File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Anybody here rock a D40? Was thinkin' about buying one for my trip-- opinions? Would it be too cumbersome? Any better recommendations?

Picture related.
>> Anonymous
A lot of people here use one (or a variant), although I don't have an SLR. Here is DPreview's negative points from their review:


* No lens motor in body means non-AF-S/AF-I lenses are manual focus only
* Disappointingly RAW+JPEG setting only records Basic quality JPEG's
* No status LCD panel on top of camera (we hate to see these go)
* No exposure or white balance bracketing
* No hard buttons (without customizing) for ISO or White Balance
* No depth-of-field preview
* Occasional visibility of moire artifacts (although seldom)
* Fixed exposure steps (1/3 EV)
* Disappointing automatic white balance performance in incandescent light
* No RAW adjustment with supplied PictureProject, only simple conversion
* Limited image parameter adjustment (especially for color saturation)

Keep those in mind and if any bother you, get a different camera. However, basically any SLR you get will be fine. They are all good once you learn and get used to them.
>> Reed-Guy !!2Iy4hwL+wbq
Sony A100/200, Canon, pentax, etc.
>> Anonymous
>No lens motor in body means non-AF-S/AF-I lenses are manual focus only

This is one of only two real problems with it listed.

>Disappointingly RAW+JPEG setting only records Basic quality JPEG's

What's the point in more than a basic JPEG if one has the raw file?

>No status LCD panel on top of camera (we hate to see these go)

They're nice, but it's not exactly a con, considering the information is on the back, and it's traded off for a smaller camera.

>No exposure or white balance bracketing

White balance is for chumps who shoot JPEG. Turn control wheel, press button. Exposure bracketing done.

* No hard buttons (without customizing) for ISO or White Balance

If it can be set by customizing, what's the issue?

Also, again, there's no reason to worry about WB in-camera if you shoot raw. Getting it right just makes it easier to review.
>> Anonymous
>No depth-of-field preview

The other problem.

>Occasional visibility of moire artifacts (although seldom)

Probably only in JPEGs.

>Fixed exposure steps (1/3 EV)

I'm not sure what they mean by this. If they mean the meter, all meters that show it in steps have fixed increments. If they mean ISO setting, all ISO settings are in fixed increments, though it'd be nice if I could punch in ISO 439.

>Disappointing automatic white balance performance in incandescent light

Shoot raw.

>No RAW adjustment with supplied PictureProject, only simple conversion

Photoshop or equivalent is pretty much de rigeur for serious photography. Shooting without your photographs hitting it at some point is like taking your negatives to Wal-Mart.

Most people will pirate PS and GIMP is free.

>Limited image parameter adjustment (especially for color saturation)

Fucking shoot raw.


The other problems are shared with all other DSLRs except two old Pentax models (Some versions of the *ist, I don't know which exact versions): Only one control dial and poor viewfinders.

The AF issue along with the bad viewfinder means it's not a camera to get. D50 if you want a Nikon entry-level camera.

TL;DR don't get a D40, but DP Review gets hung up on the most stupid stuff here.
>> Anonymous
i would like to get the d40 but i have a n65 and i need the d80 because it has the focus motor in the body of the camera instead of the lenses like the d40 and i don't want to spend the cash for new lenses.
>> Anonymous
>>173386
The D50 is also an option. It's basically a D40 with a focus motor. It's discontinued, but you can buy them used.
>> Anonymous
thanks alot i will look into that to save some cash ^_^.
>>173387
you win one internets
>> Anonymous
>>173385
The point of a review to to inform them, not force them to shoot raw.
>> Lynx !!KY+lVSl0s2m
>>173396
Then this post is to force them to shoot raw.
SHOOT IN FUCKING RAW MODE.
>> Anonymous
>>173396
But they aren't real downsides. Mention them in the review, sure, but when it comes down to their final "Conclusion" page, where they're deciding the worth of the camera, things that won't matter don't have a place.
>> Anonymous
>>173399
Not going to go any further on defending reviews, but keep in mind that all those thing are minor and are just a list for people to watch out for. Almost every one of those problems could turn specific people off of the camera and should be stated in the part most people skip to when deciding between several different cameras.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>173385
>>No depth-of-field preview
>The other problem.
Not really that big a problem with digital. The shutter button and big LCD panel on the back can act as a DoF preview.

(I know it's not the same, but it's close enough for most uses)

Other than that, I agree with your assessment.
>> Anonymous
I have a D40 its a very nice camera, the limitation of only AF lenses is abit of a drag but it takes fantastic photo's, if you want something abit more heavy though then d50 is just right :D
>> Anonymous
>No DOF preview

You mean you can't control the aperture manually using the ring?
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>173561
No, he means there's not a way to get it to actually stop down without taking the picture. I.e., you can't see the scene with the aperture that will actually be used until you actually hit the shutter button and chimp.
>> thefamilyman !!rTVzm2BgTOa
>>173567
you can, set the aperture ring to desired fstop, then unmount lens slightly.
i use to do this on my F60, but no DOF preview isn't the end of the world, its not going to make you any less of a photographer without it or make your photos instant art with a DOF preview, just get over it ppl.
>> Anonymous
>>173567
So if you look through the viewfinder, the lens will always be set at its largest aperture? Does the D80 have DOF preview?
>> Anonymous
>>173572
That is how all SLR cameras have worked since the 1960s.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>173572
Yes, and yes.
>> Anonymous
dof preview is over rated
>> Anonymous
OP I have a D40 amongst other cameras. It's sort of a light weight back up but it's great.>>173378pretty much covered any negative points to the camera, but>>173384and>>173385easily describe why they're not too troublesome.

If it's your first DSLR go for it, they're great and nice to learn on. If you're not new to the DSLR world, however, don't go out and get a D40 unless you simply want to have a light weight, compact, DSLR. I tend to carry mine around more when in public than any other camera I own due its portability, and that's what they're good for.
>> Anonymous
yeah dof preview isn't a dealbreaker. i never use it on any of my cameras that have it. its pretty easy to just anticipate the results you're going to get based on the aperture you choose.
>> Anonymous
>>173656

Especially when it doesn't work with current overbright dslr viewfinders.
>> noko
>>173376
Get a P&S if you're not planning on swapping lenses. Don't get me wrong, it's a good small/lightweight camera but eh. It's still a DSLR, much larger than a P&S.
>> Anonymous
>>173997

D40's small size ftw, i think that's all that matters.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>174244

yeah.. it sure is small..

guess you've never seen a e-410
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>> Anonymous
yeah i like my canon 350d more.
only $440 on amazon.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>174247
who cares, it's still way, way larger than a decent P&S and won't fit into a pocket. Trust me, I have an E-410 and enough pancake lenses to put on it.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeOLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.Camera ModelE-500Camera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS3 WindowsMaximum Lens Aperturef/3.5Color Filter Array Pattern702Image-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution300 dpiVertical Resolution300 dpiImage Created2008:05:04 01:29:53Exposure Time1/80 secF-Numberf/3.5Exposure ProgramAperture PriorityISO Speed Rating100Lens Aperturef/3.5Exposure Bias1.3 EVMetering ModePatternLight SourceUnknownFlashFlash, CompulsoryFocal Length35.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width640Image Height480RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlNoneContrastNormalSaturationNormalSharpnessSoft
>> Anonymous
awesome entry level dslr
>> Anonymous
d40 ftw. x is good too tho...