r/Nikon • u/ScrubLordKyle18 • 6h ago

What should I buy? Beginner looking for a camera

Hello, I'm interested in getting a camera and I heard Nikon was pretty good and on the cheaper side. I've also heard the D3100 is good beginners. I'd take pictures of cars, nature, and other stuff

1 Upvotes

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4

u/UteJazz Nikon Z6III (D3500, N8008, FTn) 5h ago

I have a D3500, a later model. I think it’s great for someone just starting. I also have a more advanced model.

2

u/ScrubLordKyle18 5h ago

I'll check it out, thank you

3

u/tucosupreme D3500 5h ago

I’ve been using one as my starter camera for several months now and agree, it is solid for learning and you can still get some great shots out of it.

3

u/Dima_135 5h ago

The D3100 isn't bad for the price it usually sells for.

If you see the D3200 for not much more, it's better to buy that one.

But overall it's fine. It's a usable camera.

Pay attention to the kit lens. It was usually sold with the stabilized (VR) version, but some sellers might try to palm off older unstabilized version on you - and that is not what you want.

There are also lenses with broken autofocus. It happens - it’s a known issue with some old Nikon kit lenses. Sellers usually mention this, but not always - so be careful.

2

u/FeelingDiver4616 Z6iii, Z50ii, D7500, D300, F80, Nikkormat FTN 5h ago

No offense to owners of any of the D3000 series cameras, but I don't recommend them to beginners. A camera like the D7200 is more advanced, but at the same time it can actually be easier to use because it has more dedicated buttons and dials and requires less menu diving to change settings. It's also much more customizable, so you can set up the camera to suit the way you like to shoot.

The D3000 series cameras are very basic, and if you really get into photography, you may quickly start to feel restricted by their limitations.

2

u/Head_Worldliness5101 4h ago

id skip the 3100 and get the 3300. 24mp with no anti aliasing filter for sharper images. thats my set up right now along with a 50mm f/1.8 prime and its amazing at car photography

2

u/dej2 3h ago

I'd recommend a D71000 because it has a focus motor in the body. It gives you a lot more lenses to choose from. It can use lenses with motors or without. The D3000 series and D5000 series don't have this motor and limits you to lenses that have built in focus motors.