D3000 equipment advice

O

Oscar24

Suspended / Banned
Messages
13
Edit My Images
Yes
Hello all, thought it may be better to post for equipment advice in thisnsection, so;

I Have owned my DSLR for around 3 years now and have learnt a lot about photography such as ISO, Shutter Speeds and Apertures etc and how they all effect each other and how it can make a good or bad photo. I currently own a D3000 with 18-55 kit and the 55-200 VR. I've shot a fair amount now in different situations and am happy with it, and my self however I feel I should upgrades now as I have progressed since my early days. I'm off away soon to Spain so was after a more 'walkabout' lens, or not really sure what lens but have a few in mind. I have a Max budget of 150-200 really and have seen the Nikon 1.8 35 and 50 aswell as the Tamron 18-200 in Curry's for £99. Have also pondered at the likes of a 18-135 18-105 etc etc. What are people's opinions? Ill will shoot many different subjects abroad.

Body wise I was thinking of (up)grading to a D90 as they ar relatively cheap now and have a larger sensor etc, also a newer D7000 however much more expensive.

I also wanted to invest in a flash gun because I have done some low kit work and its poor and is ruined by poor ISO grainy photos. I have seen the SB 600, 700, 800 etc what's the differences and key features? Off body flash work will come after which interests me! Are the cheaper flash guns such as the yongnuo etc worth it? I see their off camera transceivers are popular..

Now, last question I promise. BAG! I use a shoulder kind of bag at the minute has as my kit will expand so will protection. I'm after a backpack style one that is relatively cheap but also can hold a small tripod( recommendations please!)

I understand my questions and very amateur and there are a few and I appreciate any opinions recommendations etc.
 
Also, Going to Goodwood FoS in July so would like a new piece of glass for that to try out, something with fast-ish focus but clear, a decent zoom, but wide hence thoughts of 18-200 as I think 55-200 may have too much focal length at the former.

Thanks
 
Regarding lenses you have 18mm all the way up to 200mm covered so I dont think theres any point buying an 18-200mm unless you often find yourself not having enough time to switch lenses when youre shooting?
Id recommend the 35mm f1.8 as I always do simply because I loved mine, I found it really versatile. The reason youre having to use high ISO is because your current lenses are quite slow; I was shooting an outdoor gig last night at about 10pm so it was pretty dark, I was using ISO 1600 and f2.0 with a shutter speed of 1/60 and most of the images are quite sharp with an acceptable level of noise. But the noise depends on the camera sensor too and the D3000 is significantly worse in terms of noise than the D90 and D7000.
Unfortunately I cant comment on the flash or bag.
 
Thank you. Think ill get the 35mm prime. Did yu find the focal reach was good enough? I mean I'd probably be better getting the 35mm than the 50 as I an always move closer.

Regarding flash can anyone comment and a bag? Looking to order by tonight really as I go away next week.

Thanks
 
Upgrading to a D90 or a D7000 will be a massive step up from the D3000, I'd advise going to the D7000 if affordable as it is still current technology. BUT I'd wait until after your trip, you don't want to be learning a new camera on holiday and getting frustrated etc ...

The Nikon flash guns are all suitable for use with the D3000, the SB600 and SB800 are older discontinued models, the SB700 is still current. The main reason to use these is that the camera can set the power and zoom on these, thus giving a better chance of proper exposure etc. But they are expensive. Yongnuo have brought out a new flash gun recently called the YN-565EX which will perform very much like a Nikon speedlight and whilst I haven't used one, I have used other Yongnuo products so would expect it to be fine. It is significantly less expensive too.

I used both a 50mm f1.8G and 35mm f1.8G dx lens when I had a crop body (D70 and D7000) and found I used the 35mm the most often, it is a very nice lens, especially given it's price!

Can't really help too much with bags, I just use a variety of older padded camera bags and if I need a rucksack I put a padded camera bag in my ordinary rucksack ... not very efficient really :(
 
PaulButler said:
Upgrading to a D90 or a D7000 will be a massive step up from the D3000, I'd advise going to the D7000 if affordable as it is still current technology. BUT I'd wait until after your trip, you don't want to be learning a new camera on holiday and getting frustrated etc ...

The Nikon flash guns are all suitable for use with the D3000, the SB600 and SB800 are older discontinued models, the SB700 is still current. The main reason to use these is that the camera can set the power and zoom on these, thus giving a better chance of proper exposure etc. But they are expensive. Yongnuo have brought out a new flash gun recently called the YN-565EX which will perform very much like a Nikon speedlight and whilst I haven't used one, I have used other Yongnuo products so would expect it to be fine. It is significantly less expensive too.

I used both a 50mm f1.8G and 35mm f1.8G dx lens when I had a crop body (D70 and D7000) and found I used the 35mm the most often, it is a very nice lens, especially given it's price!

Can't really help too much with bags, I just use a variety of older padded camera bags and if I need a rucksack I put a padded camera bag in my ordinary rucksack ... not very efficient really :(
Click to expand...


Thanks for the reply, I've found a few Nissin 622 on eBay which from what i've read, aren't too bad. Ill get one, cheap and see how I get on and can progress from there I recon. Regarding the lens I think I will get the 35mm 1.8, I was going to hold off on the body until after I am back anyway. I think, and as you say the D7000 is superior especially technology wise and If I could pick one up fairly reasonably as I have seen. On the other hand I have seen some comments from people about the D7000 focusing incorrectly so is it worth going new instead or what? I spose when I buy refurb or used froma reputuable retailer Ill get (some sort of) warranty. A 'mint" D7000 on MPB is £534 however new is £599 r £629 kit with 18-105 which is a lens i'd like however not sure I could warrant that much.

Where is the best place to buy the 35mm 1.8? Oviously there is amazon etc but anywhere else not completely obvious?

Thanks
 
I wouldn't worry overly much about the reported focusing issues, no doubt there may be the odd one but on the whole the D7000 is fairly solid. If buying used then using people like MPB, Grays and Mifsuds means you get a warranty - Grays give 12 months btw ...

As for the lens, well at the moment Grays are doing them for £150 new, there may be cheaper out there but I haven't looked. http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/products/digital.php

I have no tie in with Gray's other than being a happy customer of theirs.
 
I bought my 35mm from Amazon and it was spot on, I always buy from Amazon because their customer service is so good.
 
Agnyone else here use a Nissin 622? Going to order my 35mm in a minute most likely from amazon as I have a Gift voucher to use too!

Still tossing up the D7000 and D90, some more opinions would be welcomed.

Going to have a hunt online for a bag too, anyone have one they can recommend?
 
Ordered my 1.8 35mm earlier, which I'm happy about should be here this week, I hope! Just down the the camera bag now. Think the general consensus is a D7000 over the D90 so think thats my mind made up and hopefully might get another price drop in a few weeks.

Regarding flash, think I will find a Nissin di622 as it has iTTL which will help me learn the ropes and how camera actions effect it and get into strobe work. Saw one on ebay for £25 go last night I didn't put enougn in unfortunatley, then one tonight for over £40! Will just keep looking, is it worth getting a MK I or MK II? And New or used?

Regards,
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top