DSLR Cameras

[HunterAK]

After a lot of research, I decided to buy the recently discontinued Nikon D40 as my first DSLR camera. Living in Alaska, I have taken some pretty amazing shots, but I'm hoping to step it up a level now.

Does anyone have any experience with this camera or with DSLR's in general?

I'm well aware of the pro's and cons of the D40. I did TONS of research, but I was on a pretty tight budget and Best Buy ran a sale on the D40 after it was announced that it was discontinued April 1. $429.00 for the camera and kit lens. Free shipping, even to AK. I also had $75 in gift cards, so total was $355.00. I made out pretty good I think. After only a few days, the price went up to $449.00 which is a deal that is still running right now through www.bestbuy.com and you can't find a brand new one for that price anywhere else, so if anyone's interested, get it while it's hot.

I was looking at Canon too (xsi or xti), but chose this Nikon mainly for economic reasons.

Any amateur photographers out there?

 

[brianhoberg]

Sorry, I got a Nikon D300S for Christmas. I've played with the D40 and from what I remember, it had good zoning and pretty straight on color management but I've never owned it.

 

[knewsom]

I'm holding out for a Nikon that has HD movie mode and a 35mm image sensor so I can use my old lenses the way they were meant to be used.

 

[Ed Cheung]

For $355, I would say go for it and enjoy it. The basic features are all there and differences between new and old is that the new one pushes the ISO further up and had a bigger sensor. As long as you know the N brand is going to be the system that you will want to build up your system on. Further down the road you will be getting a few more lens, so take a look at they lens line up as well.

 

[clalor]

Further down the road you will be getting a few more lens, so take a look at they lens line up as well.

x2. There are some pretty big differences between the lens lineups of the two companies. I don't know how the normal and wide ranges compare, but Canon has a much better selection in the telephoto and telephoto zoom categories.

 

[Mike_Rupp]

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm

He is a fan of the small Nikon DSLRs. I read his manual for the D200 and he does a good job of pointing you in the right direction with the camera.

 

[clalor]

Another D40 review: http://bythom.com/d40review.htm

 

[HunterAK]

x2. There are some pretty big differences between the lens lineups of the two companies. I don't know how the normal and wide ranges compare, but Canon has a much better selection in the telephoto and telephoto zoom categories.

Nikon and Canon blow out the competition in the lens category, but honestly, I don't see myself buying more then 1 or 2 more lenses, ever.

 

[Blueboy]

the Ken Rockwell site is very good.

Jaime

 

[varova87]

I do a lot of amateur shooting, even sell some of it. Nowhere near as good as most, but I love it. I sprung for a D90 a few months ago before my Africa trip and am in love with it.

 

[HunterAK]

I do a lot of amateur shooting, even sell some of it. Nowhere near as good as most, but I love it. I sprung for a D90 a few months ago before my Africa trip and am in love with it.

That is the camera I hope to end up with one day, but from what I've read, the D40 will stay in my arsenal no matter what I get in the future as a back-up kind of camera that I can take anywhere... and I will be taking it outdoors a LOT so if I break it, I won't cry too much.

If I was rich, I would have gotten the D90 right away. :smilelol:

 

[clalor]

Nikon and Canon blow out the competition in the lens category, but honestly, I don't see myself buying more then 1 or 2 more lenses, ever.

Given how good the reviews of Nikon's 18-200 mm super zoom are, you might not even need more than one.

What lenses are you looking at?

 

[HunterAK]

the Ken Rockwell site is very good.

Jaime

It is... and he is freakishly in love with the D40 for some reason. He seems to know his shit, I'll give him that, but I wonder if he is biased towards Nikon's.

It seems like there are Nikon people and there are Canon people, both of whom think their brand is superior.

I've always owned Canon's but just point and shoot type cameras. I have held the Nikon dslr's and they don't seem to be as cramped as the Canon's. It takes some super small hands to get comfortable with the Canon's, but maybe it's just me.

They are both great brands and I would spring for either, but now that I will be going Nikon in a dslr, I will probably stick with them...

 

[Mike_Rupp]

If you read his site a bunch, he will call a spade a spade. He seems to really like the ergonomics and operations of the Nikon compared to the Canons, but he does point out that the Canon 5d has better ultimate picture quality than the Nikons.

Most people get really caught up in what camera is better, but honestly the camera itself really doesn't matter that much. It is the guy taking the picture. Sinuhe can take better pictures with an iPhone than most of us can shoot with a fancy DSLR.

 

[HunterAK]

Given how good the reviews of Nikon's 18-200 mm super zoom are, you might not even need more than one.

What lenses are you looking at?

Either the 18-200mm VR or the 55-200mm VR, which is about $350.00 cheaper and the only reason I'd choose it other than the fact that it's lighter, but then again, I'd have to carry it and the kit lens 18-55 at the same time to do what the 18-200mm can do.

This is all from what I've read mind you. I'm no expert.

There's also a strong recommendation to get one of Nikon's speedlight external flashes (SB400, SB600, or SB800), but that may be down the line for me. I've always loved photography, but I'm new to the more advanced stuff. I have a lot to learn and a lot more research and practice ahead of me...

 

[jrose609]

It's not the camera that makes a good photographer........I have a D90, but for some reason, it doesn't take near as good of pictures as when Ben Bailey shoots with it.....Can't figure that one out.

 

[clalor]

Most people get really caught up in what camera is better, but honestly the camera itself really doesn't matter that much. It is the guy taking the picture. Sinuhe can take better pictures with an iPhone than most of us can shoot with a fancy DSLR.

If only more people realized/remembered that. Do your research, pick your tool, and then USE it.

There's also a strong recommendation to get one of Nikon's speedlight external flashes (SB400, SB600, or SB800), but that may be down the line for me.

The SB800 is some good stuff. I had one when I owned my D70. Last I checked the used prices on it were close to 33% higher than new. That may have had something to do with the SB900, which I heard wasn't well received.

 

[HunterAK]

Most people get really caught up in what camera is better, but honestly the camera itself really doesn't matter that much. It is the guy taking the picture. Sinuhe can take better pictures with an iPhone than most of us can shoot with a fancy DSLR.

I realize this, which is why I'm only investing $350 in an entry level dslr that I'm going to use the crap out of until I master it before I invest any more money into it. I just find myself in so many crazy situations outdoors and every time I kick myself that I don't have a nicer camera, so I've eliminated that excuse for now...

 

[The Limey]

wanna know the truth...Just buy a small point and shoot camera and keep it in the truck or close by for those opportunities that arise...I have a Nikon D90 and to be honest unless Im going to a shooting match I dont use it anywhere near enough to justify its purchase...just too big to keep around in many cases...My little canon Sd900 goes everywhere ...plus theres less chance of missing the shot due to having the wrong settings or just not habving a camera period...

 

[LR Max]

A few things:

The D40 is solid. You'll be able to take some eggscellent photos.

55-200, procure. They can be had for cheap either new or off craigslist. Oh, FYI, nikon lenses either work or they don't. I think I've only ever bought 2 lenses brand new, rest were used. No problems so don't be afraid of used lenses. Pretty much the same for all photography equipment except for camera bodies, batteries and memory cards. So if you see bags, tripods, etc for cheap used, go for it. You'll save a BUNDLE in the long run.

On bags, get Lowepro. I've got 10 friggen bags but my two Lowepros get used 99.995% of the time. They just work. And get the rain cover. TRUST ME.

You need photoshop. End of conversation. Procure. Elements will do everything you'll want and can be had for under $100 (less if you have a student ID). The camera won't post process your photos so you'll need to tinker with them to make them super bitchin'.

Tripod. Procure.

Do you know how the camera works? I'm not attempting to insult you, but if you don't, PM me your email address. I have a write up on the basics of photography. Its said very plainly and has helped a number of peoples.

Your D40 won't allow you to take great photos inside without a flash. Just a little FYI, so don't get all pissed off when your indoor photos blow. Pop the flash. Deal with it.

Skip on the SB400. God damn it sucks. Get the SB-600...at least.

The kit lens is actually a very good lens. Very sharp. Remember this.

Memory cards: 1st off, get from amazon/another online place. You can get fast memory cards for cheap. You want fast. It'll save you a lot of heartache when you are taking action shots. 2 gig cards are plenty for the D40, even when shooting RAW. Don't need to get anything bigger. For your application, I'd get 2 or 3. BUY SANDISK. They just work with no problems.

For now, shoot with the sun to your back, until you figure out flash and sync speed. The D40 will work well for you when you get to this point.

1 hour after sunrise and 1 hour before sunset = bestest times for photos. Remember this.

Photo walks, go on them. Now.

A lot of other photographers are stuck up douche bags. Don't be afraid to ignore them/tell them to go pound sand. You'll soon figure out who is good and who isn't. The skilled ones, watch them.

Choose converting the black and white carefully. Don't get cliche.

Flickr, get an account.

Lastly, GET OUT THERE AND SHOOT. Being on the internet reading/playing with DOF calculators/talking about photography doesn't do shit for your skillz. Getting out there, trying, failing, then analyzing what went wrong will do 547853905729x more for you than listening to a talking head on youtube.