Hi!
I did a thing and bought a new camera. I probably could have held out for a while longer, but I couldn’t resist any longer. SORRY, CREDIT CARD… I got the Nikon D3400. It’s my first DSLR camera and I am kind of nervous about it, because I have no idea how to use the thing (well the manual mode)! The other one I have is just a Nikon CoolPix and it’s just a basic point-and-shoot camera, so there really isn’t a whole lot to that one.
I was pinning a ton of beginner guides and tips for DSLR cameras days before getting it. I watched YouTube videos all weekend and I’m still like “WHAT?!”. This is going to be a challenge, that’s for sure! I’m up for it though and I am determined to master manual mode. A lot of places on the internet and reviews of the camera itself say that the Nikon D3400 is perfect for beginners, so that’s good.
I like that with the Nikon D3400 I can buy different types of lenses for it. You can’t change lenses with the point-and-shoot one. I definitely need a macro lens and a zoom lens. I live for taking pictures of flowers, so I want a good macro lens. I also live for taking pictures of the moon, so I want a good zoom lens. The standard lens it comes with doesn’t zoom very good. Lenses are not cheap (one of the ones I want is $130!), so it’ll probably be quite awhile before I can get any others. I’m fine with that though, because I should probably just master the DSLR manual mode with the standard lens first before introducing different lenses, haha.
Here are a couple pictures I took with the camera. The flowers were just in the macro mode setting (which is like my CoolPix) and the ones of my kitten Leaf I tried to play around with the partial manual mode a little bit.
I got this an e-book from my library this weekend about how to use a DSLR camera and read it. It was pretty good and beneficial. Lots of good information. I’m still a little lost as far as everything goes though, lol! It’s just SO MUCH TO REMEMBER AND KNOW! I am so stoked to have this camera though and I can’t wait to really play around with it and start learning. The weather was pretty crappy all weekend (cloudy and rainy) and it’s supposed to be all week too, ugh. Hopefully I’ll get some good opportunities to try it out ASAP! Luckily I have a ton of school work I’ve been neglecting, so that’ll keep me busy all week until I can really dive into playing with my new camera once the weather gets nicer again. Ugh, rain. Ugh, Florida.
I need to post my photo a day pictures soon. I haven’t posted since days 1-6 and it’s already been eight more days of pictures. I need to catch up with that post!
In case you missed it;
Top Ten Tuesday|| Favorite Color Book Covers.
Photo A Day|| May 1-6.
I hope you have a great day!
socially awkward bookworm. 
I have been wanting to buy a camera too and I am like you, only ever owned a camera that you press the photo button on and its done, let alone one with multiple lenses XD
I will definitely look into this one though – thanks ❤
I honestly thought it was going to be simple, but it does feel a little overwhelming. I still haven’t had a chance to really try it out though, so we’ll see. I think this one will be good though, because it seems really beginner friendly. They also have a “guide” mode on the camera that teaches you on the actual camera as you do it.
I’ve got this one! It’s really nice and easy to use. Just keep the manual guide on you and it tells you pretty much everything you need to know 🙂 Enjoy!
I am happy to hear that it’s nice and easy to use. I haven’t had the chance to really go out and use it yet, but I’m looking forward to it. I put the manual guide in my camera bag to carry around with me, haha. 🙂 Thanks!
Ughhh I’ve been wanting my own camera! What made you go with Nikon? Instead of um… that other one… Canon.
The point-and-shoot camera that I have is a Nikon and I really like that one. I read a bunch of reviews for the D3400 and they were great. A lot of the reviewers and Nikon themselves said that it was a great beginner DSLR camera too. Since I’ve never used a DSLR camera before, I figured it would be a good fit for me instead. I also looked at pictures on Instagram of people that had this camera (and one of my IG friends has it) and the picture quality was really great too. The price was a little cheaper than some of the Canon ones I was interested in as well, so that of course helped in my decision too.
That is awesome! It takes amazing photos. I adore your cat. I also have a calico so they have a special place in my heart!
Thanks! 🙂 I love calico cats. I have two calicos and they are pretty awesome. Completely different personalities too, which is always cool.
Wow! It takes great pictures!
Thanks! So far I am pretty impressed with the camera quality. I can’t wait to really take it out and try it. Hopefully the weather gets better ASAP!
I love your pictures. 😍
Thank you! 🙂
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Sometimes it’s okay to give in a little if it’s to treat yourself. Hope you enjoy your new camera and thanks for blessing me with these cute kitty photos!
Thanks! 😀 I’m obsessed with my kitten. I still can’t believe she’s going to be one already (next month).
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good choice with the camera. just go out and click away is the best way to learn. have fun
Thanks!
I just did a post about cameras. Tech guys rate this one as the number 1 beginner camera so good choice! I don’t want to mess around with different lens yet cuz I’m a newbie so I chose the Nikon P900 which is a high end point and shoot with a lens range of 24-2000mm. I looove it!!
Thanks! So far I really like it now that I have been able to use it a bit more. I have a Nikon CoolPix L820, which has nice zoom that I use when I want to take pictures of the moon. I haven’t wanted to spend any money on new lenses for my D3400 yet, because I am still trying to get the hang of it. It’s so much harder to use the manual mode than with a point and shoot. But hopefully I can master it! Great that you’re happy with the Nikon P900! 😀