Reddit reviews Nikon D3200 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX NIKKOR Zoom Lens (Renewed)

Firstly, that's not a DSLR and really won't offer great image quality (its main feature is the big zoom range for use outdoors).

This refurbished DSLR would give you way better image quality:
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-18-55mm-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B00JQQPRGG/ref=sr_1_3

People still shop at Sears???

FYI The newer model D3300 plus kit lens is $399. The D3200 is going for $350 on Amazon, not $399.

Honestly I'd rather buy new from Amazon or Nikon (which has it for less refurb + warranty).

That's $350 refurbished, so $300 is a good deal.

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-18-55mm-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B00JQQPRGG

The 35mm will allow a lot more light to reach the sensor and will allow you to control what areas of the image are in or out of focus to a greater degree (shallow or deep depth of field). It will also probably be sharper, but you'll be giving up the ability to zoom. Personally I would recommend starting with a kit zoom (e.g., the 18-55mm) if you really don't know what you want because you'll probably end up paying very little for it as part of the kit and you might feel quite limited only having 35mm to play with.

Compare the prices here for example: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JQQPRGG/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687442&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B007VGGFZU&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0BXJV7NQY74SR783980W

In my opinion it's well worth the extra $30 just to have the option.


That said, I would absolutely encourage you to consider also getting a fast prime like the 35mm f/1.8 if you can afford it. Not only is it better for the aforementioned reasons, it also might force you to think more creatively because of the inability to zoom.


As for the camera itself, I have a few pieces of advice:

1. Don't forget that mirrorless cameras are just as viable of an option as DSLRs (especially if you care more about portability than fast autofocus).
   
   
2. Always consider the lenses you might eventually want when you buy into a new system.
   
   
3. Don't feel like you need to buy the most recent model and don't be afraid to buy used or refurbished. The differences between the yearly iterations of entry/mid-level cameras are often negligible.
   
   
4. For DSLRs, look at Nikon, Canon, and Pentax.
   For mirrorless, look at Olympus, Sony, Fuji, and Panasonic.
   Canon and Nikon may be the most well known names in cameras, but their mirrorless options are pretty sub-par.

If you're not exactly sure, the kit lenses might not be a bad choice. I started off on my 18-55mm + 55-200mm and learned a lot, but if you're looking for more...

Well, for portrait, the 50mm will probably be good on the cropped sensor. Some people argue otherwise, but it's worked well for me. Also, the 50mm f/1.8 would be good for those low-light situations, since (at least on the D3000), performance at high ISO's isn't spectacular.

I don't know too much about landscape photography, so I wouldn't be too much help there. A wide-angle lens would probably be good for that (something like a 35mm or shorter).

Here's a link to /r/photography's wiki for these kinds of things.

Edit: Also, I would recommend that, before you go off and buy a ton of equipment, you learn a little bit about the "exposure triangle" and basic DSLR stuff so that you can accurately evaluate what you really need. Sometimes the best way to learn is by getting your feet wet and shooting, making mistakes, trial-and-error, etc. At the same time, it's nice to know a little bit before you drop that much money on stuff you might not need.

Edit 2: Here's a refurbed D3200 for cheap. This wouldn't be too bad, just pick up a memory card and shoot a lot (assuming it comes with the charger?). Then you still have a lot left over to put towards whatever lens you decide you need after you've learned the basics.

Newbie about to pull the trigger on my first camera. Interested in everyday photograph and landscape photography. My budget is pretty low (broke grad student).

I found this refurbished D3200 body + lens kit on amazon that seems nice. However, there's 2 different ones listed on amazon at $349 and $329, but i'm not sure what the difference between the two are. Is it just the zoom lens?

$349: https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-18-55mm-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B00JQQPRGG/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1466480072&sr=8-6&keywords=3200+refurbished

$329: https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Camera-18-55mm-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B00RM73X8A/ref=pd_cp_421_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=G0GSH13Q5Z3P7032ZJKE

Any help would be greatly appreciated!