New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

LEEIOM · 09-01-2008, 1:09 PM

Hello all,

Long time AV forums user, first time camera poster

Anyway, took the plunge over the weekend, after months of thinking, and ended up with the d40x camera (still not sure i got the right one, but thats another story)

apart from an SLR camera i have many years ago, which i didnt really use much, i am pretty much new to SLR's

What i am hoping is that some kind souls can point me in the direction of some good user friendly books/websites that shows you the basics of getting decent photos from these cameras.

It doesnt have to be manufacturer specific, just something to give you the basic ideas.

any help, advise etc would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Lee

pixelpixel · 09-01-2008, 1:21 PM

You did get avery good camera

You could start with the manual, thats always overlooked.

For images you could try flickr and one of the many d40/d40x groups

U'R'ss · 09-01-2008, 1:25 PM

Understanding Exposure
I got this the other day after someone recommended it, it's a good read

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understandin...9884862&sr=1-1

Also going to get this when I can find one in stock

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understandin...9884862&sr=1-1

dfrear · 09-01-2008, 1:34 PM

This ones good even though its aimed at the Canon EOS 350D:

http://www.usa.canon.com/content/reb...lxtlessons.htm

The lessons down the left hand side are all general photography lessons, I find myself going back to them for a bit of a refresher all the time.

willykatie · 09-01-2008, 2:38 PM

Get Digital Photo mag Jan 2008 edition, there's a few practice about expossure, etc and how to do it and also review about D40x.
You got the best entry level DSLR. I've got my D40x yesterday and had a few shots and it was amazing

And D40x my first DSLR as well, got it with 18-135 lens instead 18-55 lens

dazza74 · 09-01-2008, 2:47 PM

A fellow forum member whose name escapes me (sorry) posted a thread the other day with this link :

http://www.berniecode.com/writing/ph...phy/beginners/

Well worth a read.

A thorough read of the manual is also recommended.

Understanding rule of thirds and composition, have a good look on the forum at the photo's that have been posted and the ones you particularly like and work out why they work.

willykatie · 09-01-2008, 2:57 PM

That's a good website dazza

dazza74 · 09-01-2008, 3:30 PM

Link to the original thread :

A good introductory guide

LEEIOM · 09-01-2008, 8:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willykatie

Get Digital Photo mag Jan 2008 edition, there's a few practice about expossure, etc and how to do it and also review about D40x.
You got the best entry level DSLR. I've got my D40x yesterday and had a few shots and it was amazing

And D40x my first DSLR as well, got it with 18-135 lens instead 18-55 lens

Hi,

I had a choice of two camera mags, and ended up with the other one "Digital Camera" but i will look out and see if i can spoil myself to another one this month :-)

Problem has also been that by the time i get home in the evening it is too dark to do anything with the camera, and my lady is away at her parents with the young 'uns so cant even give them the displeasure of practising on them!

Many thanks for all the advise, the website recommended by DAZZA74 looks like just the thing i need to get an understanding of whats going on, and the canon website looks to have some handy tips too.

For info i got the camera with the kit lens 18-55, plus an additional Nikkor 55-200mm lens, which i hope will keep my busy for a while, and i have been promised a freebie Tripod by a friend, so i hope that comes through

pixelpixel · 09-01-2008, 9:11 PM

You can make a simple light box type of thing. I was trying something tonight and ended up with the following:

Luffy · 09-01-2008, 9:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEEIOM

Many thanks for all the advise, the website recommended by DAZZA74 looks like just the thing i need to get an understanding of whats going on, and the canon website looks to have some handy tips too.

A Nikon owner visiting the Canon website is this the end of the world as we know it

LOL

LEEIOM · 09-01-2008, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixelpixel

You can make a simple light box type of thing. I was trying something tonight and ended up with the following:

ohhh that looks smart....

how did you do that?

LEEIOM · 09-01-2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luffy

A Nikon owner visiting the Canon website is this the end of the world as we know it

LOL

Oh no, we don't suffer from fanboyism as per the console threads here do we?

StaffsBen · 09-01-2008, 10:48 PM

I strongly advise you get this book which is aimed specifically at the D40x. It is a much more comprehensive book than the manual it comes with explaining all the functions of the camera - it's been a valuable asset to me!!

Nikon D40/D40x Digital Field Guide by David D. Busch:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D40x-D...9918868&sr=1-1

Enjoy the camera

dazza74 · 09-01-2008, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luffy

A Nikon owner visiting the Canon website is this the end of the world as we know it

LOL

Oh we are a broad minded bunch us Nikon owners

PoisonJam · 10-01-2008, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEEIOM

Hi,
Problem has also been that by the time i get home in the evening it is too dark to do anything with the camera, and my lady is away at her parents with the young 'uns so cant even give them the displeasure of practising on them!

There's a small river near my work and it's a bit of a nature walk with the forests up there. I take my camera at lunch times to ptractice for 45 mins after I've eaten.

Anything can be a subject. Pick a busy road at night and set a long shutter speed (exposure) and either use a tripod or rest the camera on something very sturdy and take the shot. The headlight/break light trails can be very pleasant.