Autofocus issue on D3200
- Thread starter GSXR_Rider
- Start date
GSXR_Rider
Senior Member
D5200 w/ 18-55 VR from Bestbuy $549.99
D5300 w/ 18-55 VR from Bestbuy $749.99
As a relatively new user and someone who isn't very well versed on the technology used in cameras what little I've watched in reviews points to there not being much of a difference in the D5200 and D5300 aside from built in GPS and wi-fi. That said, the $200 price jump isn't worth it to me if the features gained are GPS and wi-fi alone, but I'm willing to guess there are other changes that have been made that I am probably not aware of.
I am extremely happy with my D3300. I few of my friends bought the D3200 as it was cheaper, but after feedback from them, the D3300 is a much better body. So if you have budget constraints, get the D3300. My one bought in March last year has already crosed 33,000 shots, with no visible degradation.
Recently the same thing happened with my 16-85 lens. Every time I put it on the body, it would hunt a bit before settling down. This does not happen with any other lens - 18-55, 35 or 50, so it has to be the lens.
As it is 35+ even inside the house at night (and 40+ during the day), I think that high temperature is the culprit, as one day when it rained, it hunted less.
GSXR_Rider
Senior Member
I hear what you are saying, but I had the same issue with my 18-55 and 55-200 lens, both would work but in certain situations I would get an intermittent issue with the lens not finding focus and making a faint clicking noise instead.
I considered the D3300 as well but again very slight changes over the D3200 if my distractedly performed research is correct (I will check again to be certain).
I could purchase the D3300 as a kit and get both 18-55 and 55-200 VR lens but I never really found myself using the 55-200 much, and I would pay ~$50 less for the D5200 with just an 18-55 VR lens or ~$50 more for a D3300 with only an 18-55 VR lens, not that that is a very big difference in price nor is it a difference I couldn't handle. I want to ignore price +/- $50 because I don't want to let that influence my decision. On the other hand I know that I won't be with the 18-55 VR lens very long because as my skills increase I will upgrade the lens.
I have looked at the Canon T5i vs the Nikon D5200, and after watching some reviews I'm leaning more towards the D5200. My decision will ultimately be made by playing with the D3300 (though it is not a strong candidate), the D5200 and Canon T5i tomorrow as well as talking with experts at a camera shop near me to gain more insight.
I considered the D3300 as well but again very slight changes over the D3200 if my distractedly performed research is correct (I will check again to be certain).
I could purchase the D3300 as a kit and get both 18-55 and 55-200 VR lens but I never really found myself using the 55-200 much, and I would pay ~$50 less for the D5200 with just an 18-55 VR lens or ~$50 more for a D3300 with only an 18-55 VR lens, not that that is a very big difference in price nor is it a difference I couldn't handle. I want to ignore price +/- $50 because I don't want to let that influence my decision. On the other hand I know that I won't be with the 18-55 VR lens very long because as my skills increase I will upgrade the lens.
I have looked at the Canon T5i vs the Nikon D5200, and after watching some reviews I'm leaning more towards the D5200. My decision will ultimately be made by playing with the D3300 (though it is not a strong candidate), the D5200 and Canon T5i tomorrow as well as talking with experts at a camera shop near me to gain more insight.
Last edited:
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
The D5300 has also had the OLPF removed which I know from personal experience will give you significantly sharper images. So much so I paid someone to have it removed from my D750. The D5300 also has the newer EXPEED 4 processor, higher maximum ISO, the articulating rear LCD is larger and sharper, the D5300 body is the stronger monocoque design and the D5300 also has better battery life. Plus, of course, the aforementioned Wi-Fi and GPS built in.
I don't care what you wind up with, but I wanted to point out where that extra $200 is going.
EDIT: Lastly, I'm no Canon hater but the T5i? Really? Dude... If you're considering the D3300 or 5300, then the T5i would be smart to just stay home on race day. Again, I'm no Canon hater but this just isn't a fair comparison.
,,,,
Last edited:
GSXR_Rider
Senior Member
Ah, I was trying to figure out what the processor differences were and thanks for letting me know the benefits. It does seem that the money goes a bit further with the D5300. I'm going to play around with the D5200/D5300 and see what I think later today but I don't think I could go wrong with either. To be honest, I'm not very serious in considering the T5i because both of my brothers have Nikon DSLR's so I would lose the ability to swap lens with them and play around with a different lens for the day. That and the fact that the T5i costs more than the D5200 by about $100, then again I'm trying not to let price drive my decision too much.
Last edited:
GSXR_Rider
Senior Member
Just wanted to offer a summation of sorts and bring up some last minute thoughts I'm having...
- There is a chance that the issue I was having with the D3200 kit lens could have been related to the surroundings in which I was shooting or improper settings in that environment. When I initially complained to the experienced camera sales associate at BestBuy he pointed me towards lack of light being the cause of focus hunting and the subsequent clicking sound. At this point in time it is too late for me to use another lens for an extensive test as BestBuy has my D3200 and I now have a D5300.
- Did I make a bad decision going with the D5300 over the D5200? Perhaps, part of which is attributed to being uncomfortable paying the difference. Additionally, I am now finding threads about back and front focusing issues with the D5300 though I have still to understand what this means. (EDIT: This has been pointed out to me by another forum member, Horoscope Fish, as not being an issue with this camera)
- My D3200 was a kit that included the 18-55 and 55-200 NON VR lenses, my D5300 only comes with the 18-55 VR lens. So part of my thinking in retrospect tells me paying more for less isn't right even though I really only used the 55-200 for one occasion where I favored it over the 18-55 due to the distance of the subject I was shooting (a gradation ceremony) and that this camera is a newer model than what I previously had. So this may be an irrelevant point.
- Another thing that makes me wonder if I made the right decision is the fact that I essentially lost all the money for the warranty on the first camera, so its as if I paid more for the first camera than the price I had price matched it to. This may also be an irrelevant point.
Suffice it to say some of my thoughts may be irrelevant, which I apologize for. But I do want to thank everyone who replied and assisted me with this D3200 and the issues I was having.
- There is a chance that the issue I was having with the D3200 kit lens could have been related to the surroundings in which I was shooting or improper settings in that environment. When I initially complained to the experienced camera sales associate at BestBuy he pointed me towards lack of light being the cause of focus hunting and the subsequent clicking sound. At this point in time it is too late for me to use another lens for an extensive test as BestBuy has my D3200 and I now have a D5300.
- Did I make a bad decision going with the D5300 over the D5200? Perhaps, part of which is attributed to being uncomfortable paying the difference. Additionally, I am now finding threads about back and front focusing issues with the D5300 though I have still to understand what this means. (EDIT: This has been pointed out to me by another forum member, Horoscope Fish, as not being an issue with this camera)
- My D3200 was a kit that included the 18-55 and 55-200 NON VR lenses, my D5300 only comes with the 18-55 VR lens. So part of my thinking in retrospect tells me paying more for less isn't right even though I really only used the 55-200 for one occasion where I favored it over the 18-55 due to the distance of the subject I was shooting (a gradation ceremony) and that this camera is a newer model than what I previously had. So this may be an irrelevant point.
- Another thing that makes me wonder if I made the right decision is the fact that I essentially lost all the money for the warranty on the first camera, so its as if I paid more for the first camera than the price I had price matched it to. This may also be an irrelevant point.
Suffice it to say some of my thoughts may be irrelevant, which I apologize for. But I do want to thank everyone who replied and assisted me with this D3200 and the issues I was having.
Last edited: