I have heard really good things about the D40. It's still a bit pricier than the others I mentioned unless I can find a good ebay or craigslist deal. The number of megapixels isn't a huge deal unless you're going to blow it up poster-size or something, am I right?

The reason I asked about the Olympus e-510 is that I can get it along with two lenses and two memory cards for $325. There's also an e-520 on ebay going for a little over $200 with a couple hrs left on the auction. I think I got somewhat sucked into wanting a dslr with the live view option, but I'm starting to realize that's probably not all that worth it. Apparently the e-510 has a huge shutter lag when the live view is on.

I'm looking to buy this week so I've been using all my time at work to research different cameras hehe. I would really like to stay under $400, obviously the cheaper the better. Let me know if you have any other recommendations.

5/24/2010 7:02:06 PM

I've seen some d40's on craigslist for $300-$350 with the kit lens. You could also pick up the 50-200 lens with VR for around $100. That should be most all you need at first.

5/24/2010 7:29:20 PM

Found one used on amazon for $349. They have "Back of kit lens camp missing" in the description. What does this mean? And how much does it affect the functioning?

5/24/2010 8:21:38 PM

if just the back lens cap is missing it won't affect function at all. you'll just have to get a new cap if you want one.

basically there is a lens cap on the front of the lens and one on the back of it for protection when the lens is off the camera.

5/24/2010 9:23:59 PM

basically, the only thing the D-40 does better than the D3000 is the flash. Most everything else is either the same or better on the d3000....off the top of my head it has a larger LCD, 10.somthing megapixels, and 11 point autofocus.

5/24/2010 10:14:15 PM

Still relevant, for page 164... from CNET



[Edited on May 24, 2010 at 10:34 PM. Reason : ]

5/24/2010 10:34:36 PM

Found this amazing daisy field on our way home today. Took Ronny's advice (and since it backed into a mountain and not a road) and went low, shot wide. CC


My only complaint is the bottom right daisy is OOF.





omg flowers!

5/25/2010 12:18:32 AM

So it's no contest between the D40 and the Olympus E-510? It just seems like the Olympus has more features, but Nikon has a better reputation. I can get them for around the same price....or should I look into a D3000?

5/25/2010 1:13:05 PM

D3000!

5/25/2010 1:19:27 PM

^^ the only real advantage of the D3000 over a D40 is the in-camera AF, which makes it heavier and bulkier, but lets use a much larger spectrum of lenses (actually, you can probably use about the same number, but the non-AF lenses are lighter and smaller and cheaper)...i don't use AF that much, so it's a toss-up in my mind, but if you think you'll want to use AF most of the time, go with the D3000

5/25/2010 1:21:44 PM

^The D3000 only weighs .3 ounces more than the D40... but the AF point is correct.

5/25/2010 1:22:49 PM

^ which is still, technically, heavier

and i'm pretty sure it's larger in overall dimensions, too

*shrug*

i use a D40 and D90 both...if i could get a D40 with improved processing, that would be ideal...i suppose the D3000 IS a D40 with improved processing, though

5/25/2010 1:24:20 PM

i dig those shots Kiwi!

i wanna find a field like that.

5/25/2010 1:30:14 PM

Quote :

"^^ the only real advantage of the D3000 over a D40 is the in-camera AF"

The D3000 doesn't have an in body AF motor, which is what I'm assuming you're referring to since you're talking about being able to use a wider spectrum of lenses (i.e. lenses that don't have a built in AF motor)

5/25/2010 1:40:40 PM

well, damn, you're right...don't know wtf i was thinking about

i thought the d5000 did, as well...my brain is officially off from here until the time that i go home

5/25/2010 2:02:50 PM

Neither have in-focus AF, however as far as AF is concerned, the D3000 has an 11 point AF. So that can be interpreted either way.

5/25/2010 2:07:34 PM

How many of you are even going to use more than one or two AF points ever? I think you should probably be more concerned with other things.

5/25/2010 2:21:50 PM

my dad said for graduation he'd give me money or we could talk about what i wanted - but i can get a nice digital slr camera for less than the money he was going to just give me so i think that is what i'm going to do. super excited. but i'm going to let my dad help pick it out with me cause cameras are like his jam

i love cameras too but i am NOT a digital slr expert. i have a small point and shoot canon digital camera and then an old ass canon ae-1 slr haha. i've been a canon girl - dunno if it was really by choice or just circumstance. however there are several nikon cameras i've had my eye on too.

reading this thread has helped me think about some things i hadn't thought about before. now i just gotta drag my dad out shopping with me

have you guys mostly ordered your cameras offline or gotten them in store?

has anyone purchased a refurbished digital slr? those sketch me out kinda and if i was buying it myself i think i'd have to go the used/refurbished route just because of price. but hopefully since it is a grad gift i will be less restricted price-wise

[Edited on May 25, 2010 at 2:28 PM. Reason : haha oops. canon. not the boom cannon. ]

[Edited on May 25, 2010 at 2:28 PM. Reason : .]

5/25/2010 2:28:14 PM

I got my first digital SLR at Circuit City, but only because I worked there and got a discount. Any local shops are going to be more expensive than ordering from B&H. I don't really plan on buying anything from anywhere other than B&H unless I need it immediately or they don't have it (both of these are unlikely circumstances).

Since you're getting an entry level camera, go to a Wolf Camera or something and check them out to see which one feels better, etc. Then buy elsewhere.

5/25/2010 2:32:05 PM

Quote :

"Since you're getting an entry level camera, go to a Wolf Camera or something and check them out to see which one feels better, etc. Then buy elsewhere. "

right this is what i was thinking, too. i definitely want to see them and hold them in person but then order some place that offers more competitive prices. thanks for the advice. i've been wanting one for forever and i'm not sure if its the right choice financially cause i could probably just use straight cash instead but since i have the opportunity i'm just going to say fuck it and do it because otherwise i won't get one for years.

5/25/2010 2:36:03 PM

Also, check our Adorama .com That's where I got my D90 and only because it was a better price than at B&H.Hello free shipping and "no tax" Online is the way to go. I got a refurbished D90 and I'm okay with it because it's backed by nikon and comes with a warranty so why not for a super discount? I've had it only about a week but it's been super nice with no glitches.

Joie I stuck a senior in that field today. We didn't stay too long because the bugs were SO overwhelming but I think we still got some hotness.

5/25/2010 8:39:55 PM

5/25/2010 11:08:21 PM

Does that say "Just Marooned?" lol.

Btw Kiwi, Taxing online starts for the 2010 tax year thanks to our awesome state now asking us to tax all digital products, even if its originating from another state. They may not initially tax the item(s) when shipping, but you are suppose to itemize it at the end of the year, or face stiff fines. Not sure how well they will enforce this, but a lot of businesses are preparing for this.

5/26/2010 12:05:15 AM

a few that i've taken since i've been here in Mexico


Teotihuacan


Cuernavaca


[Edited on May 26, 2010 at 12:11 AM. Reason : dangit]

5/26/2010 12:10:49 AM

yes, it does say just married

5/26/2010 8:48:57 AM

The lightning was putting on a pretty good show during my 20 min. ride home from the gym; I wanted to take pictures, but it stopped. I guess I'll try again tomorrow night.

5/26/2010 10:24:17 PM

anyone have a 50mm f/1.8 (or similar) for nikon they'd like to sell to me, or let me borrow with deposit? my dad has mine and is out of town and i decided i want to take a macro with me while backpacking this weekend

worth a shot

5/28/2010 11:04:47 AM

5/28/2010 4:04:07 PM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/unincbrtn/4648142885/

5/28/2010 6:52:52 PM

the colors in that picture looked really washed out and flat.

[Edited on May 28, 2010 at 7:34 PM. Reason : k]

5/28/2010 7:34:18 PM

Quote :

"anyone have a 50mm f/1.8 (or similar) for nikon they'd like to sell to me, or let me borrow with deposit? my dad has mine and is out of town and i decided i want to take a macro with me while backpacking this weekend worth a shot "

I've got a 50 f/1.8 but it is in Wilmington if you want to try it.

5/28/2010 8:13:32 PM

^ bit of a drive...but thank you

5/28/2010 8:14:53 PM

5/29/2010 1:10:12 AM

storm blew over a tree at my parent's house last night, and it uprooted the one right next to it too. Nothing artsy here...just took these quick this morning.











...dog was super pissed

[Edited on May 29, 2010 at 8:51 AM. Reason : ]

5/29/2010 8:49:06 AM

^ that's nuts. Where was this?

Also, meh:

5/29/2010 11:36:27 AM

Cheerleading action shots....

5/30/2010 9:43:17 AM

5/31/2010 8:42:38 AM

Quote :

"^ that's nuts. Where was this?"

Winston-Salem on friday night.

5/31/2010 8:48:58 AM

5/31/2010 9:45:51 AM

Senez, I LOVE the horse shot. I'd love to have a print of that.

5/31/2010 2:08:33 PM

6/1/2010 8:03:56 AM

next major purchase: T2i

i will be posting in this thread shortly.

6/1/2010 8:28:56 AM

^t2i rocks! Try it with some old Nikon manual lenses... butter!

6/1/2010 8:42:56 AM

some pics from backpacking this weekend













and, of course, some flowers...easy subject to shoot

6/1/2010 12:11:38 PM

I believe you have mistakenly put some non-DSLR pics in the DSLR thread by mistake, my friend. Perhaps we can get a mod to correct this error.

6/1/2010 12:51:54 PM

^ ahaha, you bastard

6/1/2010 12:53:06 PM

Quote :

"next major purchase: T2i"

I'm incredibly fucking jealous. I plan on saving up for one after I get a road bike and then giving my dad my Nikon d3000.... he's using a Sony H5; he needs a DSLR.

6/1/2010 4:25:33 PM

at VIR this past Tuesday

6/3/2010 9:46:26 AM

Just an FYI, but anybody looking at a Canon Rebel T1i might want to check out the Slickdeals link to Amazon.

Quote :

"Amazon has Canon EOS Rebel T1i 500D EFS with 18-55mm IS lens + Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens + Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II Inkjet Photo Printer for $782 with free shipping after applying coupon code 5525OMAY and a $400 Mail-in rebate. If you do not want the printer, skip it and the above camera + 2 lenses will be $734 shipped. If you want the 75-300mm lens instead of 55-250mm lens, use code 753OOMAY to make total $712."

http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2059912

6/3/2010 12:16:36 PM

just got a new bag that is more of a travel bag than my lowepro slingshot 100 - the small tenba shootout - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/441423-REG/Tenba_632_301_Shootout_Backpack_Small_Black.html#specifications

6/3/2010 11:14:35 PM