Nikon D3000... anyone have experience? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

noodle · 01-14-2010, 03:06 PM

I'm looking at upgrading from my Canon S2-IS since the poor thing has about 4 dead pixels... red, blue and white dots on lower light images (so I'm assuming that's what is wrong with it).
My SO wants to purchase me "the next step" but I don't feel ready for a fully manual camera since I'm not that knowledgable about shutter speeds, etc. I enjoy macro and nature photography and would like to improve my landscapes and portraiture. Now, I realize that one camera and lens is not going to do everything, but he read a review of the D3000 and wants to get me one. I told him I was going to ask my bank of experts.

Any one have experience or suggestions?

fnaqzna · 01-14-2010, 04:28 PM

There's a review here:
Nikon D3000 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

If you're looking at that, I recommend the D5000. The CMOS sensor exceeds the CCD, especially in low light. Price is a little more, though.

Nikon D5000 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

All that said, If you're looking to experiment with manual modes, the Canon G11 is an excellent choice. I got one over the holidays. It has all the control I'm accustomed to with the DSLR. It does macro fairly well. Color is fantastic and it has a bunch of different auto modes if you want to step down from that "next step" occasionally. And it makes excellent photos.

Canon PowerShot G11 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

FWIW, I started out with an entry level DSLR, a Nikon D50. A few years later, I got a D300. If you decide you like the control, there's a good chance you'll end up buying another DSLR above the entry level machine as well. I can tell you that the D300 is far superior to the D50. Much more control, better sensor, etc.

dippin · 01-15-2010, 12:27 AM

The first two things you must always keep in mind when reading reviews regarding cameras is that the most important factor of all is not in any review, which is how the camera feels in your hand, and that, for the most part, camera differences are minuscule. Cameras have different viewfinders, different sizes and button layouts that will impact how you take a picture far more than issues of sensor size or camera software.

Now, regarding macro: the best way by far of doing macro work is having a true macro or almost true macro lens. The d3000 comes with the 18-55 kit lens which has a magnification of 0.31x, which is not bad, but won't get you really close to small things.

Unfortunately, many manufacturers attach the label "macro" to far too many lenses, so check the actual magnification of the lens. "True macro" used to mean a 1:1 magnification (or 1x), where the lens "projects" a life size image into the sensor. A 1:2 lens should be good enough for most things. The cheapest macro lens in that category for the d3000 is the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD at about $170.

So if macro is important to you, I can suggest an alternative. The olympus e620 (or the olympus e600, which is about to be released and is basically the same thing minus a few minor details). The key advantages for macro for the e620 are that the LCD of the e620 is of the "tilt/swivel" variety, making it easier to take macro pics at awkward angles (the nikon d5000 also has it, but is about 200 dollars more expensive), and that the olympus has the zuiko 35mm macro lens, which gives you "true" macro magnification of 1:1 for about $180 (nikon's cheapest "true macro" lens is about 280).

noodle · 01-15-2010, 02:46 PM

He went out and got me the G11 after reading reviews and playing with it in the store.
He knows me really well and offered to take it back if it didn't "feel" right.

Thanks for the advice, guys.

Martian · 01-15-2010, 03:34 PM

I'm late to the party, but:

Magpie has one of the fancy cameras with all the manual settings and so forth. I'm still perfectly capable of using it, despite being next to clueless. It does have autofocus, so all I have to do is turn the dials to the right spots and let the camera itself take care of the details.

You don't have to be afraid of the fancy cameras -- my understanding is that they pretty much always do more, not less.

dippin · 01-15-2010, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noodle

He went out and got me the G11 after reading reviews and playing with it in the store.
He knows me really well and offered to take it back if it didn't "feel" right.

Thanks for the advice, guys.

believe it or not, that camera is probably better for macro work than many of the dslrs.

noodle · 01-16-2010, 09:58 AM

I'm not with my Photoshop or I'd post the awesome shots just playing with the cats and macro. I love this thing!

edit: This one is a little washed out and funky because I had to use MS Paint.... old skool... to resize it.

01-14-2010, 04:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
fnaqzna Meat Popsicle Location: Left Coast	There's a review here: Nikon D3000 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review If you're looking at that, I recommend the D5000. The CMOS sensor exceeds the CCD, especially in low light. Price is a little more, though. Nikon D5000 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review All that said, If you're looking to experiment with manual modes, the Canon G11 is an excellent choice. I got one over the holidays. It has all the control I'm accustomed to with the DSLR. It does macro fairly well. Color is fantastic and it has a bunch of different auto modes if you want to step down from that "next step" occasionally. And it makes excellent photos. Canon PowerShot G11 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review FWIW, I started out with an entry level DSLR, a Nikon D50. A few years later, I got a D300. If you decide you like the control, there's a good chance you'll end up buying another DSLR above the entry level machine as well. I can tell you that the D300 is far superior to the D50. Much more control, better sensor, etc. Last edited by fnaqzna; 01-14-2010 at 04:31 PM..

01-15-2010, 03:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	I'm late to the party, but: Magpie has one of the fancy cameras with all the manual settings and so forth. I'm still perfectly capable of using it, despite being next to clueless. It does have autofocus, so all I have to do is turn the dials to the right spots and let the camera itself take care of the details. You don't have to be afraid of the fancy cameras -- my understanding is that they pretty much always do more, not less. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

01-15-2010, 12:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
dippin Crazy, indeed Location: the ether	The first two things you must always keep in mind when reading reviews regarding cameras is that the most important factor of all is not in any review, which is how the camera feels in your hand, and that, for the most part, camera differences are minuscule. Cameras have different viewfinders, different sizes and button layouts that will impact how you take a picture far more than issues of sensor size or camera software. Now, regarding macro: the best way by far of doing macro work is having a true macro or almost true macro lens. The d3000 comes with the 18-55 kit lens which has a magnification of 0.31x, which is not bad, but won't get you really close to small things. Unfortunately, many manufacturers attach the label "macro" to far too many lenses, so check the actual magnification of the lens. "True macro" used to mean a 1:1 magnification (or 1x), where the lens "projects" a life size image into the sensor. A 1:2 lens should be good enough for most things. The cheapest macro lens in that category for the d3000 is the Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD at about $170. So if macro is important to you, I can suggest an alternative. The olympus e620 (or the olympus e600, which is about to be released and is basically the same thing minus a few minor details). The key advantages for macro for the e620 are that the LCD of the e620 is of the "tilt/swivel" variety, making it easier to take macro pics at awkward angles (the nikon d5000 also has it, but is about 200 dollars more expensive), and that the olympus has the zuiko 35mm macro lens, which gives you "true" macro magnification of 1:1 for about $180 (nikon's cheapest "true macro" lens is about 280).