Nikon DSLR advice for railfanning, etc.

Ray H. Oct 26, 2006

  1. Michael R New York

    Michael R New York TrainBoard Member

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    Very busy...heading to Las Vegas for 9 days, 9 nights for the PMA show.

    At this time we have no plans to sell the D40 body only. But you never know, that can always change, but I haven't heard anything.

    For what you'll spend on film and processing, will pay for the camera in no time :)

    Best,

    Michael

     
  2. Ray H.

    Ray H. TrainBoard Member

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    Well, at last I finally bought a camera. When I started this thread, it was going to be the D70s or the D80. I changed up and decided to go for the D40 as my "beginner" camera. It had pretty favorable reviews and I think is a good first step into DSLR's. I got it from B&H, and the kit included the body, kit lens, 2GB SD card and some other assorted goodies. I added an SB400 Speedlight to the order, an AF-S DX 55-200, and a second 2GB card.

    I've been fiddling with it constantly for about 30 hours now (took a sick day - the idea of going to work and not fiddling with my new toy made me sick), and I'm having a blast. I'm quite pleased with the camera and I believe it will serve my purposes for at least the near future. Down the road, if (when) I want to upgrade I can step into a D80 or D200 and already have at least some idea of what I'm doing. Right now, I know just enough to be dangerous. :angel:

    As far as good photo software, I've sort of hit a wall. Since starting this thread, my computer has entered its death throes (quite noisily, I might add), and I don't really want to go with Vista, so I've decided to return to my roots and buy a Mac. I used the old breadbox-sized Macintoshes in the early-mid '90s, and I've always sort of missed them, so I decided to go with an iMac instead of a new PC.

    For now, I'll probably stick with iPhoto, Photoshop Elements and the Nikon PictureProject software that came with the D40. I've used Elements for a while, iPhoto seems pretty cool and the Nikon software isn't bad either. That gives me plenty of time think about whether I'd need Capture NX or Aperture or whatever. I've made enough decisions for a while. :unsure8ao:

    Thanks everyone for your advice and help, especially Pete...your blog illustrates spot-on the type of layout photos I'm striving for - on the right railroad, too :shade:


    Ray
     
  3. Pete Nolan

    Pete Nolan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Now if I could only get myself up for installing TrainFones!

    I'd suggest you spend some minor money on Helicon Focus software. What I'm am shooting these days would be impossible without it. They have a number of options; I went all the way and bought a full license for $250 (a business expense), but it's much cheaper than that for a one-year license, or their "lite" version. Best software investment I've ever made!

    The D40 looks like a winner! I'm glad to see the mega-pixel wars stopping, or at least stepping back. A good friend just bought a 7.2 megapixel Sony point-and-shoot. We stood side-by-side, calibrated our zooms to about 50mm equivalent, and compared results. The old D100 at 6 megapixels was clearly superior in every way. It's the quality of the pixel, not the number, that counts. Also the quality of the lens, of course.

    If I were you, I'd just keep fiddling with that new toy. Wildlife photography is pretty easy to master compared to model railroad photography. I've admitted that I was very disappointed with my digital model photography at first; but I slowly got better at it. It's taken me four full years to get to where I'm at today, where I'm 80 percent sure that my images will be presentable.
     
  4. Matthew Roberts

    Matthew Roberts TrainBoard Member

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    What Pete mentions about quality of pixels is totally true, when my dad and I compare shots between his 6MP Panasonic FZ-27 prosumer zoom camera and my 6MP Pentax K100D DSLR, both with SR, mine always are finer, and look better in concern to image quality. My 6MP DSLR probably makes nicer images than a 10MP P&S.

    The D40 looks pretty nice, but only when you have those built-in AF lenses. Ah, won't berate you now, you already have your camera. :teeth:

    Good luck, and model photography takes some getting used to, and a macro lens can always help, too. :angel:
     
  5. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Pete, thanks for the advise on places to visit when I'm there. I'm noting them all down. Just went to the local AAA office and picked up a ton of reading materinal. It will be some trip!

    Of coures, my backup conundrum(sp?) still hasn't been resolved yet. :(

    Ray, that D40 will serve you well. Take your time learning it. It's not going to be overnight! :)
     
  6. Lenny53

    Lenny53 TrainBoard Member

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    Nikon does offer the D40 as a body only but you will most likely have to go to a photographic retail store to buy it and not a consumer electronics store like Best Buy which tend to sell the camera as a packaged kit only.

    One day I enquired at a Best Buy about the body only D70 price the sales clerk told me it could not be purchased that way. When I informed the clerk that Nikon's website said otherwise and even listed a MSRP the clerk walked away in a huff.
     
  7. Lenny53

    Lenny53 TrainBoard Member

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    Actually you can still use your old manual AI Nikkors on the D40. You are limited to manual mode and will need a hand held meter as the in camera one is not available for use with the non AF lenses.
     
  8. Ray H.

    Ray H. TrainBoard Member

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    No need for berating. The only lenses I owned at the time of purchase were a small crop of AI-s lenses of a vintage when you were but a twinkle in your father's eye. :teeth: In fact, other than a very brief college fling with an F4s, the D40 is the first AF SLR I've ever owned. So, I figured the built-in AF lens restriction was no biggie.

    So far, I've found that between the 18-55 and the 55-200, I think I can do pretty much everything I want, or am able, to do. :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up:


    Ray
     
  9. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Lenny where??? I've tried B&H, Norman Camera, Roberts Imaging, Adorama, Calumet, and they all say it only comes with the lens unlike the other Nikons.

    Now I could buy the entire outfit and sell the lens separately but I don't want a hassle. Michael R. above, who works for Nikon, said that it doesn't come as a body only at this time.
     
  10. Lenny53

    Lenny53 TrainBoard Member

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    Simon's here in Montreal is a long standing reputable camera shop and is where my D50 body only came from. Here is the D40 link from Nikon's Canadian website, body only is $649.95(CAD);

    http://www.nikon.ca/products/d40/
     
  11. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Lenny,

    Ah! Didn't see you are not from the US. Nikon Canada must be marketing the D40 differently than Nikon USA. Problem is I'm in the US and I won't be able to get service (in warranty or even out of warranty) if I buy a non-US Nikon product. :(

    Thanks for the tip though.
     
  12. Pete Nolan

    Pete Nolan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Ray,

    18-200 should cover almost everything while you play and learn with the camera. After a while you can decide whether you want a wider or longer lens. I had a 24-85 AF when I first bought a D100, and immediately knew I needed the 12-24, which is pricey, to say the least. I also had a cheapy 28-200. It was only after my Alaska trip in 2003 that I knew I needed something longer for wildlife. The Nikon 70-300 was reasonable at about $275, and far superior to the 28-200.

    The D100 hooked me back into photography, which I'd pretty much ignored for 20 years. I'd bring my film Nikons along on vacation and shoot a lot of shots, but never did much with them. Now I'm going back to them, rescanning them, and having a blast!

    I can remember, after my first trip to the Southwest in 1987, the processing costs for film were $240. That's processing costs alone for a two-week trip. In 1987 dollars.
     
  13. Michael R New York

    Michael R New York TrainBoard Member

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    Well we just introduced the D40x at $729 for the body and $799 with 18-55 lens. Also introduced the 55-200 VR for just $249. Incredible value and great quality.

    So the D40 w/18-55 plus 55-200VR will run about $849...same lenses and D40X, $1,049. MSRP plus applicable sales tax and/or shipping...

    Best,

    Michael
     
  14. Pete Nolan

    Pete Nolan TrainBoard Supporter

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    The D40X looks like a winner, Michael! Sign me up for one. Wow! I still think I'll go for a D200 because I'm often shooting in really bad weather. Or maybe I'll wait a few months for a D200X?

    I've got good quality Nikon lenses from 12 to 300mm. The 12-24 has a 94 degree field of view at 12mm. Any plans for a prime lens wider than 12mm?

    This shot of the Matanuska river, taken at 12mm, is one of my all-time favorites:

    [​IMG]

    I did nothing except snap the picture. Nikon did the rest in capturing the tonal values that make the picture.
     
  15. Michael R New York

    Michael R New York TrainBoard Member

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    Great shot!

    I think you'll be fine if you get a D200 today :) The real bargain these days is the 55-200 VR for $249!

    Best,

    Michael
     
  16. Pete Nolan

    Pete Nolan TrainBoard Supporter

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    That's a bargain for sure! I'll have to go down to my local Nikon dealer and try it out--if he has one. I really like the VR lenses. The 70-200 mm VR was just a bit out of my price range, since I'm starting a new business venture. This one is not.
     
  17. surfline

    surfline TrainBoard Member

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    I think you'd be happier by picking up a D200 now if you're able. Truely a nice piece of equipment. The layout of the controls on the body was the determining factor for me. I received mine yesterday and look forward to a weekend of shooting and learning.

    Chris
     
  18. Michael R New York

    Michael R New York TrainBoard Member

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    A quick way to learn about most Nikon DSLRs is to visit our Digitutor sites. These sites go beyond the manual and are great crash courses designed specifically for your camera:

    http://www.nikondigitutor.com/index_eng.html

    Best,

    Michael
     
  19. Ray H.

    Ray H. TrainBoard Member

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    I'll vouch for that. Since I got my D40, I've spent a lot of time exploring the Digitutor site. It's a great visual supplement to the camera manual, especially people like me who are book-stupid but learn well from watching.
     
  20. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

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    I had a D200 in my hands today, and it is one magnificent piece of equipment. I love my D50, but this guy is head and shoulders above it in quality. Weighs more than two of my heaviest film cameras combined, but looks and feels as though it could survive not only bad weather, but a nasty fall, as well.
     

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