Newbie just bought a D3200...

[96Firebird]

It is a refurb, but it is my first SLR camera so I figure it would be a good camera to learn on. Comes with the kit lens, 18-55mm. Looking to learn the basics, and take some decent shots of my dog or my car, or whatever I find interesting. Mostly still photos, so I'll probably pick up a simple tripod. Also need an SD card, any suggestions? Or just pick up whatever I find for a good price? Anything else I should be looking at? I'll take a peek at the sticky thread for resources...

 

[zCypher]

I'd get any cheap SD card of a reputable brand, and just buy several. That way you can keep backups and have spares in case of failures. The D3200 is a great camera, I'm sure you'll be pleased. You should also get a bag of some sort for the camera. I wouldn't worry too much about getting much more stuff as you'll discover just what you want to get, as you learn and find out what kind of pics you like to shoot. Lot of good information and helpful members here, so poke around and pick their brains.

 

[slatr]

If you like to move around a lot, consider getting a monopod now, tripod later.

 

[biostud]

I'll copy paste from another thread:

A good way to get a feeling about what you can do, without having too many controls at the same time:

Use A (Aperture mode), use the wheel to compose your shots, both regarding focus depth and light sensitivity. With this setting you can change your Aperture, while other settings run on auto. At F3.5 you get most light sensitivity, but sacrifice focus depth. At higher values you get wider focus depth, but needs more light.

Set Auto ISO max 1600, this prevents the pictures from getting too grainy, and you don't have to worry about ISO settings.

Set minimum shutter speed 1/100, 1/160 or 1/200 depending on how steady your hands are. This minimize the risk of shaken pictures.

This way you can easily compose your pictures, and manage to get good results.

Example:

 

[CuriousMike]

I'll copy paste from another thread:

^-- What he said.

Don't start buying stuff until you've used the camera for awhile and know get a better idea of what you need ( vs. want. )

Understanding aperture/shutter speed/ISO sensitivity and how you can control your camera's focus points will get you comfortable with using the camera.
Then the rest of your life will be spent on actually learning how to compose good shots.

 

[96Firebird]

Thanks for the advice guys... I ordered a Transcend 32GB SDHC card, Class 10 UHS-1. It was the same price as the regular class 10 card, and a few bucks more expensive than the 16GB version. At $22.00, seemed like a decent deal.

That is all I am buying until I get some play time with the camera, which should arrive tomorrow. I'm excited to start learning and practicing. Ever since I sold these cameras at Circuit City back in 2008, I have wanted one. But could never justify spending the money for one. Now I get to play...

 

[dkkruse]

Get off the Green mode right away and start with P, use the +/- to vary exposure. + makes the picture brighter and - makes it darker. Then read above and start asking lots of questions.
Start using some photo editing software as well. Pixlr is free online and does a pretty good job.

 

[AViking]

You did good. I thought I'd throw 2 cents in though since someone said just buy any old SD card. That's not the greatest advice in case you buy an older slower card.

My old 8GB cards from my old Nikon were fine for that camera but if I try to use them in my D600 they are too slow and it makes using the camera a chore. Buy a cheap card, sure, but make sure it's fast enough to process a whole bunch of your 20+MP RAW+JPEG shots in burst mode.

 

[AViking]

Also, I have 3x32GB cards for my D600. I have yet to use the 3rd one. There are not going to be many situations where you're taking over 1000 RAW+fine shots and can't get to a computer. I get 480 shots per card.