Nikon D40

[Phoenix]

Hey there

So after exactly a year of having a Fuji film Fine pix S5700 I decided to spend my birthday money on it so basically managed to get a great deal of the Nikon D40 body with a 18-55mm lens included so not bad then.
Well had a few tries with it and I am defiantly impressed there seems to be a lot better contrast and a lot more handy helpful features and settings.
So definitely a steal of a deal and well worth the pennies spent on it.
But was just wondering does anyone else on here own one or has anyone previously owned one???
If yes do you have any handy advice that you could bestow upon me as I can say i am a novice at this moment in time.

All the best.
Scott Turner.

 

[mbonwick]

Read the use manual - plenty useful tips in there.

Don't be afraid to experiment - take it off auto. You're not going to learn if you let the camera do all the work,

 

[Phoenix]

Read the use manual - plenty useful tips in there.

Don't be afraid to experiment - take it off auto. You're not going to learn if you let the camera do all the work,

Yeah took it off auto and tried experimenting with the shutter speed just tried some light painting.
But yeah gonna give the manual a good going over cheer's.

 

[5872]

Another S5700 bites the dust !. The D40 is on my list for DSLRs!

 

[class 313]

The D40 is on my list for DSLRs!

I don't think I will say what I think, again....

Using my S9600 (I know its not an DSLR) but can be fully Manual, I use S or A mode at the moment. After I am comfortable with semi-manual settings, I will move to fully manual.

 

[Phoenix]

I don't think I will say what I think, again....

Using my S9600 (I know its not an DSLR) but can be fully Manual, I use S or A mode at the moment. After I am comfortable with semi-manual settings, I will move to fully manual.

on my s5700 I used to do the very same.

 

[Craig]

Take lots of photos and experiment. That how I got used to mine and I'm still learning.

 

[class 313]

on my s5700 I used to do the very same.

Good you have some experiance with semi-auto. Like the others said, experiment around to get the best results.

 

[5872]

Good you have some experiance with semi-auto. Like the others said, experiment around to get the best results.

I use A on my s5700 now, I am slowly going to M... Although after Christmas the s5700 will be relegated to video work !.

Another note; Your not having the name of the DSLR I plan to buy, You can find out after I have got it.

 

[mbonwick]

Yup, semi - auto is the stage I'm at currently. I've taken a few on full manual, but I'm not quite there yet!

 

[Phoenix]

Well here is the first two railway related shots of the month on the new camera so let us know what you think.
http://waterortontrains.ukgeeks.co.uk/p54766500.html
http://waterortontrains.ukgeeks.co.uk/p54766495.html

 

[34067James]

Hi all,

This Christmas I will be getting my first DSLR and I was going to go for the Nikon D40, So I was wondering is it a good camera for someone who has never used DLSR before and what are peoples veiws about the D40?

Nice shots there Scot for first time use with the camera like the shed

BTW I know Railuk Member 34067tangmere (Wayne) has one.

Regards
James

 

[5872]

IMO, I probably know more about entry level DSLRs here than most people, PM me if you'd like a DECENT opinion, as I have spent hours researching DSLRs, as I am hoping to get one, if it doesn't meet what I have, will be going for a Nikon.

 

[class 313]

IMO, I probably know more about entry level DSLRs here than most people, PM me if you'd like a DECENT opinion, as I have spent hours researching DSLRs, as I am hoping to get one, if it doesn't meet what I have, will be going for a Nikon.

Yet you have never touched/used one in your life. Just because you have read up on a few doesn't make you an instant know-it-all. :roll:

 

[Phoenix]

IMO, I probably know more about entry level DSLRs here than most people, PM me if you'd like a DECENT opinion, as I have spent hours researching DSLRs, as I am hoping to get one, if it doesn't meet what I have, will be going for a Nikon.

Why have you made the word decent a lot larger is there something wrong with the opinions of others but fair enough if you have read up on it then good on you.

 

[5872]

Why have you made the word decent a lot larger is there something wrong with the opinions of others but fair enough if you have read up on it then good on you.

Believe me, I have spent hours and days on DSLRs.

 

[devon_metro]

IMO, I probably know more about entry level DSLRs here than most people, PM me if you'd like a DECENT opinion, as I have spent hours researching DSLRs, as I am hoping to get one, if it doesn't meet what I have, will be going for a Nikon.

Perhaps the funniest thing i've read all week. If I wanted a DSLR, i'd ask somebody who actually HAD one.

 

[Craig]

I have spent hours researching DSLRs

You're not the only one :roll:

 

[class 313]

Believe me, I have spent hours and days on DSLRs.

Instant know it all, just add froth! Also, stop digging.

:roll:

 

[EE Type 3]

IMO, I probably know more about entry level DSLRs here than most people, PM me if you'd like a DECENT opinion, as I have spent hours researching DSLRs, as I am hoping to get one, if it doesn't meet what I have, will be going for a Nikon.

"And now ladies and gentleman, live at the Apollo, it's Fred!!!"

 

[class 313]

"And now ladies and gentleman, live at the Apollo, it's Fred!!!"

!

 

[Phoenix]

Believe me, I have spent hours and days on DSLRs.

Well as I have been told before you can read,read and read but you will not have experience just sore eyes.
Thing is I spent a year on my fujifilm s5700 took over 10,000 shots and I still didn't know it all but before this thread continues fred I would stick to saying that on paper you know quite a fair deal but you need the experience otherwise the others will slate you as per usual and this usefull thread will end up locked because well children cant play nice can they these days.

 

[HSTfan!!!]

I've recently bought the d60, which is a pretty good camera for the money - i'm more than happy with it for an introduction to slr photography. Doesn't matter what camera you buy, its more the lenses you use with it.

 

[5872]

You girls keep getting the wrong idea about what I am saying its sad really; The point I am getting across is, if you want reviews and crap don't bother going to them ask me as I've read almost every review of every entry level DSLR.

 

[devon_metro]

You girls keep getting the wrong idea about what I am saying its sad really; The point I am getting across is, if you want reviews and crap don't bother going to them ask me as I've read almost every review of every entry level DSLR.

Alternatively, don't.

 

[mbonwick]

Well,

I was originally going to get a D80, it had the better reviews, better specs on paper etc over the D60. However, when I tried both the D80 and D60 in the shop, I felt that the D80 wasn't me; it didn't suit. The D60 on the other hand was nearly perfect and just felt "right".

My advice - TRY them BEFORE you BUY them.

And Fred - some things the reviews say are a tolat load of bollocks. Take them with a pinch of salt. Talk to SLR owners. Talk to staff in your local photography shop(s). They'll be able to give you a better, hands-on idea of the camera.

 

[Max]

The D40 is, in my opinion, an excellent entry-price digital SLR. I bought mine in January and I have loved it! It just takes a bit of getting used to, I found timing a little tricky in terms of my railway photographs at first, but it didn't take me too long to get into the swing of things. Just experiment with some of the settings and have a play around. I took mine down to a local station for a few hours and messed around with it a bit, tried different settings etc. It's a lovely camera though, and you can take some great pictures on it!

 

[5872]

@Mbonwick (I can never spell your name) Ive tryed the D60; was hellfire!. I am trying another camera with lenses, if that fails will be the d60.

 

[class 313]

You girls keep getting the wrong idea about what I am saying its sad really; The point I am getting across is, if you want reviews and crap don't bother going to them ask me as I've read almost every review of every entry level DSLR.

:roll: Honestly Fred, just stop. You're making yourself look worse.

 

[EE Type 3]

You girls keep getting the wrong idea about what I am saying its sad really; The point I am getting across is, if you want reviews and crap don't bother going to them ask me as I've read almost every review of every entry level DSLR.

Yes, good for you, but can you give people a "Oh, I've used this camera before and I can say it's good at this, but bad at this..."

Or just say "Well I've read the review and, hey, where are you going? I haven't finished gibbering yet!"