Need advise for D40

[guoliang]

Hi, just bought a D40 during the IT show.

wondering if the PROs out there can advise me, what will be the next best lense that I should get to start up with? photos that i always took will be portrait, events, and close candid shot.

[calebk]

Originally Posted by guoliang Hi, just bought a D40 during the IT show. wondering if the PROs out there can advise me, what will be the next best lense that I should get to start up with? photos that i always took will be portrait, events, and close candid shot.

You got it with a kit lens right? Use that kit lens first, then look at your EXIF data. The focal lengths you use most often will give you a clue as to what lens to purchase next. If you find 55mm lacking, then you may need a longer lens.

Most newcomers have this impression that once you start, you have to buy a next lens straightaway. This shouldn't be the case.

[guoliang]

I see... thanks for the advise...

but how do I see the focus speed for the lense? can guide me? please.

[guoliang]

and sorry, can advise me on what is NOISE for lense?

[calebk]

Originally Posted by guoliang I see... thanks for the advise... but how do I see the focus speed for the lense? can guide me? please.

Why do you want to know your lens' focus speed?

Originally Posted by guoliang and sorry, can advise me on what is NOISE for lense?

Noise refers to the sound that a lens makes when it engages in AF, hence SWM-equipped lenses are quieter and normal slot-drived AF lenses are noisier.

[guoliang]

is see... so AFS uses SWM right... so that the is quieter then AF lenses which use camera body to screw the focus right?

[calebk]

Originally Posted by guoliang is see... so AFS uses SWM right... so that the is quieter then AF lenses which use camera body to screw the focus right?

You could say that, or you could say that AF-S lenses have a SWM in them to drive autofocus. AF-S doesn't use SWM. Also, dont screw the focus please.

[guoliang]

I see....

now I just need to get a AF-S 18-200mm lense... and UV filter... that should be enough for a beginner like me right?

[BlueBull]

If you find the 18-55mm kit lens too limited in reach, search for a 18-135mm (D80 kit lens).

[calebk]

Originally Posted by BlueBull If you find the 18-55mm kit lens too limited in reach, search for a 18-135mm (D80 kit lens).

Agreed. 18-135 is quite a capable lens, plus it's substantially cheaper than the 18-200VR.

[blive]

Originally Posted by guoliang I see.... now I just need to get a AF-S 18-200mm lense... and UV filter... that should be enough for a beginner like me right?

For a beginner, the 18-55mm should be sufficient, cause a beginner needs to learn about fundamentals first, instead of worrying that he doesn't have the tool for the job. A bad carpenter blames his tools.

Learn the limits of your current equipments first before spending on new stuff. of course, if you decide to buy more equipment, do consider selling your old stuff (although quite new) here on clubsnap. It helps the 2nd hand market with people not thinking first before buying new.

[guoliang]

Originally Posted by blive For a beginner, the 18-55mm should be sufficient, cause a beginner needs to learn about fundamentals first, instead of worrying that he doesn't have the tool for the job. A bad carpenter blames his tools. Learn the limits of your current equipments first before spending on new stuff. of course, if you decide to buy more equipment, do consider selling your old stuff (although quite new) here on clubsnap. It helps the 2nd hand market with people not thinking first before buying new.

so what are the basic fundamentals that I need to first know? any guides online?

[calebk]

Originally Posted by guoliang so what are the basic fundamentals that I need to first know? any guides online?

Shutter speed in relation to motion.
Aperture in relation to depth of field.
Perspective.
Depth of field and how it is affected by camera-to-subject distance.
Composition and framing.
Accuracy of AF.
Good timing.

[kyo86sg]

hmmm, well there are alot of guides online on webpages, but for me i started off with the HWZ megaguide to photography then to Digital Photography for dummbies then to D70 guide to photography~ ....etc

you will learn the basic (Usage of the camera) to (Camera Setting on different location or shoot) to (touching up the photos with photoshop).

[Prataz]

Hihi! D40 User here.

Went thru the mad purchasing of lenses period within my first mth of purchase of my D40.

I bought the following:

55-200 (Sold)
70-300VR (maybe selling soon)
50mm 1.8f (Bought to train my manual focus and composition)
18-135 (For an all-rounder walkabout lens)

Now I'm using 18-135 for most of my shots.

Nice and wide enough for group photos

Good enough telezoom for closeup and sports

Going to sell off my 70-300VR and 50mm 1.8f soon to get a wide-angle for my events grp fotos.

Therefore, it's important to really understand what you need before you buy buy buy.. esle you will sell sell sell like me haha =P

[calebk]

Originally Posted by Prataz Hihi! D40 User here. Went thru the mad purchasing of lenses period within my first mth of purchase of my D40. I bought the following: 55-200 (Sold) 70-300VR (maybe selling soon) 50mm 1.8f (Bought to train my manual focus and composition) 18-135 (For an all-rounder walkabout lens) Now I'm using 18-135 for most of my shots. Nice and wide enough for group photos Good enough telezoom for closeup and sports Going to sell off my 70-300VR and 50mm 1.8f soon to get a wide-angle for my events grp fotos. Therefore, it's important to really understand what you need before you buy buy buy.. esle you will sell sell sell like me haha =P

Good advice.

[guoliang]

thanks for all thye guidance, will slowly practice it with my D40, slowly exploring the function first.

[ihub88]

Originally Posted by Prataz Hihi! D40 User here. Went thru the mad purchasing of lenses period within my first mth of purchase of my D40. I bought the following: 55-200 (Sold) 70-300VR (maybe selling soon) 50mm 1.8f (Bought to train my manual focus and composition) 18-135 (For an all-rounder walkabout lens) Now I'm using 18-135 for most of my shots. Nice and wide enough for group photos Good enough telezoom for closeup and sports Going to sell off my 70-300VR and 50mm 1.8f soon to get a wide-angle for my events grp fotos.

wide angle is 12-24 or 17-55?

[Prataz]

Originally Posted by ihub88 wide angle is 12-24 or 17-55?

12-24 =) I need that for those grp photos, especially those with MPs =/ Don't know why they always like to squeeze everybody inside.... #@%@#%!#@%@!%

But of coz, the 17-55 is one of my dream lens... just need to strike 4D or wait for next yr's bonus b4 I can get it.

[guoliang]

looks like i got a lot to learn,

btw, anybody knows where is the nearest place around the east that I can get a vacumm box? i need it urgently, else will be putting my D40 inside the bag, kinda dangerous.