Beginner looking to buy Nikon D3400 (Page 2): I echo the move to the d5500.

OviedoPhotos

I echo the move to the d5500.

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

PAR4DCR wrote:

Looks like Reinaldo found you a very good deal. Just remember that the D3400 does not have an internal focus motor. To get lens to auto focus you must purchase AF-S lens.

Don

Your quote is mis leading. The kit lenses he has mentioned WILL auto focus on the D3400.

AK Grandpa Loc: Anchorage, AK

The D3400 is a good starter camera. The cheapest deal is to buy it with the 2 lens package . . . However, if you have a little more to spend, I would buy just the body and get a 18-300 lense from tamron or sigma to go with it . . . These are great lenses and cover all your needs from wide angle to telephoto. I have a 18-270mm tamron lense and it is a great walk around, do anything lens. I had it on my D3300 and now it's on a D5500. All the camera bodies are good, some just have more features than others. . . All of the nikon beginner and mid level cameras share the same sensor and take excellent pictures. It's the lenses that really make the difference in picture quality. . .

AK Grandpa Loc: Anchorage, AK

The D3400 is a good starter camera. The cheapest deal is to buy it with the 2 lens package . . . However, if you have a little more to spend, I would buy just the body and get a 18-300 lense from tamron or sigma to go with it . . . These are great lenses and cover all your needs from wide angle to telephoto. I have a 18-270mm tamron lense and it is a great walk around, do anything lens. I had it on my D3300 and now it's on a D5500. All the camera bodies are good, some just have more features than others. . . All of the nikon beginner and mid level cameras share the same sensor and take excellent pictures. It's the lenses that really make the difference in picture quality. . .

MtnMan Loc: ID

artie53 wrote:

I'm a beginner looking to buy the Nikon D3400 camera bundle with Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens. Should I spend an extra $150.00 and buy the AF-S DX Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II lens. My made interest is wildlife in the outdoors. Would a different lens be better. Should I get the VR lenses from Nikon? My budget is around $650-$750.

I recommend getting the D3300. Nikon took the sensor cleaner off the D3400. If you can save more by getting a Nikon refurb. They are better than new.

200mm isn't enough for wildlife. Eventually you want the Nikon 200-500 or a Tamron or Sigma 150-600. But for now consider a used Sigma 150-500 or refurb Nikon 55-300. The latter is $200. (I just got one on a Nikon sale for $150 but I think the sale is over.)

Yes, be sure to get VR lenses (OS for Sigma). Most wildlife images are handheld and you need VR to stabilize.

MtnMan Loc: ID

AK Grandpa wrote:

The D3400 is a good starter camera. The cheapest ... (show quote)

Sensors and processing programs vary on Nikon camera models and versions. But the D3300 happens to be the same as the D3400...except they took the sensor cleaner off the D3400.

The claim that lenses matter more is an old wives tale that comes from film days...when all cameras used the same sensor (film). If you look at lens ratings for different cameras you will see that for digital cameras the camera has more effect than different lenses.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I originally bought my Nikon D40 with the 18-55 and 55-200 as a kit. The first thing I did was "upgrade" to the Tamron 70-300 for a little more reach. It is a sharp lens and (more than anything else) the price was right for me. Here is one of them listed on Ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tamron-70-300mm-f-4-5-6-Di-LD-Macro-Autofocus-Lens-for-Nikon-AF-BRAND-NEW-/272429072372?hash=item3f6e09bff4:g:zbwAAOSwr7ZW4J9M

therwol Loc: USA

artie53 wrote:

Can I purchase a Nikon camera with a built in sensor cleaning feature along with an internal focus motor or auto focus (AF-S) lens for less than $1,000. The D3400 bundle has AF-P lenses. Are these lenses auto focus? Sorry for the dumb question.....I'm just beginning. I want to be happy with my purchase with no regrets in a few months, but would like to keep cost under $1,000.

The only reason to purchase a camera with an internal focusing motor would be compatibility with older AF-D lenses, and those were designed for 35mm film and FX cameras. The D7XXX cameras have internal focusing motors, as well as the full frame FX cameras like the D750 and D810. If you're starting from scratch, don't even worry about it. On the other hand, I'm not sure I would buy a camera that lacks the sensor cleaning feature. Sooner or later you're going to have an issue and end up blowing air into your camera or (God forbid) wiping your sensor with something. Look at the D5500.

2nefoto

I've always advised beginners to purchase the best body you can afford. Given your main goal require longer lens, look at best body and one longer zoom for now.

whwiden

I would consider a D3300 for the sensor cleaner. For a general do everything lens an 18-140 zoom which is generally a bit better than the 18-200 or 18-300 lenses. And it is a bit smaller. If you need a much longer lens for wildlife you could look into some third party brand zooms that go 150-500 or thereabouts (with which I do not have direct experience). For longer range I use an old manual 200mm nikon f/4. Small and light-but on a cheap crop sensor you need to set exposure by your own judgement or use a light meter. I am not a fan of the large do everything zoom lenses--though they have their uses and fans.

74images Loc: Los Angeles, California

MtnMan wrote:

Sensors and processing programs vary on Nikon camera models and versions. But the D3300 happens to be the same as the D3400...except they took the sensor cleaner off the D3400.

The claim that lenses matter more is an old wives tale that comes from film days...when all cameras used the same sensor (film). If you look at lens ratings for different cameras you will see that for digital cameras the camera has more effect than different lenses.

That's one of the Reasons I won't Touch the 3400... Nikon went South on the Quality of its Cameras, & Left out Features.

74images

therwol Loc: USA

MtnMan wrote:

The claim that lenses matter more is an old wives tale that comes from film days...when all cameras used the same sensor (film). If you look at lens ratings for different cameras you will see that for digital cameras the camera has more effect than different lenses.

Both matter with digital. I have a Nikon D810, and I can easily discern differences between my various lenses in terms of sharpness, contrast, color rendition and overall image quality. If lenses didn't matter, people wouldn't spend extra dollars for lenses that are superior. When you have a camera that can capture more information than most lenses, and if the best possible pictures matter to you, you want to spend more, and you'll see the difference.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I wouldn't get a 55-200 as it's not enough reach for wildlife. The AFS VR 55-300 is a better choice for about $80 more. The D3400 is a good first camera. It has the added benefit of being able to use old nikon manual focus film lenses.

dandi Loc: near Seattle, WA

artie53 wrote:

I'm a beginner looking to buy the Nikon D3400 camera bundle with Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens. Should I spend an extra $150.00 and buy the AF-S DX Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II lens. My made interest is wildlife in the outdoors. Would a different lens be better. Should I get the VR lenses from Nikon? My budget is around $650-$750.

I recommend buying body only D3xxx or D5000. Then buy Nikon 18-200mm and Nikon 35mm 1.8G DX for low light-and you will be ready for almost everything.

Silverman Loc: Michigan

artie53 wrote:

I'm a beginner looking to buy the Nikon D3400 camera bundle with Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens. Should I spend an extra $150.00 and buy the AF-S DX Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II lens. My made interest is wildlife in the outdoors. Would a different lens be better. Should I get the VR lenses from Nikon? My budget is around $650-$750.

Look to "Cameta Camera" for your Nikon D3400, consider a Refurbished camera too, save money, excellent Customer service and 1 year warrenty too.