Nikon D40

[wedge]

These days I feel very impotent without a DSLR in my hand when I turn up on circuits.

D40 are going for £250 at Jessops and I'm quite tempted upgrading to DSLR.


Don't know much about DSLRs but I'm assuming I can you get away with using 200mm lens or whatever you guys normally use?

[veeten]

wait for it....

and, here's Daniel. :)

[Daniel]

As long as the lens fits the mount it'll work fine. I've got a d70s and while not cutting edge or top of the range it does the job :)

[Daniel]

That's just creepy veeten. Truly creepy.

[veeten]

why? I knew you would answer, it's just the timing as all. :p :

[Camelopard]

Do you already have a SLR? If so some brands allow you can use old lenses on the new bodies, all functions may not work and the focal length will be different, eg a 50mm SLR lense on a DSLR is equivalent to about 70mm but if you already have some good lenses this may save you some money.
I believe Nikons are backwards compatible, Pentaxs are. Telephoto and zoom lenses are much better today, lighter, more compact and computer ground lenses etc.

Have fun!

[GridGirl]

If you already have Nikon compatible lenses it would make more sense financially to stick with Nikon. If your after a cheapish digital SLR and dont have any lenses you could maybe think about the Canon D400.

[J4MIE]

The D40 doesn't have an AF motor in the body so if you want AF then you'll need a lens with an AF motor in it.

If you can stretch to a D80, it has one.

:)

[wedge]

What 'basic' lenses are recommended for trackside photography?

[Breeze]

What 'basic' lenses are recommended for trackside photography?
You won't need a very large aperature lens to do good work since most shooting is in broad daylight. I'd recommend starting with a tele zoom lens in the 75-300mm range such as this:
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/1928/AF%20Zoom-NIKKOR%2070-300mm%20f/4-5.6G.html

If you can afford it, one that used low dispersion (aka apochromatic) glass would yeild better images, but can cost a lot more. Here's a nice example from Nikon:
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/1996/AF%20VR%20Zoom-NIKKOR%2080-400mm%20f/4.5-5.6D%20ED.html

I've used Nikon compatible lenses from Sigma, Tokina and Tamron with great results and often big $$avings, especially the Sigma lenses. Not as well built as Nikon, but its the glass that counts, and these other manufacturers do well.
Such as these:
http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/news/135_400_45_56.htm

http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/lens/telezoom/100_300_4.htm

http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/lenses/telezoom/70-300mmAPO.htm

[wedge]

Thanks, I was hoping someone would give the Sigma lenses the thumbs up.

How expensive are the big aperture lense for night photography?

So tempted to upgrade to DSLR now, but there's other gadgets I wanna own too!

I guess a new monitor/telly for my PC can wait another 12 months.....

[J4MIE]

Wedge, I use Sigma 2.8 lenses. Mostly the 70-210 which I haven't had a problem with and gives great results, even when in cold, dark muddy forests. But the AF is a pretty good speed too. My other ones are 17-35 (2.8-4) and a 28-70 2.8.

[GridGirl]

Once you get a DSLR and start asking about which leses are best for different things then photography becomes an expensive hobby and you'll never have enough money for a new tv....

[Daniel]

Once you get a DSLR and start asking about which leses are best for different things then photography becomes an expensive hobby and you'll never have enough money for a new tv....
Quite true. You either stick with basic stuff or you take out another mortgage and buy lenses, bags, filters, flashguns and another body. I'm happy with a D70s with the 18-70 kit lens plus a 70-300 cheapy that I bought about 5 or 6 years ago. If I wanted to get better lenses I'd need a better body and I'd want a flashgun and it would just go on from there.

[rah]

Thanks, I was hoping someone would give the Sigma lenses the thumbs up.

How expensive are the big aperture lense for night photography?

So tempted to upgrade to DSLR now, but there's other gadgets I wanna own too!

I guess a new monitor/telly for my PC can wait another 12 months.....

Get the DSLR. I recently got a EOS40D and I love it. Taken my photography to a new level.

For a hand with lense choice have a look at http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/
or
http://www.photozone.de/reviews

At least you can steer clear of some of the rubish out there.

[Daniel]

Get the DSLR. I recently got a EOS40D and I love it. Taken my photography to a new level.

For a hand with lense choice have a look at http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/
or
http://www.photozone.de/reviews

At least you can steer clear of some of the rubish out there.
www.dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com) is also a great site for reviews :)

[J4MIE]

...true with the buying loads of stuff, you will have to buy a big bag to carry it all too :s

[Daniel]

...true with the buying loads of stuff, you will have to buy a big bag to carry it all too :s
One reason why I like to travel light with just 2 lenses and 1 body :)

Which is important when Jamie takes you on a death treck through the Finnish forests.

[J4MIE]

One reason why I like to travel light with just 2 lenses and 1 body :)

Which is important when Jamie takes you on a death treck through the Finnish forests.

That is also important if you are sensible enough to *ahem* remember your camera :andrea:

[Daniel]

That is also important if you are sensible enough to *ahem* remember your camera :andrea:
and to charge your batteries? *cough*

[GridGirl]

Fair enough to have day pack when your go out, its the monster bag that you keep stuff in when your not using it or going away that's the killer. When we fill our big bag up with camera equipment and laptop for when we go on holiday or something I seriously can't lift it.

[Daniel]

Fair enough to have day pack when your go out, its the monster bag that you keep stuff in when your not using it or going away that's the killer. When we fill our big bag up with camera equipment and laptop for when we go on holiday or something I seriously can't lift it.
You need one of these!

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/05/10/p2000.jpg

I was going to buy a laptop when I bought my D70s but decided to go for this instead. Far better option as it's a lot less bulky :up:

[GridGirl]

We don't have one as I don't think they are worth the money. Have you seen how much the good canon ones cost? We use a pretty bog standard external hard drive to download to if we're out and about and have filled up the memory cards.

I suppose it is slightly sad taking your laptop on holiday. You just never know when that email is going to arrive from Nigeria telling me I need to send off a cheque for £35 to receive my fortune or something. I'd never know that with your little gadget Daniel. :p

[rah]

www.dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com) is also a great site for reviews :)
Definately a good site. Been looking on there for ages.

[Daniel]

We don't have one as I don't think they are worth the money. Have you seen how much the good canon ones cost? We use a pretty bog standard external hard drive to download to if we're out and about and have filled up the memory cards.

I suppose it is slightly sad taking your laptop on holiday. You just never know when that email is going to arrive from Nigeria telling me I need to send off a cheque for £35 to receive my fortune or something. I'd never know that with your little gadget Daniel. :p
True :p

I bought mine a few years ago when it was even more expensive :) Laptop's just not an option on a rally stage when you're using 1gb cards. But I guess if you're just taking holiday shots or something then a 2gb or 4gb card will be fine :) I make do with 2 fairly fast 1 gb cards and my P2000 :)

[J4MIE]

and to charge your batteries? *cough*

My batteries were fine but now having a camera that doesn't run on AAs it's much better :up:

[rah]

You need one of these!

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/05/10/p2000.jpg

I was going to buy a laptop when I bought my D70s but decided to go for this instead. Far better option as it's a lot less bulky :up:
Yeah but they are still very expensive. I was going to buy a cheaper one for my trip to Vietnam soon, but decided to buy a few more 4gb cards instead. I will still have money left over to save towards the 100mm macro I am after.