Cyprus-Forum.com

[zan]

There you go Umit..

http://www.dphotojournal.com/digital-sl ... p-roundup/

[devil]

Thanks for the reply bill.

There are a few points bugging me with the D40

1. It doesn't have an internal lens motor. Limiting you to the expensine nikon lenses with internal motors which are quite expensive.

2. The camera doesn't have dedicated iso and white balance buttons.

What do you think about the above? Are they really a problem in your view?
2.

The iso number and white balance are both menu selectable or auto, as you prefer.
The lens motors make for faster focussing and aperture setting and longer battery life because there is less mechanical inertia and friction to overcome. It is not all negative!

I, too, have a Nikon D40 and am ultra-delighted with all aspects.

Unlike a previous poster, I do not recommend the D40X because the smaller CCD pixel size introduces visibly higher noise levels, especially under poor light conditions. If the 3000 pixel-wide image is good enough (superb A4 prints), then stick with the 6 Mpix version. Unfortunately, I haven't yet found the budget for the 55-200 mm lens.

A few amateurish nature photos taken with it:

[zan]

Great pictures Devil...I didn't think of posting some pictures for Umit to see so here are some Umit.....Taken on the Canon 300D with a Sigma 28/300 zoom lense...Which is a bit slow really. A few night shots as well from Cornwall.

[kafenes]

OK, here's some from my camera.

[umit07]

Very nice pic's everyone. Thank you all for posting. Zan I have read many articles related to cleaning the CCD, but I am more interested in what forum members do to clean their sensors. I even read an article somewhere were some people stick a vac. in the lens mount.

[zan]

Very nice pic's everyone. Thank you all for posting. Zan I have read many articles related to cleaning the CCD, but I am more interested in what forum members do to clean their sensors. I even read an article somewhere were some people stick a vac. in the lens mount.

I have never cleaned mine to be honest Umit but the idea of sticking a vac in there is something that scares me. I am trying to find the camera I read about that has a function that vibrates to clean the CCD but I could be remembering it wrongly.

[cyprusgrump]

Very nice pic's everyone. Thank you all for posting. Zan I have read many articles related to cleaning the CCD, but I am more interested in what forum members do to clean their sensors. I even read an article somewhere were some people stick a vac. in the lens mount.

I have never cleaned mine to be honest Umit but the idea of sticking a vac in there is something that scares me. I am trying to find the camera I read about that has a function that vibrates to clean the CCD but I could be remembering it wrongly.

I've never cleaned mine (the Sony) but it has the vibraty sensor clening thing...

[umit07]

So I guess the dust problem isn't as bad as some people make it out to be.

Zan nearly all the new models have a thing that emits ultarsonic sound waves to get the dust particles to fall off. But this is not entirly effective, eventualy you will have to have the ccd cleaned. The reason I'm a bit scared of dust is that we live in a country where dust is a big problem.

Some are: Nikon D60, Olyumpus E-510 , Sony Alpha , Canon XSI

[BOF]

I have the Nikon D80 and for me its preferable over the D40 inasmuch as i can use my bigger lenses with it like 300 F 2.8 autofocus which the d 40 couldnt operate with, they being originally for use with my Nikon f3s and 800 series Nikon autofocus cameras.
I also have a Canon D10 with powergrip and 70 to 200 F2.8 zoom lens amongst others..
Ive had quite a few Nikons, borrowed a couple of canons as well as the one i own. And while Nikon was THE equipment to have for many years, Canon is now the leader in the field. I personally would opt for the Canon as in my view the focusing is quicker on continuous focusing mode, and the newer lenses have image stabiliser, as well as less drop off of image quality around the edges.
however next time you go to or watch a major sporting event you can see what ratio of photographers use canon by their light coloured lenses and judge for yourself.

[Bill]

To be honest Umit07 you will probably only be bothered with dust on the ccd if you are forever swapping lens .

I think Zan has the right idea in buying a 28mm to 300mm which will cover all his needs and therefore not be constantly opening up the camera to keep changing the lens to suit the situation and exposing the ccd to dust etc.

There is a school of thought that third party lens are not as good as the manufacturers lens but I've never really noticed much difference when using them on my canon film camera ~ except of course in the price

There are various companies selling ccd cleaning kits but personally I think it needs a lot of care and attention to do this successfully ~ it's actually the ccd cover you are cleaning and if a bit of the cleaning fluid get in between that and the ccd its basically game over and a costly repair.

I see Devil has answered the question of iso settings and white balance so you are up to speed on that one.

I've just looked on the Dixons web site and it's still £399 for the kit ~ Nikon D40 camera, 18mm to 55mm lens and 55mm to 200mm telephoto lens ~~~ and you may be able to find it cheaper elsewhere.

The D40 plus 18 to 55 lens was £329 12 months ago but it was a relatively new model then but I see it's gone down to £279 now .

I can recommend play.com for your SD memory I bought 2 x 2GB Sandisk extreme 3 memory cards for just under £18 each post free ~ much cheaper than anywhere else I could find.

Which ever camera you finally decide on I hope you enjoy your experience of SLR photography.

Bill