Nikon D40 with stock lens sample pics from Disney?

[Josh'sDad1974]

I just found that problem. I should have done the full research before I posted. My only experiences are with the D1, D100, D200 and a little on the D300.

 

[JeffGoldblum]

Thanks for all the shots, hope to see even more soon!

 

[wen-tom]

I am also interested in any sample pics. this year (21 days and counting) wil be my 1st trip with a DSLR. i have the Nikon D40x with the standard 18:55 lens.

i am totally new to DSLR but love photography so i took the plunge earlier this year. i will prob leave the camera on auto for the majority of pictures as i am not too confident with the manual settings yet

any advise would be very welcome

 

[ukcatfan]

I am also interested in any sample pics. this year (21 days and counting) wil be my 1st trip with a DSLR. i have the Nikon D40x with the standard 18:55 lens.

i am totally new to DSLR but love photography so i took the plunge earlier this year. i will prob leave the camera on auto for the majority of pictures as i am not too confident with the manual settings yet

any advise would be very welcome

Your next step should be Program mode ("P" on most cams). That gives control of ISO and a few other things, but it still picks the shutter and aperture. Pay attention to what it is doing to learn a little and then try out aperture priority. That way you can learn how the aperture controls the depth of field. Again pay attention to what the camera picks for the shutter speed to learn even more. Then you can learn how to shutter priority for times when you either need to freeze the action or want to introduce some blurring on purpose.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

These were all taken on my first trip to FL with my D40 both the stock 18-55 were used and the 55-200 lens. 99% of the time I use the auto focus (which in the dark gets itself confused - if you know what I mean.)

Details are in the pics. Click on them for the full size image and then the details can be seen at the bottom of each of those. I use the P setting alot and set my film speed and lighting thru the menu. I had a small tripod but rarely used it (cause I'm lazy like that.)

Warning: Universal is in there too - Disney is around the middle all the way to the end of the page. I take multiple shots with hopes of getting a good one. I tend to take a test shot, adjust the light setting and then take more til I am happy with what I have.

HTH, cmj.

http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/FL1207wAidz/FLScenes/?start=all

 

[cdfl30]

I have a few night photos from WDW last year that I took with a D40 and the lens kit.

 

[JeffGoldblum]

Wow. Very nice.

I've been trying to see shots to compare the d80 to the D40 and since this is my first DSLR, its hard to pay more than double for the D80 when the D40 takes such wonderful shots.

 

[ukcatfan]

Wow. Very nice.

I've been trying to see shots to compare the d80 to the D40 and since this is my first DSLR, its hard to pay more than double for the D80 when the D40 takes such wonderful shots.

You might be missing the point of the higher end body. Comparing shots between the two is going to do nothing for your decision. Virtually any DSLR is capable of capturing almost identical images. The biggest thing the higher end model gives you is an easier or more convenient way of doing it. For example, the D80 has two knobs to adjust the shutter and aperture where the D40 has one. That makes it faster and easier to change both when needed, but the cheaper body can still do the exact same thing. Most higher end ones also take burst shots quicker for more shots, which give you a better chance of getting the best shot. Again, the low end body is just as capable of doing it, but you need to have either more skill or luck to get the best shot. Some higher end models have a more usable high ISO, but that does not come into play between the D40 and D80.

There is aways the focus motor situation between these two models. The D80 will AF all of the AF lenses where the D40 requires the lens to have the focus motor. The D80 allows you to get the ~$100 50mm f/1.8 where the cheapest fast lens that will AF on the D40 is $400. Both will work great. That decision comes down to how much you are willing to pay for a lens.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

and weight because you are comparing the 80 and 40

I carried both, the 40 fits in my hand way better~
(I used the D80 for two years and have had my D40 for six months now)

the knobs for changing shutter and aperature don't really make a big difference if you intend to use it on auto. (Or even P-mode which is what I use most.) The lenses only make a difference when you need something special - like I am looking at the wider angle lenses and have found $450 to be the best price for what works with my camera.

Go to Best Buy or your local camera store and put these cameras in your hand! That's what made my mind up when I was shopping...

 

[JeffGoldblum]

You might be missing the point of the higher end body. Comparing shots between the two is going to do nothing for your decision. Virtually any DSLR is capable of capturing almost identical images. The biggest thing the higher end model gives you is an easier or more convenient way of doing it. For example, the D80 has two knobs to adjust the shutter and aperture where the D40 has one. That makes it faster and easier to change both when needed, but the cheaper body can still do the exact same thing. Most higher end ones also take burst shots quicker for more shots, which give you a better chance of getting the best shot. Again, the low end body is just as capable of doing it, but you need to have either more skill or luck to get the best shot. Some higher end models have a more usable high ISO, but that does not come into play between the D40 and D80.

There is aways the focus motor situation between these two models. The D80 will AF all of the AF lenses where the D40 requires the lens to have the focus motor. The D80 allows you to get the ~$100 50mm f/1.8 where the cheapest fast lens that will AF on the D40 is $400. Both will work great. That decision comes down to how much you are willing to pay for a lens.

Yeah, I understand that. I know the D40 has its limits, with the AF lenses and all that, but Ive been thinking since this is my first DSLR id most likly just stick with the 18-55 lens and the 55-200VR lens. Id most likly not upgrade anymore past that for at least a year or more, as my plan is to get this camera and teach myself a lot about it. So i've been trying to compare just stock lens photos to see what they could do without bigger upgrades. As in, seeing maybe what I'd be able to do without buying more stuff for it. if that makes any sense.

 

[ukcatfan]

So i've been trying to compare just stock lens photos to see what they could do without bigger upgrades. As in, seeing maybe what I'd be able to do without buying more stuff for it. if that makes any sense.

What I am trying to say is that if you setup the same shot with a D40, D60, D80, D200, and D300 all with the same lens, aside from the JPG processing, the shots should look identical. That is why I suggest comparing the features instead of sample shots. Go hold them to see which feels better. Also, do not expect to automatically get shots like the ones cdfl30 posted. I do not know that person, but he/she obviously has skill.

As for the lens, the basic 18-55mm kit is decent in decent lighting. Get poor lighting and you need a tripod and a static subject. I have heard that the upgraded kit lens is much better and is somewhere around 18-135mm I think. Be aware that with a kit lens you are usually giving up build quality and the front element on most will rotate. That is inconvenient when trying to use a CP filter or petal shaped hood. Also, the kit usually does not come with a hood. Nikon users can probably verify the specifics.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

The kit the OP is speaking of came with a hood for me from Amazon.
(and both lenses 18-55 & 55-200)

It also came with two instructional DVDs!

A memory card did not come with it but nowadays you can get a 2g SD card for $20.

I use mine in low light without a tripod. It's all in how you hold it, what you find for support (trashcans at Disney are the perfect height) and what settings you use. For night shots I also make a habit of taking multiple shots for each scene - it's my insurance that when I get home there will be a useable shot and not just one ugly blurry one.

I constantly play with the Menu settings in P mode.
(I highly recommend you "play" alot with any camera you get.)

I doubt you will outgrow it too quickly...it really is a nice setup.

I also recommend you still get one in your hand. See how it feels...if you have an SD card maybe they'll even let you take a shot or two with the camera~

What I am trying to say is that if you setup the same shot with a D40, D60, D80, D200, and D300 all with the same lens, aside from the JPG processing, the shots should look identical.

My last comment will be that I think the biggest difference between my using the different cameras is the weight. I had more blurred, unuseable shots with the D80 but can honestly say it might be cause it was too heavy for me.

 

[isabellund]

If you do decide to buy the D40, they have it on Amazon with free shipping and no sales tax.

 

[sdzman]

I just bought the D40 + 50-200mm VR lens for under $600.00 from Amazon.com (includes tax & shipping), the only bad thing is the lens in on backorder and I have to wait until possibly August to get it but it is worth it IMO.

This is my first DSLR and so far I love it. I was able to take some great pics right out of the box using auto-mode. I have been experimenting with the settings for indoor and night time shots. The software that came with it doesnt impress me but I was expecting to replace it anyway. Great camera at a great price!

 

[JeffGoldblum]

Thanks for all the advice everyone has posted, and all the pics people have shared with me. I got my hands on the D40 and really enjoyed it. I wish I could take it home right now and just mess around! I decided to go for it, but im trying to find the best deal so far. Amazon's deal is great but the 200mm lens wont be in stock til after I am home from Disney World, so that kinda stinks.

Thanks again for everyones posts, it helped me out a lot