Nikon d3300 (Page 2): maybe I read OP wrong but if not he has D3300 which makes #2 null and void because i have a D3300 as well and mine has live view. I too am happy with crop format.

racerrich3 Loc: Los Angeles, Ca.

John Maher wrote:

I upgraded from the D3000 to the D5600.
Reason #1 Sensor. However, except for the D3000, I believe the D3XXX and D5XXX use the same sensor.
Reason #2 Live View. Not on the D3000. See #3.
Reason #3 Articulated screen. I use eye viewer most of the time, but articulated screen is great for "down to
earth" shots such as mushrooms. This was the tiebreaker with the D3500 which was just coming out.
Reason #4 was the newer lens issue cited above.

maybe I read OP wrong but if not he has D3300 which makes #2 null and void because i have a D3300 as
well and mine has live view.
I too am happy with crop format.

racerrich3 Loc: Los Angeles, Ca.

yorkshire wrote:

I am looking to upgrade my Nikon camera or buy new lenses not sure which will serve me better?the lenses I have are 18-56mm 3.5-5.6 and a 70-300mm 4-5.6 Nikon
I want to stay with Nikon but I would like to get sharper images?

the D3300 is a good camera. use it more than my D500. it's like my go to camera, lol.

Cyberkinesis70 Loc: Northern Colorado

yorkshire wrote:

I am looking to upgrade my Nikon camera or buy new lenses not sure which will serve me better?the lenses I have are 18-56mm 3.5-5.6 and a 70-300mm 4-5.6 Nikon
I want to stay with Nikon but I would like to get sharper images?

I have a D3400 and a D5600. I have the same lenses as you plus a 50mm prime and a 18-140 Nikkor. I still use my 3400 occasionally with the kit lenses. It is just as sharp as the 5600. The 18 to 55 lens is as sharp as the 50mm. The 50mm is just better in low light conditions. The 70-300 is very sharp. I've gotten great moon shots with it on the 3400. I found with either camera or any lens, any out of focus images are on me. Be it wrong shutter speed or not using a tripod when I should. Both cameras and all my lenses work as expected. As I say, it is about technique and very little to do with the equipment. The was true in the film days too. I have negatives I should have thrown away 40 years ago. Any out of focus or poorly exposed images are on me not Nikon.

hrblaine

yorkshire wrote:

I am looking to upgrade my Nikon camera or buy new lenses not sure which will serve me better?the lenses I have are 18-56mm 3.5-5.6 and a 70-300mm 4-5.6 Nikon
I want to stay with Nikon but I would like to get sharper images?

imho

All this complaining about sharp images. I've been shooting since the '50s, first with Nikon 35mm, then with a Canon 5Dc and I'vve never taken a pic that suffered from lack of sharpness imho. Of course I seldom shoot below 1/125 (a habit I got into while shooting dance/theatre); maybe that's the secret. Shoot at 1/2 second and of course your pics won't be sharp!

Harry

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Ched49 wrote:

The never ending quest for better pictures... Start shooting at different things with a more positive attitude, experimenting with different lenses isn't going to make a world of difference.

Ched 49. Your picture looks identical (surroundings) to one my wife took at Hilton Head Is., Seawatch on the deck of our beachfront timeshare.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

ELNikkor wrote:

The 18-55 is a very sharp, close-focusing lens. I have 3 of them, and they are awesome performers on my D5100, D200, and D40. If sharpness is a problem, it is not because of your lenses, nor your sensor! Save your money and look for other reasons than lenses and sensor. If you do want a faster lens, get the reasonably priced, fantastic DX 35 1.8.

my thoughts exactly. The 35mm f1.8 DX lens is not expensive and very sharp. If your photos are not sharp with this lens, then look elsewhere in the camera set up or your technique. Shoot with a tripod and a self timer (to avoid touching the camera), use live view focus with (+) and then evaluate sharpness.

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

Bayou wrote:

There's nothing of consequence about the D3300 tha... (show quote)

Back button focus with single point area mode did it for me and my D3400. Perfect in focus photos unless I screw up. Allows you to switch from single servo to continuous servo auto focus seamlessly.Another suggestion is Keep your shutter speed at least 1/125 sec. Also get Steve Perry’s ebook about the Nikon Auto Focus System. Answers all of your questions and addresses your problems.

John Maher Loc: Northern Virginia

racerrich3 wrote:

maybe I read OP wrong but if not he has D3300 which makes #2 null and void because i have a D3300 as
well and mine has live view.
I too am happy with crop format.

The D3000 did not. All other D3XXX did.

davidb1879

Re: Yorkshire: I was so pleased to read El Nikkor's praise of the Nikkor 18-55mm I possess two early versions of that lens, and find them very good, despite Thom Hogan's negative review of the early version of the 18-55. Happy shooting! Davidb1879.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

All the above. And ...
Try cleaning your kit. There's lots of tutorials for cleaning sensors and lenses.
Makes a difference- when needed. Like having a 6yr old's thumbprint on the back of the lens ...
I rescued a KEH ASIS UGLY dog toy 135mm. Softy in very top left corner. Accept that- the rest is sharp!
Try manual focus. My D3200 will focus on what it is pointed at, not the subject right next to it. ;-}
There is NOTHING wrong with your camera. I'll give ya $50 for it.
Otherwise ... check for firmware upgrades. Carefully clean everything- including the contacts.
Youtube is FULL of people who have your camera and their practice. Costs nothing.
Good luck.

Newspaper works for me. Tape it up, back up 20 feet. Tripod. Take pictures and read the fine print.

john451 Loc: Lady's Island, SC/Columbia, SC

John Maher wrote:

I upgraded from the D3000 to the D5600. br Reason ... (show quote)

I did the same and for the same reasons. Bought the D5600 body only and added an 18-200 used lens.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

john451 wrote:

I did the same and for the same reasons. Bought the D5600 body only and added an 18-200 used lens.

The 5xxx series is great for vloggers too.