My obsession with taking pics almost on a daily basis started when I bought the Samsung Galaxy S7 at the beginning of 2017. The 12 megapixels camera was simply amazing for a smartphone one, and having it at hand everywhere I go has made me thousands and thousands of pics over time. Plenty of them are to be found on my blog as well. I still own the S7 and hopefully it will make it for one more year or so.
The idea of buying myself a camera(a DSLR one) came some good months ago when I realized that I love snapping pics and would take this passion to the next level, but this smartphone camera can't really match my burning fire. Hence it was crystal clear that I have to buy one to start with. Being a beginner, and not a wealthy one either I decided to dedicate about $400 to this purchase and for that money, and after asking for opinions around here and digging youtube for a bit, I decided to buy a Nikon D3500.
Why? I don't have many reasons to justify my decision to be honest. It's just that, according to my needs and level of experience, seemed to be one of the best options. It's not new, but it has less than 200 pics taken with it, one and a half years guarantee left, and it definitely looks and feels like a new one and it came with some well needed accessories as well.
The package contains the camera itself, AF-P 18-55 mm NIKKOR lens, the bag to carry it around, an extra 1230 mah battery and the charger, and a 80 mb/s 32 GB memory card. Kind of what I need to start with. All for a bit under $400. Got myself a bargain I'd say.
Now it's definitely time to educate myself and learn how to use it. I took a few pics here and there around the house using some of its presets and it seems OK but I'm sure it can do more than that once I get into details and start tweaking its settings in the attempt to squeeze the most out of it.
In that regard if anyone has any piece of advice or can recommend some good tutorials for a photography newbie like me I would appreciate if a lot, so feel free to share them in the comments section below.
Oh, I almost forgot. As a friend of mine told me even before buying the camera, as soon as I put my hands on it I already knew I have to buy more stuff to it, such as lenses and definitely a tripod...:)) Predictable I guess. Now, as soon as I'll have the time to snap some pics around here you'll see them on my blog. I will probably try and edit them as well, because I like that a lot.
Thanks for attention,
Adrian
First thing to do is to set your camera and learn some basics, this is a nice guide
I had for a few years d3300 so is almost the same. Shoot in raw format. Learn to edit the raw files in lightroom and photoshoot there are thousands of tutorials on youtube.
For me the easiest way is to shoot in aperture mode A. I only set the aperture and camera set de shutter speed thst works great in the day. When you have less light you have to switch either to shutters speed mode ore to manual and also get a tripod or put it on a box or on the ground somewhere and use timer so you dont move the camera when you press the button. You are welcome to ask questions :) practice a lot and will get easier in time
Thanks
You're gonna love it!!! I have the D3400, bought it with my first Steem earnings during the bull market (I paid about 100 steem if I remember well). I think you got it for a nice price, the package I got had the camera, the 18-55mm kit lens, the 55-200 mm, one lousy tripod that's not to be trusted, a bag, battery and charger and costed about 450 euros, not a bad deal either....
Now, once you'l get the basics (F, shutter speed and ISO) you'll see you're gonna start wanting more and more, a new lens, a new flash, a new camera body :P
But you will definitely enjoy playing with your new baby!!! I too watched the tutorial @pixaroma suggested to make my settings for the first time and then I asked for help and guidance from a photographer friend. Perhaps you can find a photography club in your area, that's a nice opportunity to meet more people and experiment and learn together (I wanted to do so too, but unfortunately my schedule does not allow it...).
Don't have any photography group around here. I am thinking though at a 18-140 mm lens. Will have to check if it fits my camera. I'm interested in it for landscape photography.
What's this mister poshbot? Does that mean that I don't have to comment myself with my posh on twitter, and you're doing that job?
yup. Majestic eh?
Useful. I won't have to copy and paste the posh on my comments any longer.
Posh:
i want the nikon p900
Hope you'll get it. I have no clue how good it is though...
very cool...i'm thinking of going big with Nikon P1000 to start shooting the night sky as we get into fall/winter, but have to do to a bit more research.
I heard of it and it will probably do a great job. Will follow you so I can stay in touch with your photography.
cool - thanks! Similar to you, I just recently got into a photography thanks to my phone, but definitely wanting to upgrade !
Looks like a solid choice! Now it's time to do some serious reading :)
Good luck with your new toy, looking forward to see your pics!
I have already watched a few tutorials on youtube. Will continue and I guess that practice will be the best teacher. I am using the manual mode already :))
I have a samsung s7 myself. I made a lot of films with it and took a lot of photos. This phone is mega. I myself recently decided to buy a canon m50. This is a change in ferarri😀 Good decision. I have an eye on you! 👊
I currently own a S7 as well. It has over three years in my hands. Recently bought a DSLR and I'm taking my passion for photography a step forward. The S7 has done quite a good job though.