Newbie to photography needs help!

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GuffStink

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Right, I'll be buying a DSLR soon, I was going to go with a D5000, but recently I'm pondering whether it would be better to go for either the D3000 or D3100 because of the guide mode on these two? How useful is it? Will it make much difference if I just had to work it out all on my own with the D5000?

I don't have much knowledge of photography but would like to learn, so if anyone can offer any advice please do so.

Which one would you go for if you were a complete novice and only knew the basics of photography? I've got an idea about shutter speed and aperture, but not much else.
 
Cheers Birdy, I've read it but still not sure which to go for :help:

Would appreciate it if someone could tell me their thoughts on the guide mode in the D3000/D3100 - if any of you have used it, what do you think of it?
 
Sorry, Canon man myself so cant help as never used the nikon's:thumbs:

I am sure someone will help though!!
 
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Why not get yourself a good compact. They are pretty cheap these days costing you a LOT less than a DSLR. That way you can ease yourself in and get the hang of composing your shots etc without spending a fortune on a DSLR

Don't think you cannot take excellent photos with a compact, you can and they cost much less and are far easier to carry

Then once you want to progress further you can then get a DSLR and progress from there
 
My first ever camera was a film SLR back in the Seventies. Everything was Manual.
Go for the better spec, not the one that holds your hand.
You're gonna have to learn how it works anyway.

Don't mean to come across as harsh, just being honest !
 
trevorbray said:
My first ever camera was a film SLR back in the Seventies. Everything was Manual.
Go for the better spec, not the one that holds your hand.
You're gonna have to learn how it works anyway.

Don't mean to come across as harsh, just being honest !
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My first camera in the early 80's was a Zenith (Russian) and it was manual to. But it did have a little needle that would swing back and fourth between a + and - to tell you when you got it right :D
 
TheCrewDesigns said:
Why not get yourself a good compact. They are pretty cheap these days costing you a LOT less than a DSLR. That way you can ease yourself in and get the hang of composing your shots etc without spending a fortune on a DSLR

Don't think you cannot take excellent photos with a compact, you can and they cost much less and are far easier to carry

Then once you want to progress further you can then get a DSLR and progress from there
Click to expand...

I've been there and done that! When I said newbie to photography, I meant newbie to DSLR photography, sorry for the confusion and thanks for your post :)
 
trevorbray said:
My first ever camera was a film SLR back in the Seventies. Everything was Manual.
Go for the better spec, not the one that holds your hand.
You're gonna have to learn how it works anyway.

Don't mean to come across as harsh, just being honest !
Click to expand...

You haven't come across as harsh, it was the kind of answer I was looking for, so thank you :)

I think the D5000 will be the one ;)
 
In all honesty, all the cameras mentioned will povide top drawer results when used correctly. I've been in a simlar situation whereby I know film cameras backwards, but am a digital virgin. What I've discovered is that the software, and how its used influences pics enormously, far more than I could ever manage in the darkroom, so depending on your budget, its quality lenses first, make sure you've got some decent software, then spend the remainder on a camera.
There's plenty of decent pics here on c**p cameras and decent lenses to back me up.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=269684 was an example of quality that caught my eye recently as an example of technical picture quality
 
Try the d7000 (out tomorrow in uk)?

Should be better than the 5000 and yet last you long enough...

Alternatively the d5000 is better than the 3000/3100 (d40 equivalents).

I have the d300 so I would recommend either the d300s or the d700 ;) depending on funds and lenses lol

but if the 5000/7000 is in budget, these will probably do you and still let you experiment :)
 
GuffStink said:
I've been there and done that! When I said newbie to photography, I meant newbie to DSLR photography, sorry for the confusion and thanks for your post :)
Click to expand...

Ahhh get you right... sorry!

Well there are some good DSLR cameras now with good guide modes like the new Nikon D3100

HERE Jamie Oliver tells you :D
 
GuffStink said:
Right, I'll be buying a DSLR soon, I was going to go with a D5000, but recently I'm pondering whether it would be better to go for either the D3000 or D3100 because of the guide mode on these two? How useful is it? Will it make much difference if I just had to work it out all on my own with the D5000?

I don't have much knowledge of photography but would like to learn, so if anyone can offer any advice please do so.

Which one would you go for if you were a complete novice and only knew the basics of photography? I've got an idea about shutter speed and aperture, but not much else.
Click to expand...
As far as I can see, these are just a different way of letting you select aperture and shutter speed. Much like the other dedicated modes on the dial (landscape, night, sports etc...). I started off with a Canon 450D which didn't have the guide mode, but did have the sports/night etc modes as well as a P (program) mode. I never used the sports/night etc... modes and started off in P mode (which basically puts you in point and shoot mode).

If you know a little about aperture and shutter speed, then you are half way there. Personally, I wouldn't buy a dSLR just because it has a guide mode. All it appears to be giving you is the camera walking you through the menu system in a different way.
 
If it were a straight choice between the D5000 and D3100 i would choose the D3100. Looks like a nice camera and it is a newer model. Then again, if i had the money, i would choose the D90!!
 
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