Nikon D3200

[mark smyth]

Does anyone use the Nikon D3200? How have you found it? I want to buy a DSLR before snowdrop season comes

[John Aipassa]

No experience with the Nikon D3200 Mark, but I would recommend a good macro lens. You''ll get even more stunning photos of snowdrops with a macro lens than with the regular lens you'll get with the body.

[Anthony Darby]

With 24 million pixels and a good lens you can crop and still have a good quality image.

[Paddy Tobin]

Mark, I'm not entirely sure but I think the D3200 is an update on the D200 which is the camera I have for the last few years. I had a look at it on the internet and it has the same general appearance though a little more rounded and, perhaps, slightly smaller. These are probably simply a consequence of the ability of the manufacturers to make the electronics smaller. I like the big size - small chunky fingers which find the feel and grip of the D200 very comfortable in the hand.

Presuming it is a development of the D200, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. I  use mine with the kit  lens which arrived with it for all general photography and have a macro lens for flower photography and am very happy with this arrangement. Were I to invest further I would like another body with a lens on each as I never change lens when outside or away as I fear getting dust/dirt into the body. Perhaps, I am too cautious/nervous about this but that is how I do it.

The controls on the body will give you a great range of options for your photographs and the addition of a macro lens would suit your photography perfectly. Unfortunately, the macro lens are very expensive but do give great photographs. The kit lens gives excellent results; it's just you become used to a macro lens and it is nice to use.

Can't think of the company in Belfast where I bought my camera and lens but they were very good to deal with and their prices were competitive.

[Anthony Darby]

I think this is an entry level  DSLR camera with lots of new features. I have a D300, which was the D200 replacement. The D300 was replaced by the D600, which is a full frame version. The D700 and the new D800 are also FX (full frame), but the latter is 36 mega-pixels and more for the professional photographer.

[Pennine Wanderer]

Mark,  An excellent camera to look at is the Panasonic Lumix TZ30.  I have just sold my Canon DSLR bodies and lenses, including macro.  When I saw the quality of the photos produced by the Panasonic, including macro, I wondered why I had spent all the money on bodies, lenses etc.  It has a twenty times zoom and is a whole lot cheaper than going down the DSLR road plus it is a lot lighter to carry.

[John Aipassa]

Mark,

If dust and water proof is on your list of specs for a DSLR camera maybe you can also take a look at the Pentax K-30.

Formerly a Nikon DSLR fan, but now a Pentax DSLR user, I must say Pentax is as equally good as Nikon is in my opinion.

[John Aipassa]

Mark,

If dust and water proof is on your list of specs ..........

That should state water resistant instead of water proof......sorry for that  . The camera is weather proof.

My current Pentax DSLR is weather proof too. Took it with me in the woods, on a boat, the beach, etc. in all kinds of weather. Never had a problem with dust and rain water unless you want to switch lenses when it is raining .

[mark smyth]

Nikon D3000 became Nikon D3100 and now it's the D3200

I want to get in to bird photography which why I would like a DSLR

[John Aipassa]

Than you'll need a good (super) telephoto lens too.

[Anthony Darby]

The D300 is certainly not weather proof.

[Paul T]

I have a Lumix for my photography as well, but it's a few years old now.  No good for birds I think, which I'll be looking into when I replace it soon.  I'd like to be able to do some decent distance photography as well.  Doubting I'll be able to afford it though.

[mark smyth]

Any views on Tamron and Sigma lenses? Amazon has some good deals.
eg http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tamron-AF-70-300mm-F4-5-6-Macro/dp/B000HPBTTO/ref=sr_1_18?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1351536246&sr=1-18

[Rick R.]

I have a Tamron 35-70 macro lens on my Minolta film camera.   Love it.  But I have always wondered about those long telephoto macro lenses.  How does it let enough light in to get good depth of field in the macro setting?  Am I just being too skeptical?

[John Aipassa]

My macro lens is a Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Di. I am very happy with this one on my DSLR.

I also used to own a Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di for my Nikon DSLR. When you need the 300 mm telelens mode for your bird watching photos, you'll need a tripod or whatever to get clear pictures. Because of the distance between the camera and the bird you'll need to be still otherwise the wanted bird or whatever will most probably not be sharp and focused. Was happy with that lens too.

No experience with a Sigma lens though.