I borrowed my brothers Nikon D3300 for a weekend and absolutely fell in love with photography! I'm looking to buy my first camera and am really getting mixed messages as to where to start. My friend who's amazing at photography suggested I start with something in the Canon t series but I wanted to get some other opinions too. My budget is extremely low (~$500) so I'm trying to look for the best bang for my buck- something that's easy and good to learn the ins and outs of photography on, develop my personal photographic style, diverse, and will last me a while. I'm about to go to college so I can't see myself being able to afford a new body anytime in the near future so I'd like something that's versatile and all around a good camera but will stay relevant for a while if possible. As I said before, I'm new, but I can see myself focusing on landscapes and portraits (candids showing true emotions of people). I'll appreciate any help you may have and I know that you are all partial to Nikon but if you think it would be easier to learn on a Canon, please let me know! Thank you so much in advance
Buying my first camera!!!!! Need help
- Thread starter awiltj
- Start date
Horoscope Fish
Senior Member
I'd suggest getting a D5300 refurb from Adorama with that budget. It's an *excellent* camera from a very reliable source.
Both brands are spectacular. Think of it as two heavy weight champions, both are champions, but each has things that they do a little bet making each one slightly unique.
Canon tends to be a bit softer and easier on skin tones. Jpeg straight out of camera tends to be a bit better.
Nikon tends to have a bit more contrast and as a general rule better at lower light.
These differences are not monumental and you may not even be able to tell the difference as they are both champions but have slightly different skills. You won't go wrong with either.
Canon tends to be a bit softer and easier on skin tones. Jpeg straight out of camera tends to be a bit better.
Nikon tends to have a bit more contrast and as a general rule better at lower light.
These differences are not monumental and you may not even be able to tell the difference as they are both champions but have slightly different skills. You won't go wrong with either.
Bob Blaylock
Senior Member
Back in the days of film, I would have suggested that if you think you're going to be serious about the hobby, to get as high-end a camera as you think you can reasonably afford. A good film camera, properly cared for, will easily last for decades.
Alas, digital is different. Sensors are improving all the time, at a rapid rate, along with the electronics to support them, and the hard fact is that any digital camera that you buy will be obsolete in a few years. Not that it won't continue to take pictures as well as it ever did, but before you know it, there will be better ones on the market, at lower prices, than what you have and what you paid for it.
My advice is that unless you're sure you're very serious about this hobby, and unless you think you really need any of the features or capabilities found on higher-end models, is that you just get the base model, which is currently the D3300. Many of the reputable online photography shops sell factory-refurbished Nikon cameras for a substantially lower price than brand new cameras, and in my opinion, a factory-refurbished camera is just about as good as a brand new one. You can save a bit more by going down to the D3200, which is the now-obsolete predecessor to the D3300. As far as I know, the D3300 isn't really that much better than the D3200; but I wouldn't go any older than that (that is, not to the D3100 or D3000) unless you're really desperate to cut the cost. I note that Nikon is still selling the D3200, but on their site, the D3300 is currently on sale for the same price, so if you buy directly from Nikon, there's currently no good reason to get the D3200 rather than the D3300.
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awiltj: see this post http://nikonites.com/d3300/33648-nikons-best-bang-buck-d3300.html#axzz41bIbV000. I have the 3300 and am very happy with it, Paul
Before I got my D750 I asked a friend in another state who is a Canon shooter which he would suggest, Nikon or Canon. He responded, "Go with what your family and friends are using so you can borrow lenses an accessories.". They are both top of the line. Of course I am partial to Nikon and it appears that your brother is as well.
Well if you are basing everything on budget... my recommendation would be a D90. It offers up a bit more in terms of control and a af motor on body which will open you up to more options on lenses. You will save yourself a lot more $$$ and not limited to lenses that need the AF-S motor which is fully electronic.
However you will miss out on higher MPix which is negligible since most will not be printing beyond poster sized images.
However you will miss out on higher MPix which is negligible since most will not be printing beyond poster sized images.
My recommendation would be to look at getting a D7*** camera, the main reason being they have built in af focus motor so you are able to use many older lenses and still autofocus. Older glass can be extremely good and save you a lot of $$$. There is nothing wrong with the D3*** or D5*** cameras, I started with a D3200 and still have it but for the most part was limited to more expensive newer lenses so it seemed like a bit of a false economy.
However if you will be happy using the kit lens and perhaps one or two cheaper lenses like the 35mm 1.8 then a D3300 or D5300 might be a better option for you.
However if you will be happy using the kit lens and perhaps one or two cheaper lenses like the 35mm 1.8 then a D3300 or D5300 might be a better option for you.
Danno_RIP
Senior Member
I bought a D3200 when I decided to take up photography almost a 11/2 ago. I loved it, but I bought it without any advice. I read some articles and it looked like a good place to start. I had a blast with it and I took a lot of photos. If you loved your brothers camera it is a good place to start, but if you can afford it, and you think you might want to really get involved in photography, I would look at the 5300 refurbished model. It is a bit more flexible.
If you cannot afford it the D3200 or 3300 will be a great option, but if you can the 5300 I would go with it. Me, I got great use out of the D3200 and I am selling it to a girl at church that is just starting out.... She had a tighter budget than you and I gave her a good deal. I bought the D7200.
Good luck
If you cannot afford it the D3200 or 3300 will be a great option, but if you can the 5300 I would go with it. Me, I got great use out of the D3200 and I am selling it to a girl at church that is just starting out.... She had a tighter budget than you and I gave her a good deal. I bought the D7200.
Good luck
Here's a suggestion.
Refurbished D3200 Body.
Nikon D3200 Digital SLR Camera Body - Black, Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A. 25490B
Refurbished 18-140 DX VR lens
Refurbished AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR | DX Format Zoom Lens from Nikon
This will get the OP going.
However I suggest adding more money to the war chest and get a D7xxx body.
Refurbished D3200 Body.
Nikon D3200 Digital SLR Camera Body - Black, Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A. 25490B
Refurbished 18-140 DX VR lens
Refurbished AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR | DX Format Zoom Lens from Nikon
This will get the OP going.
However I suggest adding more money to the war chest and get a D7xxx body.