I want to buy the Nikon D40

[handicap18]

I'm having some problems with PictureProject. I uploaded it and then I let it import my pictures from Zoombrowser. I then imported some new pictures that I took with the camera, but they don't seem to be anywhere? They're not in PictureProject and not in my Corel either. PP won't let me try and edit any of my old pictures either, the computer keeps saying that PP has stopped working and must shut down. Oops, I wonder if I screwed something up when I installed the CD of PP?

Edited to add:

If I want to view pictures on a tv do I need a special video cord made by Nikon?

Zoombrowser is Canon's software isn't it?

You should only have to use PictureProject for everything.

What I do is go to Transfer. It should automatically find the camera or SD card in the card reader. If you want the pictures to go into a specific file on your computer you can do the following:
Click on options on the right side. Then click on Transfer Destination. Then browse your computer for your folder. This will now become the default transfer destination. Click OK. Then make sure all the images you want transfered are selected and click transfer.

As for viewing on the TV, my D50 came with a cord. I would think the D40 would also come with a cord.

 

[emmabelle]

Zoombrowser is Canon's software isn't it?

You should only have to use PictureProject for everything.

What I do is go to Transfer. It should automatically find the camera or SD card in the card reader. If you want the pictures to go into a specific file on your computer you can do the following:
Click on options on the right side. Then click on Transfer Destination. Then browse your computer for your folder. This will now become the default transfer destination. Click OK. Then make sure all the images you want transfered are selected and click transfer.

As for viewing on the TV, my D50 came with a cord. I would think the D40 would also come with a cord.

I just uninstalled all the PictureProject software and reinstalled it and it still won't let me edit any of my pictures. I did figure out how to get the pictures into PP at least.

The D40 doesn't come with a video cord. I have two at my home already, one for my Canon sx100 and one from my Sony video camera. I just wasn't sure if they would ruin my camera or do I need to go out and buy a third video cord?

Do you know if there is a way to view the Exif data (the shutter speed and aperature that were used for a particular picture) while the picture is still on the camera?

 

[TinksDH]

When you are viewing the picture on the LCD and push the down arrow (or up arrow) on the keypad, does that bring up EXIF data? It does on my D50, but I don't know if it does on the D40. I can cycle through the histogram, highlight "blinkies", brief picture data, complete picture data, and just the image.

Sorry if this doesn't work for the D40.

 

[YEKCIM]

I just uninstalled all the PictureProject software and reinstalled it and it still won't let me edit any of my pictures. I did figure out how to get the pictures into PP at least.

The D40 doesn't come with a video cord. I have two at my home already, one for my Canon sx100 and one from my Sony video camera. I just wasn't sure if they would ruin my camera or do I need to go out and buy a third video cord?

Do you know if there is a way to view the Exif data (the shutter speed and aperature that were used for a particular picture) while the picture is still on the camera?

This is probably the point at which you need to read thru the manual, very slowly and deliberately. I don't know about viewing pictures via on TV via the video-out (does the D40 have a video-out?) as I never view my pix that way. On the exif issue, I feel sure that one of the picture review options is to view the shooting data (exif) overlaid over the picture but, again, you will need to consult the manual to see for sure, and the procedure. On my D80, you simply use the up or down arrows on the 4-way controller to cycle thru the various review options; maybe the D40 works the same way.

~Ed

 

[emmabelle]

When you are viewing the picture on the LCD and push the down arrow (or up arrow) on the keypad, does that bring up EXIF data? It does on my D50, but I don't know if it does on the D40. I can cycle through the histogram, highlight "blinkies", brief picture data, complete picture data, and just the image.

Sorry if this doesn't work for the D40.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!! It was the up arrow. I've looked at the book a thousand times and couldn't find that. I don't know how I didn't press the up arrow, I pushed the down a ton of times, but never pushed the up.

 

[Tinkermom3]

Excellent! Any luck with PictureProject yet? This shouldn't be the case, but I do know that sometimes you need to download the most recent version of the software from Nikon's website. I know this is the case sometimes if you are shootonig RAW (NEF), but if you are shooting jpeg you should be ok with the version of PictureProject that came with the camera. Just to be sure though, you may want to download PP from the website.

At least you know that your camera is taking shots and you can get them onto your PC. Worst case, you can figure out the software issues AFTER you go on your trip!!

 

[TinksDH]

Excellent! Any luck with PictureProject yet? This shouldn't be the case, but I do know that sometimes you need to download the most recent version of the software from Nikon's website. I know this is the case sometimes if you are shootonig RAW (NEF), but if you are shooting jpeg you should be ok with the version of PictureProject that came with the camera. Just to be sure though, you may want to download PP from the website.

At least you know that your camera is taking shots and you can get them onto your PC. Worst case, you can figure out the software issues AFTER you go on your trip!!

Ooops! Posted under DW's account! She had left herself logged in! This was from me, not her!

 

[handicap18]

I just uninstalled all the PictureProject software and reinstalled it and it still won't let me edit any of my pictures. I did figure out how to get the pictures into PP at least.

The D40 doesn't come with a video cord. I have two at my home already, one for my Canon sx100 and one from my Sony video camera. I just wasn't sure if they would ruin my camera or do I need to go out and buy a third video cord?

Do you know if there is a way to view the Exif data (the shutter speed and aperature that were used for a particular picture) while the picture is still on the camera?

The editing features on PP are very limited. I never use PP for editing. I only use it to convert the NEF images (aka: RAW) to JPEG's. I'll use lightroom or photo shop elements for editing.

As for the video cord: if the D40 didn't come with one then you'll have to buy one. Either that or buy a DVD player or TV with a USB connection (my Verizon cable box has a USB 2.0 slot). It is definately different than the cord for a video camera. I accidently plugged in a video camera cord and got nothing on the TV. It wont hurt your camera but it also wont display anything on the TV.


I was just looking at the dSLR's on the NikonUSA web site and the D40, D40x and D60 do not come with a video cord. The D50, D70, D70s, D80, D200, & D300 all do come with video cords. I'm wondering now if the D40, D40x and D60 have the video out slot?

 

[emmabelle]

The editing features on PP are very limited. I never use PP for editing. I only use it to convert the NEF images (aka: RAW) to JPEG's. I'll use lightroom or photo shop elements for editing.

As for the video cord: if the D40 didn't come with one then you'll have to buy one. Either that or buy a DVD player or TV with a USB connection (my Verizon cable box has a USB 2.0 slot). It is definately different than the cord for a video camera. I accidently plugged in a video camera cord and got nothing on the TV. It wont hurt your camera but it also wont display anything on the TV.

I was just looking at the dSLR's on the NikonUSA web site and the D40, D40x and D60 do not come with a video cord. The D50, D70, D70s, D80, D200, & D300 all do come with video cords. I'm wondering now if the D40, D40x and D60 have the video out slot?

I can't believe that they don't include a video cable. Even my crappy SD450 came with a video cord. The only reason I wanted one is when I'm in Florida I wanted to look at the pictures on the tv in my parent's condo. I did try all my other video cables and they didn't work.

The camera has a video out slot.

My PP just doesn't want to work. I actually moved the new pictures into my Zoombrowser, I like that application better.

I'm going into Boston today to try and take some pictures, hopefully the wind won't make it too frigid out.


What about a new photo assignment for March?

 

[emmabelle]

Some pictures with my new camera. Feel free to criticize them, I need to learn.

Edited to add, I like the composition on them, but the quality seems to be lacking, is that because I cropped them?

 

[Berni'sDH]

Some pictures with my new camera. Feel free to criticize them, I need to learn.

Edited to add, I like the composition on them, but the quality seems to be lacking, is that because I cropped them?

Emma,

I think these are some truly EXCELLENT first pictures with your new D40, with GREAT composition! It seems like the new camera is bringing out your natural eye for composing great shots. As for the image quality, one big difference you may be unaware of between P&S's and DSLR's is the fact that the P&S's do a lot of processing of an image (the .jpeg) in-camera, before you even see the final image. With a DSLR, it is up to the photographer to make some adjustments to the various in-camera settings (sharpness, saturation. etc.), or during post-processing (such as with PictureProject, Photoshop Elements or another program) themselves to get the result they want to acheive. So, you get a lot more creative control over the look of an image with a DSLR, but it may take a bit more effort to acheive this! It seems like most Nikon DSLR's produce a somewhat "flat" looking image quality straight from the factory (my D70s did, and I have heard that the D200 and even the new D300 did as well), and require some adjustment to the basic picture settings to get a more vibrant or "punchier" look to the images you get straight out of the camera. I don't own a D40 (have a Nikon D70s), and am unsure of the exact menus, but I believe you will find the necessary adjustments under the "Optimize Image" item under the "Shooting Menu" (Green "Camera" Icon on the Menu), where you can adjust such settings as Image Sharpening, Saturation and Color Mode. You can read more about these in the Users Manual, or go to Ken Rockwell's (or many other sites as well) for more direction/advice on this:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/users-guide/menus-shooting.htm#optimize

You can try other people's advice on settings to use (such as Ken's), but ultimately, you just have to play around and try different setting combos, shoot a few pictures, review, change settings, take some more pictures and review, etc., until you find the combinations that are most pleasing to your eyes. Along with various post-processing choices you can also make, this is where your creativity can run wild!

Have fun, and I hope you found this helpful!

Alan

 

[emmabelle]

Emma,

I think these are some truly EXCELLENT first pictures with your new D40, with GREAT composition! It seems like the new camera is bringing out your natural eye for composing great shots. As for the image quality, one big difference you may be unaware of between P&S's and DSLR's is the fact that the P&S's do a lot of processing of an image (the .jpeg) in-camera, before you even see the final image. With a DSLR, it is up to the photographer to make some adjustments to the various in-camera settings (sharpness, saturation. etc.), or during post-processing (such as with PictureProject, Photoshop Elements or another program) themselves to get the result they want to acheive. So, you get a lot more creative control over the look of an image with a DSLR, but it may take a bit more effort to acheive this! It seems like most Nikon DSLR's produce a somewhat "flat" looking image quality straight from the factory (my D70s did, and I have heard that the D200 and even the new D300 did as well), and require some adjustment to the basic picture settings to get a more vibrant or "punchier" look to the images you get straight out of the camera. I don't own a D40 (have a Nikon D70s), and am unsure of the exact menus, but I believe you will find the necessary adjustments under the "Optimize Image" item under the "Shooting Menu" (Green "Camera" Icon on the Menu), where you can adjust such settings as Image Sharpening, Saturation and Color Mode. You can read more about these in the Users Manual, or go to Ken Rockwell's (or many other sites as well) for more direction/advice on this:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/users-guide/menus-shooting.htm#optimize

You can try other people's advice on settings to use (such as Ken's), but ultimately, you just have to play around and try different setting combos, shoot a few pictures, review, change settings, take some more pictures and review, etc., until you find the combinations that are most pleasing to your eyes. Along with various post-processing choices you can also make, this is where your creativity can run wild!

Have fun, and I hope you found this helpful!

Alan

Thanks, that does help! I did do some post processing with Corel Snapfire, it came with the computer. It really doesn't let me do much since I need to purchase the upgrade, but I don't know if I should buy the upgrade or get else.

 

[Gdad]

I think you did very well with those Emma- there is also a lot of good information and helpful people over on the Nikon Cafe forum. Several DIS'rs are also active over there.

After 30 Days & 30 Posts you can also access the For Sale forum so you can start buying up all those lenses you will be wanting.

 

[emmabelle]

I think you did very well with those Emma- there is also a lot of good information and helpful people over on the Nikon Cafe forum. Several DIS'rs are also active over there.

After 30 Days & 30 Posts you can also access the For Sale forum so you can start buying up all those lenses you will be wanting.

I checked out the Nikon Cafe. There some really talented
photographers over there on their photography contests.

I'm already thinking that the 70-300vr lens would be a very nice lens to own.

 

[TinksDH]

I'm already thinking that the 70-300vr lens would be a very nice lens to own.

It IS a nice lens. I got some great shots at AKV of the animals out on the savannah with it and my D50. I need to get them up on Flickr so I can post them.

 

[Gdad]

I checked out the Nikon Cafe. There some really talented
photographers over there on their photography contests.

I'm already thinking that the 70-300vr lens would be a very nice lens to own.

There is a lot of talent out there- on many websites including this one- it always amazes me. I like NC also because the people are very friendly there like here. Some of the photo boards out there can get pretty nasty at times.

The 70-300vr is a fantastic lens and a great value in my opinion. As is the Sigma 30/1.4 for low light shots.

 

[ryley26]

I'm going to buy the d40 soon just wondering about extra lenses. The package that is available is 18-55 and 55-200 lens for $749. I've read here many times to get the 18-135 what are your personnel opinions. I could get the camera with the package lens and buy the 18-135 oris the 55-200 similiar. Thank in advance Rich

 

[YEKCIM]

Depending on your budget, the 18-135 + 70-300vr + Sigma 30/1.4 (or 50/1.8 Nikkor, saving about $225) would be a very capable combo.

~Y

 

[emmabelle]

I'm going to buy the d40 soon just wondering about extra lenses. The package that is available is 18-55 and 55-200 lens for $749. I've read here many times to get the 18-135 what are your personnel opinions. I could get the camera with the package lens and buy the 18-135 oris the 55-200 similiar. Thank in advance Rich

I went with the 18-135mm because I knew I wouldn't want to be changing lens all the time. After using the 18-135 I feel that I can get enough zoom out of it. I'm going to Florida next week and I'm going to visit a zoo while there, so we'll see how it does in that situation.

 

[TinksDH]

Depending on your budget, the 18-135 + 70-300vr + Sigma 30/1.4 (or 50/1.8 Nikkor, saving about $225) would be a very capable combo.

~Y

The Sigma 30/1.4 has HSM, does it not? If ryley26 wanted to use AF on the D40, he couldn't use the Nikkor 50/1.8, which is a shame as that is a great little affordable lens! I have no personal experience with the Sigma 30/1.4, but from what I read it sounds pretty good.

Not trying to be a know-it-all, but with Nikon bringing out more cameras without the internal AF motor, and more and more first-time DSLR users getting them, not everyone understands the limitations of lenses not having AF-S or HSM.