Really need feedback/expert advice...PLEASE?! : )

djacobox372 · Feb 25, 2011

I'm assuming you got the 50mm 1.4 af-s g lens--based on the price you paid.

That lens is actually a bit better then the canon version. But the d40 is not quite as good, and you have limited lens options like you pointed out. However I don't think that is the difference between you and your friend.

But I can suggest a zero cost upgrade that you may be happier with.

For the $400+ difference in the price between the 50mm 1.4 afs and the 50mm f1.8 afd you could have upgraded to a d90.

I think a d90 with a 50mm f1.8 is a lot better then a d40 with a 50mm 1.4-- the CMOS sensor, high iso performance, HD video, af motor, and extra exterior controls bole the d40 out of the water.

If u put your d40 on eBay you'll get between 250 and 300 for it, sell the 50mm separately for 400-500, and then pick up a d90 for 600 and a 50mm f1.8 for 100.

And with the d90 you will no longer be limited with your lens choices

~Stella~ · Feb 25, 2011

In addition to all the useful comments above, I'm going to suggest lighting lighting lighting. And a tripod - ALWAYS a tripod! Or a stack of books or a chair or something if you have no tripod and no way to get one, but something to put the camera on. Lack of good lighting (bright, indirect, window lighting is perfectly fine for child portraiture and it's free) and a steady camera are going to ruin any chances of getting that crispness you want.

ETA - and as far as software, you can make a really good photo into an outstanding photo with software, but a ****ty photo is still going to be ****ty, even after processing.

optigirl · Feb 26, 2011

Thank you all for the advice! It's all very informative. I really think I need to do some research on lighting and how to use my camera at it's full potential. I do have to say, my mind is still set on purchasing a new DSLR. I know that an educated photographer can take great photos with something as simple as my D40, but with 2 small children under the age of 2, I don't have the time right now to become an expert. Like I have stated before, I want that instant gradification if you will.

Good idea to post my d40 and 5mm on ebay. Might just do that. But, not sure that I want to stick to Nikon. I'm really leaning toward Canon. Like previous poster, you don't see the professional mechanics using walmart brand tools.

PS: I got together w/my friend and we shot with her new Mark II and it was superb with her 85mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.4! AWESOME! Even w/out a tripod. AND using natural lighting. She shot the same set of the same subject w/my D40 and the difference is HUGE! I think I'm falling for the Canon.

Keep your advice/comments/feedback coming! I have already learned so much just from the replies!

Another question, should i invest in an external flash?

enzodm · Feb 26, 2011

optigirl said:
I know that an educated photographer can take great photos with something as simple as my D40, but with 2 small children under the age of 2, I don't have the time right now to become an expert. Like I have stated before, I want that instant gradification if you will.

mmm... you missed an important point or two

. I think the best choice in these conditions would be a good Point&Shoot. They typically do automatically part of the work you have to do in PP when using a dSLR.

WesternGuy · Feb 26, 2011

optigirl, someone once told me that the most important peice of photography equipment was what was behind the eye behind the camera. I would also point out that one of the best French photojournalists was Henri Cartier-Bresson (google him on the web and look at some of his images). He shot all his photographs with what we would call a point and shoot today - a Leica with a 50 mm fixed lens - something to think about.

One thing I would suggest, why don't you and your friend, if she is willing, trade cameras for a day or so and each do some independent photography of similar stuff - people, kids, landscapes, etc. Shoot about 40 to 50 images each and then get together and compare and see if you are still leaning toward the Canon. I must admit I am biased, being a Canon guy myself for a few decades using both film and digital, but I can almost guarantee that a lot of the differences you see are in technique and skill, both of which are related to experience. I think I can honestly say that the pictures I took ten years ago are not as good as the ones I take today - similar camera, similar lenses - difference - experience and learning from what works and what doesn't work and this only comes from practice, practice and then more practice - even today I probably toss about 25 to 30% of what I shoot because the effect I was trying to get didn't happen. You might want to look at a book by Bryan Peterson entitled "Understanding Exposure 3rd Edition/Revised and Updated" - should be available through Amazon or through you local bookstore.

In answer to your question " should i invest in an external flash? " - yes I would do that if you are going to take a lot of indoor pictures and you can always use as a fill flash outdoors. You will find, however, that indoors, the flash will give you a lot of shadows (perhaps unwanted) unless you use bounce flash or a diffuser, particularly for close-ups. These are my thoughts after reading through the entries posted here and are thus my 0.02¢ worth. Good luck in whatever path you choose to follow and post some here every once in awhile to share with us.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

rambler · Feb 26, 2011

Enzodm, you do have time to become an "expert" if you just make the time. I used to say that I did not have time to go to a gym. Just make the time. But, I have a young friend who has twins. I think they are about 4 now. He has found time to make himself into an excellent photographer. He uses an external flash that is wireless. Not only does he always have his camera ready when he is with his kids, he also will find the time to get up early drive for an hour to catch a sunrise at the coast!
Using a flash outdoors can eliminate shadows on a face that I referred to in a previous post above.

KmH · Feb 26, 2011

optigirl said:
Thank you all for the advice! It's all very informative. I really think I need to do some research on lighting and how to use my camera at it's full potential. I do have to say, my mind is still set on purchasing a new DSLR. I know that an educated photographer can take great photos with something as simple as my D40, but with 2 small children under the age of 2, I don't have the time right now to become an expert. Like I have stated before, I want that instant gradification if you will.

That's fine. After all, it's only money. The camera you upgrade to will be more complex than your D40. Consequently you will have more opportunity to make a user error.

optigirl said:
But, not sure that I want to stick to Nikon. I'm really leaning toward Canon. Like previous poster, you don't see the professional mechanics using walmart brand tools.

Fortunately Wal-Mart doesn't make dSLR cameras. I use Nikon gear (not Canon) for various reasons, most of them technical reasons that effect image quality. In other words, on an technical basis equivelent Nikon dSLR cameras usually have better:

dynamic range
tonal range
color sensitivity
ISO sensitivity
SNR - 18% (Signal-To-Noise ratio)

Which Canon Mark II? A 1D MKII, or the lower level 5D MKII? Had you compared an equivelent Nikon to which ever Canon MKII you used, I doubt you could tell which camera made which photo if you didn't know beforehand.

optigirl said:
Another question, should i invest in an external flash?

You bet. Using strobed light (flash) adds another higher level of complexity.

GooniesNeverSayDie11 · Feb 26, 2011

Not to be a downer here, but there aren't shortcuts in life. I mean you say you want professional photos, but don't have the patience or time to put in the effort that it takes to learn to take professional quality photos or the money to purchase the equipment. You CAN maximize what you have ( so I don't mean to just give up ) but many professional photographs use boatloads of equipment including, lights, stands, reflectors, strobes, wireless triggers, high end lenses, high end cameras, backdrops, props, models etc. So the notion that its all the eye behind the camera is very misleading. In terms of comparing to your friends camera, most likely it is more of the skill than the equipment because her camera is by no means higher end or better than yours ( and thats coming from someone who shoots Canon )

Also, post processing is a must. If you want professional results, shoot in RAW and learn atleast the basics of post processing. Can you take a good professional picture without post processing? Sure. There are many fields ( journalism for one ) where the image, event, subject are more important than the photo being 100% technically perfect. I assume by professional you mean sharp, well lit, perfect exposure, vibrant colors etc etc.

enzodm · Feb 26, 2011

rambler said:
Enzodm, you do have time to become an "expert" if you just make the time. I used to say that I did not have time to go to a gym. Just make the time. But, I have a young friend who has twins. I think they are about 4 now. He has found time to make himself into an excellent photographer. He uses an external flash that is wireless. Not only does he always have his camera ready when he is with his kids, he also will find the time to get up early drive for an hour to catch a sunrise at the coast!
Using a flash outdoors can eliminate shadows on a face that I referred to in a previous post above.

sure to have quoted the right person?

djacobox372 · Feb 27, 2011

optigirl said:
Thank you all for the advice! It's all very informative. I really think I need to do some research on lighting and how to use my camera at it's full potential. I do have to say, my mind is still set on purchasing a new DSLR. I know that an educated photographer can take great photos with something as simple as my D40, but with 2 small children under the age of 2, I don't have the time right now to become an expert. Like I have stated before, I want that instant gradification if you will.

Good idea to post my d40 and 5mm on ebay. Might just do that. But, not sure that I want to stick to Nikon. I'm really leaning toward Canon. Like previous poster, you don't see the professional mechanics using walmart brand tools.

PS: I got together w/my friend and we shot with her new Mark II and it was superb with her 85mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.4! AWESOME! Even w/out a tripod. AND using natural lighting. She shot the same set of the same subject w/my D40 and the difference is HUGE! I think I'm falling for the Canon.

Keep your advice/comments/feedback coming! I have already learned so much just from the replies!

Another question, should i invest in an external flash?

If you do sell, be sure to sell the lens and camera in different auctions, you lose money when you bundle things--few people are going to be looking for a D40 with a $500 lens.

LOL at comparing a near top of the line $2500 canon model to your $250 bottom of the line Nikon model. Of course the canon is going to look a lot better, and a $2000 Nikon D700 would blow a $250 Canon 10D out of the water as well.

The choice between canon/nikon really just comes down to ergonomics, which one "feels" better in your hands. A nikon D90 would outperform her XSI, and the Nikon D700 or Nikon D7000 would both give her Mark II some stiff competition for less $$, and a Nikon D3s would blow her Mark II out of the water when it comes to natural light performance.