Help me choose a DSLR

[Jake2k]

I've heard of people getting into photography buying a D80/D90 to start out with and it being too much camera for them to learn on, what seems like second nature to you or me might be completely overwhelming for someone just starting out and that in turn might put them off of photography all together.

Go to a store that has display models and play around with a D3000 and a D90 and see which one feels more comfortable to you, if you like the D3000 then get that one or a D40/40x/60 or D5000 if your ok with spending the money. But if the D90 seems like a better fit then go with the used D80 since they pretty much have the same body/button layout.

But again I will advise you to go with a cheaper camera at first to allow you to invest in some accessories.

One more thing, I've read that the iso performance of the D3000 leaves something to be desired even compared to the D40.

[I'm Slow]

my step father has a d3000 that I actually bought for him for xmas lol. I like it and it feels comfortable to me however when I upload the pics they dont wow me as much as I expected them to. Maybe its because they are unedited. I'm comfortable with the actual camera. I have rookie experience with the whole editing etc. as far as using dslr's etc i would consider myself an amatuer

[Figs]

my step father has a d3000 that I actually bought for him for xmas lol. I like it and it feels comfortable to me however when I upload the pics they dont wow me as much as I expected them to. Maybe its because they are unedited. I'm comfortable with the actual camera. I have rookie experience with the whole editing etc. as far as using dslr's etc i would consider myself an amatuer

If your shooting in auto and even using the built-in flash its a hit or miss on any "wow" shots. Bascially if you plan on just shooting in auto you might as well stick to point and shoot cameras.

This is a shot I took Saturday with my D3000 and no editing to the photo itself besides putting my watermark on it. Shot in aperture mode.



If you want to see more pictures from my D3000, just go to my website. Click on my name and visit the link.

Even unedited you get some really nice shots. You just need to learn exposure and everything else to go along with it. I only let the camera control so much. A lot of people will tell you its the body while a lot of others will tell you to buy a cheap body and invest in glass (lenses).

[I'm Slow]

^ yeah I tried several different modes including auto and liek you said it was hit or miss. so u recommend aperture mode? That picture came out nice

[8600RPM]

A lot of people will tell you its the body while a lot of others will tell you to buy a cheap body and invest in glass (lenses).

The people that tell you to buy a cheap body and good glass have a cheap body and good glass.

The people that tell you to buy a good body and worry about glass later have a good body and no glass.

The people that tell you to invest in both, are professional photographers.

[Figs]

^ yeah I tried several different modes including auto and liek you said it was hit or miss. so u recommend aperture mode? That picture came out nice

I shoot in aperture, shutter, and manual modes. At times I'll throw it in priority. It just all depends on conditions and what I'm shooting. I tried using the flash on the camera and its just aweful, so all my shots I don't use flash at all. Still need to invest in a "real" flash.

Give you an idea with the D3000, visit my latest gallery from this Saturday's Full Auto Motorsports event here:
FullAuto Motorsports June 2010 - figsfotos - jfigs | photography- powered by SmugMug

Some images were edited BUT not to the point the images become "fake". I only auto adjusted some and cropped some plus added my watermark. I shot in aperture, shutter speed, manual mode that day. The lenses I used was a Nikon 35mm f/1.8 and a Tamron 70-300.

[Figs]

The people that tell you to buy a cheap body and good glass have a cheap body and good glass.

The people that tell you to buy a good body and worry about glass later have a good body and no glass.

The people that tell you to invest in both, are professional photographers.

Photography I've come to learn is a learning curve and your always upgrading something. You start somewhere and as you learn you progress and keep moving. So that is how I'm striding along. Having an expensive body and good glass doesn't necessarily make you a professional photographer .

I see where you are getting at with the D80. You have some good points. Infact I'm looking for an extra body and I've added the D80 to my "possibilities".

[TampasOriginalSoarer]

Ive been in the graphic industry since 1995 and would recommend someone starting to start cheap(as in inexpensive not low quality).

People starting don't even know if they will be good at it or even take it serious enough to have a big investment collecting dust till the next Christmas party.

[I'm Slow]

i would be using this at a bare min. once-twice a week. However there will be weeks where i use it daily. I have a 18 month old son which is the main reason for my purchase Also I go to a lot of events, parks, and vacations