D40 users come in!

[psychobiologist]

go with a nikon SB, and a sb600 above is much more versatile. can mount many different diffusers too

 

[Milopok]

Happy buying and shooting!

Thanks for your advise Six-GHz. Will keep in mind what you said. Still contemplating with the Canon 400D.

 

[Milopok]

Because of your conditions, you would need to get fast lenses (i.e. lenses with large aperture, e.g. f/2.8, f1.8, f/1.4, f/1.2). These lenses are normally expensive. Because D40/x can only use AF-S or AF-I lenses, you can go to check out the price list for these lenses to get an estimate.

My recommendation is to go with a D80, and you can get 2nd hand or 3rd party fast lenses.

Hi geraldkhoo,
Thanks for your input. I am new to DSLR and photography in general.
Looking at the prices, I can see the prices climb pretty steep with large aperture.
Very interesting note you made on 2nd & 3rd party lenses.
Can you name a few common ones in the market so that I could consider those as well?
Feel free to fire away with your feedback.

 

[Milopok]

If you are not a pro, or a beginner who is not familiar with handling demanding light situations with "slow" lenses, I have to concur with Geraldkhoo that a D80 is a better choice for you.

But note that you have to factor in the cost of a fast lens too.

hi chanjyj,
Thanks for your note. Thats exactly what I am trying to do at the moment...to factor it all the costs upfront & hidden, at least a rough idea. I am finding out...just looking for a personal slr does require a fair bit of homework.

Was at Simlim Sq and out of the 4 shops I checked with, 3 recommended Canon 400D instead (though its more pricy). Exactly why I didnt ask as I was just doing some initial price check to see if it is still within my budget.

 

[chanjyj]

Hi geraldkhoo,
Thanks for your input. I am new to DSLR and photography in general.
Looking at the prices, I can see the prices climb pretty steep with large aperture.
Very interesting note you made on 2nd & 3rd party lenses.
Can you name a few common ones in the market so that I could consider those as well?
Feel free to fire away with your feedback.

Tamron, tokina, sigma. But currently, only Sigma has lenses that can autofocus with D40 (Their HSM (Hypersonic motor) line, similiar to Nikon's AF-S/SWM line (Silent Wave Motor))

 

[chanjyj]

yes it meters

manual focus with the green dot.

non AF lenses, so far i know the AI-P 45mm pancake meters on the d40 too

Walao psycho... you really into lenses now huh? I din't even know there was a line of lense called AI-P :embrass:

Me is a common AF-S/AFD guy.. come to AI-S and others me get a bit confused ;p
Btw, green dot is a pain in the . I think trust your own eyes better.

 

[psychobiologist]

hi chanjyj,
Thanks for your note. Thats exactly what I am trying to do at the moment...to factor it all the costs upfront & hidden, at least a rough idea. I am finding out...just looking for a personal slr does require a fair bit of homework.

Was at Simlim Sq and out of the 4 shops I checked with, 3 recommended Canon 400D instead (though its more pricy). Exactly why I didnt ask as I was just doing some initial price check to see if it is still within my budget.

dont buy from SL sq!!.. dangerous :bsmilie:

anyways when it comes to a camera choice, its not just buying it for technology or features, the most important thing is that you are buying the "system", the images you like, and the experience.

the ergonomics must be comfortable with you, it must respond the way you want/like, and the pictures that come out is strictly due to user preference. the system will include an arsenal of lenses, flash, etc.

if you are upping your budget to get a 400D, you can get a d80 already anyway. i wonder why the shops didnt offer that as an option as well.

 

[psychobiologist]

Walao psycho... you really into lenses now huh? I din't even know there was a line of lense called AI-P :embrass:

Me is a common AF-S/AFD guy.. come to AI-S and others me get a bit confused ;p
Btw, green dot is a pain in the . I think trust your own eyes better.

been eying it for a few months, but nobody is selling a good copy at a good price

 

[geraldkhoo]

Hi geraldkhoo,
Thanks for your input. I am new to DSLR and photography in general.
Looking at the prices, I can see the prices climb pretty steep with large aperture.
Very interesting note you made on 2nd & 3rd party lenses.
Can you name a few common ones in the market so that I could consider those as well?
Feel free to fire away with your feedback.

hi hi... here's some of my suggestions:

1. Nikkor AF 35-70mm f/2.8D (2nd hand about $550)
2. Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D (2nd hand about $700)
3. Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (Brand new about $700)
4. Tokina 12-24mm f/4 (Brand new about $750)

You can check out some lens reviews, e.g. www.fredmiranda.com, and look out for the lenses. Go for lenses that are rated 9 and above.

With the above 4, you would have covered a range from 12-200mm for a 1.5 crop factor.

 

[psychobiologist]

Hi geraldkhoo,
Thanks for your input. I am new to DSLR and photography in general.
Looking at the prices, I can see the prices climb pretty steep with large aperture.
Very interesting note you made on 2nd & 3rd party lenses.
Can you name a few common ones in the market so that I could consider those as well?
Feel free to fire away with your feedback.

well.. i'm covered from 12-200mm at this point of time and had several lens changes along the way to the eventual set up.

selected base on color/contrast, and sharpness wide open.

sigma 12-24, bulkiest, delicate lens, but has the best distortion figures, good contrast, and is full frame compatible, can use with film.
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_1224_4556_nikon/index.htm
http://etischer.com/300d/sigma12mm.html

nikon 24-85 F2.8-4, has macro at 1:2 at 85mm. by far there's no other nikon variant that is both fast and has macro. IF there is a constant f2.8 with macro it will be in my collection already. focus is very fast, color rendition is good. this lens is rare though, because when it was released, it was priced arnd 1k odd. not too sure how much it is to get it off the shelf if it still can be found in SG, but its possible to get from HK etc.. brand new.
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=303901

80-200mmF2.8 AFD.. personally i prefer the two touch version and above, the pushpull draws in a little bit of air, and a little bit of dust too. Optics are just as sharp for both versions. The two touch has a tripod mount can mount on monopod/tripod if needed.

as for the primes..
ZF 50mm F1.4 and Nikon AF35mm F2... to satisfy my bokeh cravings at times.

 

[chanjyj]

been eying it for a few months, but nobody is selling a good copy at a good price

Why ah psycho? This lens seems to be surpassed by others with better features for the same price.

Unless of course you want to mount it on and tell people "see! my camera no lens also can take picture...."

 

[geraldkhoo]

well.. i'm covered from 12-200mm at this point of time and had several lens changes along the way to the eventual set up.

selected base on color/contrast, and sharpness wide open.

sigma 12-24, bulkiest, delicate lens, but has the best distortion figures, good contrast, and is full frame compatible, can use with film.
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_1224_4556_nikon/index.htm
http://etischer.com/300d/sigma12mm.html

nikon 24-85 F2.8-4, has macro at 1:2 at 85mm. by far there's no other nikon variant that is both fast and has macro. IF there is a constant f2.8 with macro it will be in my collection already. focus is very fast, color rendition is good. this lens is rare though, because when it was released, it was priced arnd 1k odd. not too sure how much it is to get it off the shelf if it still can be found in SG, but its possible to get from HK etc.. brand new.
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=303901

80-200mmF2.8 AFD.. personally i prefer the two touch version and above, the pushpull draws in a little bit of air, and a little bit of dust too. Optics are just as sharp for both versions. The two touch has a tripod mount can mount on monopod/tripod if needed.

as for the primes..
ZF 50mm F1.4 and Nikon AF35mm F2... to satisfy my bokeh cravings at times.

Your recommendation of the 24-85mm sure makes me want to try one out

 

[psychobiologist]

Your recommendation of the 24-85mm sure makes me want to try one out

hahaha.. others might prefer the sigma 17-70 though.. but my gripes is that 24mm is not wide enough on digital when shooting in a room.
after playing with a few zooms, i'll prefer to stick to nikkor zooms.. maybe thats me

 

[psychobiologist]

Why ah psycho? This lens seems to be surpassed by others with better features for the same price.

Unless of course you want to mount it on and tell people "see! my camera no lens also can take picture...."

well its very cute, and its of a tessar design, very sharp lens, compact, and good color rendition. as a hobbyist photographer.. most of the time its always that itch to try new exotic things

but i've not been aggressively hunting one cuz its right smack between my 35mm and my 50mm.. doesnt give me that significant a change in field of view.. although the focussing and playing with it would have been a very interesting experience.

 

[geraldkhoo]

hi hi... here's some of my suggestions:

1. Nikkor AF 35-70mm f/2.8D (2nd hand about $550)
2. Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D (2nd hand about $700)
3. Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (Brand new about $700)
4. Tokina 12-24mm f/4 (Brand new about $750)

You can check out some lens reviews, e.g. www.fredmiranda.com, and look out for the lenses. Go for lenses that are rated 9 and above.

With the above 4, you would have covered a range from 12-200mm for a 1.5 crop factor.

You can also check out some reviews of Nikkor lenses here:

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html

 

[Six-GHz]

yes it meters
manual focus with the green dot.
non AF lenses, so far i know the AI-P 45mm pancake meters on the d40 too

Thanks! So long it meters, I can live with MF!

I think its time for me to get a flash unit! Had a mini party at a friend's house and the light conditions didnt permit me to take shots indoors without bumping up the iso to 800-1600 and i used the flash on board and i must say, it is rather harsh...well which built in flash unit on any camera isnt harsh eh?

I'm thinking of getting a flash too. If ok, we can purchase together. Cheers!

 

[Daneal79]

Thanks! So long it meters, I can live with MF!

I'm thinking of getting a flash too. If ok, we can purchase together. Cheers!

Yo! Hmmm...not a bad idea...which one are you eyeing? Wonder if prices will go down...then again, could be worth getting it 2nd hand. saw a couple of ads here...tempting...but darn it...need to do some credit control....bought an airline ticket for travel during xmas and it costs a BOMB!

Looks like ill have to avoid taking shots in dim lighting...sob sob sob

 

[Six-GHz]

Yo! Hmmm...not a bad idea...which one are you eyeing? Wonder if prices will go down...then again, could be worth getting it 2nd hand. saw a couple of ads here...tempting...but darn it...need to do some credit control....bought an airline ticket for travel during xmas and it costs a BOMB!

Looking at SB-600. SB-400 may be a little restrictive, SB-800 is an overkill. Kinda rare spotting them in B&S. Prices will go down? Don't think so, the demand is always there, unless they come out with newer models.

 

[chanjyj]

Yo! Hmmm...not a bad idea...which one are you eyeing? Wonder if prices will go down...then again, could be worth getting it 2nd hand. saw a couple of ads here...tempting...but darn it...need to do some credit control....bought an airline ticket for travel during xmas and it costs a BOMB!

Looks like ill have to avoid taking shots in dim lighting...sob sob sob

Use tripod lah!!

 

[Daneal79]

Use tripod lah!!

lol....cant always be having a tripod with me....speaking of which...NO MONEY NO MONEY LOL :bsmilie: