Transitioning from pro-sumer to DSLR... D40?

[twange]

Advise much appreciated...

Am contemplating such a move, but need to clear some doubts first. I'm currently using a coolpix 5000 + SB28. Aging equipment, but for most part served me okay. From years of using this combo, have also understood my requirements.

- low shutter lag: Typical prosumer lag is still too slow for catching kids. But i think any DSLR is good enough.
- low light performance: Using CP5000 indoors at brightest of F2.8, sometimes still need shutter speed to be 1/15 or slower. And this is not good enough for running kids.
- external flash: ability to bounce is simple but great enhancement to lighting
- compact: cannot be too big
- foldable/flippable LCD screen: CP5000's screen is really useful and let u take pics from wierd angles... but no DSLR have this kind of screens.
- portrait with DOF
- quality: not too particular... always believe that content is more impt that quality. A phone's camera that can capture the *moment* is better than a 100mp picture after it.

Think a D40 + SB28 combo seems fairly sound. Questions:

1) Can the F-stop be compared like this? As in, does it mean that the D40 at F3.5 will definitely be less bright than my current CP5000? And does it mean that indoors, it's gonna be worst? Or i cannot just compare like this.
2) D40+SB28 cannot use iTTL. Does it really make a big difference?
3) Can the D40 kit be able to achieve those DOF effects on portraits already? or must i get those zoom lens?



Appreicate some tips/views here...

Thanks

[ExplorerZ]

Originally Posted by twange Advise much appreciated... Am contemplating such a move, but need to clear some doubts first. I'm currently using a coolpix 5000 + SB28. Aging equipment, but for most part served me okay. From years of using this combo, have also understood my requirements. - low shutter lag: Typical prosumer lag is still too slow for catching kids. But i think any DSLR is good enough. - low light performance: Using CP5000 indoors at brightest of F2.8, sometimes still need shutter speed to be 1/15 or slower. And this is not good enough for running kids. - external flash: ability to bounce is simple but great enhancement to lighting - compact: cannot be too big - foldable/flippable LCD screen: CP5000's screen is really useful and let u take pics from wierd angles... but no DSLR have this kind of screens. - portrait with DOF - quality: not too particular... always believe that content is more impt that quality. A phone's camera that can capture the *moment* is better than a 100mp picture after it. Think a D40 + SB28 combo seems fairly sound. Questions: 1) Can the F-stop be compared like this? As in, does it mean that the D40 at F3.5 will definitely be less bright than my current CP5000? And does it mean that indoors, it's gonna be worst? Or i cannot just compare like this. 2) D40+SB28 cannot use iTTL. Does it really make a big difference? 3) Can the D40 kit be able to achieve those DOF effects on portraits already? or must i get those zoom lens? Appreicate some tips/views here... Thanks

1) yes f3.5 is of cos darker than f2.8, but do note that with dSLR you can simply bump up the ISO without much noise issue.
2) big different as in? i go for i-TTL anytime, it just too great.
3) yes, most lens can do it, but fast lens give you more blur than a slow lens.

[ultrazoom]

Originally Posted by twange 3) Can the D40 kit be able to achieve those DOF effects on portraits already? or must i get those zoom lens?

Two things will affect DOF.

One is from the higher zoom. The other is from the larger Aperture.

For Aperture, take a look at here. The shot was taken with 30mm focal length only, but at f/1.4.

The kit lens of the D40 will be good for general use, but might not achieve your desired portraiture DOF.

Too bad the D40 can only use with Nikon AF-S (or Sigma HSM) lenses for now. If not the Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D for around $180 would have been a cheap and good lens to start you off.

[SolBadGuy]

Originally Posted by twange Advise much appreciated... - foldable/flippable LCD screen: CP5000's screen is really useful and let u take pics from wierd angles... but no DSLR have this kind of screens.

AFAIK, only Olympus E330 has tat function. i reckon a D40 should be enough for starting. Unless you know wat kind of photography u will most likely be concentrating on, and tat the D40 does not satisfy ur need in ur niche. enjoy ur new toy.

[longkangman]

Originally Posted by twange Think a D40 + SB28 combo seems fairly sound. Questions: 1) Can the F-stop be compared like this? As in, does it mean that the D40 at F3.5 will definitely be less bright than my current CP5000? And does it mean that indoors, it's gonna be worst? Or i cannot just compare like this. 2) D40+SB28 cannot use iTTL. Does it really make a big difference? 3) Can the D40 kit be able to achieve those DOF effects on portraits already? or must i get those zoom lens?

1# No don't think you can compare it this way and the sensor size different too. Couple with good and fast lens you d40 could be better.

2# Yes and no, if you know how to control the light to get what you need for the moment.

3# To get good portraiture image not necessary have to get those portrait/prime lens.

YMMV

[westwest1]

actually...d40 is quite a cute looking camera...

feature wise...its not bad...

i can say d40 can be considered an ideal upgrade from prosumer...

[Zaknafein]

maybe consider D50? feel its better as it accepts more nikkor lens

[zac08]

Originally Posted by Zaknafein maybe consider D50? feel its better as it accepts more nikkor lens

Well... the correct term to use is not this.

Both the D40 and D50 accepts the same type of lenses and can support both for all metering functions except that the D40 cannot support AF functions on non-AFS lenses.

[rodel]

Originally Posted by ultrazoom Two things will affect DOF. One is from the higher zoom. The other is from the larger Aperture. For Aperture, take a look at here. The shot was taken with 30mm focal length only, but at f/1.4. The kit lens of the D40 will be good for general use, but might not achieve your desired portraiture DOF. Too bad the D40 can only use with Nikon AF-S (or Sigma HSM) lenses for now. If not the Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D for around $180 would have been a cheap and good lens to start you off.

Does DOF = bokeh?

[lastboltnut]

Olympus DSLR has lifeview LCD to Preview before snapping.

Originally Posted by twange - foldable/flippable LCD screen: CP5000's screen is really useful and let u take pics from wierd angles... but no DSLR have this kind of screens. Thanks

[jeanie]

guys,may i know what pro-sumer means?

[lastboltnut]

No, not the same. Bokeh is this and DOF is this.

Originally Posted by rodel Does DOF = bokeh?

[lastboltnut]

Its a general termto describe hobbist getting more and more demanding in terms of features/function of the product related to their hobby. In photography, it means the high-level compact camera (non slr).

Originally Posted by jeanie guys,may i know what pro-sumer means?

[jeanie]

Originally Posted by lastboltnut Its a general termto describe hobbist getting more and more demanding in terms of features/function of the product related to their hobby. In photography, it means the high-level compact camera (non slr).

so dslr are not considered pro-sumer cameras?

[Henessy]

Originally Posted by jeanie so dslr are not considered pro-sumer cameras?

Ya. Prosumer cameras are also known as SLR-like cameras

[lastboltnut]

That is why I always say this prosumer terms is very very confusing.....if you are a hobbist (not a photographer by profession), then you (not the cam) are a prosumer, because you are persuing (may have or havnt attained lah) a professional class of knowledge. But for the hardware, prosumer cams are in general accepted by the masses that it refers to highlevel compact with full manual functions.....

Originally Posted by jeanie so dslr are not considered pro-sumer cameras?

[jeanie]

Originally Posted by lastboltnut That is why I always say this prosumer terms is very very confusing.....if you are a hobbist (not a photographer by profession), then you (not the cam) are a prosumer, because you are persuing (may have or havnt attained lah) a professional class of knowledge. But for the hardware, prosumer cams are in general accepted by the masses that it refers to highlevel compact with full manual functions.....

ok thanks.

TS:sorry if i drift off.but since pro-sumer is in your title, and i come across this term very often but dunno what it means....

[look4raymond]

Do checkout the Pentax K100D... http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk100d/

[jnet6]

Originally Posted by look4raymond Do checkout the Pentax K100D... http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk100d/

This is a nikon sub forum...

[lastboltnut]

Dun worry if you think Nikon is good, it can stand fire.....

If you think other brands suits you, then its your requirements loh.

Nikonian are honest, true and unbias to their advice.

Originally Posted by jnet6 This is a nikon sub forum... :swaet: