100% beginner!

[mermaidear]

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/4/2007/10/dslrroundup.jpg

Mkay, if that photo is accurate, then that definitely won't be too small for my hands.
I use a polaroid i633 right now, and it looks bigger in my hands than the d40 looks in that guys hands.

 

[LeroyLion]

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/4/2007/10/dslrroundup.jpg

Mkay, if that photo is accurate, then that definitely won't be too small for my hands.
I use a polaroid i633 right now, and it looks bigger in my hands than the d40 looks in that guys hands.

My commander uses a D40 and has let me mess around with it before. Now, Im 6' 3" so you can imagine I have huge hands. To be honest, the size of the D40 did not bother me. But, its likely one of those 'depends on the user' sort of things. Best way to figure it out is to get one in your hands. Its a popular camera so there shouldnt be any problems finding one.

 

[mermaidear]

I have a tiny cellphone, and a tiny ipod, and neither bother me at all. Seriously, at this point, I'm way more concerned about holding the freaking thing up and keeping my hands steady...THAT'S why I want to hold one in person.

 

[Parkerman]

A D40 is small compared to the D80, D300, D700, and D3. Its big compared to a large point and shoot camera.

 

[mermaidear]

I'm using a pretty small point and shoot right now.

 

[dklod]

transferring from P&S, not all DSLR's have whats called live view which allows you to use the LCD to frame your shots like you can with your P&S. The view finder (the glass eye piece you look through to see what you are going to shoot) must be used.

From one laymen to another, people have mentioned ISO and noise. Higher ISO's increases the sensitivity of the sensor allowing you to increase your shutter speed in low light, but its comes at a price, noise. This is when the image is speckled with unwanted dots and distortion which can be removed to a degree with software, but from reviews, the D40 is very good at high ISO's.

 

[reg]

the D40 is very good at high ISO's.

:er:

 

[Parkerman]

transferring from P&S, not all DSLR's have whats called live view which allows you to use the LCD to frame your shots like you can with your P&S. The view finder (the glass eye piece you look through to see what you are going to shoot) must be used.

From one laymen to another, people have mentioned ISO and noise. Higher ISO's increases the sensitivity of the sensor allowing you to increase your shutter speed in low light, but its comes at a price, noise. This is when the image is speckled with unwanted dots and distortion which can be removed to a degree with software, but from reviews, the D40 is very good at high ISO's.

the D40 handles noise alright.. Nothing like a D300 or 5D. It can go up top 3200iso.. but that's just to noisy for the camera.

 

[mermaidear]

transferring from P&S, not all DSLR's have whats called live view which allows you to use the LCD to frame your shots like you can with your P&S. The view finder (the glass eye piece you look through to see what you are going to shoot) must be used.

From one laymen to another, people have mentioned ISO and noise. Higher ISO's increases the sensitivity of the sensor allowing you to increase your shutter speed in low light, but its comes at a price, noise. This is when the image is speckled with unwanted dots and distortion which can be removed to a degree with software, but from reviews, the D40 is very good at high ISO's.

Yeah, I know about the view finder. I don't think that'll bother me so much.

And, I barely understood your second paragraph.

 

[mermaidear]

What's noise? Like grainy pictures? =/

 

[mermaidear]

Nevermind. I know what noise is.
What's ISO?

 

[anubis404]

I've been looking at Canon rebel XT and I like it alot. Just not sure if it's for me.
But if I got a DSLR, would I have to buy like 10 lenses that are only for one setting each? That seems expensive. Don't they come with like nighttime, closeup, or landscape settings automatically?

The bodies and autofocus motors do "nighttime" and "close-up". The lenses are mostly for zoom, depth of fields, and focal length. An 18-55mm is a good lens to have that will pretty much cover everything (except long zooms) without breaking the bank. I've survived with only this lens and taken some great pics so far.

Another good all purpose lens is the 50mm f1.8. Only about $100, these lenses have a very low f stop, which means more light can be let in, and you will get a shallower depth of field. This means you will get a more blurred background, and you will be able to use faster shutter speeds to capture fast moving objects at lower light.

This lens does not zoom, however as a rule of thumb, 50mm is about as zoomed as the eye.

The 18-55mm "kit" lens can do close up too. Unless you're really picky and skilled, you don't really need a macro lens to do macro shots. Some of mine with the kit lens:

 

[mermaidear]

I've taken macros like that with my point and shoot, but I guess your's were just with a kit lens. I'm not planning on buying any other lenses or filters or anything for a couple months after I get the camera...but I'll want them eventually, I'm sure.

 

[hankejp]

Greetings everyone. I too am quite the beginner when it comes to "nice" cameras. I usually just used the P.O.S $50 cameras. I want to get more into photography. Is it a consensus that the Nikon D40 is a good camera for its price. I am going to be purchasing a camera possibly this Friday. My budget is going to be $500. The common price that I've seen for the D40 around my part is about $500. I looked at the D40 today and it felt pretty good.

Thanks

 

[dklod]

the D40 handles noise alright.. Nothing like a D300 or 5D. It can go up top 3200iso.. but that's just to noisy for the camera.

Sure they do, but her budget is not going to get her a 5D.