Just got a....

[Blownsvt]

new camera today. I got the nikon d3000. i am no expert on these thing and will probably have to wiat till christmas to play with it unless my wife lets me have it early. Anyone have feedback on these? I have the 18-55mm lens as well as a 55-200mm. got the camera, both lenses and a carry back for 599. also got my wife the coolpix s60 P&S but shhh... don't tell her.

the goodies

 

[BlueCorn]

Congrats on the cameras.

Throw the tripod in the garbage.

 

[Blownsvt]

Congrats on the cameras.

Throw the tripod in the garbage.

why would i throw it in the garbage? :strange: its a cheaper one but seemed pretty stable in the store. I am not trying to be a pro here by any means.

 

[wetWolger]

IME tripods are never as sturdy in the field as they are in the store....

It might be fine for controlled conditions (you just may want to also invest in a remote, which is a good thing even with a nice tripod)

Congrats on the camera and lens :3

 

[Mmckibben]

I'm not sure if you have any in the area, but Wolf Camera has some good try pods. The tripod I got from them for my D60 is very stable.

 

[Blownsvt]

IME tripods are never as sturdy in the field as they are in the store....

It might be fine for controlled conditions (you just may want to also invest in a remote, which is a good thing even with a nice tripod)

Congrats on the camera and lens :3

the field for me is probably going to consist of the living room floor in front of my tank and maybe a parking lot or 2 with my car. i'll try it out and if it sucks i'll get a new one.

i am going to look for the remote. i think its only about a $20 accessory.

 

[Mmckibben]

NEVER, EVER LOSE YOUR LENS CAP!!!

It helps to get one that has a string to attach to the camera. I had to learn that the hard way... when fell of a water fall. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/images/smilies/grlaugh.gif.

 

[Mmckibben]

the good ramotes are like $50+.

 

[TheMikey]

Get a UV filter of some kind for your lens. One that doesn't alter your photo in the slightest. I'd recommend a Sigma multicoated one, if you want to invest $40 for it. Think of it like a cheap insurance policy for your lens.

Also, if possible, I would also suggest returning the 55-200 and instead put some money down on a better lens - depending on what you want to shoot. Also, start checking your craiglist ads for your city. There's lots of Nikon accessories for sale for cheap

 

[JR719]

I really hate to give negative feedback on you purchase, but..... A friend of mine purchased one and said he is not happy. He said for the auto focus he has to buy lens's that have the built in motor, which are extremely expensive. I don't know, don't have one and happy with what I have. He said he wishes he would have bought one that has an internal focus motor that will work with all lenses. Like I said, don't know.... Hope it's what you like and can use other lenses.

 

[Blownsvt]

the good ramotes are like $50+.

what makes it a good remote. i just saw the 20 dollar one in the accessories section online. would a good one have additional features?

 

[Blownsvt]

Get a UV filter of some kind for your lens. One that doesn't alter your photo in the slightest. I'd recommend a Sigma multicoated one, if you want to invest $40 for it. Think of it like a cheap insurance policy for your lens.

Also, if possible, I would also suggest returning the 55-200 and instead put some money down on a better lens - depending on what you want to shoot. Also, start checking your craiglist ads for your city. There's lots of Nikon accessories for sale for cheap

can't really return that lens i don't think since t was included in the purchase of the whole kit. i think when it is all said and done that lens cost around 50 bucks becuase of the black friday sale.

 

[Blownsvt]

I really hate to give negative feedback on you purchase, but..... A friend of mine purchased one and said he is not happy. He said for the auto focus he has to buy lens's that have the built in motor, which are extremely expensive. I don't know, don't have one and happy with what I have. He said he wishes he would have bought one that has an internal focus motor that will work with all lenses. Like I said, don't know.... Hope it's what you like and can use other lenses.

i was reading something about that with the motorized lenses as well.

i read a bunch of great reviews on it though. I am just after a basic camera that can take a quality picture. Like i said before i am not a pro photographer here or anything like that.

 

[TheMikey]

In regards to the lens autofocus motor:

All new Nikon lenses have autofocus built in. They are not any more or less expensive. The motorized lenses are from 10+ years ago. So if you are buying used lenses it might be something to watch out for. Any new lenses will not have a problem.