So I bought a 6-month old Nikon D40 D-SLR camera from a good friend for a killer deal- $300 cash. He kept it in pristine condition- all books, manuals, and warranty cards included.







Now I need help operating the damn thing. I read the owners manual, but its still hazy on some aspects. I tried a few close-ups, but they look like crap.





Also, I'm looking at getting a tri-pod here soon, and wondered if theres a pro/con of having a tripod or monopod? I'm thinking tripod because it will stand on its own. Anyone with a camera want to share some tips?

 

Good deal!!!!


I expect to see some new pics soon

 

Your closeups are fuzzy due to "depth of field". Your camera probably has an "aperture priority" (f-stop) setting. You need to set that as high as you can, probably f-16, which will increase the depth of field (where everything is in focus). This will cause the shutter speed to be much slower, so you'll need to keep the camera steady. A tripod will be ideal for this.

A monopod is really only useful when you are traveling "light". You can often brace it against something to keep it steady though.

Looks a nice camera!

- Jack

 

Yep, you will get addicted. I have a D90 but have so many other hobbies that I don't get to do a whole lot with it.

Once you start learning white balance, flash, shutter speed, Fstop, ect. you will start taking some amazing pictures. I have a friend that uses a D40 and he takes shots almost as good as mine and my equipment is much better.

 

dang i want one of those

 

Nice! I have a D60 and love it. For that emblem shot I would go with a aperture of probably f/8. That should get the entire emblem in focus and blur the rest. You have lots of learning ahead of you, enjoy it!

 

Thanks for the tips, 06xlt4x4 and jack!

To be honest- I'm a Canon fanboy. I was the senior photo editor for two years in my high school yearbook using a Rebel XTi. The first thing I noticed after picking this baby up is that Canons you spin counter clockwise to zoom while Nikons spin clockwise. This took some getting used to

I'm getting a tripod and camera case next paycheck, I just got an 8GB PNY SD card (High Capacity). at 8MB per shot, it'll hold well over 1,100 pictures

BestBuy has a 55-200mm lens that I want for $250, this 55mm zoom isnt much for long-distance.

 

Just checked, it goes to f/22. Heres some random shots I got tonight:





^^ Sportsmanship statue @ Doak Campbell Stadium



^^ ooooooohhhhh, I found the B&W setting



^^ long exposure on this one, 2.5" @ f/3.5

 

you need to get gas

 

That gauge shot is great! Yeah I'm so limited with the 18-55 right now. Hoping to pick up a 70-300 or a 70-200 if I find a good deal on one soon.

 

i gas up every few days. i drive a lot

I found a stack of books in my closet from last semester can cashed those puppies back in and went out and got a few things:

52mm Sunpak Neutral Density filter:



and a 58" Targus tripod and Lowepro camera bag



i also went to BestBuy and drooled all over the 70-300mm lenses. $200

 

Wow $200 is cheap. Beware of the cheap filters, sometimes they do more harm than good on image quality. The 18-55 is a 52mm thread anyway, not 58mm. Unless thats just a picture you found on google and not the actual one you got lol.

 

i just gotta know man when are you ever gona get a woman with that money you have?

 

BA alex.

My mom hasnt been using hers so im gonna steal it when i get home for summer

 

thats it alright, but the main size is a 58mm, you can see the second ring that downsizes it to 52mm

I've been following that philosophy for about a year now