D40 users come in!

[evopilot]

oopsss... 18-200mm VR f/3.5-5.6...sorry...:embrass:

BUY BUY BUY!!!! 'ONE SIZE FITS ALL':devil::devil:

^^ expensive want to donate to me? ;p

 

[lsisaxon]

^^ expensive want to donate to me? ;p

Sacrifice half a stop? Sigma 18-200 OS?

 

[fanyong]

Hi, I have added myself in....

. Zaren
2. Hlyf
3. Psychobiologist (D200, D40/D80 sold)
4. BlueBull
5. IfourDesign
6. Helmiz
7. Six-GHz
8. Matthew1381
9. Samtcy (with one tripod totting hubby!)
10. Benson S A Chua
11. GriGri
12. Wing Oscar
13. geraldKhoo (with D200, sold D40x to friend... but still available for my use )
14. chanjyj (With D2x)
15. Mousedeer213
16. Clubgrit
17. monokydni
18. mysterio506
19. IceMocha
20. PhotoGiant (D40x with AF-S 18-200mm VRII. I lyke~!)
21. Mickie
22. Graphicz
23. Eidja
24. TennoRZ(since Dec'06)
25. anwask (D40 with 18-55,55-200) (Updated by chanjyj 1130H, 7 Sept 07)
26. neverneverever (D40x with SB-600)
27. damkuff
28. JillValentine
29. JeeT77 (since X'mas '06)
30. huoyun (d40 kit since jan 07)
31. czeno
32. vroom
33. kamiru
34. fusetrips
35. Jimny (Bought in Japan kit + 55-200 )
36. lloyds (since july 07)
37. shirak
38. Popeye gal (D40x - 18-200mm)
39. XiaoXian (re-entered by chanjyj)
40. csiwei
41. fungoer (with 55-200mm VR)
42. jeffng28 (D40X with 55-200VR)
43. Stray Sheep (D40 & 55- 200VR) --> from COMEX 07
44. deathwiz (D40 + 18-200VR)
45. KeefeSNAP (due to 1/500 flash sync speed)
46. popiah123
47. konahead (D40 kit + 55-200mm VR + SB400)
48. steadyshot
49. guiii (D40 + 18-135mm)
50. jayzzz
51. danielwu0808
52. tigereye19
53. Starspurz (D40 & 55- 200VR) --> also just from COMEX 07
54. lsisaxon --> Not mine.. Company bought a D40kit and it just arrived this morning.
55. yxannes (entered by chanjyj upon user request 1729H, 11 Sept 2007)
56. dscans (entered by chanjyj 1729H, 11 Sept 2007)
57. augustai (just sold my D40) (updated on 16 Sept 2007 by augustai)
58. redpills (Sigma 30mm f/1.4) (entered by chanjyj 2212H, 11 Sept 2007)
59. kudos
60. Daneal79 (entered by chanjyj 1314H, 14 Sept 2007)
61. Astroman (entered by chanjyj 2057H, 19 Sept 2007)
62. Amaury
63. Lukesky
64. snapperz
65. Maxe (D40 + 55-200mm VR) from Comex too....
66. lingaowei (fixed by chanjyj 2125H, 27 Sept 2007)
67. tungsol (D40 + 18-70mm, and also D80 )(fixed by chanjyj 2125H, 27 Sept 2007)
68. fanyong (D40x & 18-135mm)

 

[fanyong]

hi ya! Aperture mode is the one I use most frequently... then next would be P mode. P mode gives you the flexibility of making adjustments, and there are things to experiment with. When I started out with the D40x, I told myself to stay away from the green auto mode... so I went to P mode most of the time. When I experimented more, I began to like taking in A mode, because it gives me the quick control over the DOF. When I experimented with S mode, I realized that there are other kinds of shots that can be achieved, like the one here. So each has its usefulness... and it would depend on the kind of pics you are taking

hi Chanjyj & Gerardkhoo,

Thanks for your replies... As I m a newbie and not sure about the functions in D40x, I have registered to attend a Nikon D40/ D40x workshop tonight... Hopefully can gain useful skills from there....

 

[lukesky]

hi Chanjyj & Gerardkhoo,

Thanks for your replies... As I m a newbie and not sure about the functions in D40x, I have registered to attend a Nikon D40/ D40x workshop tonight... Hopefully can gain useful skills from there....

got such a workshop for D40 owners?

 

[chanjyj]

got such a workshop for D40 owners?

Yes. I think Nikon provides one FOC. Who knows? :dunno:
D40/x was not targeted at pros anyway. Only a "cuckoo" like me would use a D2x as a backup instead :bsmilie:

 

[chanjyj]

Welcome aboard!
The D40 will definitely be heavier than compacts. But believe me, it's a matter of getting used to. Then again, it's only about half a kilo... you sure can bear that right?
Noise level, it's usable for me until ISO 800, anything more it's quite muddled. But still, it's way way above compacts. My previous Lumix was pretty washout at ISO 400.

I routinely use ISO 1600. doesn't bother me much.

 

[chanjyj]

That means can't use the 50mm f1.4 for wedding photography liao.. Else need to change lenses quite often. Like during the march in.. think there's no way u can manual AF fast enuf to capture the bride walking down the aisle...

I think the next best lens in the AF-S range wld be one of the gold ring lenses, think there's one in the mid focal range : AF-S 28-70mm f2.8D? But that costs $2.5 grand man.

Can lah. I can manual focus pretty accurate. But honestly, I hate to change lens.. so.. owell. In the US as a press photographer I routinely carried two bodies (lol!), one telephoto one normal range.

Btw, the confirmation dot is a pain, don't bother with it. You'll be staring at it more than the actual view thru the lens.

 

[chanjyj]

Sorry for the mess. My bad

Nvm. It's ok.

 

[Maletoth2000]

D40 convert since april. no other kit at the moment but will be getting the following really soon...

55-200VR, SB600 (not sure yet, any advice comparing to SB400??) , nikon 50mm f1.8

 

[chanjyj]

Updated by chanjyj 1949H, 28 September 2007

Please update yourselves!
1. Zaren
2. Hlyf
3. Psychobiologist (D200, D40/D80 sold)
4. BlueBull
5. IfourDesign
6. Helmiz
7. Six-GHz
8. Matthew1381
9. Samtcy (with one tripod totting hubby!)
10. Benson S A Chua
11. GriGri
12. Wing Oscar
13. geraldKhoo (with D200, sold D40x to friend... but still available for my use )
14. chanjyj (With D2x)
15. Mousedeer213
16. Clubgrit
17. monokydni
18. mysterio506
19. IceMocha
20. PhotoGiant (D40x with AF-S 18-200mm VRII. I lyke~!)
21. Mickie
22. Graphicz
23. Eidja
24. TennoRZ(since Dec'06)
25. anwask (D40 with 18-55,55-200) (Updated by chanjyj 1130H, 7 Sept 07)
26. neverneverever (D40x with SB-600)
27. damkuff
28. JillValentine
29. JeeT77 (since X'mas '06)
30. huoyun (d40 kit since jan 07)
31. czeno
32. vroom
33. kamiru
34. fusetrips
35. Jimny (Bought in Japan kit + 55-200 )
36. lloyds (since july 07)
37. shirak
38. Popeye gal (D40x - 18-200mm)
39. XiaoXian (re-entered by chanjyj)
40. csiwei
41. fungoer (with 55-200mm VR)
42. jeffng28 (D40X with 55-200VR)
43. Stray Sheep (D40 & 55- 200VR) --> from COMEX 07
44. deathwiz (D40 + 18-200VR)
45. KeefeSNAP (due to 1/500 flash sync speed)
46. popiah123
47. konahead (D40 kit + 55-200mm VR + SB400)
48. steadyshot
49. guiii (D40 + 18-135mm)
50. jayzzz
51. danielwu0808
52. tigereye19
53. Starspurz (D40 & 55- 200VR) --> also just from COMEX 07
54. lsisaxon --> Not mine.. Company bought a D40kit and it just arrived this morning.
55. yxannes (entered by chanjyj upon user request 1729H, 11 Sept 2007)
56. dscans (entered by chanjyj 1729H, 11 Sept 2007)
57. augustai (just sold my D40) (updated on 16 Sept 2007 by augustai)
58. redpills (Sigma 30mm f/1.4) (entered by chanjyj 2212H, 11 Sept 2007)
59. kudos
60. Daneal79 (entered by chanjyj 1314H, 14 Sept 2007)
61. Astroman (entered by chanjyj 2057H, 19 Sept 2007)
62. Amaury
63. Lukesky
64. snapperz
65. Maxe (D40 + 55-200mm VR) from Comex too....
66. lingaowei (fixed by chanjyj 2125H, 27 Sept 2007)
67. tungsol (D40 + 18-70mm, and also D80 )(fixed by chanjyj 2125H, 27 Sept 2007)
68. fanyong (D40x & 18-135mm)
69. Maletoth2000 (added by chanjyj 1949H, 28 Sept 2007)

 

[geraldkhoo]

D40 convert since april. no other kit at the moment but will be getting the following really soon...

55-200VR, SB600 (not sure yet, any advice comparing to SB400??) , nikon 50mm f1.8

Go for the SB600. SB400 only tilts one direction, but SB600 tilts 2 directions, which comes in really handy.

 

[Six-GHz]

Go for the SB600. SB400 only tilts one direction, but SB600 tilts 2 directions, which comes in really handy.

Hmm... that's the dilemma of owning a dSLR. Now with the pennies saved I dunno whether to go for lens or flash... or a new body! :faint:

 

[chanjyj]

Hmm... that's the dilemma of owning a dSLR. Now with the pennies saved I dunno whether to go for lens or flash... or a new body! :faint:

you don't need new body lah.. If have shot for companies using D40.

 

[helmiz]

you don't need new body lah.. If have shot for companies using D40.

I once shot an event with a D40. However, I get stares from people due to the camera I used. Probably not pro enough to them.

 

[xiaoxian]

hi ya! Aperture mode is the one I use most frequently... then next would be P mode. P mode gives you the flexibility of making adjustments, and there are things to experiment with. When I started out with the D40x, I told myself to stay away from the green auto mode... so I went to P mode most of the time. When I experimented more, I began to like taking in A mode, because it gives me the quick control over the DOF. When I experimented with S mode, I realized that there are other kinds of shots that can be achieved, like the one here. So each has its usefulness... and it would depend on the kind of pics you are taking

hmm... all the while, I have been using P mode, and Only P mode... shucks... what mode would u recommend to shoot dogs that move constantly? I have no choice but to use ISO 1600, coz ISO800, too slow for me... what kind of settings should I have let's say shooting in the bright sun abt 2pm in the afternoon?

And if I am taking dog portrait pictures, how to get the "bokeh" effect with the kit lens? i was able to do it with the telephoto lens, but not my kit lens...

And... I tried shooting night landscapes with a tripod, using the self timer, and slow sync flash, I ended up transparent... Is there anyway to rectify this? which flash mode shld i be using? I was also using SB400 for the 1st time... Unsure how to coordinate the 2...

total noob questions, mai scold me hor....

hee.. Thanks in advance for ur advice! and By the way, ur nikon bag is really nice for me! thanks!!

 

[STTNP]

Im not using D40 but i think if you are shooting photo for dog you can switch to shutter speed mode or sport mode. eg. 1/125 or 1/250 if the lighting allow, and the ISO auto to crank up.
Is hard to say what setting to shoot at 2pm it depend what you are shooting and wat do you want the photo to look like, so think b4 you shoot or imagine the picture in mind. if you just shoot & delete and shoot again and again without knowing wat do you want to tell in your picture then you will still be shooting......... delete, your skill wont improve fast enough lor, that wat the learning curve in film day. I normally use Aperture mode and Im still learning. Go for a good lens F2.8 if your pocket allow, eg if you are zooming at 200mm your speed should be 1/200 min unless with VR help and if at 200mm zoom and aperture f6.3 without VR then you have to really pray hard your speed is 1/200 too under bright sun. That the different why people paying $2-3k for 70-200mm f2.8 VR lens.

To get better bokeh with kit lens can try using high speed and wide aperture and go very near to the object since you cant zoom much. DOF.
Night landscapes with slow sync flash is correct and remenber to meter correctly. The flash light also cant travel very far to the hill top where you are expecting. You try 10sec or more without flash to see the result and depend how dark it is too.
Just my little sharing hope to hear from pro too.

 

[STTNP]

Im not using D40 but i think if you are shooting photo for dog you can switch to shutter speed mode or sport mode. eg. 1/125 or 1/250 if the lighting allow, and the ISO auto to crank up.
Is hard to say what setting to shoot at 2pm it depend what you are shooting and wat do you want the photo to look like, so think b4 you shoot or imagine the picture in mind. if you just shoot & delete and shoot again and again without knowing wat do you want to tell in your picture then you will still be shooting......... delete, your skill wont improve fast enough lor, that wat the learning curve in film day. I normally use Aperture mode and Im still learning. Go for a good lens F2.8 if your pocket allow, eg if you are zooming at 200mm your speed should be 1/200 min unless with VR help and if at 200mm zoom and aperture f6.3 without VR then you have to really pray hard your speed is 1/200 too under bright sun. That the different why people paying $2-3k for 70-200mm f2.8 VR lens.

To get better bokeh with kit lens can try using high speed and wide aperture and go very near to the object since you cant zoom much. DOF.
Night landscapes with slow sync flash is correct and remenber to meter correctly. The flash light also cant travel very far to the hill top where you are expecting. You try 10sec or more without flash to see the result and depend how dark it is too.
Just my little sharing hope to hear from pro too.

 

[geraldkhoo]

I once shot an event with a D40. However, I get stares from people due to the camera I used. Probably not pro enough to them.

People can stare at you... but the end result is the photos produced and not the gear you carry. My experience was different... I was at an event and decided to try out my then new D40x. The event organizer came and asked me if I could help take some photos as all she has is a PnS camera, and she asked if I was pro... and I was just on day 2 of using a DSLR. pai say sia...

 

[geraldkhoo]

hmm... all the while, I have been using P mode, and Only P mode... shucks... what mode would u recommend to shoot dogs that move constantly? I have no choice but to use ISO 1600, coz ISO800, too slow for me... what kind of settings should I have let's say shooting in the bright sun abt 2pm in the afternoon?

And if I am taking dog portrait pictures, how to get the "bokeh" effect with the kit lens? i was able to do it with the telephoto lens, but not my kit lens...

And... I tried shooting night landscapes with a tripod, using the self timer, and slow sync flash, I ended up transparent... Is there anyway to rectify this? which flash mode shld i be using? I was also using SB400 for the 1st time... Unsure how to coordinate the 2...

total noob questions, mai scold me hor....

hee.. Thanks in advance for ur advice! and By the way, ur nikon bag is really nice for me! thanks!!

hi xiaoxian. great to know the bag is doing great for you

well... what STTNP said about shooting dogs is an option... go to sports mode as it constantly focuses with the moving object. if you shoot in the day time, you should have enough lighting (unless if you are indoors) and should be fast enough to shoot your dog. to do the work more manually, you can also try and use aperture (A) mode, set the aperture to the widest, use ISO1600 (or ISO800), set to Continuous servo AF for focusing with 3-point AF... half press to track your dog and press full to shoot when you want that shot.

as for the "bokeh" effect, you can achieve it with the kit lens, but the kind of "bokeh" would be limited to the size of aperture as that determines the DOF. also, i'm not sure what you mean by "transparent", but well... maybe if time permits, I can take some pictures of your dog and see what i can do to help with the rest of your questions.