New to Nikon and D3300

jbross

New member
Hello Everyone:

Thank you for your time in reviewing my question(s). I have owned a couple of Canon SLRs, but this is my first DSLR and my first Nikon so I am getting accustomed to the new terminology, etc.

When the D3300 dropped below $500 with some extras tossed in, I couldn't resist. Up to this point, I used a bridge camera and a couple of point-and-shoots. I do understand all the fundamentals and generally shoot in RAW and use Lightroom for post.

I took the D3300 out for a walkabout last weekend and took 30 +/- photos and I am basically pleased. I have it set at Auto WB, Auto ISO and I use the M, A and S modes primarily. I am fairly pleased with the results SOOC and only modest corrections in LR were necessary.

This is a new camera and I have a big trip planned, but I see there are some firmware upgrades:

Current firmware is C = 1.00, L = 2.009


Upgrades available are:

Distortion Control Data version 2 Ver.2.013 2016/02/02

D3300 Firmware C:Ver.1.01 2016/01/26



Are these essential upgrades, i.e. will they make a large difference in my results? The reason I ask is that I would like to take the camera on an important trip and if I can postpone the updates until after that trip, it would be easier. If, in the experience of some proficient users, it will make a big difference, then I will try it.

Thanks for your input and for taking time to read my question.

Sincerely,

J. Ross


Blog - JBRish.com, photofolio always under development - Jeff Ross
 

Ta2Dave

Senior Member
Welcome to the forum! There is a ton of great information here, and a ton of great people!

I have not done the firmware update for my 3300. I'm waiting to hear the consensus on if it's worth it or not. My feeling is, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
Welcome to the forum and the Nikon world.

I'm also of the "it ain't broke don't fix it" old school. Too often the upgrade changes something I don't want changed. Sometimes necessary, e.g. if you buy a new flash that came out after the camera, maybe the upgrade will improve compatibility or something like that. Ain't Broke? Don't Fix it.

A walk about with 30 pictures - you are new to this. Just wait until you start using continuous shutter release and a one hour walk about results in hundreds of images. But there is a great deal to be said for quality over quantity.
 

Ta2Dave

Senior Member
I was in front of my house for ten minutes yesterday taking more bee pics...when I went to put then on my laptop I was like damn...I took 118 pictures...

I only kept seven of them...
 

aroy

Senior Member
I shoot RAW at ISO 100 mostly in "A" mode. As I shoot in harsh light and like to recover the shadows, I rarely go beyond ISO 400. The rare times are when shooting insects in bright light. Then I do set up Shutter priority and auto ISO range between 100 and 1600.

I have not updated the camera software. If you shoot RAW you can set the following in software
. WB
. Distortion corrections
. NR
not doing these in camera will save processing time, and increase the burst rate (or rather not decrease the burst shooting rate)

I get maximum 700 shots with non-VR lens and around 400 with 18-55. So if you are going to shoot a lot, please be aware of the battery life. If it is critical, buy a spare one.

Get a fast 32GB card. I use 45MB/s card which is fast enough. I bought a 90 MB/s but that did not speed up things. If going for a long trip get at least two 32GB cards. Each can store 1,500 RAW or around 1,000 RAW+jpg images. Till you are proficient with RAW processing shoot RAW+jpg so that you can use the image immediately Out of the Camera.
 

MaxBlake

Senior Member
If you are pleased with the photographs that you have shot to date, then leave the camera alone until you return and get the chance to experiment additionally. No sense upsetting the apple cart ahead of your planned big venture. I did exactly that with a Nikon D3300 that I took on a recent cruise and was delighted with the quality of photos I shot.

Welcome to the forum, by the way. Enjoy your time here ... it's a great place to hang out.
 
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