Nikon SLR Cameras

Beginner SLR lens question?

Guest
12.05.2018
Guest

I have decided to buy a Nikon D3200 as my first camera for vlogging. I plan to go to New York and I want to film during early mornings and late nights where it will range from dark(store/street lights)-almost completely dark. Does anyone know if there are cheap video stabilized wide angle lenses with apertures 2.8 or below? Will I have to use a portable light? Will that portable light cancel out the necessity of a low aperture?

Fauxtonic
12.05.2018
Fauxtonic

Do yourself a huge a favor and do NOT buy a Nikon for video. Of all brands, Nikon is among the worst for when it comes to video. While Nikons are generally exceptional at focusing, when in video mode however, Nikon reverts to an old and antiquated system. This leads to the camera drifting its focusing. This even happens on their flagship D5 camera, which has received apauling reviews regarding its video performance.

The D3xxx series from Nikon do not have internal focusing motors, therefore you will be limited in which lenses you can buy that will still focus on the camera. You would be far better off with a camcorder for making videos. The lenses within camcorders are already equipped with large f/1.8 apertures and with image stabilization. For the price of a low-end DSLR like the D3200 and an f/2.8 zoom lens, you can buy a 4K camcorder with better features and performance. Unless you need one device to make videos and photos, there's literally no logical reason to buy a still camera for video. But, if you just have to have a still camera for both, then go with something like the Sony A6500 or the Panasonic GH4. The GH4 is an old Micro 4/3 camera, but even at it's age, it's still vastly superior in functionality and performance than any Nikon at any price.

You're probably shopping on amazon- don't. Amazon has 3rd-party sellers that aren't authorized Nikon dealers. If you buy a Nikon from an unauthorized dealer and have to get it repaired, Nikon will not honor the warranty. Amazon doesn't have the shopping filters that allow you to quickly and easily see what lenses are on the market. Go to camera shop websites like adorama.com and bhphotovideo.com. Both are real camera stores that serve amateur and professionals for nearly 50 years. They do have excellent websites that allow you to quickly and easily filter your search results to just those products that have the features that you want, and they are authorized dealers for everything that they sell. Price won't be an issue since all of the major brands prohibit anyone from selling their gear at a lower price than what they set it to be. Nikon and Canon are no different which is why every single website sells their gear at the same exact price. You're more likely to get a better price by buying your gear from a local camera shop which can possibly make you a deal on a package.

John P
14.05.2018
John P

For video work in general buy a good camcorder. For video work in low light especially, buy a good camcorder.