[jagdeepp]

Hi guys, i've had the Nikon D40 for just over a year now. I've taken loads of pics of the baby since she was born in January and most shots i take are point and shoots of the little one.

Whilst I've been very impressed with the package generally which simply includes the kit lens i've become dissapointed with pic's in lower level lighting. I tend to rely on the mode without the flash to try and get a decent picture without the flash which produces very unnatural and unattractive lighting. I also suffer a little dissapointment when i transfer the pics to my pc to discover that there was a slight shake and the picture is not quite as sharp as i'd hoped.. I'm looking at tackling these issues by investing in the following:

1 - Tripod. Manfrotto seems to be the way to go though the price is not very attractive in these economically challenging times! I'd like a tripod i could equally use for video on my canon HF100 hd cam. Any recommendations?

2 - Better lens: 18-200mm - would this give me the edge and result in a noticeable difference?

3 - External flash. Looking for something that gives me better and perhaps flatter more natural lighting without a significant delay between pics.

Any and all advice is massively appreciated!!! Please!

Since everyone on here tends to put up a picture or 2 with their SLR I thought i'd share the following:

Snail in the garden:

The garden (before the statutory annual jet cleaning of the patio... Bah!)

PS.. Actually looking at the one of the snail the quality isnt that bad at all!

[SSB]

Originally Posted by jagdeepp

Hi guys, i've had the Nikon D40 for just over a year now. I've taken loads of pics of the baby since she was born in January and most shots i take are point and shoots of the little one.

Whilst I've been very impressed with the package generally which simply includes the kit lens i've become dissapointed with pic's in lower level lighting. I tend to rely on the mode without the flash to try and get a decent picture without the flash which produces very unnatural and unattractive lighting. I also suffer a little dissapointment when i transfer the pics to my pc to discover that there was a slight shake and the picture is not quite as sharp as i'd hoped.. I'm looking at tackling these issues by investing in the following:

1 - Tripod. Manfrotto seems to be the way to go though the price is not very attractive in these economically challenging times! I'd like a tripod i could equally use for video on my canon HF100 hd cam. Any recommendations?

2 - Better lens: 18-200mm - would this give me the edge and result in a noticeable difference?

3 - External flash. Looking for something that gives me better and perhaps flatter more natural lighting without a significant delay between pics.

Shake can be corrected by improved technique and ensuring you've got sufficient shutter speed. If you're shooting in poor light, be careful about using Av mode as you may find the shutter speed is lower than you need it to be to get a good shot. Switch to Tv mode or full manual if needs be. If necessary bump up the ISO.

Equipment can also help.

• Tripods are good for stationary objects and to counteract your wobbliness, but aren't really a solution for overcoming shake caused by moving subjects ... that's down to getting sufficient shutter speed. You'll also find that a tripod isn't convenient for use in many situations - a monopod might be more helpful, but again may not be desirable at all times.
• Different / Better Lenses can also help. You can go one of two ways - VR enabled lenses and fast lenses. I would always opt for the latter - a fast lens allows you to get better shutter speeds and also has the benefit of giving you scope to use depth of field to isolate your subject from busy backgrounds.
• A Flash is a good investment. Bouncing flash and using diffusers will often help achieve natural lighting - a good flash will allow you to get a shot with low noise, no shake and with the depth of field you want. The downside of course is that like anything, you need to learn to use it to best effect.

From personal experience the two things that helped me take better pictures were not expensive add-ons:

• Paying more attention to what the camera's telling me and actively thinking about settings. Even shooting full manual for a short time can help improve your understanding of how to use the camera's settings to get the exposure you want.
• Thinking about composition before firing the shutter. Your snail shot illustrates the point - it would be better up-close, maybe with a more gregarious snail and with some of the extraneous bumpf round it removed. Mr Snail isn't a fast mover, so you've got plenty of time to move around, move foliage, fiddle about etc.

Hope this helps.

[psenior1]

first thing I would say to do is pick up a 50mm f/1.8 lens. It will be manual focus only on the D40 but will allow you to shoot in much lower light than the kit lens. There are 50mm versions that will AF (F/1.4 Nikon and Sigma) but they are much more expensive.

I'd avoid the 18-200mm Nikon as its very expensive and not that great with it, I'd personally go for a 17-35mm and 28-75mm Tamron instead.

As for flash, hotshoe mounted Nikon speedlights will allow you to bounce the flash off wall and ceiling which helps a lot.

EDIT: Before getting any of the above have a read of 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson, it will help you understand how the new kit will help...

[jagdeepp]

thanks for the tips! Could you possibly recommend any particular fast lenses? I'm looking for a sharper lens than the kits lens.

I'm going to have to look into adjusting shutter speeds on the cam. I guess it's time to pull out the manual!!

Monopod may indeed be the solution me thinks. Equally so for my hd cam. Jessops do some reasonably priced ones i guess.

[psenior1]

Originally Posted by jagdeepp

thanks for the tips! Could you possibly recommend any particular fast lenses? I'm looking for a sharper lens than the kits lens.

I'm going to have to look into adjusting shutter speeds on the cam. I guess it's time to pull out the manual!!

Monopod may indeed be the solution me thinks. Equally so for my hd cam. Jessops do some reasonably priced ones i guess.

the 50mm f/1.8 I mention above is a fast lens, not sure a monopod is the answer - especially for taking pics of kids...

[psenior1]

an example pic below, taken with a D80 with a 50mm f/1.8 using just natural light.

Apologies for the copyright symbol.

[jagdeepp]

Thanks for the tips. AF is always much easier with the little one so i may consider the lens you recommend but an AF is equally important to me. How about the 18-200? This one perhaps?Nikon 55-200MM F4.5-5.6G AF-S VR DX Black Lens: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

[psenior1]

have a read through my comments in post #3, 55-200 is good lens but no more use in low light than what you have already. I'd forget the 18-200mm, there are much better ways for you to spend £500 if you've currently just got the camera and kit lens.

If your after afs check out - Nikon
AF-S 50mm f1.4 G

[cambsno]

SB600 flash is well worth getting, it will make a massive difference to your indoor pics - dont get the sb400 as you cant bounce in portrait style.

You could get a 18-105 lens, around £200 or keep your kit lens which is ok and get a 55-200 or 70-300, depends on the shooting you do.

[Garf]

Hi,

if you are looking for better low light performance, I'd recommend the Nikkor 35mm 1.8 - I have one for my D40, and am very impressed with it. It will AF on the D40 as well.

I have a number of shots taken with it on my flickr if you want a look. It's a nice, light little lens that is very sharp.

[Yandros]

VR, fast glass, flash or tripod (or a combo). I have all 4 actually, and to be honest, it's horses for courses.

I have the 18-200VR and it's VERY useful for low light static subjects, but no good when there's movement, and no good for shallow depth of field effects. Buying today though I'd get the sharper 16-85VR.


For moving subjects, you should look at the Nikon 35mm f1.8 AFS or Tamron 17-50mm f2.8.

If you're on a tight budget and want something to really make a real difference to your photography, I'd vote for a study good value tripod and the 35mm f1.8. Add a VR lens later for when you don't want to lug a tripod (seriously, avoiding the earache from my girlfriend if I tried to carry a macro tripod rig around public gardens is worth £500!!!! )

[jagdeepp]

Originally Posted by Garf

Hi,

if you are looking for better low light performance, I'd recommend the Nikkor 35mm 1.8 - I have one for my D40, and am very impressed with it. It will AF on the D40 as well.

I have a number of shots taken with it on my flickr if you want a look. It's a nice, light little lens that is very sharp.

Just been looking at your pics, very impressive! You've sold it to me.. where can i get one of these?

[Garf]

Hi, and thanks.

According to camerapricebuster, the cheapest place at the moment is Camera World, which is also where I got mine from.

Some of the other guys on here got theirs from Grays of Westminster, and Amazon have it in stock - albeit via a 3rd party seller, Avides. I've used them before for a camera bag, and they were fine for service.

[SSB]

Why not CliftonCameras?

[Garf]

Good point - that's very cheap..

[Boldonion]

You will not be disappointed with the 35m F1.8. It's a truly superb lens and auto focuses on the D40 also. The best £180 you can spend.