Lee_Hend Loc: Dublin, CA.

I'm just getting back into the photography game (Check out my Introduction). 3 months I purchased the Nikon D3200 kit. Camera body w/ bat and charger as well as 18-55 and 55-200. I have found this a nice start but I think I want a D610. Can anybody tell me what to look for in so far as picture quality goes between the two cams? Also, I'm selling the two kit lenses because I now use the Tameron 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 and the Tameron 75-300mm. But I think they both are DX. Will they be a big impact on the full frame D610? Or should I just purchase all new FX lenses?

old hippy Loc: Kentucky hills

My advice, sell all your gear. Get a D610 and a Nikon 85mm 1.8. Take 1000 pictures, then decide winch will be you second lens

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

"Kit" DX zoom lenses are designed to be inexpensive learning tools, sort of like your first bicycle with training wheels. The variable focal lengths help you decide what ranges you like and what range you wish you owned. Re-sale value of kit lenses is low. eBay is full of them, with and without "starter" cameras like the D3200.

Glass is the most important part of a camera system. I always recommend buying the best (usually most expensive) FX lenses that you can afford. I suggest that you keep your D3200 body (24.2 Mp), as it will make a nice back-up to an eventual D610 (24.3 Mp) purchase.
FX lenses work perfectly on both camera formats. Buy good FX glass first.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

STOP, desist, cease, put your card back in your wallet.
You are not ready to buy anything until you can define where you are and where you wish to be.\
The 3200 will do a fine job if you if you are satisfied with the small sensor, but don't invest in anymore DX or medium quality lenses if you intend to switch to a full frame body later.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I think you would take a big hit on the D3200, and or the kit lenses if you were to sell them.
My thoughts are to get the D610, and an FX lens you would like to have, be it prime or zoom.
Then compare them for yourself, in your own time, doing the kind of photography you want to pursue.
Having a back-up camera isn't a bad thing to have available.
But hands on is hard to beat when comparing. ;)

jfn007 Loc: Close to the middle of nowhere.

You might check this out. Good luck. http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon-D3200-vs-Nikon-D610

Lee_Hend Loc: Dublin, CA.

Yes, I should have figured this one out first. This isn't my first time in photography and I know what I like in a camera. But the D3200 will make a nice back up.

Lee_Hend Loc: Dublin, CA.

Thanks for all the nice tips.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

I did check your introduction. It tells some, but not all, of what is needed to answer your question here.

You could be, or maybe I should say very likely are, sitting on some extremely valuable work in your garage! Maybe valuable in terms of money if you work it right; but almost certainly very significant in terms of culture. Treat it carefully.


What kind of photography do you expect to do? Do you want to print? If so, how big? Are we thinking fine art, Street Photography, studio work, Landscapes, Travel, Wildlife, Sports, grandchildren, or what?

The differences you might be concerned with for each and any of those take up a paragraph or two, minimum. I might talk about one or even two, but all of them???? Nahhh... :-)

But the biggest difference is the dynamic range. Be careful comparing because each system of measurement is unique and can't be compared to any other. Here is a really good graph generator for data collected by Bill Claff. You can select which camera is graphed. This URL will open with D610 and D3200 graphs on the same chart.

http://home.comcast.net/~NikonD70/Charts/PDR.htm#Nikon%20D3200,Nikon%20D610

You'll find that almost any current Nikon DX camera will be very close to what the D3200 is, and almost any current Nikon FX camera will be close to the D610. That big increase in dynamic range is significant and inescapable. (Find the buttons for charting an "Ideal DX" and an "Ideal FX".)

That is the most significant difference between the D3200 and D610 that is obvious as "Image Quality". But of course the D3200 is positioned as the low end entry camera for the entire Nikon line of DSLR's, and the D610 is the low end of the FX line. The D750 has more bells and whistles, the D810 has even more, and if you ever use a D4S it will spoil you (to the point of making you wish the D810 had the same feature set).


If you really are going to get a full frame body, whether it's a D610 or something else, you'll want to move to FX lenses rather than DX.

You'll also want to consider the differences between superzooms (anything with a zoom range of more than 5:1) that are virtually all "consumer grade" and those with less zoom range (maybe even with a single fixed focal length for some special purpose work) that are considered "professional grade".

Don Fischer Loc: Antelope, Ore

You just got your D3200 three month's ago? And you are already ready to up grade? What went wrong?

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

Your story is so similar to mine. I started in Jr. High, was the newspaper and YB photographer for the schools like you were. Left photography for many years. Am 56 years old just like you. I retired 8 years ago when I closed our real estate company and plumbing company. I bought a D3200 a year ago with the two lens kit from Cameta. I felt like something was just not what I was looking for. After 8 months I bought my D610 and found what I was missing with my D3200. When you get that D610 in your hands, I think you will feel just what I did from the very first couple of shots. And yes, you will need FF lenses to get the most out of it. My image quality immediately jumped up with the FF camera and lenses I chose. My skill level is still about the same, just a happy amateur, but I am ok with that and I keep on practicing.

BebuLamar

If you think you want the D610 you may need to think harder because you may need a D4s or even some medium format camera. The reason I say so because you bought your D3200 only 3 months ago and now you already found out that it's not good enough for you. Unless you are really good at selling used equipment (some managed to sell for more than what they paid) it's too much money to waste.

shagbat Loc: London

Honestly Lee, I would buy Mrs. Lee some flowers and chocolates, maybe a new pair of shoes and over dinner casually drop in the fact that you are CONTEMPLATING buying the D610.
That way you can keep the lot! Those 'kit' Nikkors are pretty well rated and are relatively compact. Just see how the land lies!
Best of luck Mate!

shagbat Loc: London

Absolutely, I totally agree.

jsmangis Loc: Peoria, IL

I have owned my D610 for a year now after using my D80 for six years. It has been the perfect camera for me and does everything I want it to do. I bought a 24-70 f2.8 Nikkor at the same time and it stays on the camera 90% of the time. I agree with a previous poster about keeping your D3200 as a backup. It is lighter and easier to use in many situations. I still carry my D80 with me as well as an old Nikon SLR when I shoot. That's what is great about Nikon, everything works together. I often use a 1970's era 50mm f1.4 lens on my D610 and get amazing results. Just have fun and don't stress about the details!