D40 users come in!

[Daneal79]

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.

yeah..was eyeing the sb600...its an in-between thingy...to save me the trouble/cost of upgrading...i saw a picture somewhere of the d40 and the sb800 attached on a tripod..nice pic though..anyways...i think the flash unit is bigger than the camera itself! LOL

so when you buying yours? see can get 2 at a cheaper price then we buy together hehehe

honestly, ive never used a flash unit before in my life...i really would like to see the difference in using the on-board flash and say the sb600...

 

[Six-GHz]

honestly, ive never used a flash unit before in my life...i really would like to see the difference in using the on-board flash and say the sb600...

There will definitely be differences between an on-board flash and an external one. The last flash I used and remembered was the Argus... some little-dog brand. Even that made a difference!

Yeah, looking at B&S too... for the flash and a 50mm 1.8 lens. Meantime, if it doesn't appear, may get it by end of this month. If you're dropping by anytime soon, do gimme a pm! Cheers!

 

[chanjyj]

yeah..was eyeing the sb600...its an in-between thingy...to save me the trouble/cost of upgrading...i saw a picture somewhere of the d40 and the sb800 attached on a tripod..nice pic though..anyways...i think the flash unit is bigger than the camera itself! LOL

so when you buying yours? see can get 2 at a cheaper price then we buy together hehehe

honestly, ive never used a flash unit before in my life...i really would like to see the difference in using the on-board flash and say the sb600...

You saw my pic lah.. that pic was mine :bsmilie:

Btw, I advise you buy the SB-800 so you can use commander flash if you ever buy another SB-800 because D40 doesn't have the ability to use on board falsh as controller like D80.

 

[Milopok]

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))

Thanks for that info. Very useful indeed.

 

[Milopok]

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.

dangerous? Maybe they will get rip off by me:bsmilie:

I like the way you put it, buying the entire 'system' or experience. I do like the look and feel of the Nikon. I didnt realise the budget for a 400D is comparable to the D80. Ok will take a look at the D80, especially since that could use 3rd party lenses as well.

 

[Milopok]

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.

Ok great...Thanks! will make a note of these recommendations.
Amongst the 4 you recommended, which would make a good walkabout lens?
Read the Tamron 17-50 review from the link you provided, what does 'hunts in low light' means?
And also what does covered a range 12-200 means?
For example, for a 100mm lens, how far would the distance be between the camera lens and the actual object(a vase or a piece of sculpture)?
And of cos, I also don't know what is a 1.5 crop.

Hope you can shade some light.

 

[Milopok]

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.

Heavy stuff, read it 3 times now still not making anything out of it :sweat:

 

[Milopok]

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

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

Plentiful of cool stuff in that linky...Thank you geraldkhoo.

 

[psychobiologist]

Ok great...Thanks! will make a note of these recommendations.
Amongst the 4 you recommended, which would make a good walkabout lens?
Read the Tamron 17-50 review from the link you provided, what does 'hunts in low light' means?
And also what does covered a range 12-200 means?
For example, for a 100mm lens, how far would the distance be between the camera lens and the actual object(a vase or a piece of sculpture)?
And of cos, I also don't know what is a 1.5 crop.

Hope you can shade some light.

at 100mm, the distance between the camera and the object, depends on the minimum focal length.

using the 55-200mm the min focus distance is 1m, there must be 1m between the camera's sensor and the object of focus

70-200mm f2.8 is abt 1.5m, 80-200mm f2.8 is 1.6m

18-200mm is closer at abt half a metre.

 

[rich1]

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)
70. evopilot (D40 + 55-200mm VR)
71. mechattax
72. coolride (D40x + Sigma 18-200mm OS HSM)
73. justinlau92
74. acky86
75: rich1 (D40x Kit lens)

 

[rich1]

Newbie to DSLR. I have tried both 400d and D40x , personally i feel D40x fit my hand better, I like the handgrip feeling(If it's slightly bigger will be even better) and the photo quality is excellent.
Besides that, the "sound" produce by d40x shutter is better than 400d;p will post a few photo up later.D40x awesome.

 

[Daneal79]

You saw my pic lah.. that pic was mine :bsmilie:

Btw, I advise you buy the SB-800 so you can use commander flash if you ever buy another SB-800 because D40 doesn't have the ability to use on board falsh as controller like D80.

:think: oh so YOU r the one LOL...nice pic btw and what tripod are you using?

 

[chanjyj]

:think: oh so YOU r the one LOL...nice pic btw and what tripod are you using?

Manfrotto 190XPROB, R44 head.

(But I also have a cheapo tripod which I used to use-$40 ;p)

 

[Milopok]

at 100mm, the distance between the camera and the object, depends on the minimum focal length.

using the 55-200mm the min focus distance is 1m, there must be 1m between the camera's sensor and the object of focus

70-200mm f2.8 is abt 1.5m, 80-200mm f2.8 is 1.6m

18-200mm is closer at abt half a metre.

Thanks psychobiologist.

If we take the example, 70-200mm whereby the min focus distance is 1.6m. I think this means if the camera sensor is 0.5m away from the object, the autofocus is no longer able to bring the object into focus. This is when we may change the lens to 18-200mm. Yes? I think the same concept apply to prime/fixed focal length lens as well.

 

[psychobiologist]

Thanks psychobiologist.

If we take the example, 70-200mm whereby the min focus distance is 1.6m. I think this means if the camera sensor is 0.5m away from the object, the autofocus is no longer able to bring the object into focus. This is when we may change the lens to 18-200mm. Yes? I think the same concept apply to prime/fixed focal length lens as well.

yes, if you are too near the lens will not focus.

thats when you might consider changing to another lens that can focus at such close distances for example of half a metre.

the 105mm VR nikon focuses down to 28cm, and thus is able to offer a very good level of magnification. other lenses, like the 80-200mm, when zoomed to 105mm, is unable to focus on anything within 1.6 metres, and thus using it at close distances will not work.

some primes like the popular 50mm f1.4 has a min focus distance of 45cm for a short tiny lens, and some friends i had, were wondering why they couldnt focus on near objects, thats cuz they were too near the object.

 

[Daneal79]

Newbie to DSLR. I have tried both 400d and D40x , personally i feel D40x fit my hand better, I like the handgrip feeling(If it's slightly bigger will be even better) and the photo quality is excellent.
Besides that, the "sound" produce by d40x shutter is better than 400d;p will post a few photo up later.D40x awesome.

Some people find the D40/D40X rather small at first touch and it does take awhile to get used to it. YOu should try the D80 if you'd like something bigger but then you're looking at a different price segment

Initially i was considering the 400D as it has a built in cleaning dust sensor but i think the retail consumer package costs about $1.4 so i dont quite find it value for money..might as well get the D80 but id end up spending more and more money in this process so i just got myself the D40 to shut myself up...for a few years at least

But its great for those who've never handled a dslr before LIKE ME!

 

[lukesky]

Some people find the D40/D40X rather small at first touch and it does take awhile to get used to it. YOu should try the D80 if you'd like something bigger but then you're looking at a different price segment

Initially i was considering the 400D as it has a built in cleaning dust sensor but i think the retail consumer package costs about $1.4 so i dont quite find it value for money..might as well get the D80 but id end up spending more and more money in this process so i just got myself the D40 to shut myself up...for a few years at least

But its great for those who've never handled a dslr before LIKE ME!

there was a website that did some comparisons between the dust cleaning capabilities of the different brands of dslrs and canon failed miserably... so if u wana buy the 400D just becos of the dust cleaning.. don't. Think the best was Olympus, at least it did get some dust off. The worst were the Pentax and Sony, that one totally didn't work at all.

The website is here if u're interested to read : http://pixinfo.com/en/articles/ccd-dust-removal/

 

[Daneal79]

there was a website that did some comparisons between the dust cleaning capabilities of the different brands of dslrs and canon failed miserably... so if u wana buy the 400D just becos of the dust cleaning.. don't. Think the best was Olympus, at least it did get some dust off. The worst were the Pentax and Sony, that one totally didn't work at all.

The website is here if u're interested to read : http://pixinfo.com/en/articles/ccd-dust-removal/

interesting...good thing i didnt get the canon just cos of its dust cleaning trait. speaking of which, i seem to find a small black dot in the middle of my viewfinder..well it isnt noticeable when i look at the pictures on my lcd but i see it on the camera nevertheless. i tried using the blower but it doesnt seem to go away. its probably dust that has sticked to the mirror..how do i remove it? any websites or guides that i can read about on helping me to remove it OR any suggestions from you guys?

 

[Six-GHz]

interesting...good thing i didnt get the canon just cos of its dust cleaning trait. speaking of which, i seem to find a small black dot in the middle of my viewfinder..well it isnt noticeable when i look at the pictures on my lcd but i see it on the camera nevertheless. i tried using the blower but it doesnt seem to go away. its probably dust that has sticked to the mirror..how do i remove it? any websites or guides that i can read about on helping me to remove it OR any suggestions from you guys?

Black speck on your viewfinder? Then it should not show on the LCD or pictures. Use a small tipped lenspen to clean it. It happened to mine too, not easy to clean cos the viewfinder is like recessed into the rubber eyecup.

 

[Six-GHz]

A question for the helpful community out here...

I read from somewhere that a 50mm lens is somewhat similar to human eye vision. Do they mean mounted on a full frame (WYSIWYG) or with 1.5 crop factor?

If I were to use it on D40, wouldn't that mean 75mm? So to achieve an equivalent of human vision, I need to get a 20mm lens?

TIA!