Back again... Travel Camera Advice

Doug

Doug

Suspended / Banned
Messages
947
Name
Doug
Edit My Images
Yes
Good Morning,

It's been a little while since I was using these forums regularly but i'm excited to be back.
I had a fairly decent setup a few years back but fell out of love with photography as I found I was only taking pictures for other people, and not for myself. I went on to use a number of premium compacts and have never really got the results I wanted to from them (apart from the Fuji X10, which is an all-time favorite camera!)

I'm going to Lanzarote next weekend but more importantly Argentina in September and then the Arctic Circle in December. I'm looking to refresh my camera line up before I go. Also, any advice for photography at any location would be well received.

I'm thinking about selling my Sony RX100 II (bought from this forum) and stepping back up to a basic DSLR. My questions are:

  • Is the Nikon D3300 as good as all the reviews suggest? My last camera was a D300.
  • My proposed setup would be a D3300 and Sigma’s 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM. I assume that will autofocus on the small body assuming I get the HSM model?
  • Would there be any other suggestions for a £400-500 setup? Happy to go second hand.
  • Arctic Circle can easily be -30 degress when we will be there. Is there any way I can 'proof' the cheap body to be able to take a couple photos of the northern lights?
Thank you for your time. I've been reading back up on all the latest models and features but it's always good to balance those reviews with real world opinions.

Majority of photos will be travel and low light things like aurora borealis (northern lights), not sports etc.
 
Doug said:
Good Morning,

It's been a little while since I was using these forums regularly but i'm excited to be back.
I had a fairly decent setup a few years back but fell out of love with photography as I found I was only taking pictures for other people, and not for myself. I went on to use a number of premium compacts and have never really got the results I wanted to from them (apart from the Fuji X10, which is an all-time favorite camera!)

I'm going to Lanzarote next weekend but more importantly Argentina in September and then the Arctic Circle in December. I'm looking to refresh my camera line up before I go. Also, any advice for photography at any location would be well received.

I'm thinking about selling my Sony RX100 II (bought from this forum) and stepping back up to a basic DSLR. My questions are:

  • Is the Nikon D3300 as good as all the reviews suggest? My last camera was a D300.
  • My proposed setup would be a D3300 and Sigma’s 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM. I assume that will autofocus on the small body assuming I get the HSM model?
  • Would there be any other suggestions for a £400-500 setup? Happy to go second hand.
  • Arctic Circle can easily be -30 degress when we will be there. Is there any way I can 'proof' the cheap body to be able to take a couple photos of the northern lights?
Thank you for your time. I've been reading back up on all the latest models and features but it's always good to balance those reviews with real world opinions.

Majority of photos will be travel and low light things like aurora borealis (northern lights), not sports etc.
Click to expand...

I have got both the Fujifilm X10 and the D3300. Sometimes the X10 can be fun to use, and at other times frustrating. The D3300 is a lot better IQ than the X10. The only thing that lets the D3300 down for me, is it is only eleven focus points. The D3300 is only an entry level camera, so you are probably better off getting a used higher spec model.
 
I did notice that the D3300 has the most basic of AF systems. Now in practice, I will typically always leave it on center weighted AF. I will point the center over the object I want to focus on, keep finger half pressed on shutter then compose and capture the photo (assuming that the object I want to take focus isn't directly in the center anyway. I'm wondering if the rudimentary AF system would be a hindrance or if I wouldn't really notice it.

I could always grab an X100 and try that I guess!
 
Doug said:
I did notice that the D3300 has the most basic of AF systems. Now in practice, I will typically always leave it on center weighted AF. I will point the center over the object I want to focus on, keep finger half pressed on shutter then compose and capture the photo (assuming that the object I want to take focus isn't directly in the center anyway. I'm wondering if the rudimentary AF system would be a hindrance or if I wouldn't really notice it.

I could always grab an X100 and try that I guess!
Click to expand...

I used to do that with my D3300, but I soon grew tired of that. Plus my finger was never very steady for that. :(
 
I'd buy used, get better value for money. I have Fuji and Nikon stuff. The XE2 mentioned above is lovely, but you need to take a bunch of spare batteries. Nikon, well I'd look a little up the range. You are increasing the size a bit over Fuji, but I'd look at 5xxx or preferably 7xxx series. 7100 with Tamron 17 to 50. The Sigma is good but bigger. I'd also consider the 16 to 85 vr. Found mine to be very sharp.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top