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#1
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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! |
#2
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First DSLR -- Need advice
"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 |
#3
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First DSLR -- Need advice
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$+. jue |
#4
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First DSLR -- Need advice
Jürgen Exner wrote:
The D40x is not a bad camera at all and you certainly get your money's worth. But neither the camera nor the kit lens is the right tool for "extremely high resolution pictures of breathtaking clarity". If you want those, then you need to look at digital backs for medium format cameras like Hasselblad or Mayima. Of course those don't go for 800$ 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 |
#5
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First DSLR -- Need advice
"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 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 |
#6
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First DSLR -- Need advice
"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) |
#7
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First DSLR -- Need advice
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 |
#8
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First DSLR -- Need advice
"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 |
#9
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First DSLR -- Need advice
"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 |
#10
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First DSLR -- Need advice
"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. |
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