Is there a problem with Nikon D3000 series? (Page 3): Exactly. That plus the focus on mirrorless sales now have people moving to that style, especially since Canon, Fiji, Nikon and...

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

CHG_CANON wrote:

They're entry-level models. If memory serves, the D3300 and D3400 models featured 'modern' 24MP DX sensor. Rockwell claimed these models have all the technology the general public would ever need in a DSLR. But, there's a glut of these DSLRs across both Nikon and Canon and they cannot hold their value when resold used. But otherwise, they're perfectly 'good', just discontinued.

Exactly. That plus the focus on mirrorless sales now have people moving to that style, especially since Canon, Fiji, Nikon and Sony have great deals on mirrorless so people are jumping in.

My son in law still creates great images with his D3200. Nothing wrong at all with DSLR cameras and lenses.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Bohica wrote:

I like to check local sale sites, Craigslist, FB Market place, etc. Most, at least 90% of the Nikons are D3200 with a few D3000, D3300 and D3400. Prices range from $139-$350. Is there a reason so many people want to dump the D3000 series? Found a D40 and a D70 at around a $100, no single or triple digit series.

The D3XXX are old and don't have the features of the D5XXX series and higher. And there are lens AF restrictions. If they were "lemons" everyone would know by now. The D3XXX are perfectly good cameras.

ELNikkor

The main reason I didn't go to the D3xxx line when my D40 broke was that it didn't have an articulating screen and the D5100 did. The D3300 and up have a non-antialiasing 24mp sensor, which makes them capable of very sharp, finely detailed photos, especially when paired with some top Nikon glass. Weighing only a pound, the later D3xxx line would still be a great choice for those interested in saving weight for hiking & landscapes.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Bohica wrote:

I like to check local sale sites, Craigslist, FB Market place, etc. Most, at least 90% of the Nikons are D3200 with a few D3000, D3300 and D3400. Prices range from $139-$350. Is there a reason so many people want to dump the D3000 series? Found a D40 and a D70 at around a $100, no single or triple digit series.

NO.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Retina wrote:

I like that my oldest pre-Ai lenses work with the D3xxx, D5xxx, and the D7500. The "however" above may refer, in part, to the terribly dim readout in the OVF when used in bright light. As stated earlier, the low price of used D3000 models is most likely due to their age and supply vs demand, as with most anything.

Actually your 3xxx camera only fit old lenses you mentioned.
The meter would not function they just had glass on the front of them and no communication at all.
So they didn't really "Work" as you allude to.
Nor do the screw drive lenses work as they must be manually focused.
I believe that the 5xxx also have the same lack of functionality with the lenses that you mention and cannot AF screw drive lenses either.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

tdozier3 wrote:

My 3200 has the cleaner

So does mine. Great photos can be taken with the 3000 series cameras. The term "starter" camera is the industry's (and some photographers) way of shaming folks into buying something they don't really need.

Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC

Architect1776 wrote:

Actually your 3xxx camera only fit old lenses you mentioned.
The meter would not function they just had glass on the front of them and no communication at all.
So they didn't really "Work" as you allude to.
Nor do the screw drive lenses work as they must be manually focused.
I believe that the 5xxx also have the same lack of functionality with the lenses that you mention and cannot AF screw drive lenses either.

Manual focusing doesn't mean a camera doesn't work, only that it doesn't rely on automation. Even modern lenses come with focus rings. In other words, they not only just fit but also can be used for exposures.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Retina wrote:

Manual focusing doesn't mean a camera doesn't work, only that it doesn't rely on automation. Even modern lenses come with focus rings. In other words, they not only just fit, but also can be used quite well for exposures.

Manual focus yes, af no and no meter.
Any slr, DSLR and Mirrorless can manual focus among other cameras. Not just Nikon.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Thousands of the 3000 series were sold at Costco, Walmart and Best Buy when Nikon was making these in mass quantities. The D3400 was/is still a very nice version of a Dx camera.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Real Nikon Lover wrote:

Thousands of the 3000 series were sold at Costco, Walmart and Best Buy when Nikon was making these in mass quantities. The D3400 was/is still a very nice version of a Dx camera.

One final word.

I am a faithful buyer and shooter of Nikon cameras. That relationship does not go back to the prehistoric era, but it does go back close to 20 years. I believe that their cameras are generally better designed and much more "usable" than those of any other brand. I acknowledge that their technology in some areas falls slightly short of existing "bleeding edge" capability.

However, based on actual use and experience over the past 7 years with multiple models from multiple generations, I believe that their lower-end products had severe shortcomings in the areas of design, layout, and operation. These shortcomings did not prevent taking acceptable pictures. We created and produced 10 very nice yearbooks, illustrated many papers and presentations, and conducted a variety of other photographic activities with these cameras. (Our school does not have organized sports teams, so we didn't come up against the shortcomings covering thise would have surfaced.)

But exercises in learning photographic principles weresingularly frustrating for most students. Those who were big "gamers" seemed to do best at conquering the limited control system to adjust aperture and shutter speed. Since changing ISO required accessing the menu system, we preset it and worked within the constraints our choices presented when shooting. (No, we DID NOT use Auto ISO when learning about exposure. We DID learn the impact of choosing an inappropriately high ISO.)

Nikon apparently shares at least our general opinion about these cameras. They discontinued them first and have made no move to replace them with anything even approximately equivalent.

So no, I have no misgivings about not supporting these cameras, especially the D3xxx and D5xxx choices. They can make nice pictures. They are not easy to use. They are not good for learning.

rcarol

larryepage wrote:

One final word. br br I am a faithful buyer and s... (show quote)

I disagree with most of your opinions.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

larryepage wrote:

One final word.

I am a faithful buyer and shooter of Nikon cameras. That relationship does not go back to the prehistoric era, but it does go back close to 20 years. I believe that their cameras are generally better designed and much more "usable" than those of any brand.

Honestly, a lot of non-Nikon users resent the fact that Nikon has their own lingo and act though their stuff is “special”.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Bohica wrote:

I like to check local sale sites, Craigslist, FB Market place, etc. Most, at least 90% of the Nikons are D3200 with a few D3000, D3300 and D3400. Prices range from $139-$350. Is there a reason so many people want to dump the D3000 series? Found a D40 and a D70 at around a $100, no single or triple digit series.

These were mass produced around ten years ago, and sold in big warehouse stores like Costco, BJ's, Sam's Warehouse, etc. They were cheap to begin with, and now they are very cheap. There were some Canon Rebel 'T' models in the same class.

Lots of folks are replacing them with smartphones because they never were serious photographers, anyway...

In "gently used" condition, they are decent, basic digital SLR cameras. Just don't expect top tier performance.

Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC

larryepage wrote:

... But exercises in learning photographic prin... (show quote)

ISO can be changed on the fly with the same wheel for shutter speed and aperture. Just assign the Fn button for that. It does mean using the menu for the other options, but there is usually less need to change the other settings than having quick access to ISO.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

rcarol wrote:

I disagree with most of your opinions.

That's fine. I still stand by them.