First DSLR -- Need advice

Hi Guys,

I would appreciate your thoughts on the following. I'm planning to buy a
digital SLR. I have established this is the type of camera I need for
performance, usability and quality reasons.

However, I'm unsure about which model to go for.

I'm after a camera which can take extremely high resolution pictures of
breathtaking clarity.
Budget: approx. £400 ($800) -- which seems will buy me about 10mp
Make: I would like a Nikon; have heard Canon can be just as good.
Model: D40X seems appealing; not familiar with Canon models (it seems the
Canon 400d would be its equal).

I know many are against the Nikon D40X because autofocus is not built into
the body but into the lens. I don't have lenses and I don't intend to buy
another for my camera so I don't think this is an issue. I think the
package "Nikon D40X + 18-55mm lens" would be all I need.

By the way, I need a camera that can take close up (and focused) shots of
documents, as well as a camera that can capture amazing landscapes and also
work well with group shots etc. I can't seem to find any documentation
anywhere telling me if the Nikon D40X would be right for close up shots of
documents.

As you can see, I'm pretty set on the Nikon D40X but there is so much
information on the internet both positive and negative about the camera that
I'm really not sure anymore.

Any clarification or personal experiences would be gratefully received.

Cheers!

"Martin Humlark" wrote in message
. ..

By the way, I need a camera that can take close up (and focused) shots of
documents, as well as a camera that can capture amazing landscapes and
also work well with group shots etc. I can't seem to find any
documentation anywhere telling me if the Nikon D40X would be right for
close up shots of documents.

It's the *lens* rather than the body that you need to look at here

http://www.europe-nikon.com/product/...fications.html

says it will focus to 29cm which is pretty close. As long as you don't
think you will get into avaliable light photography you will probably love
the d40x, but remember that if you get almost any nikkor prime lens you will
need to focus manually, which you probably know only too well!

cheers adrian www.boliston.co.uk

Martin Humlark wrote:
I would appreciate your thoughts on the following. I'm planning to
buy a digital SLR. [...]
I'm after a camera which can take extremely high resolution pictures
of breathtaking clarity.
Budget: approx. £400 ($800) -- which seems will buy me about 10mp
Make: I would like a Nikon; have heard Canon can be just as good.
Model: D40X seems appealing; not familiar with Canon models (it
seems the Canon 400d would be its equal).

D40[x] is a bottom-end dSLR. It will not give you "extremely high resolution
pictures".

I know many are against the Nikon D40X because autofocus is not built
into the body but into the lens. I don't have lenses and I don't
intend to buy another for my camera so I don't think this is an
issue. I think the package "Nikon D40X + 18-55mm lens" would be all
I need.

While the 18-55 is not a bad lens (there are much worse), it is not a lens
to give you pictures in "breathtaking clarity" either.

By the way, I need a camera that can take close up (and focused)
shots of documents,

That has nothing to do with the camera but with the lens.

as well as a camera that can capture amazing
landscapes and also work well with group shots etc.

This has very little to do with the camera but mostly with the photographer
(composition!) and the lens.

I can't seem to
find any documentation anywhere telling me if the Nikon D40X would be
right for close up shots of documents.

You should target your search for this question on the lens, not the camera.

As you can see, I'm pretty set on the Nikon D40X but there is so much
information on the internet both positive and negative about the
camera that I'm really not sure anymore.

The D40x is not a bad camera at all and you certainly get your money's
worth. But neither the camera nor the kit lens is the right tool for
"extremely high resolution pictures
of breathtaking clarity". If you want those, then you need to look at
digital backs for medium format cameras like Hasselblad or Mayima. Of course
those don't go for 800$ but start at 20000$+.

jue

Jürgen Exner wrote:

The D40x is not a bad camera at all and you certainly get your money's
worth. But neither the camera nor the kit lens is the right tool for
"extremely high resolution pictures
of breathtaking clarity". If you want those, then you need to look at
digital backs for medium format cameras like Hasselblad or Mayima. Of course
those don't go for 800$ but start at 20000$+.

Or mosaic many images together, compensating for lower
resolution. e.g.
http://www.clarkvision.com/photoinfo/large_mosaics

or hand-held with a zoom lens:
http://www.clarkvision.com/galleries...44-9b-800.html

Roger

"Martin Humlark" wrote in message . ..

I would appreciate your thoughts on the following. I'm planning to buy a digital SLR. I have established this is the type of
camera I need for performance, usability and quality reasons.

However, I'm unsure about which model to go for.

I'm after a camera which can take extremely high resolution pictures of breathtaking clarity.

Oh-oh! ;-) Not possible with what you are looking at unless you shoot
multiple frames and stitch them together to greatly increase the effective
pixel count (see Roger Clark's site, at www.clarkvision.com - very
impressive, what can be done!).

Budget: approx. £400 ($800)

Oh-oh!! ;-) We all would like to work with the best gear, for pennies...;-(

-- which seems will buy me about 10mp
Make: I would like a Nikon; have heard Canon can be just as good.
Model: D40X seems appealing; not familiar with Canon models (it seems the Canon 400d would be its equal).

Yes. As others have pointed out, though, the lens quality and skills
of the photographer count for more than what body you choose.

I know many are against the Nikon D40X because autofocus is not built into the body but into the lens. I don't have lenses and I
don't intend to buy another for my camera so I don't think this is an issue. I think the package "Nikon D40X + 18-55mm lens"
would be all I need.

As others have pointed out, the 18-55 is "OK", but not great. The
very expensive 17-55mm f2.8 would be quite noticeably better,
but it is not within your budget. The 18-70mm is probably the best
buy around for good image quality throughout its range center to
corners, combined with reasonable price, but a good non-zoom
will perform better (see my Nikkor list for these - at
www.donferrario.com/ruether/slemn.html), though focus would
be manual only.

By the way, I need a camera that can take close up (and focused) shots of documents, as well as a camera that can capture amazing
landscapes and also work well with group shots etc. I can't seem to find any documentation anywhere telling me if the Nikon D40X
would be right for close up shots of documents.

Any camera can do this - it is the lens, or almost any lens with an
achromat attached on the front and well stopped down (though
watch out for linear distortions - a dedicated macro lens works
best for this). For groups, a good lens of 28-50mm equivalent
should do, but for "amazing landscapes ", only the best of lenses
will do, and then only for smallish prints without stitching frames.
A 50mm f1.8 stopped down to f8 may do the job, with at least
four frames stitched together (see Roger Clark's site for much
more on this).

As you can see, I'm pretty set on the Nikon D40X but there is so much information on the internet both positive and negative about
the camera that I'm really not sure anymore.

Some non-DSLRs also are fine for many purposes...
--
David Ruether

http://www.donferrario.com/ruether

"Jürgen Exner" wrote:
Martin Humlark wrote:
I would appreciate your thoughts on the following. I'm planning to
buy a digital SLR. [...]
I'm after a camera which can take extremely high resolution pictures
of breathtaking clarity.
Budget: approx. £400 ($800) -- which seems will buy me about 10mp
Make: I would like a Nikon; have heard Canon can be just as good.
Model: D40X seems appealing; not familiar with Canon models (it
seems the Canon 400d would be its equal).

For low end DSLRs, that is a good choice, though not
necessarily an exclusive one.

D40[x] is a bottom-end dSLR. It will not give you "extremely high resolution
pictures".

At 10.2 MP it is just barely lower resolution
than Nikon's top of the line D2Xs.

It does depend on what we are going to define as
"extremely high resolution", but I think the D40x (not
the D40) qualifies. Electronic sensors are still a
developing technology, and even though the D40x is
indeed a low end model, the sensor is advanced over even
the best available just 4-5 years ago.

I doubt the OP is comparing to the quality provided by
$20,000 medium format backs, so I see little point in
using that as the yard stick when his budget is $800.

I know many are against the Nikon D40X because autofocus is not built
into the body but into the lens. I don't have lenses and I don't
intend to buy another for my camera so I don't think this is an
issue. I think the package "Nikon D40X + 18-55mm lens" would be all
I need.

While the 18-55 is not a bad lens (there are much worse), it is not a lens
to give you pictures in "breathtaking clarity" either.

It is also not a "universal" lense for all purposes!
I'd expect the OP is going to have to budget at least
one more lense, maybe two, into future plans.

I'd agree that he need not be concerned with AF, but he
might want to try finding a way to get the 18-70mm
Nikkor instead of that 18-55.

By the way, I need a camera that can take close up (and focused)
shots of documents,

That has nothing to do with the camera but with the lens.

Documents require more than just being able to focus close
enough. They are *flat*. With regular lenses the only
way to get edge to edge sharpness is to shoot at f/8 to
get enough depth of field without using an aperture so small
that dispersion becomes a factor.

The simple solution for a D40x, and to have functional AF
and light metering, is to buy an expensive macro lense.

There are inexpensive alternatives, but they give up the
conveniences of AF and light metering. That isn't
actually a serious technical restriction (AF is hard to
use with a macro lense and the histogram or blink on
over exposure LCD display is actually a far better
metering method), but it does require much more effort
than just point and shoot with a fully automatic camera.

as well as a camera that can capture amazing
landscapes and also work well with group shots etc.

This has very little to do with the camera but mostly with the photographer
(composition!) and the lens.

I can't seem to
find any documentation anywhere telling me if the Nikon D40X would be
right for close up shots of documents.

You should target your search for this question on the lens, not the camera.

As you can see, I'm pretty set on the Nikon D40X but there is so much
information on the internet both positive and negative about the
camera that I'm really not sure anymore.

The D40x is not a bad camera at all and you certainly get your money's
worth. But neither the camera nor the kit lens is the right tool for
"extremely high resolution pictures
of breathtaking clarity".

That depends on what he means and what he is comparing
it to.

If you want those, then you need to look at
digital backs for medium format cameras like Hasselblad or Mayima. Of course
those don't go for 800$ but start at 20000$+.

Granted that would provide images farther up the scale
than a D40x!

But what is the OP comparing to? Probably not that
level of "extremely"! Certainly not that level of
investment either, so I see little point in such
discussion.

However, "you get what you pay for" isn't necessarily
wrong. An $1000 DSLR isn't the same as a $2000 camera,
nor the same as a $5000 model. Nikon has a range of
DSLRs, and the higher priced models certainly do
increase the value of the camera as a tool.

--
Floyd L. Davidson http://www.apaflo.com/floyd_davidson
Ukpeagvik (Barrow, Alaska)

Martin Humlark wrote:
Hi Guys,

I would appreciate your thoughts on the following. I'm planning to buy a
digital SLR. I have established this is the type of camera I need for
performance, usability and quality reasons.

However, I'm unsure about which model to go for.

I'm after a camera which can take extremely high resolution pictures of
breathtaking clarity.
Budget: approx. £400 ($800) -- which seems will buy me about 10mp
Make: I would like a Nikon; have heard Canon can be just as good.
Model: D40X seems appealing; not familiar with Canon models (it seems the
Canon 400d would be its equal).

I know many are against the Nikon D40X because autofocus is not built into
the body but into the lens. I don't have lenses and I don't intend to buy
another for my camera so I don't think this is an issue. I think the
package "Nikon D40X + 18-55mm lens" would be all I need.

By the way, I need a camera that can take close up (and focused) shots of
documents, as well as a camera that can capture amazing landscapes and also
work well with group shots etc. I can't seem to find any documentation
anywhere telling me if the Nikon D40X would be right for close up shots of
documents.

As you can see, I'm pretty set on the Nikon D40X but there is so much
information on the internet both positive and negative about the camera that
I'm really not sure anymore.

Any clarification or personal experiences would be gratefully received.



The D40X will be adequate, but think hard about it. The Sony A100 will
give you better resolution on documents (it is good at that sort of
detail) and you should consider this, or the Pentax K10D or Samsung G1X,
because they have stabilisation in the body. I can tell you this makes a
huge difference to making copies of documents hand-held without flash
(which often just can't be used with good results). Also, the Sony has
an 18-70mm lens, and can copy down to 8.5cm (3.3 inches) wide documents
filling the frame.

I use the Sony for stock library photography. It may surprise some
people, but 8 per cent of my overall sale is for images of notices,
signs or posters and they have to be pin-sharp even if I'm shooting in
unlit locations freehand. It sometimes takes two or three exposures to
be sure at speeds like 1/8th but generally one will nail the sharpness
to A3+ repro size.

David

"David Kilpatrick" wrote in message
...
Martin Humlark wrote:
Hi Guys,

I would appreciate your thoughts on the following. I'm planning to buy a
digital SLR. I have established this is the type of camera I need for
performance, usability and quality reasons.

However, I'm unsure about which model to go for.

I'm after a camera which can take extremely high resolution pictures of
breathtaking clarity.
Budget: approx. £400 ($800) -- which seems will buy me about 10mp
Make: I would like a Nikon; have heard Canon can be just as good.
Model: D40X seems appealing; not familiar with Canon models (it seems
the Canon 400d would be its equal).

I know many are against the Nikon D40X because autofocus is not built
into the body but into the lens. I don't have lenses and I don't intend
to buy another for my camera so I don't think this is an issue. I think
the package "Nikon D40X + 18-55mm lens" would be all I need.

By the way, I need a camera that can take close up (and focused) shots of
documents, as well as a camera that can capture amazing landscapes and
also work well with group shots etc. I can't seem to find any
documentation anywhere telling me if the Nikon D40X would be right for
close up shots of documents.

As you can see, I'm pretty set on the Nikon D40X but there is so much
information on the internet both positive and negative about the camera
that I'm really not sure anymore.

Any clarification or personal experiences would be gratefully received.



The D40X will be adequate, but think hard about it. The Sony A100 will
give you better resolution on documents (it is good at that sort of
detail) and you should consider this, or the Pentax K10D or Samsung G1X,
because they have stabilisation in the body. I can tell you this makes a
huge difference to making copies of documents hand-held without flash

You're slow if you're making document copies hand held...

--
www.mattclara.com

"Martin Humlark" wrote in message
. ..
Hi Guys,

I would appreciate your thoughts on the following. I'm planning to buy a
digital SLR. I have established this is the type of camera I need for
performance, usability and quality reasons.

However, I'm unsure about which model to go for.

I'm after a camera which can take extremely high resolution pictures of
breathtaking clarity.
Budget: approx. £400 ($800) -- which seems will buy me about 10mp
Make: I would like a Nikon; have heard Canon can be just as good.
Model: D40X seems appealing; not familiar with Canon models (it seems the
Canon 400d would be its equal).

I know many are against the Nikon D40X because autofocus is not built into
the body but into the lens. I don't have lenses and I don't intend to buy
another for my camera so I don't think this is an issue. I think the
package "Nikon D40X + 18-55mm lens" would be all I need.

By the way, I need a camera that can take close up (and focused) shots of
documents, as well as a camera that can capture amazing landscapes and
also work well with group shots etc. I can't seem to find any
documentation anywhere telling me if the Nikon D40X would be right for
close up shots of documents.

As you can see, I'm pretty set on the Nikon D40X but there is so much
information on the internet both positive and negative about the camera
that I'm really not sure anymore.

Any clarification or personal experiences would be gratefully received.

Cheers!






the whole idea of a DSLR is to interchange lenses according to the type of
photo you want to shoot and capture....perhaps a basic point and shoot
might better serve your needs?



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

"Martin Humlark" wrote in message
. ..
Hi Guys,

I would appreciate your thoughts on the following. I'm planning to buy a
digital SLR. I have established this is the type of camera I need for
performance, usability and quality reasons.

However, I'm unsure about which model to go for.

I'm after a camera which can take extremely high resolution pictures of
breathtaking clarity.
Budget: approx. £400 ($800) -- which seems will buy me about 10mp
Make: I would like a Nikon; have heard Canon can be just as good.

What's wrong with Pentax? Pentax has quite a few DSLRs within your price
range.