But, I want it NOW!!!    Thanks for the help Nikonian. Just part of the learning process and I will have to learn it. Even though this was an 'entry level' camera, I don't think I'll talk my wife into another camera for a LONG while. 

John

Good Morning Nikonian,

Thanks for the ideas. With your prompting, I think I can provide SOME of the additional data during the problems I experienced . . .

1) Now that you mention it, camera may have been in continuous mode, live view

2) I think most were outdoors, cloudy bright. There could have been an event with early morning or late evening. Lenses I was shooting

     a\ the most was Nikon DX VR AF-P Nikkor 70-300 1:4.5-6.3 G ED

     b\ Also could have been with my Nikon DX VR AF-S Nikkor 18-140 1:3.5-5.6 G ED. So, not 'fast' lenses.

3) Memory cards in use

     a\ SD Lexar Platinum II 16 GB Class 10

     b\ micro SD SanDisk Ultra Plus 64 GB Class 10 in a SanDisk microSD Adapter (had not planned on using the micro in my camera. Through a MAJOR SNAFU, left my newly purchased SD Cards at home. Had this micro in my phone and the reader in my computer kit, formatted it and tossed it into service)

     c\ bought while traveling Delkin Devices Advantage 32 GB UHS-I

4) Settings . . . I'm sure you have some specifics in mind, I'll guess at a few:

     a\ as mentioned, probably occurred 'Continuous' Mode

     b\ Started out shooting RAW + JPEG fine. Ended up shooting JPEG fine when I falsely thought I was running out of storage space

     c\ Image Size - Large

     d\ Focus Mode: Viewfinder AF-S; Live AF-F

     e\ for the 70-140mm lens: Focus 'A' and VR 'On'

Thanks again for the help. LOTS to learn in these cameras! Back in 35mm SLR days I understood the basics and this is leapfrogging those with the power of even a 'basic' camera like the D3500.

John

Just came back from almost two weeks of vacation and used my new D3500 quite a bit. Got some decent pictures, but ran into problems several times. We were away from Internet a lot and I did not have the manual, so that confounded my issue, which was . . .

Several times I was in the middle of taking multiple pictures and it would stop allowing me to take any more. Looking back, the issue MAY have repeated when using 'Live View' to take a picture, as I remember seeing the green 'focus box' turning red (don't get that in the viewfinder), and it not shooting. I could not remember at the time how to tell how many pictures were left on the card (have since figured that out, duh!). I immediately assumed the card was full, shut the camera down and dropped in a new card. It was NOT full. One time I changed both the card and the battery as the last battery symbol was flashing.

In retrospect, the cards had plenty of room left on them and I think shutting the camera off and turning it back on solved the issue. Question is, what IS the issue? I've googled this for the D3500 and not found anything yet. There is no firmware update. It's very inconvenient.

Thanks for help or suggestions for this new DSLR photographer.

John

P.S. Just found this about 'DBS' (Dead Battery Syndrome) . . . did have 'Low' battery one time, the others, changed the card.

http://www.dslrbodie...perate-all.html

Thanks for this information ScottinPollock, just placed an order for these, along wih a Manfrotto Pixi Evo. 

John

I have used Wasabi batteries and chargers for both Nikon and Lumix cameras for years without issue. They are based in the US, claim to use Japanese cells, and offer a three year warranty.

 

https://www.bluenook...n-el14-en-el14a

Greetings Marat,

I'm getting back into photography with a first DSLR . . . bought for an upcoming trip to Alaska. I'm HOPING that we might see some Northern Lights on the trip. If we do, I'll be that much more prepared, thanks to your great article.

Cheers!

John

@Snorky - had read that some of these lenses had plastic bodies. Guess that's what you get when you don't pay $800 for a lens? <grin>

Watched a photographer's YouTube video about shooting with a 70-300 lens toward the 300mm end of things, with and without tripod. The gist of it - if you have VR, you can probably get away with shooting without a tripod.

Ted's Electronics on the Bay has a brand new Nikon 70-300mm VR AFP f/4.5-6.3 DX ED, with some accessories for $187.98. Very up front about it being 'Grey Market':

 

 

Every item purchased through TEDS Electronics has a 1 yr. warranty covering manufacturer defect starting date of purchase which can be upgraded to a 3 yr. Mack warranty at a min. fee.


This item may be grey market, but since it has a warranty it does not necessarily matter…. 

There are also Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR Lens - Refurbished by Nikon and sold by Adorama; 90 factory warranty and 1-year protection plan from SquareTrade - $14.99. That might be the way to go.

John

Thanks ScottinPollock! I had seen one like that but did not realize there was another plate on the side; thought that was stabilization. Looks like it will do nicely.

Cheers!

John

https://www.ebay.com...0-/163359018002

@ScottinPollock: Sounds like the 'L' Bracket you are referring to has a mounting plate/foot on both surfaces? 

@All: Lots of good information. Any suggestions for size of a plate for a D3500? Or does it matter greatly?

Thanks for the help!

John

I like an "L" bracket so I don't have to flip the head over 90° to shoot portrait. I can use it with a nodal rail so I can avoid parallax when shooting panos.

 

There are scads of Chinese made arca-swiss plates, clamps, and brackets on eBay that cost next to nothing and are of surprisingly good quality.

Good Morning,

Getting back into photography with my first DSLR, the D3500. I have what I think is a decent full-size tripod from back in my SLR days . . . an aluminum Velbon VE-3C, pan-head, flip-latch lock legs. I'm looking at future accessories and have read references to moving toward the Arca-Swiss Quick Release System. Sooooo, it looks like I can get a plate for the bottom of my camera and a clamp-mount system that my existing pan-head will screw into.

What size plate do I want for my D3500? I see them in 'Universal' models, anywhere from 40mm to 120mm. Flat plates, 'lipped' plates and 'L' shaped plates.

The two mini tripods that I had are both inadequate for the size and weight of the D3500, so I'm looking at something like the Manfrotto PIXI EVO for a packable tripod.

Thanks for any ideas on the bottom plate.

John

Getting back into photography with a Nikon D3500 and the Nikkor 18-140mm VR Lens (and the stock Nikkor 18-55mm VR Lens). Have several old 35mm Cameras, including an Olympus OMG SLR. I'm going to have to relearn using shutter and aperture priority, as well as exploring other features. Just ordered the camera today and am sure I'll have questions after I get it later this week. Speaking of, I'm off to the 'Beginners' area to do just that. 

Cheers!

John