Thoughts on Nikon D3000

[jw3571]

I've had this camera for a few years, I've always kept it on auto mode since I don't know what i'm doing with manual mode. I mostly just shoot the kids and my cars. I've been surprised at how the pics look quite a bit better than the point and shoots i've had before. I'm now considering starting to learn how to actually put the camera to use. Do you recommend I hang on to the D3000 and learn, or should I be upgrading first? I have a 18-55mm lens and a 55-200mm lens. What type of lens do guys use when taking pics of cars with scenery in the background? Or the cool pics at night and the lights look really cool? Would I need more of a landscape lens for something like that? One thing that has me thinking of possibly upgrading is the ability to do HD video with the DSLR. I assume you can record with a zoom lens? Sorry for all the questions.

 

[Forkie]

The camera and lenses you have are more than enough for a beginner. Those two lenses are what I started out with and certainly most Nikon users start out with and they are good workhorses. They are not the best lenses, but they are certainly not the worst either (I still use my 55-200 - it's not even the VR version!). Don't go upgrading yet, a bigger camera will only have more buttons to learn.

Go back to your camera manual and read it. All the way through. Then get yourself some books and/or a youtube account and start reading and watching. Soak up all the information you can about aperture, shutter speed, ISO and composition and then practice it and you'll be well on your way.