DW said I could buy a new dslr

[RvUsa]

I really want to get a nikon d40x, but the problem is that we leave for disney in 10 days, could I get used to it fast enough, or should I just stick to old camera, and get the new one when we get back??? I have a really nice (older) minolta 35mm slr. and a kodak pns....

Any opinions? Ideas? Comments?

Thanks
John

 

[ukcatfan]

It depends on how much you already know, but that is not much time to get used to any new camera. You might also want to take more time to make sure you really want that model. Have you actually tried one out and compared it to the competition? I ended up with a different brand after I held the first one I thought I wanted.

Kevin

 

[boBQuincy]

At it's simplest a dSLR is no more complicated than a P&S. In "Auto" mode it acts just like a big, fancy P&S: press the button, get a photo. No, you won't be getting all the features and all the benefits but it will still deliver an image that is at least as good (and in low light far better) than the P&S.

I say go for it!

 

[Shutterbug]

Here is my story.

I got myself a brand new canon 40D 2 days before the Detroit Auto Show.
I took a few photos the day I got it to make sure it worked. Well the day of the show the lens stopped working just after I got there. Now I had a brought a couple of other lens but those did not have the wide angle of the new lens. So I was stuck on missing out on alot of photos that I had wanted to take.

My opinion is that anything can break at any point but the odds are on a new item that if it has a problem its going to show it sooner than later.

IMO If you can get the camera in and really put it through its paces before you go then you would be alright I think. The other option is, do you have room for both cameras? If you do bring it along also as a good back up.

 

[Steve's Girl]

I'd go for it! When we went to WDW in 2006, I had only had my Nikon D80 for a few weeks. I used program mode most of the time and my photos were far better than DH's using our old P&S.

 

[jann1033]

if you are buying it locally and have time to at least read the manual before hand i say go for it...but the d40 can only use certain lenses i think..i think sony can use some of your minolta lenses...might want to check theirs out if it's in your budget. i'm with bob though, use it on auto unless you have time to play with it lots beforehand

 

[RvUsa]

It depends on how much you already know, but that is not much time to get used to any new camera. You might also want to take more time to make sure you really want that model. Have you actually tried one out and compared it to the competition? I ended up with a different brand after I held the first one I thought I wanted.

Kevin

I am a really big guy, and I have tried a lot of cameras, the nikon "fit" better than most.... with some of them, my big ol fingers wont fit between the body and the lens, in that little are were they are supposed to go. On some of the new p&s, it looks like I am holding a postage stamp trying to take a picture. I can take both so that would be no problem, but would not want to walk around the park all day lugging 2 or 3 cameras LOL.

 

[GabbyMom]

If you have other nikon lenses I wouldn't get the d40x. it doesn't work with everything. I'm going out today to get the D80 cause it'll work with the lenses i already have

 

[RvUsa]

if you are buying it locally and have time to at least read the manual before hand i say go for it...but the d40 can only use certain lenses i think..i think sony can use some of your minolta lenses...might want to check theirs out if it's in your budget

It's an old minolta, without a/f, I dont think it would work with a sony would it, does anyone know, cuz if it does that would definitely sway my decision.

Thanks

 

[Steve's Girl]

It's an old minolta, without a/f, I dont think it would work with a sony would it, does anyone know, cuz if it does that would definitely sway my decision.

Thanks

I don't use Sony, but I believe that the new cameras are compatible with older Minolta lenses. If you have decent Minolta lenses, I would definitely look at the Sony. Be sure to take your lenses with you to the camera shop and try it out.

 

[MICKEY88]

autofocus minolta lenses will work on the new sony DSLRs, minolta manual focus lenses will not, since it is a different lens mount,

basically lenses from the minolta 7000 cameras on up..

 

[My2Girls66]

I think you'd be fine. You already know how to use an slr. It won't be terribly different. I bought my D50 a few weeks before a ski trip in Co. Didn't have any problems since I was used to a film slr. I did bring my p&s for when I didn't want to carry the D50.

 

[RvUsa]

autofocus minolta lenses will work on the new sony DSLRs, minolta manual focus lenses will not, since it is a different lens mount,

basically lenses from the minolta 7000 cameras on up..

Bummer, It would have been nice to use my lenses... I love my old minolta...I got it for a graduation present from my dad.

I love using an slr, so I think I will get a dslr.... unless someone says something to get me to change my mind...

So let me have it..

 

[Mrs Potato Head]

Have it - love it, SUPER easy to use. So easy, I've already outgrown it (but that's another story).

I wouldn't worry about having enough time to learn it - it can be used as a really NICE point and shoot with it's program modes, or you can play with it in A or S modes if you'd rather. Get the kit lens - and get the DVD on how to use the camera. Spend 2 hours with the DVD and your camera, and you are totally set for just about anything WDW might throw at you in it's simplest forms, and you will also be well on your way to being able to do a lot more.

DVD was $29.99 and mine came with a laminated cheat sheet for the camera also.

I have the D40x with 18-55, 55-200. The camera is incredibly lightweight and easy to use at Disney. I recommend the Lowepro Slingshot 100 for WDW trips as it is easy to get into, securely stores your gear, and even has a rain shield you can use on the water rides, and for any showers that might dampen your trip.

Even though I'm upgrading to the D300, I will keep my D40x for the trips to the parks - my DH LOVES it and the pictures are really great that come out of it!

 

[ukcatfan]

I am a really big guy, and I have tried a lot of cameras, the nikon "fit" better than most.... with some of them, my big ol fingers wont fit between the body and the lens, in that little are were they are supposed to go. On some of the new p&s, it looks like I am holding a postage stamp trying to take a picture. I can take both so that would be no problem, but would not want to walk around the park all day lugging 2 or 3 cameras LOL.

It is interesting to me that you say it feels better b/c you are a bigger guy. The D40 and D40x are some of the smallest DSLRs around. The D40x might be a little larger, but I was thinking they were exactly the same size. Maybe I am wrong, but I thought the only smaller DSLR was the new D60. I am not a large guy and thought the Canon Rebel XT was too small and it is larger than the D40x. I really liked the feel of the D50, but thought the D40 was way too small. Unless it is out of your budget, the D80 is sort of aging and likely is a pretty good deal now. It is larger than the D40x.

As for using it on a trip when you have only had it for days, the biggest thing to consider is the DOF. If you have been using a p&s for a while now, you are do not normally have to consider it. With a DSLR, you might get your background out of focus when you do not intend to do so. It is a great tool when you want to do that though. Just remember that the apertures on a p&s do not equate the same as a DSLR when talking DOF.

Kevin

 

[YEKCIM]

I am a really big guy, and I have tried a lot of cameras, the nikon "fit" better than most.... with some of them, my big ol fingers wont fit between the body and the lens, in that little are were they are supposed to go.

I think the ergonomics of the Nikon D3 would be ideally suited to your needs. you *did* say that your wife has given you an unlimited budget, right?

~Y

 

[RvUsa]

It is interesting to me that you say it feels better b/c you are a bigger guy. The D40 and D40x are some of the smallest DSLRs around. The D40x might be a little larger, but I was thinking they were exactly the same size. Maybe I am wrong, but I thought the only smaller DSLR was the new D60. I am not a large guy and thought the Canon Rebel XT was too small and it is larger than the D40x. I really liked the feel of the D50, but thought the D40 was way too small.

Its not so much the size, it's the finger placement, my big ol sausages, just seem to fit better... It seemed that no matter how I held the cannon, my thumb was always pushing a button.... and I don't think I have held a sony... unfortunately, price is an object. So, the nikon seemed like a pretty good deal, but now, with what everyone is saying, I am not sure....

 

[handicap18]

If price is part of the issue, then look at the D40 instead of the D40x. Is the same camera with 6.1MP instead of 10MP and 1 or 2 other smaller things. And its less expensive.

Both camera's take GREAT images. Personally I think its a bit small, but I do have to agree about the placement of buttons. I find the Nikon's to be better. The biggest issue I've had with the D40/D40x is the lack of a focus motor in the body. This makes is not able to AutoFocus the older Nikkor lenses (those designated with AF instead of AF-S). There are now 30 or so Nikkor AF-S lenses and any new lenses Nikon releases all have AF-S. Also Tamron and Sigma are both making their new lenses with the focus motor in the lens. Between those 2 companies there are another 25 or so lenses. Many of them are affordable and there are also more prime lenses available now than there were when the D40 first came out.

Here is a list of lenses compatable with the Nikon D40/D40x/D60.

So I say go for it! If your comfortable with SLR's then you should have no problems with the dSLR. Shoot in Program mode so you can choose your own ISO (aka film speed) then as you get more comfortable switch to Aperture or Shutter priority. Of course you can also bring a tripod and shoot in Manual for great night shots.

Enjoy it and don't forget to post pictures when you get back.

 

[ukcatfan]

Its not so much the size, it's the finger placement, my big ol sausages, just seem to fit better... It seemed that no matter how I held the cannon, my thumb was always pushing a button.... and I don't think I have held a sony... unfortunately, price is an object. So, the nikon seemed like a pretty good deal, but now, with what everyone is saying, I am not sure....

I agree with the XT/XTi button placement. I really thought I would like the XT, but never liked it when I handled it. As I said, I really liked the D50, but then the Pentax line caught my eye. My Pentax K100D has a very similar feel and usable button placement and had more to offer at a lower price than the D50, so that is why I went with it. They are harder to find to see if you like them, but real camera shops will likely have them. Sometimes Circuit City and Walmart have them, but not very often. You should be able to handle the Sony and Olympus models at a real camera store as well.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

I'd definitely go for it - like Bob said, using a DSLR doesn't necessarily have to be THAT complicated. Heck, the entry-level ones even have an "auto" mode and scene modes. You won't use those for very long.

One thing that I would recommend, as long as you have plenty of memory cards (and you should since they're so insanely cheap at the moment), is to shoot in Raw mode - you will have to "process" the photos to turn them into JPGs, but this is as simple as running them all through a raw converter, no need to give them any special attention, it just takes a few minutes for your PC to convert them.

Then, in the future, when you're more comfortable with the camera, you can revisit some of the best (or worst but with potential) photos and tweak the raw files, more so than you'd be able to do if you shot JPG.