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Anonymous
did my research and the d40 seems nice for my budget, but i want honest opinions from /p/. So what do you think of this dslr? I'll be using it mainly for street photography and macros.
>> Anonymous
don't get it, get the d50 instead.

The lack of a camera side AF motor means it only will autofocus with Nikon AF-S lenses, therefore you lose too much selection with used lenses, and always have to buy the more expensive Nikon lenses. (sometimes 3x the price of the sigma or tamron versions)

Otherwise its good though.
>> Anonymous
I see, didn't think much about that. Thank you anonymous :)
>> Anonymous
Obviously you did no research, cause the need for AF-S lenses would have been one of the first things to pop up.

GTFO you troll.
>> Anonymous
((not the OP)) I'm getting an IOU for a DSLR for Christmas, but I'm trying to do my research now because I'd need the camera for work (web design for a biotech company... need photos of the facility and some "in action" shots of labs and meetings and such) in the near future

I was considering getting the Nikon D40 and, yes, I saw in my research that the AF wouldn't work with older lenses, but there were some features that I really liked about it (such as "unlimited" JPGs from continuous mode and the improved LCD screen) that makes me wonder if I should just try to manually focus the older lenses I have? I was thinking of getting a D50 before, but I haven't really looked outside of Nikon yet for comparison (I still have Pentax and Canon to go!)

How hard is it to manually focus a lense? I have access to a film SLR, but I'd hate to waste the time and money going to a consumer photolab to see what the difference between the little viewfind and the blown-up print is. Any suggestions? Should I just stay away from the D40?
>> Anonymous
>>32822
Since all DSLRS (that I know of) come stock WITHOUT a split focusing screen, it is very difficult to get a sharp focus manually, I waste a lot of pictures trying to get a good manual focus in bad lighting (when the auto focus assist light can't be used).

Also if you have nikon lenses already, go with nikon, Canon go with canon, Pentax go with pentax.

If youre getting a Nikon, for the shots you are talking about, Get the D70s and an sb-600 (or sb-800) Then you can use the sb-600 off camera, And nice looking lighting.
and 6 MP is good enough for 10x15" prints, but I would say no bigger. so it depends on what your "job" requires. Though truthfully they should supply you with the equipment, so make sure to charge them rental fees.
>> thefamilyman !ozOtJW9BFA
>>32823
focusing with DSLR's with manual lenses is not hard.
at least with my nikons there is a green dot that appears on the info screen within the view finder to tell me when its in focus. nothing could be more simpler
>> des
>>32831
eh, I'll agree with>>32823

I'm not sure it's simply a matter of the split screen either. I can very easily focus with E screens (matte/fresnel, gridlines, no split image aid) I've had in my FE/F3/N90s. I find it fairly difficult in moderately low light to get sharp focus with even my 50mm.
Not sure if it's the mirror prisms in the new bodies or the clear screens or both.
>> Anonymous
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/page22.asp

"I'm sure you can see a difference between these two images, clearly Nikon has developed its image processing engine since the D50. Image detail is better with no artifacts (there are some on the D50 image) which indicates improved demosaicing, edge and texture detail are also improved as a consequence, the overall result being an iamge which looks more natural yet crisp and detailed."

D40 trounces the D50 in Image Quality. The proof is in the comparison.
>> Anonymous
No AF motor makes the D40 useless to me. Which is a shame, otherwise I rather like it.
>> Anonymous
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>>32770

I appreciate the heartfelt comment, but I am a snapshooter buying an affordable dslr for the first time who obviously doesn't know much about lenses.

What I focused on was the image quality, price (main concern) & some features that could be helpful for me (manual controls, higher ISO and nice macro capabilities).

Will I really be needing a lot of those optional lens for most of the shots that I'll be getting? I don't plan on making money out of my photos, just an affordable camera that will provide better pictures without a lot of noise (especially at night). Pic related.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeSony EricssonCamera ModelW810iCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop 7.0Image-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2006:11:28 21:16:54Exposure Time1/20 secF-Numberf/2.8ISO Speed Rating1600Exposure Bias1 EVMetering ModeCenter Weighted AverageLight SourceUnknownFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width640Image Height480RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardSubject Distance RangeDistant View
>> Anonymous
>>32873higher ISO

Sorry, I meant manual controls for ISO
>> Anonymous
i would go for a D80... may be a little bit more, but you wont need to upgrade for some time.
>> Anonymous
looking at dpreview.com for side-by-side comparisons, I'm a little confused.
D40 Lens compatibility:

Type G or D AF Nikkor
• AF-S, AF-I: All functions supported
• Other Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus
• PC Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D: Can only be used in mode M; all other functions supported except autofocus
• Other AF Nikkor*2/AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
• Non-CPU: Can be used in mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster
• IX Nikkor: Can not be used
D50 Lens compatibility:

• DX Nikkor: All functions supported
• Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported
• Micro Nikkor 85 mm F2.8D: All functions supported except autofocus and some exposure modes
>> Anonymous
I've always thought Nikon's lens marking has been really confusing.
>> Kyot
I've got a question I can't seem to find a solid answer too. I'm looking into buying either the D40, or the Canon Rebel XT. I've been using an XT for two years now in classes for photography, but now this will be the first SLR I own outright, so the lens compatability means nothing to me. The stock lens will be fine with either, and the two megapixel difference isn't much of a deal breaker either as 8x10 is typically the highest I go. I might actually have to crop less with the 6. But I need some more advice as this isn't a cheap purchase, which is better for an amatuer photographer who mostly does landscapes and portraits, the XT or the D40?
>> Photon
try them both in your hand. Whichever feels best is good.

Remember you will be holding the camera for a long time and you want a comfortable/solid grip.
>> Anonymous
you're obviously not the d200 or d2x type. d80 or used d70 for you. d40 = yaoi
>> Monkeysatemybrains
>>33000

Get the XTI. Shop around. You can get it with the kit lens for $750 if not cheaper.
>> Anonymous
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>>32746
I don't understand why Sigma or Tamron lenses won't work properly with D40. Most of them are have versions both for Canon and Nikon mounts; Canon cameras don't have AF motors, so the Canon-mount version of the lens must have an internal one; and I don't think Sigma would redesign half of lens' mechanics for Nikon-mount version just to save a few bucks on the internal motor.
>> des
>>33010
I don't know anything about the D40 but I do know that the mount contact communications have to be reversed engineered. Nikon doesn't release specs.
>> Kyot
Eh, shoppin around kinda leads to shady types of businesses which I'm not gonna throw my money at just yet. But all other cameras aside, just between the XT and D40(my budget for cameras at the moment), which of the two would you suggest?
I realize the XTI is worth the extra money, but just between XT and D40.
>> Kyot
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I may as well contribute a picture while I'm asking so much. Taken with an XT.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution300 dpiVertical Resolution300 dpiImage Created2006:12:03 01:27:52Exposure Time1/80 secF-Numberf/8.0Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating200Lens Aperturef/8.0Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length65.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width3000Image Height2400RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandard