Beginner Is this an upgrade

The_kid1433

The_kid1433

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Paul
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hi all,

Wandering if anyone on here could help.
A few years ago I won a Samsung nx1100 20.1 Mega Pixel mirror less camera in a raffle. after initially opening it and having a little play mostly on the auto setting I decided to try and use it properly this Christmas and I caught the bug.

the type of shots I'm trying to take are action shots, portraits, landscapes and pics of the kids and other objects I can try. Anyway I would like to start using different lenses and use a camera with a viewfinder and am loath to buy new lenses for the camera I have now as I would like to buy into a system and when I get new lenses I can grow with a system.

Currently I'm looking at the Nikon d5300 with the 18-55mm VR kit lens for £550.
Would the lens be noticeably different from the 20-50mm one I've got on the Samsung.

Would this be much of an upgrade and could I grow with this camera.
Other options would be the d3300 with the same kit lens and put the spare 200 quid towards a longer lens or anything any of you more knowledgeable folks could suggest.

Cheers,
The kid
 
Switching to a DSLR will be different, whether it will be better depends on a number of factors.

Have you got any of your images you can share?

Have you thought about what it is about the images you've taken that you'd specifically like to improve? Often the decision to upgrade runs a little ahead of understanding what it is you want to achieve by doing that.
 
s!AkBsEeEZoDKduF2htCq43CWZd_aA

hi this is one of my pics hopefully it shows ok

]edit sorry I cant seem to upload any of my pics and it wont let me post a link
 
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https://1drv.ms/f/s!AkBsEeEZoDKduVPP7qZpGSmJV7nJ

hopefully this link works but I think these are some of my better photos. as you can see on the one of the castle ones I think I have some marks on my sensor.

these have all went through Photoshop elements to some degree.

I was trying to take some action shots but the camera or me (proberly me) cant keep up with the action and I cant get my shots close enough without getting in the way of the subjects which I assume is down to the focal length of the lens.

cheers for reading

the kid
 
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I think you're doing well with that camera, a longer focal length would give you more options. Maybe keep an eye out for a bargain used telezoom for your Samsung. I've not looked to see what NX lenses go for secondhand, but one secondhand lens is cheaper than a whole new system. Give yourself the rest of this year with the Samsung and really see what you can do with it.
 
My feelings are similar to Alastair's. You got an eye for photography, keep at it. I am not familiar with either camera to suggest how much of an upgrade - if any - the Nikon would be but if you are looking at upgrades you can be caught in an expensive game worrying about the camera instead of taking photographs. When it comes to upgrading I would suggest you spend as much as you can afford and not the next cheapest camera one model up from what you got. And if you get hooked, lenses can cost you a lot more. Perhaps save some more money for now.
 
I can't see your link as it requires a One Drive account.

If you decide to go for a DSLR I reckon
you would be better buying used and
going for a D7100 or D7200.

Neither the D5300 or D3300 have the inbuilt focus motor. This means you're limited to either buying AFS lenses which have the focus motor built in or restricted
to manual use only with other lenses.

The D7100 is also weather sealed.
Although I wouldn't advise standing out
in torrential rain for hours it will survive
if you do get caught in the rain.

You can pick up used kit lenses for £30-80
as they're usually the first thing people upgrade. If you get 18-55 and
55-200 kit lenses you'll get a better
idea of what works best for what
you want to do. Once you know what
suits you best you can invest in better lenses as you go.

Even better you'll probably get your cash back when you decide to upgrade or if you
decide you prefer the mirrorless system.

We just picked up a D7100 for a friend to
get her started! D7100 was £475 with less
than 3000 shutter count 18-55 lens was £35 and the 55-200 was £52!











 
Gixasix said:
Neither the D5300 or D3300 have the inbuilt focus motor. This means you're limited to either buying AFS lenses which have the focus motor built in or restricted to manual use only with other lenses.
Click to expand...
That's not a big deal these days though, is it? Realistically, how many non-AFS lenses are there that someone like the OP might want to use with their first Nikon camera?
 
I wouldn't say it's a upgrade per se but Samsung has stopped making camera's unfortunately so you're wise to not want to invest in the system. However i would not rush into buying the Nikon just yet. Moving up to a DSLR size might be annoying for you, it would be for me going back to a DSLR. Have you considered a compact system camera with a electronic viewfinder?
 
StewartR said:
That's not a big deal these days though, is it? Realistically, how many non-AFS lenses are there that someone like the OP might want to use with their first Nikon camera?
Click to expand...

Fair point only reason for my post was a friends daughters experience of trying to buy used lenses for a D3300 She ended up buying 2 from Ebay that were manual only and no use to her. Okay she should have checked but easy to make mistakes when you're just starting out.
 
Cheers folks for all the replies, advice and encouragement. I'm waiting until middle of may untill I pull the trigger on anything (if anything) anyway. And I appreciate that it would be cheaper and properly more sensible to get a 55-200mm Samsung lens and see how I get on with that ...... but ..... I have got my heart set on getting a DSLR and sensibleness is for sensible people.

I have considered a compact of a bridge but I've been caught out myself in other hobbies I have I tiptoed down the rabbit hole and have just ended up with a compromise and what I should have just got in the first place.

I don't know how I'd feel about buying 2nd hand body's but could be convinced if I found a bargain. But £550 really would be pushing my budget and I can find many 7100/7200 for less than that.

So lots to think on and consider but like you suggested time to use the camera I've got and see if I still fell the same way about what I need and want to do.

The kid
 
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