magicbastarder wrote: » first question - what is it that she expects to get from upgrading the camera, or what is it that she finds most limiting in her camera?
enfant terrible wrote: » Thanks for the reply. She says the resolution or detail in the camera she has now is not great. Would the newer camera be much better?
wonski wrote: » Is it the camera, or the lens that is an issue here?
magicbastarder wrote: » the resolution in the camera she has is pretty good - 14 megapixel, vs. the 24MP in the 3500. usually, the main difference you'll find between different generations of cameras is ability to cope with low light. where i'm coming from is - usually the camera is more capable than the photographer (and i very definitely include myself in this), and there is a danger that there's an expectation that a new camera will be an answer, whereas often the answer is in a change in technique or an associated piece of equipment, e.g. a new lens. my DSLR is over ten years old, and the only real impetus i would have to change it is the low light performance i mentioned above.
enfant terrible wrote: » Would 14MP vs 24MP not be much of a jump in resolution?
enfant terrible wrote: » Would 14MP vs 24MP not be much of a jump in resolution? Would getting a new lens improve detail or is that just down to camera?
wonski wrote: » Combination of both I would say. However 14mp is just fine. Don't get into the megapixel contest as often the size of the sensor will matter more. Google d3100 vs d3500 and there is a good comparison website that will give you an idea. 3100 will lose on all fronts, but that's because it is older design, but I believe still capable of taking great shots if the light is right. If however the low light is an issue then upgrade to a newer model and light lens (Sigma and Tamron have some decent, cheaper alternatives to original Nikkor lenses) makes sense. I upgraded from Nikon d40x to d5300 only a year or two ago, and that really made a difference, yet d40x was still capable of doing fine outdoor. The difference was huge, though.
magicbastarder wrote: » the 'standard' resolution for printing photos is 300dpi (i.e. dots, or pixels, per inch). at this resolution, the 3100 would print a 15" x 10" print. the 3500 would print a 20" x 13" print - i.e. only 25% longer per side. that would be on good quality paper, you would get away with a much lower resolution (i.e. higher print size) on something like canvas. is she getting blurry photos?
magicbastarder wrote: » the very first thing i would suggest - and this is hackneyed advice, but for a good reason - is to consider the nikon 35mm f1.8 lens. to explain, the f1.8 in the designation is primarily about how wide the opening in the lens is to let light through to the sensor. this means you can use it in lower light, but also has an effect on the photo quality itself. for various reasons, the f1.8 means it'll let in four times as much light as the f3.5 of the lens that she has. so where she might be taking photos in low light which are coming out blurry on her existing lens (say at 1/15th of a second), the 35mm lens at f1.8 would take those same photos at 1/60th of a second, thus 'freezing' the subject (and shake from her hands) better, and resulting in crisper pictures. the second effect is a more aesthetic one - the f1.8 means that photos have a shallower depth of field - i.e. the parts of the photo which are out of focus will be even more out of focus. despite this sounding like a negative, it's much better at reducing the effect of distracting backgrounds. the lens that comes with the 3500 would probably be as close to identical to the one that came with the 3100, as to make no difference. lenses evolve more slowly than cameras.
Alanstrainor wrote: » I would be worried that she would notice little difference between the old and the new camera. They are both entry level cameras, with similar quality glass. The sensor in the newer one is considerably better given it is much newer, but this is not where most people see a difference imo. Things like 'improving detail' is hard to answer, but I would be almost certain this is an issue with focusing, or improper usage, such as shooting too slow. In terms of shooting inside, or in low light a lens like this is what she needs:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-AF-S-NIKKOR-DX-35-Lens/dp/B00OH4Y15U/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3I4V2QF42U921&keywords=nikon+35mm+f1.8&qid=1574207094&sprefix=nikon+3%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-1 It has a large aperture which allows a lot of light into the camera. Hopefully I'm not confusing things, I just think moving from one entry level to the newer version of the same entry level camera is just asking for disappointment. Most would move up to the next tier of camera in a manufacturers range, even the D5600 would be a step up. A touch screen, face detection with wifi for easy transfer.
enfant terrible wrote: » Cheers lads that's great advice. She seems to want a new camera just to have a new camera so will get her that but will also get the better lens so the upgrade was not in vein
Alanstrainor wrote: » It might be worth getting the D3500 without the kit lens, or as 'body only' as the kit lens will be almost identical to the one she has. Especially considering you're buying the 35mm F1.8. That new lens will be a game changer.
enfant terrible wrote: » Only place I can find body only is here, anyone heard of this site?https://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/p-nikon-d3500-body-black.htm Does the Nikon 35 mm/F 1.8 AF-S G NIKKOR DX-35 mm Lens definitely fit the d3500? It says on amazon "We're not sure this item fits your NIKON D3500" It says it does fit the D3100.
wonski wrote: » All Af-s lenses will work. Actually make sure it is Af-S lens as other vertions will not be fully compatible with 3500 (no auto focus).
enfant terrible wrote: » This says Af-S so is definitely compatible with the D3500?https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-AF-S-NIKKOR-DX-35-Lens/dp/B00OH4Y15U/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3I4V2QF42U921&keywords=nikon+35mm+f1.8&qid=1574207094&sprefix=nikon+3%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-1
enfant terrible wrote: » Hi guys, Wife looking to upgrade her camera, would the Nikon D3500 be a good choice?https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D3500-AF-P-18-55-Kit/dp/B07GZP6JPG?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAI2TWEDSMJWGPXOQQ&tag=camelcamelcam-21&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B07GZP6JPG She mainly uses her camera for family events such as weddings, birthdays etc.
