having the camera for about two weeks. Sure a basic understanding of photography helped...but you will do well with it on your trip. If i recall correctly, I used 18mm at f/8 or f/11, I forget. I did crop a bit 'cause being a noob I put horizon dead center, so I cropped for that, and adjusted in raw for lens correction, cloned out a few bug circles in the water, but thats about it on the PP side of it.

as for the zoom...depends on your budget really. if you can afford the nikon 70-300 vr II get it, it's nice. If you can't, tamrom makes an ok lens for the money spent. Sure there are others, but those are the only two I've used. IMO you don't need fast zooms as you are not really ready to use them to their full advantage.

I printed that one and sold two at 12x18, looked great. and since we have our new printer up and running for large prints, I am going to print 24x36 to hang on the wall for a sample of our large prints...I won't need to do anything to it, so if you are concerned with printing, don't be. If you get a decent, well exposed, non blurry shot, the d3100 and kit can produce 20x30 prints with ease.

Thank you sooo much that was really helpful, sorry to Be a pain, I'm a bit if a google geek and I just end up confusing my self , I know If I get into the photography more I wont just settle for a cheaper lense, but for now because of trip it will have to do, you are a star

 

[Pallycow]

You're not a pain, you're just like everyone else wanting to make a good decision. The internet is full of ideas and theories. All too often people speak up using things they have read vs. things they have done or seen. For me, I prefer to listen to those who have "done" vs. those who have "read". Sometimes you can google yourself into a coma. lol

 

[shents]

You're not a pain, you're just like everyone else wanting to make a good decision. The internet is full of ideas and theories. All too often people speak up using things they have read vs. things they have done or seen. For me, I prefer to listen to those who have "done" vs. those who have "read". Sometimes you can google yourself into a coma. lol

Haha I Do that every time! Thanks

 

[Greiver]

You're not a pain, you're just like everyone else wanting to make a good decision. The internet is full of ideas and theories. All too often people speak up using things they have read vs. things they have done or seen. For me, I prefer to listen to those who have "done" vs. those who have "read". Sometimes you can google yourself into a coma. lol

And i thought I was the only one that did that.

 

[kns]

My wife uses the D3100, she used to use my Nikon 55-200 afs vr lens on it - it is an affordable lens (about £150 or so) and can deliver excellent results

She's now graduated to the exceptional Nikon 70-300 AFS VR G IF ED (don't worry too much about the letter, i'll explain at the bottom of this) which is a brilliant lens, but costs close to £500 - depending on your budget I would suggest one of these options ....but honestly the Tamron 70-300 is awful.......

AFS - Autofocus Silent Wave Motor - the D3100 can only auto-focus with these (equivalent in sigma is HSM) lenses
VR - Vibration Reduction, helps reduce camera shake in use.
G - Means the lens has no aperture ring - which you don't need.
IF - Internal focussing - the end of the lens does not spin when focussing, helps to add filters
ED - a special type of glass used by Nikon.....

The kit lens, 18-55 VR, as other indicate above is perfectly acceptable.....

Anyway hope that helps and enjoy your trip

For info: We collect and use Nikon Dslr cameras and own 8 at present, and have been using Digital cameras since 1999 - we've a bit of experience in these matters LOL

Reading about things is good, doing it is better....

 

[Vautrin]

The main problem with "kit" lenses is many people associate good photos as having shallow depth of field

Many people expect to be able to see this and at f5.6
you just wont get the same effect as at f2

i say this as i lent my girlfriend the d3100 with the kit lens and she just couldnt understand why she couldnt get the same
effect

Of course, part of that is learning

 

[Vautrin]

Although you are
right, acceptable to someone with experience and acceptable to a complete n00b are two different things

 

[boroboy]

Hi, Also new with a D3100 and D3200 and I am looking for help with buying accessories. Keep buying Nikon accessories that I am led to believe are for these cameras and then find they don't work Here are two examples - a remote shutter release MC-DC2 and there is no slot on the D3100 that takes this. A neutral density filter that didn't fit. Too much information for a beginner and just trying not to make so many dumb mistakes with accessories. Any suggestions appreciated.