Questions on Nikon 40D

Guest · Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 11:21 am Post subject: Questions on Nikon 40D

I'm currently i'm using a Canon Powershot A41O and Canon Power Shot S2 IS (cousin's camera) to take pics of the rc racing trucks in Palmiste. I want to purchase my own slr camera and i was thinking to get the Nikon 40D as a beginner.
I want to know
(1) Will it take shots of the rc offroad trucks when racing?
(2) Will it stall like the canon powershot A410 when it takes a shot?
(3) When i put the canon powershot S2 IS in continous shooting mode, the screen blanks out and i have to average the shot. Will i experience the same complication with the Nikon 40D?
(4) What is your opinion of the Nikon 40D as a beginners slr digital camera?

Plex · Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:47 pm Post subject:

There are some photo experts here on this forum when they come online i am sure they will address these questions for you.

Guest · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 10:29 am Post subject:

The problem is i need to know by the end of today because i got my cuz in Cananada to buy it for me so i need to make a choice

Plex · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 12:15 pm Post subject:

Wish i could help..Check out this link, perhaps there is infor that may help you.

http://www.zorce.com/zforums/viewtopic.php?t=2849

obeiron · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 11:14 pm Post subject:

Do you mean the Nikon D40?

It should be a good camera. I don't know much about the nikon (I use the canon eos 350D) but it should be faster than your current camera so it won't really "stall" between shots.

Also, with most slr's, you won't be able to compose a shot by looking on the screen, you will have to look through the viewfinder.

Hopefully someone with a bit more knowledge will come along soon to give you some more info.

Luny_art · Pumpum Conqueror Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 2

ok..I just wanted to make sure I didn't experience the same problem i was having with the Canon Power Shot S2 IS where the screen was blanking out in continous shooting mode and i had to average when the subjects came into frame

Princess-Kaveshla · Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:02 pm Post subject:

(1) Will it take shots of the rc offroad trucks when racing?
Sure will, just practice your panning shots (taking pics of a moving object). Having different lenses or a good zoom may be helpful here too. Having a SLR (the Nikon D40) versus the other point and shoot versions gives you this option.

(2) Will it stall like the canon powershot A410 when it takes a shot?
According to the specs this should give you at least 2.5frames per second which I'm sure will be much better than the powershot.

(3) When i put the canon powershot S2 IS in continous shooting mode, the screen blanks out and i have to average the shot. Will i experience the same complication with the Nikon 40D?

I'm hoping the answer to the last question would help solve this, but can u elaborate a bit?

(4) What is your opinion of the Nikon 40D as a beginners slr digital camera?

It's a great beginner's SLR, making the step to SLR in the first place is your best move already. Canon does have some comparable cameras in this league. This camera should be considered as your first stepping stone into more professional photography. Original nikon lenses & canon lenses are not the cheapest, but they do provide great quality and the choice in my opinion is really a personal one. I would recommend if you can get your hands on the nikon and one of the canon rebels maybe and see how they feel - literally, see how the controls are set and which you think would be more suitable for you. The reason why I bring up the canon cameras also is because you were using the canon before, there are some elements and symbols more familiar to you and the transition may be easier. From some reviews, it's a bit basic as an SLR, but this may be a great thing, being that it is a beginner's. Choose your lenses carefully, as they will also work for the higher line cameras as well.

Hope this helps... Keep the questions coming..
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Plex · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:55 am Post subject:

Any tips about choosing lens?

Princess-Kaveshla · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:06 am Post subject:

Are we talking the type? or the actual ranges like 300mm etc..
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Princess-Kaveshla · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:29 am Post subject:

Before I get into the lenses tho - found an interesting review.... that had some good points on the Nikon on Cnet.com.. I'll pick them out there...

The review was based on the nikon D40 w/18mm to 55mm lens.
Product summary

The good: Excellent feel and compact size; very customizable menu architecture; nice guidance for dSLR newbies; excellent noise characteristics for high-ISO shots.

The bad: Slow kit lens; occasionally slow to focus; only 6 megapixels; raw editing software costs extra; control scheme can be awkward; no automatic sensor cleaning.

The bottom line: The Nikon D40 is a great transition camera for going from point-and-shoot to your first dSLR....

....Nikon sells only a kit version, bundling in its new f/3.5-to-f/5.6G, 18mm-to-55mm II ED AF-S DX lens (28.8mm to 88mm equivalent). This assumption also informs Nikon's decision to remove the coupling pin from the lens mount, limiting the capabilities when interfacing the camera with lenses other than the newer AF-S and AF-I models. In other words, this isn't your father's Nikon, and it isn't the camera to buy if you've got a stash of Dad's old Nikon lenses.

Compatible Lenses*1: Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts Type G or D AF Nikkor
1) AF-S, AF-I: All functions supported
2) Other Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus
3) PC Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D: Can only be used in mode M; all other functions supported except autofocus
4) Other AF Nikkor*1/AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
5) 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
6) IX Nikkor lenses cannot be used
*1. Excluding lenses for F3AF

....If you're used to shooting with a snapshot camera, it will feel very familiar; if you're accustomed to more streamlined combinations of buttons and dials, it can feel a bit clunky. For instance, in aperture-priority mode, you can change the aperture only via the command dial; to change the shutter speed, you must go through the aforementioned process. Nikon does provide an Fn button to which you can assign button-plus-dial access to image size/quality, ISO sensitivity, white balance, or drive mode...

...The D40 also gets high marks for photo quality, with very low-noise images, minimal lens distortion, excellent metering and exposure, and pleasing colors.....

...Shutter lag and autofocus speed pop up as the D40's biggest weaknesses. It wakes up fast--0.3 second and you're good to go. But its shutter lag in good light is an almost embarrassing (for a dSLR) 0.7 second, and it more than doubles in dim light to 1.6 seconds. I frequently missed shots because of it. The autofocus system works fine for small changes--the subject taking a step, or refocusing on something nearby--but when switching from a far subject to a near subject or vice versa, it takes a perceptibly long second or two to lock.....

..However, raw and JPEG shot-to-shot time is an excellent 0.6 second (lower than the shutter lag because the camera doesn't need to focus a second time), as is the flash time, which only adds 0.3 second. In continuous-shooting mode, the D40 outshines the rest of its class with 2.5fps; the Canon EOS Rebel XTi is a mite faster, but the D40 can keep it up for far more frames.

If you're just looking for a great, cheap dSLR, the faster, higher-resolution Canon EOS Rebel XT is probably a better bet; and if you're an experienced shooter, you might want to spend more for the Nikon D80. But if you've got a budding photographer in the family or want to step up to your first dSLR, the Nikon D40 is a great choice....
_________________
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Plex · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:51 am Post subject:

Princess-Kaveshla · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:03 am Post subject:

I knew that was comin!... hehe...
_________________
Mowgli : "Use the Zorce Princess Kaveshla!"...
Prayer works. Just do it.

Plex · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:12 am Post subject:

You not easy... Laughing

You know what will be good to illustrate the points if we could get pics from each model camera..Moving & static pics..

Princess-Kaveshla · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:16 am Post subject:

For simplicity... I'll go through mainly the Nikons & Canons.. they're the main ones mentioned on the forums and used... as a start off.. hmm maybe this part should really be a whole new thread...
_________________
Mowgli : "Use the Zorce Princess Kaveshla!"...
Prayer works. Just do it.

Princess-Kaveshla · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:17 am Post subject:

Btw Plex yuh get your zorce wallet yet - I comin tomorrow so book now! haha
_________________
Mowgli : "Use the Zorce Princess Kaveshla!"...
Prayer works. Just do it.