D3000: Finally Approved.....

[Cpl Ledanek]

...by my personal General Accounting Office, aka, wife.

so, now shopping for a great bundle on the internet.
will be used for our Australian Vacation

...any cheap UV filters suggestion btw?
...wide lens for landscape shots of Uluru..not too expensive...maybe some Tamrons?....plus will be taking pics during sunset and sunrise...so if you got a bag of tricks, can you share your tips?
...good reputable store?

I got Bing Cashback accnt btw

[itznfb]

What's your budget? The D3000 comes with a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR so unless you really want to spend the money on an ultrawide just stick with the 18-55mm Kit lens. It's an incredibly high quality lens in terms of image quality. Just pick up a Quantaray Circular Polarizer Filter and UV Filter. I like to talk trash on cheap filters but in all honesty the Quantaray filters will do just fine. I have them on my 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and 55-200mm f/4-5.6.

I buy everything through Amazon. If I can't find it there I don't buy it.

[[XC] leviathan18]

amazon is my perdition lol

[Cpl Ledanek]

What's your budget? The D3000 comes with a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR so unless you really want to spend the money on an ultrawide just stick with the 18-55mm Kit lens. It's an incredibly high quality lens in terms of image quality. Just pick up a Quantaray Circular Polarizer Filter and UV Filter. I like to talk trash on cheap filters but in all honesty the Quantaray filters will do just fine. I have them on my 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and 55-200mm f/4-5.6.

I buy everything through Amazon. If I can't find it there I don't buy it.

I do need to get a wide lens sir for capturing Ayers Rock...and other scenery.
so if you have 1-3 lenses for me to research and review, I would greatly appreciate sir

[itznfb]

Ultra-wides are expensive.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED ~ $700 - $1000
Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM ~ $650
Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM ~ $480
Tamron SP AF10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di-II LD Aspherical [IF] ~ $500
Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX AF 11-16mm f/2.8 ~ $630
Tokina AT-X 124 PRO DX II AF 12-24mm f/4 ~ $650

The best of those are the Nikon 12-24mm f/4, Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8
The best bang for the buck is the cheapest one.... the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6

[Cpl Ledanek]

Ultra-wides are expensive.
The best bang for the buck is the cheapest one.... the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6

I shall sell as much bodily fluid I can muster to win this lens

[itznfb]

I shall sell as much bodily fluid I can muster to win this lens

[lkiller123]

why not just buy a D40 and spend some good $$ on ultra wides?

[Cpl Ledanek]

why not just buy a D40 and spend some good $$ on ultra wides?

short answer: coz I suck


I'm not a pro to justify a D90...so I figure take the best thing about D90 (AFs) place into a beginner DSLR, D40, up the quality = D3000
---- plus not really going to be using an ultra wide that much in the future.

[agor]

17mm of the Kit might already be enough for this if your not planning to do much landscape shots afterwards.

[Cpl Ledanek]

17mm of the Kit might already be enough for this if your not planning to do much landscape shots afterwards.

thanks, maybe I can buy extra batteries, UV/polarizer, remote, and SD-HCs instead?

wow thanks....let see if I can find a retailer with awesome package deals

[Jamesrt2004]

tell us how it goes as im looking into that camera

[Cpl Ledanek]

tell us how it goes as im looking into that camera

will do

[Cpl Ledanek]

...so far:
Tiffen 52mm Photo Essentials Filter Kit -$33.10
Generic Wireless Remote Control for Nikon Camera Item Number: 401-373-001 sale: $4.99
no camera bag yet, trying to swing a 4GB SanDisk 4GB SDHC class 4 $16...
hard trying to keep it all under $700....

...someone hold my hand pls

[itznfb]

If you need to stay under $700 I'd go with something like this:
D40 - $465
Lexar 2GB x2 - $50
Hoya 52mm UV Super Multi Coated Glass Filter - $30
Tiffen 52mm Circular Polarizer - $20
Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote - $15
Tamrac 5766 Velocity 6x - $45

[Cpl Ledanek]

Hoya 52mm UV Super Multi Coated Glass Filter - $30
Tamrac 5766 Velocity 6x - $45

these I don't have....thanks

[itznfb]

The D40 is a cheaper alternative, lower megapixel but it's still a very capable camera.
The Hoya filter will help reduce flare much more than the Tiffen. Not something you need to worry about as much with the Polarizer. And you don't need a warming filter (i'm guessing that was the third one in the kit) because that can be taken care of in post processing if you really want it.
And Tamrac makes great bags at great prices

[Cpl Ledanek]

...any Nikon owners ever bought from other stores other than Amazon, B&H, Adorama?

...have you guys ever bought these Chinese Nikon En-EL9a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery...suppose to be the very same battery without the Nikon brand on it.

@[XC] itznfb, thanks for the recommendation with those Tamrac bags, but I came across a clearance item: LowePros Nova 170AW for $35...can't find anything online cheaper than that. Going to pick it up this afternoon.
Also, I looked at the D40, but D3000 in-camera Guide is very helpfull to this n00b. It helped me take shoots in various modes.
I was able to take pics of kids running at BestBuy with incredible clarity. I was able to get brighter shots without flash.

Really can't wait to get my hands on them...next unhealthy obsession

[Cpl Ledanek]

OMG IT'S HERE!!!!
OMG IT'S HERE!!!!
OMG IT'S HERE!!!!

Rechargin my battery now!!!

btw, power cord for charger says, US 125v...do I still need a transformer to charge when I'm in Australia?

pics soon

[Cpl Ledanek]

ok, just a few to start off, here at my limited Flickr accnt:

Rule 12: I only learn from criticism and suggestions






will try some night shots of downtown from top of parking lot.

[lazy]

have fun and shoot away...
#1 advantage we have compared to people who learn to film camera is that we use memory cards. Once its full, just transfer and shoot away.

[itznfb]

Wow great start.

In #1 I wouldn't have cut off that corner of the sign.
#3 your horizon is tilted.

Those are really the only things I would change off the top of my head

[Cpl Ledanek]

first night shot that came out ok;

1/20 f5.6 ISO800 55mm

Camila & Mariana Davalos was suppose to come to the house, but they were no-show, so I just had these two to model for me:

1/125 f5.6 ISO100 55mm


1/125 f5.6 ISO100 55mm


1/125 f5.6 ISO100 55mm


1/8 f5.6 ISO400 55mm


1/13 f5.6 ISO400 55mm

[ridney]

great photos cpl. i have been thinking of getting a d90 before christmas but it looks like i'll be going with a d3000.

[Cpl Ledanek]

do more research before you decide on the D3000
I chose this model to restrict my budget. If I chose D90, I know I'll go crazy on the lenses and flashes...etc.

right of the bat, the 3 frame/sec is great, but I cannot get the camera to do another set of 3burst. maybe it's my vanilla SD card.
maybe I haven't fully explored the camera.

the D90 will wipe me out on my budget....D3000 allows me to get an extra battery, 3-pack of 4GB SD-HC class 4, filters and a budget bag.

just a warning. do a hard comparison between the two camera