Anyone using a Nikon D-40. Thoughts

[Salted NutsNE1]

Originally Posted by dhaines

he has some decent reviews and good pics for what he is talking about. If you want another source, this one is good: Thom Hogan's Nikon Field Guide and Nikon Flash Guide

I also like DP review.

What do you have against Ken Rockwell?

Not the best info/advice when you start needing professional equipment.

i.e: he tells you what an newbie wants to hear.

[Touchdown MSU]

Originally Posted by dhaines

I would advise you get an external flash if you are doing a lot of indoor stuff, it makes a huge difference

Originally Posted by MikeJohnson

For sure get an internal flash if you are doing indoor shoting like if you are planning to take it to an indoor sporting event or concert. I still say get the Cannon XTI hands down. You can buy this Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1-Megapixel EOS Digital SLR Camera by Office Depot

for $699

OK at the risk of sounding stupid- does a flash come with the camera body? by internal i meant a flash that's integrated into the body.

[dhaines]

Originally Posted by dhaines

I would advise you get an external flash if you are doing a lot of indoor stuff, it makes a huge difference

Originally Posted by Touchdown MSU

OK at the risk of sounding stupid- does a flash come with the camera body? by internal i meant a flash that's integrated into the body.

sorry - meant to say get the external flash for indoor stuff

[MikeJohnson]

Originally Posted by dhaines

sorry - meant to say get the external flash for indoor stuff

Yes you would need to pay for it but it's well worth it. Trust me you won't regret getting the XTI if you have any questions please feel free to PM me. It's the best bang for your buck and it's very easy to use. For my money it takes the best pictures hands down always go with a Cannon.

[dhaines]

Originally Posted by Salted NutsNE1

Not the best info/advice when you start needing professional equipment.

i.e: he tells you what an newbie wants to hear.

what sites do you prefer? Can you explain what advise he gives that isn't so good?

[Deeelicious]

It's come down in price since the release of the D60, and I've loved it since we bought it. It's basically the same as the D40, with 10 megapixels instead of 6. Everyone will tell you that 6 is plenty, and for 4x6 or even 8x10 it is. Where I've found the extra MP coming in handy is in finding a small portion of a shot that makes a great picture on its own, then blowing that bit up into its own picture.

I agree to start with the stock lens and go from there. I ended up with the 55-200 for arty-farty shots (I have a tripod and took a basic class, trying to mess around with "real" photography, for what it's worth). For the most part, though, I use the stock 18-55; if I'm taking pictures of my son playing with the dog in our living room, I don't need the extra weight and cumbersome-ness of the 55-200, so I like having the 18-55 rather than just having a zoom. Also, while the D60 comes with an 18-55 lens with VR, I've never noticed enough camera shake with that short a lense that I felt I needed VR; I really only notice that with the 200 extended all the way out and hand-held rather than on a tripod, in which case VR makes a big difference.

Anyway, it's a great camera, either the D40 or the D40x. I'm sure the D60 is great as well. What swung us to the Nikon over the Canon was that while the comparable Canon at the time had more features, everything we read and heard was that Nikon lenses were better quality, so that you could really rely on the lens that the Nikon comes with, and with the Canon you'll be more tempted to replace the lense altogether. The Nikon also just felt more solidly constructed to me, and the Canon body felt like a cheaper plastic. That might not mean much at the end of the day, and they both take great pics, but it was enough to swing me into the Nikon camp.

Here are some of my D40X pics: Flickr: Chudfish's Photostream

[tuff bob]

Originally Posted by Touchdown MSU

OK at the risk of sounding stupid- does a flash come with the camera body? by internal i meant a flash that's integrated into the body.

D40 has an internal flash. The SB-400 lets you change the angle of the flash. Ken's site has examples of what you can do with that, basically bounce flash off the wall, so that you don't drown out the area.

I don't know why you're raggin' on Ken, I think he has very good advice for the SLR newbie. Very "common sense" style that's easy to understand.

[Salted NutsNE1]

Originally Posted by rob

The likely reson that you are able to buy the D40 so cheap is because it's a two year old camera that has essentiallybeen replaced by the D40X. I wouldn't be surprised if the D40 is discontinued very shortly.

It wasn't "replaced" smart ass, they were released at the same time. The D40X and the D60 were made to snag idiots who think more megapixels makes a camera automatically better.

[Salted NutsNE1]

Originally Posted by dhaines

what sites do you prefer? Can you explain what advise he gives that isn't so good?

He says his "favorite" camera is the D40.

That's a lie. It's the D300. I can tell by the way he writes about it. But he makes commish money from Amazon, Adorama, B & H, and Ritz, and he'll get more sales back pumping the D40 instead of the D300.

He will bend truth to support his opinions.

He does incredibly useless "sharpness" tests that are only read by newbs.

Thom Hogan is the man. But you have to pay for most of his advice.

Thom Hogan's Nikon Field Guide and Nikon Flash Guide

[Touchdown MSU]

Originally Posted by tuff bob

D40 has an internal flash. The SB-400 lets you change the angle of the flash. Ken's site has examples of what you can do with that, basically bounce flash off the wall, so that you don't drown out the area.

I don't know why you're raggin' on Ken, I think he has very good advice for the SLR newbie. Very "common sense" style that's easy to understand.

I believe that it's Salted Nuts ragging on him- not me.

[dhaines]

Originally Posted by Salted NutsNE1

He says his "favorite" camera is the D40.

That's a lie. It's the D300. I can tell by the way he writes about it. But he makes commish money from Amazon, Adorama, B & H, and Ritz, and he'll get more sales back pumping the D40 instead of the D300.

He will bend truth to support his opinions.

He does incredibly useless "sharpness" tests that are only read by newbs.

Thom Hogan is the man. But you have to pay for most of his advice.

Thom Hogan's Nikon Field Guide and Nikon Flash Guide

what are your thoughts on the D700 vs the D300. I plan to buy one or the other, I got rid of my D70 and bought a D40 to go with either the D700 or D300 whichever I end up getting. I have mostly DX lenses but have not problem buying some new FX lenses.

[MLeagueGreen]

I started this thread a month ago and ended up buying the D40 with the 18-55VR and 70-200VR lens.

The VR I need becuase I have a lot of hand shaking with some health issues. They told me for long distance shots anyone will need it. I got a great deal at Ritz where I got two ffree pritners after rebate and sold them on ebay for 150.00.... Ritz is normally more expensive. My deal also came with a bag and memory.


the 6.1mpx is fine. the lens are what you care about, spend the extra and get the VR lenses. In 2-3 years if you think you need a different body camera then sellth d40 and move up to d80 d40x or whatever is out there.

The body will relatively hold it's value and the lenses will always be roughly the same price.

So, but the d40 with VR lenses is my opinion. I have used it at Yankee stadium, Springsteen show in Boston and Niagra Falls and in 6 days in Berkely California when we go 1-0!!

[dhaines]

Originally Posted by MLeagueGreen

I started this thread a month ago and ended up buying the D40 with the 18-55VR and 70-200VR lens.

The VR I need becuase I have a lot of hand shaking with some health issues. They told me for long distance shots anyone will need it. I got a great deal at Ritz where I got two ffree pritners after rebate and sold them on ebay for 150.00.... Ritz is normally more expensive. My deal also came with a bag and memory.


the 6.1mpx is fine. the lens are what you care about, spend the extra and get the VR lenses. In 2-3 years if you think you need a different body camera then sellth d40 and move up to d80 d40x or whatever is out there.

The body will relatively hold it's value and the lenses will always be roughly the same price.

So, but the d40 with VR lenses is my opinion. I have used it at Yankee stadium, Springsteen show in Boston and Niagra Falls and in 6 days in Berkely California when we go 1-0!!

Dont be so sure about this - check out KEH.com to see what used stuff is going for. I bought a D70 with the 18-70mm (good lens) about 3 years ago for $1200. I just sold it for $500 this weekend and at most $550-600 if I was willing to wait around. Thats not what I consider holding its value, but it does retain some.

Glad you are happy with what you got.

On a side note I went into Ritz this weekend look for a 10.5mm fisheye Nikon DX lens. They wanted $699 for it even after I told them that B&H and Andromada (good reps, not scam) were both selling it for $599. They said they only match local dealers that have it in stock. I asked them what good that does, if someone else had it in stock i would have just bought it for them. I ended up at shutterbug and they basically matched the price - I paid $607