Need help w/ Camera Lens for D40

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by pabloj

Trust me, you don't need a big and bulky DSLR for this but "just" an high end compact like the Panasonic LX3 or Canon G10 (too big for me but has fans)
We bought a DSLR before our honeymoon in Africa. We needed the ability to change lenses to shoot wildlife with a strong zoom. No compact camera (at least at that time) could really work for that purpose. I don't think I would have thought about getting a DSLR if it wasn't for that. When we got it, we realized it takes far far better pictures than any compact digital either we or our friends used, and with no additional skills needed - so we stopped using the compact and really only use the D70.

 

[pabloj]

Originally Posted by gdl203

We bought a DSLR before our honeymoon in Africa. We needed the ability to change lenses to shoot wildlife with a strong zoom. No compact camera (at least at that time) could really work for that purpose. I don't think I would have thought about getting a DSLR if it wasn't for that. When we got it, we realized it takes far far better pictures than any compact digital either we or our friends used, and with no additional skills needed - so we stopped using the compact and really only use the D70.
I agree about the tele/zoom thing, otherwise I went away from the DSLR and never regretted it (of course you need an high end compact to compete, not saying that any compact will do) for me the key is the ability to carry it in a pocket and avoiding the "photographer in action alert" that is always associated with a DSLR, but to each his own.
See here about why another camera producer executive loves Leica compact (which is a rebranded Panasonic LX3 BTW).

 

[gdl203]

pabloj - you may be right. I'm sure there are great compact that are more convenient to carry. Don't really feel the need to get another camera now but I wouldn't rule out a quality compact in the future.

 

[GQgeek]

Originally Posted by gdl203

We bought a DSLR before our honeymoon in Africa. We needed the ability to change lenses to shoot wildlife with a strong zoom. No compact camera (at least at that time) could really work for that purpose. I don't think I would have thought about getting a DSLR if it wasn't for that. When we got it, we realized it takes far far better pictures than any compact digital either we or our friends used, and with no additional skills needed - so we stopped using the compact and really only use the D70.

What lens were you using? And how close did you get to wildlife? I've always said that before I go to Africa (and it's pretty high on the vacation priority list) I'm gonna buy the 300mm f/2.8 and 2x teleconverter...

 

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by Renault78law

Douglas, your prayers have been answered. Nikon just announced the release of an AF-S 35mm 1.8 DX lens. A fast prime that will autofocus on your camera.

Should be available in March. A steal at $200.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0902/09...kon35mm1p8.asp

For the record, I still believe your first priority is to get a flash.

Sweet. I'm glad I've held off thus far. Yeah, I am really thinking a flash is going to be necessary too. Thanks for the headsup.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by GQgeek

What lens were you using? And how close did you get to wildlife? I've always said that before I go to Africa (and it's pretty high on the vacation priority list) I'm gonna buy the 300mm f/2.8 and 2x teleconverter...
We didn't want to spend crazy money or carry something too big that wouldn't fit in a normal camera pouch, so we got the Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4-5.6G. We were whooting animals as far as about 200-300 yards and as close as 3 feet.

Here are examples of pics taken there

http://www.styleforum.net/showpost.p...&postcount=153
http://www.styleforum.net/showpost.p...&postcount=154

 

[mps23]

i would purchase this lens: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18200.htm

as for the yellow images, it's probably b/c the camera's auto white balance isn't adjusting properly. you need to manually adjust it for indoor temperatures (i.e., lights).

 

[GQgeek]

Originally Posted by gdl203

We didn't want to spend crazy money or carry something too big that wouldn't fit in a normal camera pouch, so we got the Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4-5.6G. We were whooting animals as far as about 200-300 yards and as close as 3 feet. Here are examples of pics taken there http://www.styleforum.net/showpost.p...&postcount=153 http://www.styleforum.net/showpost.p...&postcount=154
I'm itching to go to Africa. It's definitely my next vacation after the South America thing. How close were you to that lion, or did you crop it?

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by pabloj

Trust me, you don't need a big and bulky DSLR for this but "just" an high end compact like the Panasonic LX3 or Canon G10 (too big for me but has fans)

I just got an LX3, but I haven't used it yet. Looking forward to playing with it.

 

[doublebucklemonk]

This would be my dead simple, can't go wrong setup for the D40

D40 body (obviously)

SB400 flash (it's super light and small, will bounce off the ceiling for nice indoor family shots, and still has enough oomph to use as fill flash outside)

35mm f1.8 DX lens. This is Nikon's new lens specifically for the D40. It should be very fast for indoor use and at 35mm is a more useful size than the 50mm mentioned above. Also, unlike the 50mms, the 35 will autofocus on the D40.

For super simple photography, switch from the Auto mode to P(rogram) mode. As default, the only thing in this mode that is different than Auto is that you get to choose the flash on or off. That way if you need to shoot without flash inside, or with flash outside you can do it.

Then, from within this mode, when you are feeling more adventurous, you can start playing with things like exposure compensation, white balance, and slow sync flash.

 

[DNW]

Originally Posted by doublebucklemonk

35mm f1.8 DX lens. This is Nikon's new lens specifically for the D40. It should be very fast for indoor use and at 35mm is a more useful size than the 50mm mentioned above. Also, unlike the 50mms, the 35 will autofocus on the D40.
I wouldn't go as far as saying that this lens was made specifically for the D40. The D40x and the D60 also don't have internal focusing motors. And there are rumors that the D40 will be discontinued soon.