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New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

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Old 09-01-2008, 1:09 PM   #1
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New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

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
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Old 09-01-2008, 1:21 PM   #2
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Re: New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

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
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Old 09-01-2008, 1:25 PM   #3
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Re: New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

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
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Old 09-01-2008, 1:34 PM   #4
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Re: New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

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.
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Old 09-01-2008, 2:38 PM   #5
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Re: New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

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
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Old 09-01-2008, 2:47 PM   #6
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Re: New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

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.
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Old 09-01-2008, 2:57 PM   #7
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Re: New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

That's a good website dazza
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Old 09-01-2008, 3:30 PM   #8
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Re: New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

Link to the original thread :

A good introductory guide
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Old 09-01-2008, 8:29 PM   #9
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Re: New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

Quote:
Originally Posted by willykatie View Post
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
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Old 09-01-2008, 9:11 PM   #10
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Re: New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

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

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Old 09-01-2008, 9:20 PM   #11
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Re: New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

Quote:
Originally Posted by LEEIOM View Post

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
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Old 09-01-2008, 10:25 PM   #12
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Re: New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelpixel View Post
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?
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Old 09-01-2008, 10:26 PM   #13
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Re: New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luffy View Post
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?
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Old 09-01-2008, 10:48 PM   #14
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Re: New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

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
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Old 09-01-2008, 10:56 PM   #15
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Re: New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luffy View Post
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
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Old 10-01-2008, 12:23 AM   #16
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Re: New Nikon d40x looking for some general advise

Quote:
Originally Posted by LEEIOM View Post
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.
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