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FortTom
3 May 2014, 19:09
Years ago, I was in the camera club in High School. Shot and developed own film (yeah young dudes we used film in the stone ages [BD] Enlarged and developed own prints.

Continued in the Military, we had a photo hobby shop on base. Then just stopped, for many reasons.

Enter digital world.

I'd like to get back into casual/amateur shooting and have a question concerning a camera i'm looking at. Entry level Nikon D3200 w/15-55 lens, and for a bit more add 55-200 tele w/some accessories. 450 - 500 bucks depending.

Can anyone tell me if this might fit the needs of a casual/amateur? Possibly a bad choice? Any help would be appreciated, as I'm truly fed up with the limitations of point n shoot digital camera's.

Thanks much,

FT

Judicator
3 May 2014, 19:27
My buddy said it's not a bad kit to start. Mostly likely won't satisfy for long term tho. /shrug


Sent from my IPhone, please ignore spelling mistakes. Siri is dumb.

akersc
3 May 2014, 19:41
Years ago, I was in the camera club in High School. Shot and developed own film (yeah young dudes we used film in the stone ages [BD] Enlarged and developed own prints.

Continued in the Military, we had a photo hobby shop on base. Then just stopped, for many reasons.

Enter digital world.

I'd like to get back into casual/amateur shooting and have a question concerning a camera i'm looking at. Entry level Nikon D3200 w/15-55 lens, and for a bit more add 55-200 tele w/some accessories. 450 - 500 bucks depending.

Can anyone tell me if this might fit the needs of a casual/amateur? Possibly a bad choice? Any help would be appreciated, as I'm truly fed up with the limitations of point n shoot digital camera's.

Thanks much,

FT

Tom,

That's the exact camera computalotapus just bought me. It takes some very nice pictures. I am waiting on two more lenses for it and I will be ready for some classes.


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FortTom
3 May 2014, 20:27
My buddy said it's not a bad kit to start. Mostly likely won't satisfy for long term tho. /shrug


Sent from my IPhone, please ignore spelling mistakes. Siri is dumb.

I'm really not looking to far into the future. I'm not going to take classes or anything, just book work. Don't intend to ever be able to take the quality photo's that a few of the guys here do, just want the versatility of a camera, beyond the point and shoot crowd. In other words, I'm happy at the "casual" photographer status, not looking to be able to do professional quality photo's. I said no classes, but I might retract that and take an entry level class.
Thanks for the input.

FT

FortTom
3 May 2014, 20:29
Tom,

That's the exact camera computalotapus just bought me. It takes some very nice pictures. I am waiting on two more lenses for it and I will be ready for some classes.


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Cool. If you think about it, keep us posted on how you like it...

FT

akersc
4 May 2014, 06:23
Cool. If you think about it, keep us posted on how you like it...

FT

Absolutely!


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Pyzik
5 May 2014, 15:04
I went through the same questions just earlier this year and ended up with the D3200 just before Valentine's day. Talked to stick and a couple other camera guys. All of them said the same thing, for a beginner it's great. Spend money on lenses (good lenses).

The kit lenses that came with the D3200 (I got the 15-55 & 55-200) have served me well so far. I keep dumping money on gun stuff so no funds to buy lenses right now (though I am dying for a 35mm prime).

It takes GREAT shots. Step out of the presets and get into the Manual setting for some fun learning.

My flickr page has some examples (most have some post processing done on them for various reasons).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/83018433@N04/
(Anything older than my "Mom and New Baby" pic were taken with my phone, so don't judge those! LOL)

hunt_ak
7 May 2014, 21:35
Shoot RAW, process in Lightroom, learn to run the camera in manual and you'll be pumping out some very nice images in no-time. I've been running the D5100 with kit 18-55 and 55-300 and have sold a few prints and have, IMO, taken some really great images with my kit stuff.

That said, I recently got a piece of 'real glass' and can see where it shines above the kit gear.

https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/10271382_10152188276207880_9188898793916140059_o.j pg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t31.0-8/1537494_10152134302212880_1212477215_o.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t31.0-8/1403657_10151871378872880_318648129_o.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/t31.0-8/470979_10151612090837880_1150263586_o.jpg

https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t31.0-8/919413_10151612085592880_2139825948_o.jpg

browcs
7 May 2014, 21:39
Very nice images hunt_ak. Thanks for sharing.

hunt_ak
7 May 2014, 21:39
https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/965901_10151492153812880_1384093219_o.jpg

https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t31.0-8/919479_10151457909592880_1072613018_o.jpg

https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t31.0-8/902889_10151413514917880_1475115639_o.jpg

https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/t31.0-8/740839_10151235691657880_153937215_o.jpg

hunt_ak
7 May 2014, 21:40
Sorry for the rando photos, but just wanted to give a decent cross-section of image-styles that I've gotten that are decent with kit gear.

UWone77
7 May 2014, 22:02
This is very good advice hunt_ak,

Great photos as well. Nice guns, car, and woman, what more can you ask for?

hunt_ak
7 May 2014, 22:10
This is very good advice hunt_ak,

Great photos as well. Nice guns, car, and woman, what more can you ask for?
Can't ask for a whole lot more! That particular pretty thing is related to my wife however. I'm sure you'll see the one I snagged soon, however. I did like that photo of her cousin though.

I would in no circumstances put myself in the category with Stick, yourself, Triple Bravo, or any of the other myriad of shutter clickers out there, but I hope to step up my game here soon. Using a DSLR in auto is kinda silly and really just gives you a P&S that can take pics quickly. I'm continually learning!

FortTom
8 May 2014, 11:07
Thanks. Very cool pics.

FT

Pyzik
8 May 2014, 12:41
Very nice pics Hunt.

akersc
8 May 2014, 19:59
Cool. If you think about it, keep us posted on how you like it...

FT

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/09/sasusa7y.jpg My first test subject with the new camera. Just thought I would share :)


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akersc
8 May 2014, 20:02
I went through the same questions just earlier this year and ended up with the D3200 just before Valentine's day. Talked to stick and a couple other camera guys. All of them said the same thing, for a beginner it's great. Spend money on lenses (good lenses).

The kit lenses that came with the D3200 (I got the 15-55 & 55-200) have served me well so far. I keep dumping money on gun stuff so no funds to buy lenses right now (though I am dying for a 35mm prime).

It takes GREAT shots. Step out of the presets and get into the Manual setting for some fun learning.

My flickr page has some examples (most have some post processing done on them for various reasons).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/83018433@N04/
(Anything older than my "Mom and New Baby" pic were taken with my phone, so don't judge those! LOL)

I got the camera in March and so far so good! I also keep buying gun stuff and have yet to get the other lenses I want 😁


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