Photography lessons

ldmelsa said:
I would not say one is better than the other.
They are very similar.

The next step up is the Canon 40D / Nikon D300.
Click to expand...

Damn Nikon fanboy :p
I'd take the Canon over that Nikon anyday.

Genius: Click here

You can read through the articles and make up your mind for yourself.
 
Last edited:
Not sure if it was the best thing for you to ask on the forums :-) People just overload you with every other suggestion under the sun.

A few things to consider though - how serious are you likely to take this hobby? And can you use equipment from your previous camera or your friends cameras?

You can do a LOT worse than getting the Nikon D40, and if you're desperate to get into the game ASAP and start playing, then I'd say just go for it. Also, don't worry about the 6MP. This is plenty - its more than your monitor can handle (3000x2000 odd pixels). Whats more important is the quality of your CCD and theres nothing wrong with the D40's, for amateur photography anyway. I have a Nikon D70s with the same tech and Im still having a ball with it 5 years after buying it.
Of course, if you think you're going to grow into the hobby quite seriously, going for something which can let you flex your wings a bit more will definitely be beneficial, and so saving up for something a little better like the 400D Canon or a Nikon D80 is well worth the time and money.

Which brings me to my next point - as has been hinted in the earlier posts, there is something of a war going on between Nikon and Canon users. Truth is that they're both really good camera makes and you dont lose by going for either of them. Problem is, is that whichever make you buy, you are effectively stuck with future upgrades and lenses for that make as you cant interchange lenses between Nikon and Canon (and any other make for that matter) without starting from scratch again, so maybe your choice might depend on who joins you on your photographic expeditions.

Personally, I have used both 300D and 400D Canons, and in comparison I find my Nikon is more solid and easier to wield and feels better to hold. And quieter too. And faster to get going from switching on. And has more shots per second in rapidfire. and and and. Of course these lines blur with the (far) more expensive Canon 40D, so pretty much of a muchness when you've actually got money to throw around.

Good luck with your choice.
 
Genius. said:
The guy behind the counter said i should bite the bullet and save to get the Canon 400D. Negatives about the Nikon he said was that the 6MP is so low, Nikons service is very bad and their parts arent that easily available.
Click to expand...

Megapixel Shmegapixel. Anyone who tells you Camera A is "better" than Camera B simply because of the pixel count is destined to stand behind the counter instead of in front of it buying the kit.

Genius. said:
Theres another store selling the Nikon D40 for R4799 and you get a R750 photography class from Nikon. Its a whole day thing from 8am to 5pm.
Click to expand...

That's an excellent deal - take it. The R750 training (assuming it's human to human, even if it is on 30 minutes) is probably worth more than anything else.

Wynsam said:
The 400D is a much more pricey camera in a different league.
Click to expand...

Three people have alluded to this now. How is it in a different league? MP aside it's very similar. Search this forum and you'll find lots of debate on this.

Wynsam said:
6mp is plenty.
Click to expand...
+1

bwana said:
What's the importance/relevance of only being able to use AF-S and AF-I lenses with the D40?
Click to expand...

I may have the details wrong (haven't gotten my head about all the Nikon jargon yet), but I believe the one has a motor in the lens, the other doesn't and relies on the screw drive from the camera. If I'm not mistaken the D40 doesn't have an in-body motor. This does not mean you cannot use older glass, it just means you cannot auto-focus with it. And if someone is looking to broaden their photographic horizons, learning to focus manually will surely not do them any harm.

BitRogue said:
You can do a LOT worse than getting the Nikon D40, and if you're desperate to get into the game ASAP and start playing, then I'd say just go for it. Also, don't worry about the 6MP. This is plenty - its more than your monitor can handle (3000x2000 odd pixels). Whats more important is the quality of your CCD and theres nothing wrong with the D40's, for amateur photography anyway.
Click to expand...

Not only is there nothing wrong with it, it's one of the last 6MP CCD bodies released, and benefits from lessons learned in all the ones before it, which makes it one of the best 6MP DSLRs out there. In My Not So Humble Opnion :)

BitRogue said:
Of course, if you think you're going to grow into the hobby quite seriously, going for something which can let you flex your wings a bit more will definitely be beneficial, and so saving up for something a little better like the 400D Canon
Click to expand...

Four extra MP won't allow you to "flex your wings" and the 400D, excellent camera that it is, doesn't offer you anything else that will.

BitRogue said:
Which brings me to my next point - as has been hinted in the earlier posts, there is something of a war going on between Nikon and Canon users.
Click to expand...

And so far two Canon shooters have said go for the Nikon D40....

BitRogue said:
Problem is, is that whichever make you buy, you are effectively stuck with future upgrades and lenses for that make as you cant interchange lenses between Nikon and Canon (and any other make for that matter) without starting from scratch again, so maybe your choice might depend on who joins you on your photographic expeditions.
Click to expand...

If you're on a budget, have no DSLR experience, and you're not expecting your old man to kick the bucket and leave you his collection of superb lenses from manufacturer X, you really shouldn't be concerned about which brand (of in this case two who both make excellent cameras) to go for. You don't have anything to base that decision on, except the price, really. Get the cheapest DSLR you can find, and learn to use it. Go out and shoot as much as you can. Read the manual (over and over) until you know every little detail of the camera. Once you've mastered that camera, and established your style and have a good idea of where you want to take your photography next, you're in a much better position to choose a system for long term investment.
 
Last edited:
koffiejunkie said:
Megapixel Shmegapixel. Anyone who tells you Camera A is "better" than Camera B simply because of the pixel count is destined to stand behind the counter instead of in front of it buying the kit.
Click to expand...
But he didnt just base it on the MP count did he.
koffiejunkie said:
I may have the details wrong (haven't gotten my head about all the Nikon jargon yet), but I believe the one has a motor in the lens, the other doesn't and relies on the screw drive from the camera. If I'm not mistaken the D40 doesn't have an in-body motor. This does not mean you cannot use older glass, it just means you cannot auto-focus with it. And if someone is looking to broaden their photographic horizons, learning to focus manually will surely not do them any harm.
Click to expand...
That's pretty much my take on it too.
 
my brother took up photography i think this year or the end of last year and has about 3 or 4 pictures on news24 today. he took pictures of the 2 ships stranded here in melkbosstrand. he must also do a fashion shoot at the Cape Town International Convention Centre sometime. you photography guys take good pictures man.
 
bwana said:
But he didnt just base it on the MP count did he.
Click to expand...

No, but after-sales service hardly makes it a better or worse camera. Besides, I don't really care what people say about one company's service over another. One guy will say a company is fantastic, the next will have nothing but trouble with it.

Has anyone here actually had:

1. A new DSLR malfunction (i.e. break all by itself) within the warranty period, and

2. Had it fixed/replaced under warranty?

Please share your experiences.
 
I've had the one dreadful experience with Canon SA so yeah, local support could be a consideration.
 
Had a fantastic experience with Sony. Cant praise them enough on the service and commitment to their brand I got. 10/10.

They upgraded me to a new replacement body when they could not source a part quick enough. That's putting your money where your mouth is!
 
koffiejunkie said:
I guess that levels the playing field then (between Nikon and Canon) :)
Click to expand...
Playing field? I didn't realise you all were competing. :)

@Genius. I'll pass on something I heard the other day which boiled down to . . shoot what your friends and family shoot - you'll have a readily available support base and might even be able to borrow their stuff. :D
 
bwana said:
Playing field? I didn't realise you all were competing. :)
Click to expand...

I was referring to after-sales support. I guess I've come to expect bad support, so I tend to rather base my decision (after technical and ergonomical merits) on how likely I am to need support.

In my previous company we supplied our clients with Notebooks from either HP or Acer - about half half split. One out of every three or four HPs came back and had to have the motherboard replaced. In three years I we never once had a return on an Acer. Guess which one I'm likely to buy if I had to choose...

@Genius, I still say get the Nikon D40. One thing to keep in mind is that the camera is almost certainly not going to be your last photography purchase. You'll want a bag for it. And before long you'll want a tripod, remote/cable release, filters, flash, etc. You'll want the 50mm f/1.8 too :D
 
ldmelsa, BitRogue, koffiejunkie...

Thanx a million. Your posts really made me make up my mind. I really appreciate it.

I think i will go for the Nikon. Im pretty excited actually. I am 100% sure i want it now.
 
I just realised that it appears nobody responding to this thread (thus far) actually has a D40 :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X