Anyone use Nikon cameras or know about cameras?

Hey y'all!

Was wanting to get an overall nice quality IDIOT proof camera. I wanted one that could keep up with taking photos of my son with his sports games and the dogs running around all crazy. I was told that Nikon D3300 would be good for me? I pretty much have only used my iPhone for the past 5 years or so I don't really know much about cameras. I wouldn't need a fancy photographer type of camera just a nice, everyday one but one that can take moving photos and make it still/focused. Is this a good one for a noob like me? Or is there a different one you guys suggest? ... cause you know.... dog photos are SUPER IMPORTANT!! :P We have to win dog of the month!!!! hahaha
Thanks!

Here's some crappy iPhone beach photos!







It's all blurry... and grainy... lol yay iPhone!!!

 

Your action pictures come out better than mine do!

 

Which iPhone to you have?

 

Currently I have the iPhone7 got it last fall. It's not too bad for close up shots but it's pretty bad at anything else that's not directly in front of it.

Thanks!! Sounds simple enough! I think I'm going to go with it then. I don't need a new graphics card for a while since I did a huge upgrade on my rig so I'll just take the money and buy a memory card and the camera instead!! Hehehe! Any suggestions for the memory card?

 

I like how Roxy's mouth is opened ready to eat the wave in almost every shot she's in... LOL- It's amazing how she didn't get the runs from all that dang salt water!

 

I have the 1080 and my old one is the GTX970 but I upgraded my son's rig so he has my 970 but I do have the 700 series here doing nothing and the 480 which is SUPER oldie but still a goodie!! Honestly the 480 runs games just as well as the 760! I'm not entirely sure if I have the 770 or the 760, lol I have to double check. Either ways, you can have either the 480 or whichever 700 I have if you want. Let me know, it's yours.

 

...and then get Battlefield 1 and 3 for PC so I can shank you and tbag you! :P

 

I have been researching this issue lately. Choice of and affordability of lenses is an important consideration.

 

TWadeJ brings up an important consideration. Most entry level DSLR cameras are more or less going to be a wash as far as one being better than another in any sort of significant way. It is the lenses that are far and away the important part of the equation. Some kit lenses are better than others, that's where reading reviews becomes important. Ideally for dog photography you'll want to find something that focuses relatively quickly and has some decent reach (longer focal length). The tough thing when starting out is being able to guess what focal length to get. Lots of cheaper kits come with an 18-55, which is more or less on the landscape/portrait end of the spectrum. For what I do, lots of unleashed hiking photos, my 70-200 is pretty close to ideal. The average user might find the most use somewhere in between the two. Something like an 18-200 might be ideal for somebody starting out, though probably a bit more spendy. If you know of anyone at all who has some DSLR gear that might be willing to give you a quick run down and try out lenses to get a sense of what suits your need best, definitely take advantage.

I know you said you want something simple, but if you go the DSLR route I implore you to do some reading on "the exposure triangle" and to learn to shoot in manual mode. It might seem overwhelming at first, but it really doesn't take that long to catch on if you are committed and will be the difference between average and awesome pictures. Light is everything in photography, and automatic modes on cameras essentially just try to balance light on their own as best they can by altering the settings. Usually works good on slow or non-moving objects in daylight, but fast moving animals or poor lighting conditions can be more challenging.....those are the days where knowing what settings to adjust will make all the difference.

I'd also suggest considering looking at used stuff. There can be some good deals on more expensive lenses. DSLR gear is built quite sturdy, and I've yet to meet anyone who spends $500+ on a camera and treats it poorly so there is generally little to worry about buying used. Just to illustrate my point there, my sister has had her 60D for like 5 or 6 years now and it still works fine. She usually breaks at least 2 cell phones a year.

 

Oh wow, thanks for your help Novy. You do take amazing photos! I have quite more reading to do now on this stuff.

EW, I don't play COD :P My husband plays that crap franchise. I stick to battlefield series and titan fall now a days. Here's a link to the specs (it's an older card but can handle most stuff) https://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-760/specifications

 

I have a Nikon D5200 that I bought because it was faster for action shots than the D3200. You're probably not looking to spend $1000 on a camera and accessories though lol

 

-unoriginal, what is your take on the mirrorless cameras like the Sony Alpha 7 II?

 

Haha I'm not the person to ask. I used to stay updated on technology but cameras were never my forte. I haven't done proper research in a long time so I don't even know what you're referring to lol

 

I use a Nikon D3100, I'm able to get some pretty decent shots with it. I use an 18-55 and a 55-200 lease with it. You could probably stalk my old photo threads here to see some examples