Nikon D3200

[Peter Maguire]

Mark, both Tamron and Sigma produce good quality independent lenses. The 90 mm Tamron macro that John refers to is widely regarded as one of the best reasonably priced macro lenses - I've been using the older version for years and been very happy with the results (you will have seen what it can do from some of the pictures from when I was over at the Ulster group last year).
I haven't used the Tamron 70-300mm lens but have been using the Sigma version for some time. The 300mm length is fine for many birds and the macro setting that is mentioned involves flicking a switch when it's in the 200-300m focal length range which allows closer focussing than normal. Not a true macro, but I find it a brilliant focal length for photographing dragonflies. The latest version has optical stabilisation (and is about £300-350), but I m using the older version without that facility and whilst it's best use a tripod, you can also use a monopod or rest it on something - I often just use the camera bag if the subject is close to the ground. The big plus for this lens is that they are currently available for £90-110.
I've seen some websites that are a little disparaging about the Sigma lenses, but I've never had any problems with them - the 10-20mm wide angle is superb.

[mark smyth]

thanks Peter

[Ed Alverson]

The greatest challenge I found when I switched from a film SLR (Olympus OM1) to digital SLR (Canon Xti) was the greatly reduced size of the image when viewed through the viewfinder.  This is in large part due to the crop factor that is a function of the size of the sensor. I find that the image in the viewfinder is small enough that I usually cannot focus manually.

There is a web site: http://snapsort.com/learn/viewfinder-size that gives a good comparison of the viewfinder size for a number of digital SLR's. For this reason I am contemplating buying a new digital SLR that has a full size sensor - not for the extra pixels, but to make it easier to compose and focus while looking through the viewfinder. Even for crop-sensor DSLR's, it seems like Nikon provides a larger viewfinder than comparable Canon cameras.

I recommend any first-time DSLR buyer test out the camera before buying.

Ed

[Anthony Darby]

I've been looking (not seriously, I might add) at the D800, which is FX rather than DX and over 30 Mpixels.

[John Aipassa]

I can understand wanting a full frame over a cropped frame Anthony, but the fx is still on the higher end of the price range 

[mark smyth]

Does anyone use a right angle viewer? How do you rate it?

[pontus]

I use the Nikon D90, and for plants closeups, one of my favourite lenses, the macro 60 mm nikon 2.8, which I have now had for 12 years. I used it with my nikon film bodies and am now using it with my D90 as well

[Peter Maguire]

Does anyone use a right angle viewer? How do you rate it?

I've used one for some time Mark. I find it very useful when photographing low-level subjects as I wear variofocal spectacles and it impossible to see anything through the viewfinder when the subject is close to the ground (like a plant!)
The Nikon one is quite expensive (about £225) I think and I have no experience of it. The one I use is made by Seagull (Chinese company), and is currently on sale for £50 at Premier-Ink where I bought mine. It doesn't quite give you full coverage of the viewfinder at 1:1,and I never use the 2x magnification, but it is fine for precise focussing.

[mark smyth]

Thanks Peter. £35 on Amazon

[Peter Maguire]

There's a comment on one of the Amazon reviews about difficulty in using it with manual focussing as the focus on the angled viewfinder is easily moved. I solve this by focussing the angled viewfinder first, ensuring the the illuminated information on the viewfinder screen is sharp then focussing the lens on the subject. Works every time.

[Jupiter]

Mark I've used the D3200 and it's a very nice camera, especially well suited to plant photography. I have been taking photographs of plants and flowers with Nikon digital SLR cameras for many years I here are my recommendations;

Nikon D3200 - 24 megapixel for capturing loads of detail, light on features not applicable to plant photography.
Nikkor 85mm f/3.5 DX VR Macro lens - the 105 is more magnification than you need for most flowers
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 D - DIRT CHEAP and oh so useful! I use this for 90% of my plant photographs.

[mark smyth]

I bought the D3200 and a 70-300 lens. On my wants list is a 50mm or 100mm macro and a 50-150mm lens.

[Anthony Darby]

I have the AF-S Micro Nikkor 105mm 1:2.8G ED lens, which I find very useful.

[Peter Maguire]

Mark, you'll have to change your signature line now that you've gone over to the dark side. 
(which is the way that Canon users would describe us Nikon owners!)

[ArnoldT]

Mark:

Very interesting topic.

Could you post some images using the new set up when you get the chance.