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Blowboarder
Boulder climber
Back in the mix
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Dec 26, 2007 - 05:39pm PT
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I just bought my wife a d40 with the 18-55 and the 55-200VR lens and we both love it.
I'm a total camera tard and she's a pretty talented photographer but doesn't know a lot of the technical jargon nefarious spouted upthread.
I'm looking for a massive zoom lense now, maybe a 70-300 or something and while I'll have to manually focus it, that's kind of the fun, right?
And for women (who aren't climbers) without massive arm strength, the d40's small size kicks ass.
I was shooting with my cousin's d3 yesterday at christmas and while it's faster focusing, I'd rather have the d40.
my couple pennies...
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Nefarius
Big Wall climber
Fresno, CA
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Dec 26, 2007 - 06:16pm PT
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Well, while it might be technical jargon, the above mentioned items *do* matter to photographers. Bracketing, for instance is not a left-over from film days, at all. Tons of people still bracket. And, with the digital darkroom, and the Dynamic Range limitations of digi cameras compared to film, it's probably more important than ever to know how to bracket photos to get solid blended exposures for scenes which a digi cam is simply not capable of capturing. Otherwise, I hope you like solid white skies and blown highlights all over the place.
I'm not saying the D40 is a bad camera, at all. I think from a business stand-point, it makes all the sense in the world for Nikon to have released it. Facts are facts, however, and rather than really being a DSLR it much more easily fits into the pro-sumer series of cameras. Very similar to the Fuji S9000 series. Or even the S7000 series. There are actually more fully featured pro-sumer PAS camera out there that are cheaper.
Again, my thoughts were towards persons who think they might want to expand on their skills and picture taking ability in the future. If you've already budgeted for a Mustang and know that you do, or will want, a Mustang then why buy a Pinto knowing you're going to sell it, take a loss on it and end up with a Mustang? Again, for folks who just want a nice camera to take great snapshots with, the D40 is great!
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Euroford
Trad climber
chicago
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Dec 26, 2007 - 06:27pm PT
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if we are comparing the D40 to a Pinto, its probably a good time to point out thats its not so much what your driving, but what you the driver decides to do with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2qxaCJBnIc
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Nefarius
Big Wall climber
Fresno, CA
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Dec 26, 2007 - 06:46pm PT
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hahaha! Nice, Euro! I used to work on the pit crew for a 9 second car and there were some FAST pintos and Vegas out there! Good show!! =)
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 26, 2007 - 09:13pm PT
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Well - thanks everyone, for the input.
It's just a matter of "doing" now, as in plunking down the cash...
I've been watching craigslist the last few days and there has been some a D50, D70 and a D80 listed today. I was really hoping to snag the D80, but haven't heard a thing. The other two, I only emailed just a short while ago. Most likely I will hear form one or the other....
I definitely want to be able to "grow" with the camera and lenses I will be buying. I sure WISH I could afford a 200, but I simply cannot. The camera I get will just have to do for at least a while, and that should be okay, because I have never had an slr before. I currently have a Fujifilm S3000 and use the manual settings(Not much to do, of course.)
Of course, I am a little concerned as to how I'm going to finance a macro lens...hahaha. I really enjoy shooting macro when I'm out hiking. So I will have to find a way.
And Radical - wow! What a generous offer(sending your lens for me to try out) that I simply cannot take you up on! Even if I did decide to go Canon, it's just too big a responsibility to borrow someone's gear like that. Thank you though.
I think I'll keep my eye on C/List for another day and see what shows up in the after xmas listings. And if that doesn't happen, then I will go through Keh.
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Euroford
Trad climber
chicago
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Dec 26, 2007 - 09:41pm PT
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i wouldn't worry too much about having a "macro" lens. most lenses will allow you to do a whole lot of macro photography. perhaps with some limitations, but fun non the less.
#1 BD Knifeblade racked on a BD ovalwire, shot with the D40 and kit lens. cropped but not resized, otherwise unedited .jpg straight from the camera.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 26, 2007 - 10:44pm PT
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Well - it looks like this is what I'll be doing:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/pho/520102589.html
His reason for selling is that he's switched to a Canon 5D, says the camera/lens is in great condition, and 7900 shutter actuations.
If anyone knows a reason this girl and camera should not be bound, speak now or forever hold your...."cheeese!" (I know...that was cheesy...).
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 26, 2007 - 10:56pm PT
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ahhh...I see I have a lot to learn now!
I'm glad to know that I can do my "bug and funghi" shots off the bat, then.
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bob d'antonio
Trad climber
Taos, NM
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Dec 26, 2007 - 11:02pm PT
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Happie...Buy, have fun and shoot a lot of pictures.
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Euroford
Trad climber
chicago
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Dec 26, 2007 - 11:02pm PT
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i hate sounding like a broken record, but, I'd really think twice about paying more for a used d50 than you can get a new d40 for.
oh, i see it does at least come with some stuff. probobly a bit of a toss up. eh, whatever, go take some pitures!
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Blowboarder
Boulder climber
Back in the mix
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Dec 26, 2007 - 11:05pm PT
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Also, the D50 is discontinued. Not sure if that matters in the scheme of things regarding parts and repair or not but thought I'd mention it.
I'm sure you'll be stoked with whatever deal you go with, happy shooting.
My LowePro strap I got is totally pimp too, alas, the d40 with the 55-200vr will fit in the LowePro Topload Mini case I got but with room for noting else. Need to upgrade to something bigger, who's got a camera case they'll defend?
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Nefarius
Big Wall climber
Fresno, CA
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Dec 27, 2007 - 12:22pm PT
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$550 for a D50 sounds really high!
You can get a Nikon D80 for $575-600, Rebel XT for $350, a Canon 20D for $450, a Pentax K10D with lens for $600ish, and on and on....
Be careful buying on CL, happie. There are great deals out there and there are also sharks. I'll email you a great place to find good deals - current used prices rather than inflated prices from people who don't know any better.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 27, 2007 - 01:31pm PT
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Thanks you guys - Maybe it is being in NYC that prices aren't as low as you guys are finding, I don't know... There have been a few listed on C/L that fall under $500 for the D50 or under $650 for D80. But each time I have tried to contact the people, I never heard back.
It seems like people must go to Keh and see what the price lists are for the gear they are selling and then price their stuff accordingly.
Nefarious - Thanks for the link> It's giving me problems logging in, says the username/password is invalid. But I will try a little more.
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Nefarius
Big Wall climber
Fresno, CA
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Dec 27, 2007 - 01:38pm PT
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A lot of what you find on Craigs is people who bought their 300D Rebel back when they first came out and seem to think they're still worth $6-700. Not so. $250 is more like it. I've learned after a few attempts it's not worth the time to try to inform them of why their camera is still listed 3 months later, when making an offer to them.
Craigs can also be a pain for the reason you listed, Happie. Half the time, people jsut don't respond to you.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 27, 2007 - 09:24pm PT
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Well - I had a turn of events!
I had pretty much decided to buy that D50, and though in the conversation with the seller I had said "interested, and would like to look" at the camera, it was about a done deal in my mind, so long as he showed up and the camera was as he'd said.
Seeing you guy's responses that $500 was too high for the camera didn't feel so good, but I'd already set the appointment....
But, then the guy delayed our meeting time. He left me a text message asking for a later time and a few moments after I accepted the later meeting, I got a call from another seller with a D70 at the same price as the D50.
I felt bad, but I did what any person would do, and canceled the meeting with the first guy with a white lie, saying I wouldn't be able to make the appt after all, had to check my schedule and get back to him. And I set up a meeting with the other seller.
I just got home(with a very nice D70 with a 50mm f/1.8D lens) and emailed my apology to the D50 guy and told him the truth.
He may be PO'd but when I think of how many times people have just bailed on me, simply not shown up, and then given lame excuses, I think what I did was not all that awful. Had he not delayed the meeting, I probably would have been too much of a chicken to change my mind and would have bought the D50...So I guess I should be grateful!
Anyway - I am very excited to start learning about this new camera.
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Euroford
Trad climber
chicago
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Dec 27, 2007 - 09:29pm PT
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cool, after all this drama, we expect pics to be posted. common, you line in nyc, no shortage of subject natter.
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Nefarius
Big Wall climber
Fresno, CA
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Dec 28, 2007 - 12:08pm PT
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Nice, happie! Enjoy your new camera! I've heard nothing but good things about the D70! It should serve you well as you grow with it! =)
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 28, 2007 - 12:17pm PT
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Thanks! Now the learning begins....
I'm just beginning to go through the user manual, and just tested a few shots so far. Everything is set on fully automatic, and here's the first "Teddy Pic:"
This really was just an off the cuff. I'm in between dog jobs and only had a few minutes. So - snap, snap, snap! Transfer and choose one of the bunch... I cropped out some crap because my carpet had some crumblies on it and Ted was laying across a phone wire; he lost a foot in the process... hahaha.
And, I did "auto adjust" on the layers in P/Shop.... So, I have a long way to go. But - I think I am really going to enjoy having the better camera.
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