Help with Nikon D40 :( Kinda Disapointed....

[spankey]

Well I bought a Nikon D40 yesterday. My camera before this and I still have is a Sony H1. I think I am totally spoiled by the H1. It takes incredible shots. The macro shots are killer compared to the D40? Is it the lense that comes with the D40? I know its a kit lense.. I seen that there is a macro lense but its over $500 OUCH!!!!

Another thing I am disapointed with this camera is everytime you shut it off you loose your settings? Unless I am doing something wrong... I also don't like that when using Macro I can't seem to be able to speed up the shutter to snap quickly. It seems slower than my Point and shoot?

Can anyone offer some advice?

Thanks
Spankey

 

[spankey]

Here are some samples to compare the digital to the SLR....

I think the Digital looks better? Anyone...

Here is my slimmer taken with the Sony H1 with macro enabled

Here is the slimmer taken tonight with macro enabled on the SLR D40.

 

[wooglin]

The thing about an SLR, even an entry level, is you have to know how to really use manual settings to get great shots. Your point and shoot you are used to does not require this.


It looks like on the second shot your fstop is to low so you dont get an in focus subject at different depths. The point and shoot chooses a better fstop for your shot, so it looks better. You should have plenty of light in your tank to shoot say a f12 at 1/90th of a second or higher which will give you plenty of focus for your subject...


Just a guess as to what you are experiencing.

 

[reefman13]

The D40 was the camera that replaced the D50 which was Nikon's best selling camera, the reason it was discontinued was because it was taking away from their premium camera market (D80/D200).

I have a D50 and I do not use the stock lens that came with it. The best quality lens that they sell for that camera (or at least the D50 because it is the lens I have) is the Nikor 18mm-200mm lens. It takes amazing shots and by far has the best consumer ratings. It is on a near to 4 month back order, it is not cheap but you would be getting much better pics out of the camera.

 

[spankey]

Thanks, now I need to figure out how to adjust that setting.. When I am in macro mode it doesn't allow me to adjust much.. that is the ONLY draw back to this model camera.. Unless I am doing something wrong??? Hmmm

 

[reefman13]

If you are using the stock lens you probably won't get the pictures you expected..............

 

[wooglin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9753544#post9753544 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spankey
Thanks, now I need to figure out how to adjust that setting.. When I am in macro mode it doesn't allow me to adjust much.. that is the ONLY draw back to this model camera.. Unless I am doing something wrong??? Hmmm

You need to check your manual and learn to use the Manual Mode. The macro mode is just a set of presets that select a range of fstops and shutter speeds. Try to find a good book about the basics of photography. You really need to understand what an FStop is, what your shutter speed is, ISO setting, and how all these things relate to one another. Its not to hard, but requires a little learning. Also dont sell your stock lens too short yet they are great to learn on and can take amazing pictures, all of the following shots were taken with my stock lens:

 

[edwing206]

Awesome shots wooglin.
Here is an awesome website that really helped out with learning about taking pics w/ my D50.
http://www.ximinasphotography.com/lessons/index.html

 

[spankey]

Thanks guys, I will read up on that webpage......

 

[Ebn]

The sensor on your D40 is about 2x the size as your Sony, so take that in consideration. What that means is that you can't use the same aperture setting as on your Sony. Try stopping down that lens some more.

 

[wooglin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9756790#post9756790 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ebn
The sensor on your D40 is about 2x the size as your Sony, so take that in consideration. What that means is that you can't use the same aperture setting as on your Sony. Try stopping down that lens some more.

In non photo terms that means set your FStop to a higher value (I know seems odd, higher FStop is actually smaller). To do this you have to put your camera in one of the semi-manual modes or totally manual mode. The scene modes you are using now will not allow you to control your FStop most likely. I usually shoot at F/8 to F/11 which gives good depth of focus on a single subject that has some forward and backwards depth. Remember also that when you shoot close to the tank zoomed in that your f/stop is exageratted. You need a higher FStop to keep the subject in focus.

 

[spankey]

Thanks all I was messing with the camera some more tonight and learned how to adjust the Fstop..Big difference I took some fish photos which I was unable to take with the sony. They came out awesome... I am starting to like this camera more and more now. I guess I just didn't give it a full chance...

Portraits of the kids look incredible though vs the digital sony... So I am sold on the SLR!!!

I will post some fish photos soon enough. By the way nice photos woog.

Spankey

 

[nosferatu51]

I actually liked the 2nd of your acro shots better. It seemed richer and captured the smaller details better. I guess what I'm saying is that it appears like a higher quality shot. So I agree that it probably is just the settings.