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D40 owner with some second thoughts Anonymous
So I bought a D40 about 4 months ago because I wanted to start getting into photography. I took some photos at first, but the fall quarter at my university swallowed up most of my time to photograph for fun.

I started looking into other lenses and really want to get into low light photography (mostly concert shots) and got a $100 50 mm 1.8 prime lens. Unfortunately (like a lot of lenses)it won't auto focus with my D40 (focus metering works though) and kind of tough to use, particularly with moving subjects.

So, here's what I'm thinking about:

-Return the 50 mm prime and get the sigma 30 mm lens that actually auto focuses (but costs almost $400)

-Trade in my D40 package(store says they'll give me $300) for a D50 and keep the prime lens

-Keep my current setup and work on being a better photographer with it (learn the basics etc.).

Ultimately what makes me think twice is how serious I want to get into photography, since so far it's almost going to run me a grand and it's just a side hobby of mine (among others).
EXIF data available. Clickhereto show/hide.
Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D40Camera SoftwareVer.1.10Maximum Lens Aperturef/1.7Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaColor Filter Array Pattern836Focal Length (35mm Equiv)75 mmImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution300 dpiVertical Resolution300 dpiImage Created2007:12:27 12:54:22Exposure Time1/50 secF-Numberf/3.5Exposure ProgramNot DefinedISO Speed Rating400Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceUnknownFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length50.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width3008Image Height2000RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlLow Gain UpContrastNormalSharpnessNormalSubject Distance RangeUnknownISO Speed Used400Color ModeCOLORImage QualityFINEWhite BalanceAUTOImage SharpeningAUTOFocus ModeMANUALFlash Compensation0.0 EVISO Speed Requested400Tone CompensationAUTOLens TypeUnknownLens Range50.0 mm; f/1.8Auto FocusCenterShooting/Bracketing ModeSingle Frame/OffColor ModeLandscape sRGBLighting TypeNATURALNoise ReductionOFFCamera Actuations2716Saturation 2AUTODigital Vari-ProgramAUTO(FLASH OFF)
>> Anonymous
>>106069
Trade in for a D50.
>> Anonymous
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Just realized I forgot to resize pic. Sorry for being such a noob.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeNIKON CORPORATIONCamera ModelNIKON D40Camera SoftwareVer.1.10Maximum Lens Aperturef/1.7Sensing MethodOne-Chip Color AreaColor Filter Array Pattern836Focal Length (35mm Equiv)75 mmImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2007:12:27 12:54:22Exposure Time1/50 secF-Numberf/3.5Exposure ProgramNot DefinedISO Speed Rating400Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceUnknownFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length50.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width800Image Height532RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlLow Gain UpContrastNormalSharpnessNormalSubject Distance RangeUnknownISO Speed Used400Color ModeCOLORImage QualityFINEWhite BalanceAUTOImage SharpeningAUTOFocus ModeMANUALFlash Compensation0.0 EVISO Speed Requested400Tone CompensationAUTOLens TypeUnknownLens Range50.0 mm; f/1.8Auto FocusCenterShooting/Bracketing ModeSingle Frame/OffColor ModeLandscape sRGBLighting TypeNATURALNoise ReductionOFFCamera Actuations2716Saturation 2AUTODigital Vari-ProgramAUTO(FLASH OFF)
>> Anonymous
I've spent 1,500$ on my camera gear over 3 months and have no intention of ever making money from this hobby.

You might think it's a waste but I just like taking pictures.
>> Blackadder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
You're getting $300 for it? What is the "package"? Is that the body + lens and are we talking about the original D40 and not the D40x? Just to clarify as there's sometimes confusion with these things.
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
Get the D50 or D70, it will save you when you next buy a lense because you wont need the hss version.
>> Anonymous
>>106083

Body with lens. That's what it says through their online store (same place I bought it). However I was thinking I could talk to one of the workers there and explain I got it there, didn't like it, but would like to keep going there if they give me a good trade in price.
>> Anonymous
>>106078

Good to hear, but I'm a (at times) broke college student who just wants to take nice and got tired of point and shoots.

I got the D40 because it was cheap, felt good in my hands, and seemed to explain everything pretty well for people (such as myself) who never took a photography class but wanted to get into it.
>> Blackadder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
>>106086

What condition and how much have you used it? Do you still have manuals, boxes, etc.? I'm looking up what these go for second hand.
>> Anonymous
>>106095

The camera is in mint/near mint condition. I've only taken it out in big public places (zoo, university etc.) about 4 times. I doubt I've taken more than a thousand pics so far and I've had it since september.

But like I said, I'm doing this through their online site trade-in estimator. I haven't actually talked to a store person yet. I'm hoping I can work out a deal with them.
>> Blackadder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
>>106097

You should be able to squeeze a little more out of them then, maybe get them to throw in some memory cards or accessories if you're trading in. The salesmen are usually happier to do that. You'll get more leverage if you're buying the replacement from them too, I'd bet. Good luck with the negotiations.

Photography can be an expensive hobby if you really get into it. You could probably just stick with what you have if you want. The D50 (or the D70 or higher if you suddenly have the money) would be a little more flexible in lens choices and would let you have more use out of the range available. The Sigma is still a nice lens too that would be worth having whatever Nikon you had.

Tricky decision.
>> Anonymous
i vote for d50 and keep the prime

d50>d40/d40x imho.
>> Anonymous
Trade it all in and buy a Rebel XT and 50mm/1.4 for around $750 total.

The irony of someone being displeased with a product and going straight to the same company for a better replacement. Exactly what they wanted.
>> Anonymous
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Are we talking about this lens?

The Sigma AF 30mm f/1.4 EX. I've thought about getting it too since it's great for a 1.6 crop but the performance isn't as awesome as you would think. According to reviews anyway. I wouldn't pay 400$ for it.

Camera-Specific Properties:Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS2 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution240 dpiVertical Resolution240 dpiImage Created2005:10:14 00:48:42Color Space InformationsRGBImage Width640Image Height440
>> Anonymous !dMYYvF5Blo
>>Ultimately what makes me think twice is how serious I want to get into photography, since so far it's almost going to run me a grand and it's just a side hobby of mine (among others).

Thats not a reason.
Take some classes, were the cameras are provided, etc.

I've taken 4 classes, have spent less than you have spent on cameras (I've also been doing this for a few years now.)

Also, you picture is ....meh
At least you have realized that by taking pictures at different angles may make a better picture.
But, what about the background?
Could you have gotten closer? etc.

You seem to have basic knowledge about cameras, lenses, etc.
But not about technique, which is were a class will help.

>>I'm a (at times) broke college student who just wants to take nice and got tired of point and shoots.

Buy a FUCKING POINT AND SHOOT.
Some point and shoots are damn nice now....
Panasonic and Leica made a nice P&S.
Look into it, and get something like that, since thats all you need.
(Make sure to get the Panasonic version, as the Leica version costs more.)
>> Anonymous
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>>106153

Hey guys, did someone say point and shoot?
>> Vincent
>>106143
This lens is awesome, I use it for everything from Panoramics to club shots, to parties.

I paid $300 for mine (used) and I would buy it again, only problem I have with it, is it doesn't focus very close
>> gawd i hope you take excellent photos Anonymous
>>106131
because I wouldn't pay you to think.

did you miss the fact that this guy's on a budget?

your solution is to buy a xti with a crappy kit lens so he has to rebuy a fast 50mm when he could just buy a better nikon body and keep the prime he already has?

go to amazon, look up a nikon prime, see the sample images. You'll get several examples of people using a d50 with great results for low-light situations.

d50>>xti in this situation because 1) the guy already has a nikon prime 2) it fits his budget more
>> Anonymous
>>106159

Do you mind posting sample shots? And which flavor do you have? Canon or Nikon?
>> Anonymous
>>106160

Reading comprehension 101.

I'm not saying he suggested the best solution ever but no one said anything about a XTi with a kit lens.

He said XT body and a 50mm, which isn't the kit lens.
>> Anonymous
>>106162
Thank you.

I was simply offering another solution WITHIN the same price range of what the OP had spent/was talking about spending any way, because it seems odd to me someone WOULD spend so much money on something, not be satisfied, and move up the product ladder from the same company.

I have nothing personally against Nikon, but this certainly is a prime (woo woo pun) example of why I went with Canon when I didn't know anything about photography. I'd read enough to know Nikon is alienating their low-end customer base in a way that forces them to spend more money. No thanks.