File :-(, x, )
New D40 w/ 55-200 Anonymous
Hi /p/,

I want to photograph for fun. I don't have serious aspirations. I have never owned SLR before. The objective is to learn.

So I went ahead and ordered the following off Amazon (becuase I was getting a good deal on them if I bought them together):
1. Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
2. Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor Lens

My questions are:
a. Did I waste money on the frist lens? Should I have bought body only and went with some other lens?
b. Did I waste money on second lens? Does its function overlap with the kit lens? It has 'VR'; I hope I just didn't buy into marketing. As mentioned, I have no experience with DSLR terminology, so I did what every sane American consumer does... order first, ask questions later.

And predictably, I have buyers remorse. I am asking these questions now becuase I can still cancel the order... I have time.

Please enlighten me, /p/.
>> Anonymous
Yeah, you shouldn't buy stuff like that without at least reading something about it on the internets, but looks like you didn't miss here. A cheap kit with a DSLR and 2 lenses, one telephoto and one standard, is a good thing to learn with. Use it for a while and decide for yourself if you need something more or not.

As for lenses, I don't think you wasted money on either one. They don't overlap function-wise; the 18-55 is really cheap so you won't lose much even if you decide to replace it later with something better; and the 55-200 VR is one of the best amateur-class telephoto lenses.
>> BlackAdder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
You made a good choice in getting the D40 instead of the D40x for starters. Saved yourself money for other things. The first lens is not bad and actually quite good when you consider the cost. Bang for buck matters if you are on a budget. There are better lenses, but not at that price. The only thing I'd maybe say you might feel bad about is that an upgraded VR version of the first one was announced as the new kit lens just a few days ago. Still, the fact is that people have made some very nice pictures with it. It's all about learning to use the tool. It's a wide angle zoom for a low price.

The second lens is quite impressive for the money. I've actually tested it and the VR works well. The two do not overlap with each other at all. The focal lengths "18-55mm" "55-200mm" are the clues. They explain what views and how wide or zoomed in it will look. For longer focal lengths (higher mm on the lens settings/zooming into things far away) hand shake becomes more of a problem and VR is useful in those cases.

The new VR version of the 55-200 is a good revision of the older non-VR 55-200.

I strongly suggest you get some guides to explain the basics either from print magazines, books or online. Also read the manual as it will tell you very important information on getting the most from it and not just using it on full auto all the time. Be bold with trying it out too. Practice and try out settings and observe the results and changes that happen.

You've got a good kit to get started. You'll be able to learn a lot with it and you could get some pictures to make you proud if you put the effort in. Good luck.
>> Anonymous
Meh, I regret buying my D40 and when you realize how limited your lens selection is (AF-S and HSM only), you probably will too.
>> Anonymous
>>93491
I should add that I meant lens selection as far as autofocusing.
>> Anonymous
>>93478
>>93479
Thank you both for the help!

>>93491
As a beginner, should I care? Serious question.

Another question: I just came to know that the D40 does not support bracketing. I know in theory what that is, but as I said, I haven't shot with a DSLR before. How bad is lack of bracketing support?
>> Anonymous
>>93494
It probably just doesn't have Auto Exposure Bracketing which basically makes your camera automatically take between 3 and 5 bracketed exposures where they are a fixed amount of stops apart. This helps for getting correct exposure when you're not sure how much you need. You can easily do this manually so it's just a convenience thing.
>> BlackAdder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
>>93494

You'll manage fine with the D40 as an absolute beginner and you'll learn a lot. If you eventually outgrow it or long for some new features then you can always upgrade the body in years to come and still use all the lenses and accessories you have now with it.

The D80 and higher are better cameras in that they have more features that more serious users like, but whether that is worth the extra money to you and would a higher end body eat into the more important lens budget are the real questions.

My main complaint about the D40 is that it is not fully compatible with some very good older lenses, many of which are well priced and often ideal for building up a new lens kit (especially primes - fixed, non zoom lenses). That's a problem for me and some others here, but I can't say if it will be the same for everyone as we all have different experience levels and uses for it in mind. If it never becomes an issue to you in the lifetime of the camera, then there's no reason to worry about it.
>> OP
OP here.

>>93499
>>93495

Thank you both. This is all the information I wanted.

Wait, one more question! Do you think this (ebay) is a good deal for an accessory kit? I am going to be traveling by air a lot, so I need some sort of case for the camera and lenses.
>> OP
Oops: http://tinyurl.com/2k9e3l (ebay) is the link for the accessory kit.

Does anyone have better suggestions?
>> BlackAdder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
>>93607

You might be better picking up the items you want or need separately than buying a bundle of random things that may or may not be any good or useful to you. Up you though.

Lowepro make very good camera bags in all sizes and forms and are modular so you can change them to suit. You can get other brands that are cheaper and very similar. Good for most travel and for carrying, but planes are riskier.

If you are travelling much and especially by air I suggest you take lenses or bodies as walk on luggage if you can. Airport baggage handlers are often not very kind or soft with the bags and I believe luggage compartments aren't pressurised, heated and conditioned the same as the passenger compartments.
>> Anonymous
>>93609
ebay kits are garbage. You'll get maybe one or two things you actually use and they'll be shitty versions of what you should get. The rest of it will be useless.
>> OP
>>93617
>>93630

Thank you! I think I will pick up items as I need them. I already bought a lowepro bag from Amazon for $20. The next few items on the list:
1. Backup batteries. Are those non-Nikon 1100mAH batteries available on ebay reliable and safe?
2. Portable/backup charger: I have the same question regarding non-brand versions available on ebay.
3. SD card: Does speed matter?

That's all for now... thanks! :)
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
>>93651
from my experience, i've never needed another battery, and i'm really sure you wont need one too. When i travel, i just take my charger with me and charge at the end of the day, ready for the next.
The nikon kit charger will be the only one you'll need, so dont bother with looking at others.
And card speed, well, this is personal taste, i've been using my 1GB Scandisk (the normal nothing special blue one) since i got my D70 in 2004. In camera i feel card speed means nothing, My D70 doesn't ever run out of buffer on Jpeg Fine. Card speed only really relates to how impatient you are to download them onto your PC.
>> Anonymous
The 18-55mm lens is actually a really nice point and shoot lens that you'll grow to love, the 55-200 will only work for really far shots (might not sound like a big deal just to back up until you actually end up doing it) you have a decent starting setup though. But for getting artistic I'd pick up a solid low aperture 50mm lens. That will give you extremely clear pictures and give you a very good set of lenses. :)
>> Anonymous
>>93663
Thank you, I am holding off on the battery/charger purchases until/unless I really feel the need. :)

>>93664
Yes, I gave in and also bought the 'Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras', again from Amazon. I tried to buy the f/1.4D version, but the frickin' thing was 3x the cost, I wonder why. (Btw, what does that 'D' stand for? In some lenses I saw on other websites, the 'D' was absent.)

Which brings me to another noobie question: why the heck does the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D cost almost twice as much as the equivalent Canon model?
>> Anonymous
>>93670
ouch.

50mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/1.4 WILL NOT autofocus on the D40.

>frickin' thing was 3x the cost, I wonder why
Larger aperture = larger lenses and harder to design and manufacture = more expensive.
50mm f/1.2 lenses cost even more, and 50mm f/1.0 lenses are extremely rare and cost like a good used car.

>why the heck does the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D cost almost twice as much as the equivalent Canon model?
Because it doesn't feel like a cheap Chinese toy.
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
>>93670
in before 'cant AF on D40'
the 50mm is a non-AF-S(or AF-I) lens so it will *FULLY* work except it wont AF, other than needing to MF the lens on the D40, its a fantastic lens.
I have the f/1.4D version, its super great, but not really worth the price premium over the f/1.8D.
As you asked what does 'D' mean on the nikkor lenses, it simply stands for 'Distance'. The lens tells the camera how far the object is, thus the camera can calculate and implement nikon's legionary i-TTL flash system. D is only important with flash photography and means nothing otherwise. But all new lenses from 1992 onwards are D lenses anyway. Then there is 'G' lenses, these are essentially 'D' lenses but without an aperture ring, this means completely nothing to you, so you can buy 'D' or 'G' lenses without any worry.
Lenses without 'D' or 'G' on it are normally pre -1992 and are AI-s or earlier. these lesnes will all mount on your D40 but not meter, so learn sunny 16 rule ;) and since they are pre-AF, MF will be required as expected.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>93663
>from my experience, i've never needed another battery, and i'm really sure you wont need one too.
I disagree. It's always helpful to have a backup battery. I've got three total batteries and while, granted, I've never burned through all three before I've gotten a chance to recharge, I have done one and a half. And having a charged backup at all times is damn helpful if you forget (or aren't able) to charge your main battery some night. Or if you forget your battery in the charger, which I've done more than once.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>93687
(Translation: If you're dumb and forgetful, like me, rather than crazy responsible like Thefamilyman, get yourself an extra battery or two)
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
>>93687
key word: "from my experience"
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
I can shoot 2 days worth on my battery :P

Nikon batteries are a lot cheaper than mine i think so its not much of an effort to go out and get another one, plus if you upgrade to a bigger body and get a vertical grip you will be able to use em all at one.
>> BlackAdder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
I've got six batteries for the camera, all third-party ones that were much cheaper than buying the official battery. Worked fine for over a year now. The rechargeable batteries hold their charge very well - far better than what you may be used to, such as the standard AAs you've used in the past or something.

It's *very* rare that I'd need to swap batteries when I'm out if I have charged the set in the camera, but on occasion I've gone through a few sets and I always like to have spares on me.
>> Anonymous
It depends on how much you use VR, lcd display and how much you take photos during a day.

With long exposures you might use one battery after 100-200 shots etc.

I would have ended up with a dead camera many many times without an extra battery. Try shooting stuff first, and if it looks like one battery isn't enough, buy more.

Also during winter batteries perform very poorly, so it's nice to have extra.
>> Anonymous
worth mentioning that the 18-55 comes with the D40. You can't buy the body alone. I hope you didn't buy it from a place that actually charged you for the lens?
>> Anonymous
>>93677
Shite. Now what? Is there a suitable 50mm prime which AFs on the D40?? Help!! I understand thefamilyman's post about how it works just fine without AF, but:
I haven't ever manually adjusted camera focal length before. All my 4 cameras before this were P&S! I'd like to therefore relinquish control to the camera in this department. Maybe I should have bought a refurbished D40x or something?!

>>93737
You can buy the body and lens separately if you so wish... unless I am not understanding your question properly.

And yeah guys, I guess one backup battery which is always fully charged would not be a bad idea at all, considering how cheap they are.
>> Anonymous
>>93738
Relinquish control **until I am comfortable enough with the camera**, that is.
>> Anonymous
>>93738

The D40x can't AF without AF-S lenses either.

You gotta go up to the D80 for that.
>> Anonymous
>>93738
>You can buy the body and lens separately if you so wish... unless I am not understanding your question properly.

No you can't. Unlike cameras like the D80, if you buy the D40 it IS coming with a lens. There is no D40(x) body only option.
>> Anonymous
>>93743

(not OP)

So how limiting is the D40, if you're getting into photography? Should I save up for the D80 instead, because of wider lens selection?
>> Anonymous
>>93744
D40x body only: http://tinyurl.com/2wn29y [Amazon]

Maybe there is no *direct* option from Nikon is what you're saying... or something? :) You're right about the D40 though... didn't find anything.
>> Anonymous
Or buy used D50 or D70. They both AF with all nikkor autofocus glass.
>> Anonymous
>>93747

the d40x may come by itself, but the D40 is ONLY sold with the 18-55 kit lens.

wanted to make sure you weren't buying the 18-55 twice.
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
so /p/

can we all decide to tell every single "what camera should i buy" to save up for a D80, D70 or D50 instead of buying a D40 and never ever to buy a D40x? Similarly for the Canons and if i mention sony im going to get slaughtered arnt i?
>> Anonymous
>>93767

Butterfly, you should know by now not to question the flawed system (:
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
>>93772
I JUST WANT TO BE FRIENDS.
>> BlackAdder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
>>93777

Of course we can be friends. Just as soon as you change over to Canon. :P
>> Anonymous
>>93806

at this point if she changed over we'd all be sort of bummed.

it's no fun if EVERYONE only uses nikon or canon.

that being said canon and nikon are the best HAHAHAHA
>> Anonymous
>>93807it's no fun if EVERYONE only uses nikon or canon.

I know. *Somebody* has to be the scape goat!
>> Anonymous
>>93829

We'd all miss Butterfly dearly after that dreaded moment of brand conversion. Thankfully that isn't likely to happen any time soon.
>> Anonymous
>>93830We'd all miss Butterfly dearly

I lol'd
>> Anonymous
>>93738
What the hell's the big deal about manually focusing? You just move the focus ring until what you want gets in focus, it's easy enough for toddlers to do. Also, you're using the prime to actually get yourself to compose your shots, so might as well focus the subject yourself.

Oh, and the D40 NEVER comes in a body only kit. Only the D40x offers that (and the extra megapixels are expensive and unnecessary)
>> Anonymous
>>93861

Moron. Autofocusing was one of the biggest technological advances of the time in photography. Pull your head out of your ass.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>93829
You still have me lol. I need to get a tripcode, though.
>> Anonymous
>>93862
Who's saying it isn't? Any moron would know it's useful for point and shoot purposes. All I'm saying is for a prime that you're gonna take the time to compose your shots with, it's not a big deal to manually focus.
>> Anonymous
>>93867
unless you are shooting with a shallow DoF and you cant see shit anyway because of the viewfinder.
>> Anonymous
>>93862
haha oh wow

go fuck yourself, cunt
>> Anonymous
Making an autofocus camera that doesn't work with you own autofocus lenses is retarded. Especially when that camera is one of the worst to manually focus with.
>> Anonymous
>>93866

I see mirror lens!
>> Anonymous
>>93872

Don't need to when YO MOMMA is doing it for me!
>> Anonymous
>>93875
oh, no u diddddddnnnnnnnnnnnn't

*z-snap*
>> Anonymous
>>93871
what's wrong with your viewfinder?
>> Anonymous
>>93873
lol no, my Olympus is worse than the D40 (although the focus confirmation hax for old manual glass helps)
>> Anonymous
>>93878
its made for autofocusing. its small, rather dark, and you cant see when something is in focus or off a bit.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>93878
Modern viewfinders designed for autofocus don't actually show the depth of field narrower than what you get at f/2.5 or so. If'n you have a camera with DoF preview and a lens faster than f/2.5, you can test this--stop down to f/2.8, hold down the DoF preview, then stop down to f/2.5. You'll see a difference.

Now, stop down to f/2.0. Your viewfinder won't look any different at all from f/2.5.

So unless you pop for a better focusing screen, forget about manually focusing an autofocus camera with an f/2.0 or wider lens.
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
>>93909
This is what pissess me off the most about modern dSLRs, its impossible to focus with large fstops because they dont have any DoF. Even the DoF preview is annoying.

Also <3 u lot.
>> Anonymous
>>93909
>So unless you pop for a better focusing screen, forget about manually focusing an autofocus camera with an f/2.0 or wider lens.
It was already a problem on many film cameras with f/1.4 or faster lenses. That's why focusing confirmation LEDs were invented.
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
>>93917
speaks the truth...
i dont see what problems you ppl have??? never heard of a focus LED????
When lit = in focus, simple?
>> Anonymous
Kind of defeats the purpose of manual focusing when you are relying on the machine to tell you that you have manually focused correctly because you can't see it.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>93931
...unless you're manually focusing simply because your camera body lacks an autofocus motor, which is the whole point of this discussion.
>> Anonymous
>>93934

Then the solution there is to not buy such a shitty camera in the first place. End of discussion. :)
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>93934
Or unless you put some awesome, but MF only glass on your camera.
>> Anonymous
OP here, /p/. I have gained good knowledge in this thread so far... thanks.

One more request: Please find me a case that can hold my D40 with kit lens, 55-200mm lens and 50mm prime lens (so 3 lenses in total) that I can legally take as carry-on luggage on an aircraft. I tried searching, but the options just befuddled me. Please be aware that I will also be taking a backpack with a 17" laptop (this backpack: http://tinyurl.com/2neeqm (amazon)). This is my first trip after the new security restrictions and all... so please let me know if I will face any problems and any other general advice you may have for me. Thanks a lot!
>> Anonymous
>>94194

Be sure they don't let your camera hit the xray machine....As for cases. The Lowepro Nova 4 AW is good or even the 3 AW..I have the same kit as you, just without the prime. But it fits fine in the Nova 2 AW. Crumplers are good too.
>> Anonymous
you'd have been better off asking the "ZOMG did I waste moneyZ?!" questions BEFORE you spent the money..
>> Anonymous
>>94254
why will the xray machine make a difference?

It fogs film, but doesn't do a thing to digital. Unless you mean physically if they smash it into some machine, but that could be true for any hard object in an airport.
>> Anonymous
>>94258

he probably just heard "ZOMG don't X-ray cameras" without understanding why.

Anyway, as for 94194:

Do you want a carrying case you can take with you when you're out shooting, or do you want a travel case to protect your gear in the airport?

In either instance there isn't much to it. There's plenty of cases out there. Personally I'd get a Pelican case for travelling. They are waterproof and are nearly indestructible. They come with a universal foam interior that you can configure to fit whatever accessories you have. Then get a simple camera bag for taking your gear with you.

Though, for starters I wouldn't worry about too much of that. Just take the camera and one lens and forget about all the accessories. Just go and shoot. Buying more bits and pieces is not going to make you a better photographer. Taking lots of pictures and learning about your camera will do that.
>> BlackAdder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
For carry on luggage or carrying it as you tour towns on holiday then you want a soft backpack or similar. Some kind of hard case is only needed if it is going to be handled by the airport baggage department.
>> Anonymous
>>94257
I'll remember that the next time, thank you.

>>94264
I'd really like something which serves both purposes, i.e., that it is good for distance traveling as well as general lugging around. I saw those pelican cases you were talking about... don't you think they seem to be overkill for a camera and three lenses?

I could always carry only one lens on board and keep the other two in my main luggage for the purpose of traveling... but then again, the possibility of them not being there (where I am/when I need them) arises. I mean, it would be better to have everything in one portable, durable bag.

>>94276
Exactly, I don't think I need a hard case. I cannot carry two backpacks on board, I think.

Those Lowepro 3/4 cases are looking good. A good bag, a spare battery, a tripod (will be shooting mostly landscape) and lens filters (I am liking those Cokin ones) and I will be done for my camera shopping for the next five years, hehe. Thanks guys and girls!
>> Anonymous
>>94309
>I will be done for my camera shopping for the next five years

HAHAHA wishful thinking
>> Anonymous
>>94309
you want a hardcase if you are checking in your camera and not taking it as carry on. for carry on you are allowed 1 bag to stow up top and 1 under the seat. if you always take your camera as carry on, then get a nice softcase. last thing: you never finish shopping for camera stuff, no matter what you say.
>> Anonymous
>>94309

The pelican cases (and others) are available in a huge number of sizes, ranging from very small to huge. You don't have to get a very large one if you don't need it.

I travel a LOT. I typically have at least one trip per week that involves airports, and one a month in which I leave the country. Belive me when I say that you do NOT want to trust anything important or valuable to soft luggage--ever. I suppose in the end the risk is up to you, but I wouldn't trust expen$ive camera equipment in a soft case unless you are carrying on and you watch it like a hawk--be sure that some fat woman doesn't cram her huge overnight bag on top of your nice new lens when they're both inside the overhead bin!

A decent compromise would be to get a small soft camera bag that fits your camera and lenses. Then get a hard case that the whole shebang will fit inside. That way when you want to carry around the camera but you don't need the protection of the hard case, just grab the whole bag from inside the hard case and go!


Anyway, back to basics: you mentioned that you wanted to photograph for fun and that you hadn't owned an SLR before. My advice is to worry less about extras and options and concentrate on learning about the camera. Extra lenses are useful once you know how to use them but they just complicate things from the getgo. Learning is hard if you are playing with a ton of variables at once. Pick a lens (I suggest the kit lens), forget all about accessories, traveling, and the like, and just shoot shoot shoot.
>> Anonymous
>>94311
>>94321

I will always take my camera stuff as a carry-on. I am concerned about thefts and general damage in the luggage holds as someone else pointed out.

And guys, what do you think a beginner would possibly need after this? My shopping *will* be over, trust me... will you? please? :D
>> Anonymous
>>94339

>>Learning is hard if you are playing with a ton of variables at once. Pick a lens (I suggest the kit lens), forget all about accessories, traveling, and the like, and just shoot shoot shoot.

This man speaks the truth.

Though, to answer your question, the only out things I can see that you might need is a tripod (though I think you said you had one already) and perhaps a better flash. Though, to be honest, your "other gear" requirements are going to depend on what kind of photography you're doing. There's a ton of special-purpose gear out there which is great if you happen to be doing the one thing that's good for, but for most people it's an expensive paperweight.
>> Anonymous
I got my D40 kit on ebay and I'm totally happy with it. I got the camera body, a 18-135 lens, 2 cases, a tripod, 2 batteries, a 2 gb SD card, 3 filters and a cleaning kit for $787, and that's with over night shipping included.