Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with d40

What is the best external flash for the Nikon D40 camera?

Craiggy83 — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:15:04 -0800

Which external flash should I purchase for a Nikon D40? I just purchased a Nikon D40 with the Nikon 18-200mm lens for my girlfriend. She is an artist and is going to Italy during the middle of march. I want her to have the best set-up she can to take great indoor photos and outdoor photos. I went with the above lens because I thought it would be more convenient then switching between different lenses. Neither one of us has much photography experience, which is why I have asked those out there who have the experience. I have read that the SB-400 flash is an ok flash, but would it be good for indoor and outdoor shots. I also heard good things about the SB-600. I am looking for flash recommendations of any brands which will be the best choice for her trip to Italy. I'd like to spend around 200 max, but don't let that stop you from making your recommendation. Thank You!!

Inexpensive, basic lens for a Nikon D40?

The corpse in the library — Thu, 29 May 2008 11:33:53 -0800

Inexpensive, basic lens for a Nikon D40? I am overwhelmed by my options when it comes to lenses for my Nikon D40 DSLR. I have the 18-55mm it came with, but I would like something less bulky -- and less eye-catching -- for carrying around with me.

I see the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor lens, and it sounds great -- but I don't want to lose the autofocus.

I also see the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM lens, and it sounds glorious -- but too expensive.

Is there a basic lens out there, around $100, that will work with my D40, including autofocus?

I want a Nikon camera; I love to take a photograph, so hivemind, please help me choose!

odi.et.amo — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 05:49:15 -0800

What camera should I buy? I want to buy myself a camera for Christmas, but I can't pin down exactly what I should get. I want a camera that will take good quality pictures and that has plenty of manual settings for me to fiddle with as I learn about photography.

Portability is somewhat of a factor - I'm going to England next year, so I wanted something good enough to capture the beauty of old cathedrals but still be manageable as I tour and travel. I will also be taking the typical silly pet cat pictures and landscapes, as well as pictures from a moving car while on drives through the country.

To this point, I was planning on getting a Canon S5 IS. Decent image quality with occasional red fringing in certain situations, and small enough that I could stick it in my purse for travel.

On the other hand, I still want a DSLR. The Nikon D40 appeals to me quite a lot, for several reasons. I've used a friend's before, and loved it! For me, there's just nothing like the heft of a good camera. Also, my parents have several lenses from their Nikon film SLR - shouldn't these work with the D40, thus saving me oodles of money on good lenses? (money is another important factor here...) I'd consider Canon's entry DSLR, but the appeal of re-purposing my parents' unused lenses is strong!

If the answer is a DSLR, what bag would work that can carry my purse-ish stuff as well as the camera pieces and still protect me from the riff raffs and pick-pocketers?

What should I do, hivemind?

Hit me with your best (Nikon) shot

humuhumu — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:37:06 -0800

Nikon owners: persuade me...! brand new Nikon D40 (kit lens) or refurbished D50 (1 yr warranty, kit lens) or 2nd hand D70s? Ah yes, it's the old 'which DSLR' conundrum... Currently: Sony H2 - love it, but want to move on up.

The D40 (and D40x) has superb reviews but the manual focus issue on non AF-S lenses worries me. Superb in low-light though. The D50 had great reviews when it came out but I've got the impression it's been left behind by newer models. The D70 gets great write-ups for its age. I've read all the articles, looked at all the photos and the specs, handled each, know all the good and badb bits, and I'm just stuck.

Most use: children, partic indoors; people; the odd bit of scenery. I do want to add lenses as time goes on but the budget just ain't there atm.

So I'm left with emotional persuasion. Owners of any of these, make your most impassioned pleas for your own cameras, please! Show me your best shots, gush and criticise, and convince me one way or ther other...

Help me photograph some meteors!

ultraultraboomerang — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:57:58 -0800

Ideas for photographing the Perseid meteor shower next month? Bonus points for a good place to watch in South Louisiana. I have a Nikon D40 I've only had a few months. I've never done any night sky photography so I plan to practice in the next couple of weeks, because it's the best shower of the year and the peak is on the night of the new moon, which is awesome, and I'd really like to try for a good shot or two. I have a few blog posts and how-tos bookmarked but you people are usually smarter than anything I can google.

So. Set the focus to infinity? Manually focus on a star at the center of the frame? Should I go for reeeally long exposures and deal with star trails or just a whole lot of 10-30 second ones (I have a remote)? All the way open? Would a lens hood minimize glare from the sky or noise from the long exposures? Suggested filters? Specific Nikon/D40 advice? Am I in over my head?

Bonus: I'm in Baton Rouge, but I spend just about every weekend in New Orleans and/or Lafayette, so there should be some good old fashioned Middle-Of-Nowhere in between, right? Any specific ideas for really dark, reasonably safe places in the southern half of the state?

Many thanks.

dSLR or not dSLR, That is the Question.

benjh — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:44:56 -0800

Should I go dSLR on my next camera? I gave my camera to my partner, mostly so I'd have an excuse to buy a new camera. I am coming out of a Canon SD500 Point & Shoot, and am looking at getting something a little more 'feature rich' than what I had.

I've been looking at the Nikon D40 kits, but then I've also looked at the Kodak Z712 IS & the Canon S5 IS that was just released. One dSLR, and two which are somewhere in between P&S and SLR.

I've been worried about an dSLR because I am worried I will miss the ability to take pictures from the LCD screen, and be forced to use the viewfinder. The other thing is that I wonder if I need it for the cost. I'd love to get into taking more pictures, which is why I am looking for something a little more versatile, but the Kodak is $300 and the D40 is around $600 (well, $525 at B&H).

I've been hearing some good things, and some bad things, about the D40. Some friends tell me to just buy the cheaper mid-range prosumer, others are adamant I go dSLR. Looking for some 'non-biased' opinions on whether going dSLR merits the cost, and whether it's a necessary push for someone who generally takes 10-15 pictures per day.

What do I need to take great snowboard photographs?

mrunderhill — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 17:25:50 -0800

I want to get in to snowboard/ski photography. I'm new to DSLRs, but have a good eye and lots of time. I have a Nikon D40 and want to spend about $1200 on good glass. What do I buy? Filter recommendations? Any tips for shooting in the snow?