Lens breakdown

Chase

Senior Member
Hi all ive owned my d3200 foe about 3 months now im still struggling with the camera jargen, shutter speeds apeture iso etc etc.

But one thing i do know is from using the camera i need a different lense, i sometimes feel im ontop of what im taking a shot of or im not getting enough in, im trying too look around fpr another lense but im getting stuck with the numbers, can anyone shed some light my way.

Thanks

Chase
 
if you want to go wider you need a sigma 10-20mm and for a better zoom range a 18-200mm avoid buying a 70 -200 or you need 3 lens to cover the range sell the 18-55 now or keep for when you sell the camera .
as for settings if you use P mode and have the auto iso at 100-6400 min shutter 1/30 you dont need to do anything until you get get more into it ....
 

§am

Senior Member
If your absolutely sure you need another lens, then what area are you lacking in now?
Do you feel your 18-55mm lens doesn't allow you to get enough of the scene in (not wide enough), or that you can't get a close up of the subject (zoom in).
This will influence what kind of lens you need.

Then, what's your budget?

On top of all that, but also as important as the points above, you need to 'learn' more about photography.
Explaining the numbers on the lens won't make much sense if you don't know what aperture, shutter speed, etc mean.

Once you've covered off the basics, then thats when you can go back to the first point above and decide what you need.
 

stmv

Senior Member
When I started photography, I started with an nikkormat and a single 50mm 1.8. With this setup, I learned exposure, aperature, and adjustment to conditions with film type (ISO now).

You compose with your feet, thinking about the shot.

Eventually, I moved up to the FM and now infamous 43-86 Zoom! wow, could adjust a bit the compostion but by small degrees not large ones, which I still favor. (actually the later 43-86 lens were redesigned and of high quality,, and can be a nice lens at a super low price).

4 years later, came the desired 80-200 zoom, for the reach stage, along with a 55 macro.

Your 3100 and kit lens is perfect for learning photography, and creating images. Quality is there, and that has enough zoom to make those minor adjustments. The lens is plenty sharp.

Equipment does not make a photographer, but the skill of understanding the science and then a sense of seeing the framing (composition) via the view finder.

Then,, when you are producing vivid/awesome images, begin to reward yourself with those new lens, and upgraded camera(s).
 
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SkvLTD

Senior Member
Might help OP as well- do current FX electronic lenses have any sort of DX recognition or DX more or are they, just like older glass, strictly FX? Reason I'm asking is because if I'm right, that Sigma 10-20 would only be 15-30 on DX making it quite useless alongside 18-x aside from picture quality.
 

jwstl

Senior Member
Might help OP as well- do current FX electronic lenses have any sort of DX recognition or DX more or are they, just like older glass, strictly FX? Reason I'm asking is because if I'm right, that Sigma 10-20 would only be 15-30 on DX making it quite useless alongside 18-x aside from picture quality.

I think you might be confused about the differences in DX and FX lenses.
The Sigma 10-20 is a DX lens like the 18-55 but, regardless if it's FX or DX, it's still 15-30 equivalent on a DX camera. And the 18-55 is basically a 28-80. DX lenses are still labeled in length from the sensor and that doesn't change just because the sensor is smaller. So the 18-55 is actually 18-55mm from the sensor but it's smaller than 35mm film so there's the crop factor. In other words, DX lenses still have the crop factor. As for DX advantages, because they are designed to cover the smaller sensor they can be made smaller, lighter and less expensively.
 

Chase

Senior Member
Thanks for all the replies ill give that artical a read i am struggling with the science behind cameras ive read half way through a book and im still no wiser, im finding it hard to apply what i read bout to the camera.

As for what im missing on my pictures, i mainly take pictures of cars at shows some track and some on stands so i suppose id say i need something fast for moving and with a good zoom. I do like to take pictures of cars in good landscapes so wether or not id need a wide view to do that i dont know or wether i just havent got the skill at the moment to fully utalize my 18 55, how ever ill keep plodding on trying to understand.
 

KWJams

Senior Member
Chase, Spending more money on bigger and better equipment will not fix anything.

Instead spend it in time learning more on how to get everything you can out of what you have. If the book you are reading is not making you wiser -- find a different book. Take a class or attend a work shop or walk about.

This book may not be written for your model, but should be close enough to help you master the equipment you have. Nikon D3100: From Snapshots to Great Shots: Jeff Revell: 9780321754547: Amazon.com: Books
 
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