Upgrading my camera??

[RockArea]

I think it's a bit unfair to say that this is a 'slow' lens, David, it's a standard lens of the type that 90% of people use day to day and while a bit plasticky compared to more expensive kit it is good quality and for landscape work it's fine.  I didn't realise the barrel rotated but that's not a problem with circular filters even polarisers.  Kit lenses are never top grade but it's not a bad starting point.

Nikon lenses of this type have an internal motor and so will fit all other DX cameras unless you want to go full frame. Going full frame is always a big commitment anyway and not the route most of us will take.

You're absolutely right about always wanting another lens though, no matter how many you have

David

[Sheryl]

I'm already frustrated with the camera I have now. I don''t want to purchase a new one just to be frustrated once again. I'm almost certain I cannot afford a second lens at this time. I'm going to have to make do with the kit lens for now, but I was hoping that even with the kit lens my photos would be of a better quality than they are now. Will they? I have a short list of features I thought I wanted or needed in a camera,but now I'm beginning to doubt my choices because its clear to me I'm just not that familiar with all the technicalities involved. I thought the fuji had what I was looking for, but David has said that it probably wouldn't be good for landscape photos  which is my main focus. So then I thought the d3100 was the way to go except now Seven_Wishes says that I might not be satisfied with the kit lens. The decision seems to be getting harder, not easier. I'm just afraid of making the wrong choice and then having buyer's remorse. This is a lot of money for me to spend and I want to make the right choice. Is the Fuji all its cracked up to be and/or will I be satisfied with the kit lens with the Nikon?

[Sheryl]

Thanks Seven_Wishes for the link. It was very informative. I was not impressed with the camera's  capabilites. The photos were not crisp and clear like I would expect them to be. I want better photos than what I'm producing now. Unless they've made vast improvements to that camera I'm not sure I'd still be interested in it. What are your thoughts?

[Seven_Wishes]

Hi Sheryl
These are all points of view ... and as you have said very confusing ... all they have seemed to have done is muddied the waters and made your decision making even harder.

The 18-55VR kit lens while not being my choice to go for would make a more than adequate lens for landscape photography, 18mm even taking the crop factor in to account will be wide enough for most scenarios and when it isn't well that is something that not just you but all of us as photographers have to learn to live with. The drawbacks and limitations were mentioned only as something to take in to consideration and to give more of a balance view between that of the Nikon and bridge camera when making your decision and not meant in implying that the lens was rubbish.

The suggestion of the bridge camera ... while you get more bang for your buck with the initial outlay and it being as close to a DLSR without actually buying one has one major disadvantage ... the lens ... at wide angle you will more than likely notice chromatic aberration and barrel distortion (more than on the standard Nikon kit lens) ... zoomed in you will probably be able to notice definition of detail and sharpness fall of towards the edges ... but this is the very nature of ultra zooms in packing so much in.

If the frustration and limitations of only having one lens with such a short focal length can be over come go for the DSLR, it will make an equally as good a learning tool as the bridge camera ... maybe more so because you will have to think more about composition and how you capture the image.

Ed
   

[Sheryl]

Thanks Ed. I'm curious as to what you would go for if you were me? Only your opinion, but it would be helpful to me.I won't run out and make my decision based on your opinion. Don't worry. I just value the opinions of the photographers in the gallery because you all have more experience and more knowledge than me. Your opinions give me a more realistic view of how to consider different cameras. Things I haven't thought about or didn't know about. If you're not comfortable in giving me your opinion , that's fine too.
It may not seem like it , but you are helping me see things more clearly. And yes the decision has become harder just because of my lack of knowledge. That's why I posed my question in here. To get knowledgable advise.

                     Sheryl

[shooters_desire]

ok Sheryl we may have some new works in the fire. I need to check with bengi to see if he will do this deal for you for 600.00.
Here it is: a nikon d40X + 18-270vc tamron.  The d40x is used but carries a 9+ rating which is very good

[scoundrel1728]

Thanks guys for clearing that up. The standard lens that comes with the d3100 is 18-55. So I will have the ability to shoot landscapes and other images I just won't have the ability to shoot wildlife ,correct?

It won't be impossible to shoot wildlife with such a lens; but if your subject happens to be a grizzly bear, most likely you are way too close.

I don't want to have to worry about noise. That's one of many reasons I'm wanting to upgrade is to decrease the amount of noise in my photos.

A dSLR won't necessarily remove your worries about noise; it depends on how big and for what purpose the images are to be reproduced.  The more you blow your images up, the more likely that noise will become a problem.  Noise is also likely to be more of a problem in an image with large areas of nearly featureless tones, e.g., sky or heavily blurred background, and in areas where the darker parts of the image are important.  As a rough gauge, a compact digital or bridge camera at ISO 200 has roughly the same amount of noise as your typical dSLR at ISO 800 to 1600.

I'm still confused as to what would be the ideal camera to purchase.

There is no such thing as an ideal camera; they all have their limitations.  The best you can reasonably expect to do is to get something that does most of what you want to do most of the time.  dSLR cameras, for example, are potentially capable of better image quality, but you must also contend with dragging a bigger, heavier, more complicated, and more expensive camera around with you.  The dSLR also saddles you with a shallower depth of field when taking extreme closeups.  I don't know what the prices of lenses run in your part of the world, but you can expect a decent lens in the 400mm (35mm equivalent) range for basic wildlife photography to run somewhere about USD900, for which you can buy 2-3 compact or bridge cameras with a superlong zoom and image stabilization (vibration reduction in Nikon speak).  In my opinion, a well-selected bridge camera makes a generally better learning tool than a dSLR for a beginning photographer to learn the basic artistic and technical aspects of photography.  Then, once you do decide to get a dSLR, you will have a better idea what kinds of images you take, what kinds of lenses and other accessories you are most likely to need with it, and generally the tradeoffs involved in getting one kind of equipment over another.  You will also still be able to use your compact or bridge camera for those occasions when you want a camera but can't or don't want to bother with your full dSLR kit.

And if the p7000 is similar to the d3100 I may as well just go with the dSLR so I won't be needing to upgrade my camera again any time soon. So now its back to the Fuji or the D3100, I think. Its such a difficult decison when I know so little about cameras. I've done some research and thought I knew some of the features I wanted in a camera. But now I'm wondering if the features are as important as the camera itself and the lens. Maybe I should focus my search there instead. ?

If you are this confused, the safest choice financially is the Fuji.  With a bridge or compact digital, you might be getting another camera in a couple of years, or maybe not.  Meanwhile, you will be getting generally more photographic capability for your money and will also buy time to make a more informed choice when (and if) you finally do go with the dSLR.

On the other hand, if you have already made your list as Seven_Wishes has suggested, then perhaps you are ready for the dSLR for your landscapes.  He may also be right about your perpetually wanting a wider or longer lens, but it may take a while to save up enough to scratch that itch.  Then another itch develops, and then another...  Don't think that a dSLR will save you money over a bridge camera.  I have most of my major needs taken care of with my own kit, but am thinking of getting a 50mm f/1.4 and an 85mm f/1.8 and a longer macro lens and something longer than 200mm, plus getting another flash unit and a triggering system, plus light modifiers, plus... well, you get the idea.  The difficult part is to have the discipline to set priorities and to separate your wants from your actual needs.

One alternative is to get a secondhand dSLR kit or lenses.  You take some risk this way, but I've had good luck so far with this approach.

[RockArea]

Sheryl, you must be suffering from 'Helmet Fire' right now. That's what the fighter pilots call it when they're getting so much information that the smoke comes out of their ears! You're on a tremendous learning curve and I'm sure that the information you're getting will be useful when you can process it all.

Don't rush into this, take a break and let it settle down in your mind. If you can get to see some cameras, feel them in your hands that would be good but remember each salesman will be likely to be putting his own slant on things too but don't be persuaded to part with your cash then and there because it's an 'unrepeatable one day only bargain'. Don't rush in because you want the new toy, only buy when you feel you've done all the research you can and you're ready to make the decision.

David

[Sheryl]

David, shooters_desire, is the d40 an entry level dSLR camera? And is the Fuji a bridge camera or a digital with a bigger lens?  David, Rockarea, wow! My head is spinning! That's a lot of great advise and information. You're right about the "Helmet Fire"! It seems like the more info I get , the more confused I get. Or at least the decision becomes harder to make because there is so much to consider when purchasing a new and improved camera. I'm glad to get the information, don't get me wrong. Its just hard to process it all. Noise is something I struggle with my digital and also being able to shoot at a distance and not have a blurriness to the image. Its so frustrating. With landscapes sometimes they are farther away than my digital can handle. That's another reason I want a better camera. You mentioned before that the Fuji might not be good for shooting landscapes because its lens starts at 24mm instead of the preferred 18. And since landscapes is my main area of photography I worry if it would be the best choice. ON the other hand it sounds like a fairly simple camera to operate.And since I'lm new at all this and am lacking in knowledge maybe it would be the better camera for me. I had originally thought that when I made the jump to a new camera it would be to an entry level dSLR. Now I'm not so sure. I need some time to think about all the info I've gotten so far and see if I can settle the battle that's waging in my head! lol

[shooters_desire]

Sheryl i have very very good news this morning.. I spoke with Jack's camera and i got him to go down on the price some. The D40X is an upgrade from the d40 10mp pixels not 6. Also they have a 18-270 vc lens to put on it. This is a very sweet deal. The camera is a 9+ rating like new.
 GO FOR IT... You need to call them speak with Bengi 765-281-2786 Your total price is 600.00 you may want to ask him if he will take your camera on a trade and ask him how much it would be...

[Sheryl]

Thanks David, I can call, but I don't have the cash just yet. Will they hold something like that for me, I wonder? Someone else sent me this link to view another camera. the link is http://www.digitaltrends.com/digital-camera-reviews/sony-cyber-shot-dsc-hxl-review/  If anyone is interested in checking this one out for me and giving me their opinion. Thanks.

[shooters_desire]

sheryl that link you sent is broken up. Page not found. That camera deal i was able to get them to come down over 100.00. I deal with these guys all the time
I believe your getting a very sweet deal. Be honest with you.. That camera body is very nice and the Tamron 18-270 will give you the range you need to keep you shooting for some time to come ( but better glass is always a high priority just takes lots of maoney to get them). Yes ask benji to put it on hold for you..

[Pipeman]

Sheryl - your comments suggest that you WANT a DSLR.

Go for it - the technical issues will soon unfold provided that you read and read the instruction manual, and practice and practice (which is always fun!). They are not quite as complicated as some would lead us to believe.

Although I'm not a Nikon user, kit lenses are much better than many people give credit for - Canons have a similar 18-55 kit lens which I find of good quality and which I have taken many close up shots with. Normal landscapes are not a problem and I have used it on many holidays.
They need to be of decent quality as they are the first lens that most people buy, and Nikon, Canon, want photographers to stick with them. It is only when you have been using them for ages and you begin to get a bit more advanced and picky, that you begin to think you need something "better".

If you do go down this route and eventually decide that you want additional lenses - which you will -  either longer ones for wildlife or macro lenses, or wider lenses, the best advice I can offer is to not be tempted to buy cheap. You will be disappointed.

Best wishes whichever way you go - I hope that I have not added further confusion and look forward to hearing your decision.

[BigAl]

I reckon that you'd be well positioned for now and a long while into the future with that D40X offer.

I'd get it put on hold for myself if I didn't have the D700.

[Sheryl]

Here's that link again, I got it off by one number:   http:/www.digitaltrends.com/digital-camera-reviews/sony-cyber-shot-dsc-hx1-review/  Sorry.   Thanks Ron for your input and your support. I really appreciate it. David, I'm going to call Benji to find out more info on the D40X before I just jump in. Hopefully it will be what I'm looking for. The lens sounds very nice and I think your're right about it satisfying me for quite some time.

                  Thanks to you both,
                  Sheryl

[Neou]

And mainly don,t forget ........It's not the size of the boat or the motion of the ocean. It's how the captain navigates!

[Sheryl]

Neou, lol   So true.

 Big Al, thanks for your input. You've helped me more than you'll know. 

[BigAl]

Big Al, thanks for your input. You've helped me more than you'll know. 

All I've done is pass on the knowledge that the others on this site have given me. You've just been helped by the combined minds of the Cafe members.

This is what this site is all about.

[Sheryl]

Thanks to everyone who commented, advised, supported, and instructed me in my endeavor to find the right upgraded camera for me. You were all very helpful and knowledgable and I couldn't have made a decision without your imput. I've decided after much consideration to go for the Nikon D40X with a Tameron 18-270 vc lens. I'm getting a very good deal on it thanks to David, shooters-desire. So a special thanks goes out to him. You are all terrific and when I get the new camera which should be in the next two weeks, I may be back with more questions for you all. You've been a great help.

                    Thanks so much,
                      Sheryl

[RockArea]

If you can spare a few dollars more the Magic Lantern Guide is an excellent resource. Much more helpful than the manual.

http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Lantern-Guides-Nikon-D40x/dp/1600592589