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Does it really matter....

Calm Light PhotosCalm Light Photos Registered Users Posts: 101 Major grins
edited September 8, 2008 in Cameras
Please don't laugh, but I need to know if anyone would use a Nikon D40 professionally if they used top notch lens with it? I'm new to the digital world but want to expand professionally and I'm at the point where I need a second camera and more lens. I'm sticking with Nikon (not that i have anything against Cannon - I think they're great, too) and I would love to keep my D40 since it's simple and light, but is this wishful thinking if I want to shoot portraits and weddings?

Please explain what a D200 (or D80 or D70 or whatever) can do that a D40 can't, especially if they use the same lens. Okay, I'm stupid about these things, but I'm willing to learn...just point me in the right direction. :dunno

Thank you!
Darlene

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    jonh68jonh68 Registered Users Posts: 2,711 Major grins
    edited September 4, 2008
    It is very possible for you to shoot a wedding with a D40 and great glass. In fact, if you are deciding to go professional, it would be better if you invested in better glass than a new camera. I have friend who shoots with pro grade canon gear for his newspaper, but does weddings on the side with his nikon d50. I do recommend getting a backup camera though.

    The advantage of the D200 over the D40 is there are more controls at the fingertips of the D200 and pro level cameras. The IQ difference is not that big of difference. Those with sharp eyes will tell, but I doubt your clients would, otherwise they would get their friends to shoot the weddings and portraits.

    I just think you are better off getting glass over upgrading your camera unless it's in the budget.
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    ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 23,887 moderator
    edited September 4, 2008
    I agree that good and great lenses make a tremendous difference, but sometimes the body impacts on success as well.

    The more advanced cameras tend to be more responsive, more accurate and more durable.

    More responsiveness is measured in a faster frame rate, shorter lag and faster autofocus. (Autofocus speed is a function of both lens and camera.)

    Accuracy can be measured in terms of autofocus accuracy as well as exposure accuracy.

    Durability can be measured in terms of shutter cycles before failure (actuations) and basic body construction as well as electronics. The better bodies tend to have much better isolation from the electronic flash, for instance.

    One potentially major benefit in the best Nikon bodies is a very short lag between the pre-flash and main flash of i-TTL. Some of the Nikon bodies have a long enough lag that some people blink before and during the main flash.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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    Tee WhyTee Why Registered Users Posts: 2,390 Major grins
    edited September 5, 2008
    The D40 has 6MP which should be enough for upto 11x14 prints at 200dpi IMO. So I think it should be fine.

    Ziggy already mentioned the robustness of it's performance and that may or may not be a factor. Unless you opt for the d90/d300 with a CMOS sensor, getting a d80/d200 with a 10MP CCD sensor may introduce more noise at high ISO, which is a factor for wedding shooters.

    I would however agree that if money is a factor, I'd get a d40 and top notch lens vs a d300 with no glass or a cheap lens.

    I guess the d700 would be an ideal wedding shooter body though.
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    Calm Light PhotosCalm Light Photos Registered Users Posts: 101 Major grins
    edited September 7, 2008
    jonh68 wrote:
    It is very possible for you to shoot a wedding with a D40 and great glass. In fact, if you are deciding to go professional, it would be better if you invested in better glass than a new camera. I have friend who shoots with pro grade canon gear for his newspaper, but does weddings on the side with his nikon d50. I do recommend getting a backup camera though.

    The advantage of the D200 over the D40 is there are more controls at the fingertips of the D200 and pro level cameras. The IQ difference is not that big of difference. Those with sharp eyes will tell, but I doubt your clients would, otherwise they would get their friends to shoot the weddings and portraits.

    I just think you are better off getting glass over upgrading your camera unless it's in the budget.

    Thank you, Jon, for your reply. Much appreciated! This does help. Which lens would you recommend? Currently I have what came with the D40 kit (18-55mm f3.5), plus I bought the 55-200 f4.5 VR. A friend of mine just bought the Sigma 30mm 1.4 and loves it. Which other low light lens would you recommend that is a zoom? And, pardon my ignorance, but what do you mean by this statement - "The IQ difference is not that big of a difference." Thanks!
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    Calm Light PhotosCalm Light Photos Registered Users Posts: 101 Major grins
    edited September 7, 2008
    ziggy53 wrote:
    I agree that good and great lenses make a tremendous difference, but sometimes the body impacts on success as well.

    The more advanced cameras tend to be more responsive, more accurate and more durable.

    More responsiveness is measured in a faster frame rate, shorter lag and faster autofocus. (Autofocus speed is a function of both lens and camera.)

    Accuracy can be measured in terms of autofocus accuracy as well as exposure accuracy.

    Durability can be measured in terms of shutter cycles before failure (actuations) and basic body construction as well as electronics. The better bodies tend to have much better isolation from the electronic flash, for instance.

    One potentially major benefit in the best Nikon bodies is a very short lag between the pre-flash and main flash of i-TTL. Some of the Nikon bodies have a long enough lag that some people blink before and during the main flash.

    Thank you for your input, Ziggy. This all makes sense to me (except I'm not sure what i-TTL means ne_nau.gif In the wedding I shot last Sunday, I definitely had some lag time between some shots, which meant I missed the shot! I did get a lot of decent photos, but still I know I missed some due to slow auto focus. In the more pro cameras, if you use the built in flash in situations like harsh shadows because of extreme sunlight, will the continuous shutter & flash fire quickly, because on the D40 it doesn't?

    I've had the opportunity to hold a D200 but man are they heavy! What do you think of the D90? Right now my budget can't support an expensive new camera, but I can start to work on getting a couple of good lens (one at a time.) Will the lens I get for my D40 support an upgraded camera in the future? So much to learn, but Dgrin is a great wealth of information! Thank you!
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    Calm Light PhotosCalm Light Photos Registered Users Posts: 101 Major grins
    edited September 7, 2008
    Tee Why wrote:
    The D40 has 6MP which should be enough for upto 11x14 prints at 200dpi IMO. So I think it should be fine.

    Ziggy already mentioned the robustness of it's performance and that may or may not be a factor. Unless you opt for the d90/d300 with a CMOS sensor, getting a d80/d200 with a 10MP CCD sensor may introduce more noise at high ISO, which is a factor for wedding shooters.

    I would however agree that if money is a factor, I'd get a d40 and top notch lens vs a d300 with no glass or a cheap lens.

    I guess the d700 would be an ideal wedding shooter body though.

    Thank you for your reply. I have a question, which will probably sound stupid, but I'm asking anyway...What is a CMOS sensor and a CCD sensor? Sorry, I'm still learning the language!
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    Scott_QuierScott_Quier Registered Users Posts: 6,524 Major grins
    edited September 7, 2008
    Thank you, Jon, for your reply. Much appreciated! This does help. Which lens would you recommend? Currently I have what came with the D40 kit (18-55mm f3.5), plus I bought the 55-200 f4.5 VR. A friend of mine just bought the Sigma 30mm 1.4 and loves it. Which other low light lens would you recommend that is a zoom? And, pardon my ignorance, but what do you mean by this statement - "The IQ difference is not that big of a difference." Thanks!
    Please read my "Thoughts on wedding photography" - there's lots of good information there.

    As for the lens question. I shoot Canon but that shouldn't matter, but I primarily use just two lenses, a 17-55 f/2.8 IS and a 70-200 f/2.8L IS. In the Canon world, the IS is the same as VR in the Nikon world - it's a technology that helps to isolate/dampen/compensate for camera motion. I also have a number of other lenses as backup incase one of these fails during the event - it would not be a goodness to have to stop working because a lens failed.
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    Scott_QuierScott_Quier Registered Users Posts: 6,524 Major grins
    edited September 7, 2008
    Thank you for your reply. I have a question, which will probably sound stupid, but I'm asking anyway...What is a CMOS sensor and a CCD sensor? Sorry, I'm still learning the language!
    CMOS
    CCD

    It used to be that CMOS required less energy (battery) to get the job done (capturing an image) and was therefore a cooler running technology. Cooler running sensors tend to generate less noise in the image.
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    jonh68jonh68 Registered Users Posts: 2,711 Major grins
    edited September 7, 2008
    Thank you, Jon, for your reply. Much appreciated! This does help. Which lens would you recommend? Currently I have what came with the D40 kit (18-55mm f3.5), plus I bought the 55-200 f4.5 VR. A friend of mine just bought the Sigma 30mm 1.4 and loves it. Which other low light lens would you recommend that is a zoom? And, pardon my ignorance, but what do you mean by this statement - "The IQ difference is not that big of a difference." Thanks!

    IQ=image quality.

    I would just echo what Scott suggested with lenses in regards to the nikon versions. The 70-200 2.8 would be a good lens.

    The downside to the D40 is it doesn't have AF so the lens has to be a AFS, autofocus built in, inorder to work.
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    ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 23,887 moderator
    edited September 7, 2008
    ... I'm not sure what i-TTL means ...

    Nikon i-TTL is a technology that allows the flash to use the camera as a sensor for the flash. i-TTL implies that there will be a pre-flash to greatly improve the accuracy of the main/shooting flash. i-TTL also can use the distance information from appropriate lenses to determine the correct flash exposure to the subject. Distance is a much more accurate method than TTL alone.

    Unfortunately, cameras such as the Nikon D40 have a longer lag time between the pre-flash and the main flash. This extra lag can allow some people to blink as a reaction to the pre-flash and the blink can accur when the main exposure takes place.

    On the Nikon D40, and similar, it is often best to manually pre-flash and lock in the flash exposure, then take the actual exposure some moments afterwards. This slows down the process but circumvents the problem of lag.
    ... In the wedding I shot last Sunday, I definitely had some lag time between some shots, which meant I missed the shot! I did get a lot of decent photos, but still I know I missed some due to slow auto focus. In the more pro cameras, if you use the built in flash in situations like harsh shadows because of extreme sunlight, will the continuous shutter & flash fire quickly, because on the D40 it doesn't? ...

    Using the on-board flash for fill-light is a good idea. An external flash with more power can have faster recycle time than the on-board and those external flashes that allow an external power source can usually provide the fastest recycle times of all, so an external flash is usually better than the on-board flash. Plus an external flash isn't using your camera battery for power. That's usually a bery good thing.

    The recycle times partly depend upon the amount of power the flash has to provide. Using a flash at close to maximum output always increases the recycle time. Situations that require longer distance and/or wider angles will usually use great amounts of flash energy.
    ... I've had the opportunity to hold a D200 but man are they heavy! What do you think of the D90? ...

    You get used to the heavier camera when you see the advantages they provide.

    The Nikon D90 is still pretty new so I'll reserve judgement until the formal reviews become available. It looks to be a pretty good camera and a significant upgrade from the D40/D40x/D60 series and a fair upgrade from the D80.
    ... Right now my budget can't support an expensive new camera, but I can start to work on getting a couple of good lens (one at a time.) Will the lens I get for my D40 support an upgraded camera in the future? ...

    Nikon currently has 2 camera and lens formats; the DX format for smaller (crop) sensors and the FX format which is approximately the same size as 35mm film.

    While DX lenses can work on the FX cameras with some restrictions and reservations, the FX lenses work great on both formats. Some people are of the opinion that you should only purchase the FX lenses to hedge against their ultimate purchase of an FX body.

    I am a believer that the appropriate lenses for me are what works best for the current situation. As such I recommend lenses which work with your current situation and current equipment. I'll list my recommendations for you in a following post.
    ... So much to learn, but Dgrin is a great wealth of information! Thank you!

    I honestly believe the Digital Grin (DGrin) is about the best combination of informed and experienced photographers you will ever find and that the moderators and users here are among the best on the Internet. thumb.gifthumb

    I am very happy to be a part of this "family" and I think the word is getting around just what a formidable resource we are. wings.gif
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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    Jekyll & HydeJekyll & Hyde Registered Users Posts: 170 Major grins
    edited September 7, 2008
    On lenses
    Please explain what a D200 (or D80 or D70 or whatever) can do that a D40 can't, especially if they use the same lens.
    J: Keep in mind that the D40 can't use all of the same lenses that are available to the others. It's restricted to AF-S lenses (which eliminates almost all of the fast wide, normal, and mid-telephoto primes).

    H: Here's a recent list (not compiled by me)...



    From Nikon:

    WIDE-ANGLE
    -AF 10.5mm f/2.8G ED . . . $ 600.00
    -AF 14mm f/2.8D ED . . . $ 1,415.00
    -AF 16mm F/2.8D . . . $ 770.00
    -AF 20mm f/2.8D . . . $ 490.00
    -AF 24mm f/2.8D . . . $ 310.00
    -AF 28mm f/2.8D . . . $ 235.00
    -AF 35mm f/2.0D . . . $ 320.00

    STANDARD
    -AF 50mm f/1.4D . . . $ 290.00
    -AF 50mm f/1.8D . . . $ 110.00

    TELEPHOTO
    -AF 85mm f/1.4D IF . . . $ 1,025.00
    -AF 85mm f/1.8D . . . $ 400.00
    -AF 105mm f/2D . . . $ 925.00
    -AF 135mm f/2D . . . $ 1,070.00
    -AF 180mm f/2.8D IF-ED . . . $ 750.00
    AF-S VR 200mm f/2G IF-ED . . . $ 4000

    SUPER TELEPHOTO
    AF-S 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR . . . $ 4500
    AF-S 300mm f/4D IF-ED . . . $ 1125
    AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR . . . $ 8500
    AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VR . . . $ 7900
    AF-S 600mm f/4G ED VR 9500

    WIDE ANGLE ZOOM
    AF-S DX 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED . . . $ 915
    AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED . . . $ 1550
    AF-S 17-25mm f/2.8D IF-ED . . . $ 1500

    STANDARD ZOOM
    AF-S DX 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR . . . $ 585
    AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED . . . $ 1200
    AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR . . . $ 200
    AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II . . . $ 120
    AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED . . . $ 350
    AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED . . . $ 330
    AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR . . . $ 680
    AF-S 24-70 f/2.8G ED . . . $ 1700
    AF-S 24-85 f/2.8-4D IF . . . $ 565
    AF-S 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR . . . $ 510
    AF-S 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED . . . $ 1475

    HIGH POWER ZOOM
    AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED . . . $ 170
    AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED VR . . . $ 220
    AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR . . . $ 1625
    AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR . . . $ 480
    -AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6G . . . $ 135
    -AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED . . . $ 915
    -AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR . . . $ 1430
    AF-S 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED VR . . . $ 5200

    CLOSE-UP
    -AF Micro 60mm f/2.8D . . . $ 400
    AF-S Micro 60mm f/2.8G ED . . . $ 480
    AF-S Micro 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR . . . $ 760
    -AF Micro 200mm f4D IF-ED . . . $ 1340

    Sigma:
    4.5mm f/2,8 EX DC HSM . . . $900
    10mm f/2,8 EX DC HSM . . . $650
    10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM . . . $570
    12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM . . . 780
    14mm f/2.8 EX . . . ???
    17-35mm f/2.8-4.0 EX DG . . . $400 (Adorama)
    17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM . . . $400
    18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC HSM . . . $140
    18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro HSM . . . $450
    18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM . . . $400
    18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS . . . $500
    30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM . . . $490
    50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM . . . $500
    50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM . . . $750
    50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX DG . . . $1160
    55-200mm f/4-5.6 DC HSM . . . $180
    70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro . . . $800
    70-300mm f/4,0-5,6 DG Macro . . . $140
    70-300mm f/4,0-5,6 DG APO Macro . . . $220
    80-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro . . . ???
    80-400mm f/4-5.6 EX OS . . . $1272 (Amazon)
    100-300mm f/4.0 EX DG . . . $1200
    120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG . . . $3000
    120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS APO HSM . . . $850
    150mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro . . . $670
    150-500mm f5-6.3 DG OS APO HSM . . . $980
    180mm f/3.5 EX DG Macro . . . $900
    300mm f/2.8 EX DG APO HSM . . . $3000
    300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO . . . $8000
    500mm f/4.5 EX DG HSM APO . . . $4670
    800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO . . . $7400

    Tamron:
    17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II . . . $420
    18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II . . . $280
    18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II . . . $460
    28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD . . . $350
    28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC . . . $600
    70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD MACRO . . . $700
    70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro . . . $180

    J&H
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    jonh68jonh68 Registered Users Posts: 2,711 Major grins
    edited September 7, 2008
    I've had the opportunity to hold a D200 but man are they heavy! What do you think of the D90? Right now my budget can't support an expensive new camera, but I can start to work on getting a couple of good lens (one at a time.) Will the lens I get for my D40 support an upgraded camera in the future? So much to learn, but Dgrin is a great wealth of information! Thank you!

    Based on my experiences, getting a pro-level camera will benefit you in the long run. After shooting with Nikon and Canon pro gear, the benefits of having more options and more controls at the fingertips saves time.

    One less observed difference is the mode settings. On consumer cameras, the modes are set with a dial that can be EASILY switched out of. On pro cameras, you have to press a button and a dial to switch, so you are not going to be shooting along in a mode by accident. You may forget to change modes, but you are not going to be shooting in a mode by accident.

    If it were me, I would not upgrade to a D90. I think you would be better off getting lenses or getting a D200/D300. If you had those cameras and wanted a great backup, the D90 would be great. You are going to need two cameras eventually, but I think one of them needs to be pro-level.

    My recommendations are based on you being a pro photographer, not a weekend warrior.
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    ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 23,887 moderator
    edited September 7, 2008
    ziggy53 wrote:
    ... I'll list my recommendations for you in a following post.
    ...

    OK, for a Nikon DX camera and wedding photography application I recommend:

    NIKKOR 17-55mm, f/2.8G AF-S DX IF-ED for the general purpose standard zoom. It's a bit pricey but still the best option. If it's too much then a Tamron 17-50mm, f/2.8 XR Di II is still a pretty good alternative and I believe it will autofocus on the D40.

    NIKKOR 70-200mm, f/2.8G AF-S VR IF-ED for the tele-zoom. This a great lens to use when you need to compress space or there is too much action in too many different places at the same time. Some receptions really beg for this lens. A viable alternative is the NIKKOR 80-200mm, f/2.8D ED although I believe you lose autofocus on the D40 but I think you retain focus confirmation. The 80-200mm would be much better on the better Nikon cameras which have the autofocus screw drive. The Sigma APO 70-200mm, F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM is another pretty good choice and I think will autofocus on the D40.

    Add the NIKKOR 50mm, f/1.8D for during the ceremony when you have to use ambient light.

    There you have, in three lenses, a good basic wedding kit, suitable for most circumstances. Later you might add one of the super-wide lenses in the 10-20mm-ish range, but it's a pretty special purpose lens you can often do without.

    Add a couple of speedlights and some light modifiers and you are good to go making beautiful images.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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    Calm Light PhotosCalm Light Photos Registered Users Posts: 101 Major grins
    edited September 8, 2008
    Please read my "Thoughts on wedding photography" - there's lots of good information there.

    As for the lens question. I shoot Canon but that shouldn't matter, but I primarily use just two lenses, a 17-55 f/2.8 IS and a 70-200 f/2.8L IS. In the Canon world, the IS is the same as VR in the Nikon world - it's a technology that helps to isolate/dampen/compensate for camera motion. I also have a number of other lenses as backup incase one of these fails during the event - it would not be a goodness to have to stop working because a lens failed.

    Scott, I've read your Thoughts on wedding photography and Wow it's a bit intimidating! Very thorough, which is good. thanks!
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    Calm Light PhotosCalm Light Photos Registered Users Posts: 101 Major grins
    edited September 8, 2008
    jonh68 wrote:
    Based on my experiences, getting a pro-level camera will benefit you in the long run. After shooting with Nikon and Canon pro gear, the benefits of having more options and more controls at the fingertips saves time.

    One less observed difference is the mode settings. On consumer cameras, the modes are set with a dial that can be EASILY switched out of. On pro cameras, you have to press a button and a dial to switch, so you are not going to be shooting along in a mode by accident. You may forget to change modes, but you are not going to be shooting in a mode by accident.

    If it were me, I would not upgrade to a D90. I think you would be better off getting lenses or getting a D200/D300. If you had those cameras and wanted a great backup, the D90 would be great. You are going to need two cameras eventually, but I think one of them needs to be pro-level.

    My recommendations are based on you being a pro photographer, not a weekend warrior.

    Thank you, Jon. I am leaning towards the D300, but right now I don't have that kind of money. Everyone here has given me lots of information and much to ponder over, and admittedly, much of this is over my head. I guess my next step is figuring out which lens would go with my D40 AND eventually work with a pro level camera. I'd also love to find a mentor who lived near me who could teach me all the technical stuff that I obviously have no clue about. I should have gone to photography school!!
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    i_worship_the_Kingi_worship_the_King Registered Users Posts: 548 Major grins
    edited September 8, 2008
    If you're curious about a D40, why not go with a used D70 or wait a month and get a D80? From me the difference in comfort with a little larger body combined with better build quality is worth it. ne_nau.gif

    and Ziggy
    Add the NIKKOR 50mm, f/1.8D for during the ceremony when you have to use ambient light.

    I thought the 50mm f/1.8 only worked with AF-C cameras (D70+, not D40/50) because it doesn't have the AF-S workings in it...
    I make it policy to never let ignorance stand in the way of my opinion. ~Justiceiro

    "Your decisions on whether to buy, when to buy and what to buy should depend on careful consideration of your needs primarily, with a little of your wants thrown in for enjoyment, After all photography is a hobby, even for pros."
    ~Herbert Keppler
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    ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 23,887 moderator
    edited September 8, 2008
    If you're curious about a D40, why not go with a used D70 or wait a month and get a D80? From me the difference in comfort with a little larger body combined with better build quality is worth it. ne_nau.gif

    and Ziggy


    I thought the 50mm f/1.8 only worked with AF-C cameras (D70+, not D40/50) because it doesn't have the AF-S workings in it...

    True, you lose autofocus on the D40 but I think you maintain manual focus confirmation. For during the ceremony shots it would probably be OK. I would rather have AF to be sure but the 50mm, f1.8 is still of value. The new Sigma 50mm EX DG HSM is, I think, the only alternative that does provide AF on the D40/D40x/D60 bodies.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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    Scott_QuierScott_Quier Registered Users Posts: 6,524 Major grins
    edited September 8, 2008
    Scott, I've read your Thoughts on wedding photography and Wow it's a bit intimidating! Very thorough, which is good. thanks!
    It's intended to be intimidating - to cause the "beginners", those who have never done one to really think about it. Photographing a wedding is not rocket science, but there are a lot of details and a lot of unusual techniques that need to be employed to be successful. Providing those hints is the second purpose behind the "thoughts" - give the beginners a foundation from which to start a successful attempt - I want all such to be successful as the day is just too important.
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    nightowlcatnightowlcat Registered Users Posts: 188 Major grins
    edited September 8, 2008


    I thought the 50mm f/1.8 only worked with AF-C cameras (D70+, not D40/50) because it doesn't have the AF-S workings in it...

    Just a point of clarification: The 50 1.8 does autofocus with the D50 :) I've seen reports of the D80 being sold under $600, brand new.
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    jonh68jonh68 Registered Users Posts: 2,711 Major grins
    edited September 8, 2008
    Thank you, Jon. I am leaning towards the D300, but right now I don't have that kind of money. Everyone here has given me lots of information and much to ponder over, and admittedly, much of this is over my head. I guess my next step is figuring out which lens would go with my D40 AND eventually work with a pro level camera. I'd also love to find a mentor who lived near me who could teach me all the technical stuff that I obviously have no clue about. I should have gone to photography school!!

    I think that would be a good route to go. You can shoot and make great images with the D40. Whatever you do, DO NOT shoot or handle a D200/D300 until you can afford one. :D

    Another thing to consider for down the road is a used D700 if you find yourself getting plenty of jobs in low light situations. After using the D300 and D700, the D700 is worth the price difference.

    Don't sweat the photo school. Get books from the library, bookstore and learn how aperture, shutterspeed, and ISO work together. Play around in A and S mode and see how adjusting one changes the other.
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