picked up a new camera today....

[13Bracer]

sure did...ive always had just a lil point and shoot...just to get used to taking some decent pictures...so i thought it was time to upgrade..sooo i went and bought a nikon D40 today also for a 100 bucks more they threw in a AF-S DXZoom-NIkkor 55-200mm lens.
so this is my firs SLR and wondering what some of you guys would recommend.. like lenses to get and what not
well just took a few quick pics havent PS them. just tyin to get used to the camera...
let me know what you think..
thanks

[Tommy_T]

good choice. if you want to do some nice close shots, get a cheap 2x or 3x mulitiplier micro filter. and a Nikon d40 filter size is 52mm i believe. not sure on some lens, but lens can change everything about a great picture. you will probably be spending a little cash. ive had my rebel xt for 3 years now and only have my 18-55mm and then went and bought 75-300mm for long range stuff, and some good filters.

[speedminded]

if you want to do some nice close shots, get a cheap 2x or 3x mulitiplier micro filter.

[13Bracer]

thanks for the advice...yeah i saw some lenses are not gunna be to cheap..lol

[SlowsterCivy]

I'm looking at getting a DSLR. But I'm interested in the Nikon D80, Canon Rebel XSi, Canon 450D Haven't made up my mind on which I want. I have a Canon Powershot S5 IS. Love it, but of course, it's no DSLR. Fiance was looking at a Canon Rebel XTi the other day.

The lens for the DSLRS are not cheap!!!! Like 1000 dollars for a decent set up.

The first photo is the best by the way.

[HachiDori]

The lenses aren't cheap, but well worth it.

[13Bracer]

yeah ive been doin some research o the lenses...but they are wrth it so its all good..

what kind of lenses would you guys recommend i should get first?

[SlowsterCivy]

Telephoto

No lens for SLR are cheap...I think it depends on how much money you want to start out spending, all though it won't matter much bc no lens are cheap since they are glass.

[HachiDori]

I have no idea, lol im soon going to be in the market aswell for a new lense i've given on up on my stock lense. lol

Doesnt nemesis shot nikon?

[SlowsterCivy]

I have no idea, lol im soon going to be in the market aswell for a new lense i've given on up on my stock lense. lol

Doesnt nemesis shot nikon?

I think Nikon makes the best DSLR's. Canon comes in Second to me, I like the button layout better on Canon more since I'm use to Canon. Hmmm.

I think I'll buy a Nikon DSRL though, unless, I find the button layout to awkward to my hands.


EDIT: The very last photo you posted of the spider...looks a little burry to me...

[speedminded]

yeah ive been doin some research o the lenses...but they are wrth it so its all good..

what kind of lenses would you guys recommend i should get first?

That all depends on what you are planning to shoot and how much you are willing to spend...

[Nerdsrock22]

get a 50mm 1.4. Every photographer needs one.

[Homer Simpson]

dude, insect pictures ftl. gave me goosebumps...nice pictures either way dude

i also have a d40 too! i love it!

[speedminded]

dude, insect pictures ftl. gave me goosebumps...nice pictures either way dude

i also have a d40 too! i love it!

What about this?

[13Bracer]

well thanks for all the advice and help
but one more thing...stll tryin to get used to it and ws wondering how you get shots like this one?
with the lights on the cars and what not just streakingby...
what settings?

[speedminded]

well thanks for all the advice and help
but one more thing...stll tryin to get used to it and ws wondering how you get shots like this one?
with the lights on the cars and what not just streakingby...
what settings?
http://www.importatlanta.com/forums/...d=125332&stc=1

View the EXIF data...

Canon PowerShot A710 IS
5.8mm
2.500 s
f/4.0

*edit*
Who claims they took that shot? That username is covering text like they are stealing it...

[13Bracer]

View the EXIF data...

Canon PowerShot A710 IS
5.8mm
2.500 s
f/4.0

*edit*
Who claims they took that shot? That username is covering text like they are stealing it...

thanks..ill check it out..

um i dont know it was in the photogap a day..
yeah never noticed itis covering something up

[bandydesign]

oh btw, 2.500 s means.. use a tripod lol In case you were unsure


Good to have another Nikon guy on deck! Welcome to the Nikon World have fun with the cam

[13Bracer]

oh btw, 2.500 s means.. use a tripod lol In case you were unsure

hahah i was a little unsure...haah but thank you very much for clearing that up..lol
damn im such a noob

[bandydesign]

Lets roll that Mazda out of your garage and snap some pictures of it! I can show you some tricks I've picked up.

[13Bracer]

Lets roll that Mazda out of your garage and snap some pictures of it! I can show you some tricks I've picked up.

hell yeah id be down for that for sure..
one of these weekends
or ill come down to one of those meets by you

[james]

also, if you are considering buying a tripod, stay away from the cheapo brands from best buy, CC, and wolf camera and all those stores. wolf will sell you a nice set of bogen legs and a decent bogen ball head for like 170 all together, and you will probably have it forever if you take care of it. I bought a ****ty one from best buy for 30 dollars a while back, its the most rickety piece of **** ever, and I am always afraid to put my camera on it.

[SlowsterCivy]

View the EXIF data...

Canon PowerShot A710 IS
5.8mm
2.500 s
f/4.0

*edit*
Who claims they took that shot? That username is covering text like they are stealing it...

How do you view the EXIF data? I don't get how it works, i click on properties but when I do I just get one tap that says general..and doesn't give any information like said above. someone hep, please?

[speedminded]

How do you view the EXIF data? I don't get how it works, i click on properties but when I do I just get one tap that says general..and doesn't give any information like said above. someone hep, please?

The file has to be saved on your hard drive first OR download the freeware program that allows you to view it over an internet browser... http://www.opanda.com/en/iexif/

[13Bracer]

also, if you are considering buying a tripod, stay away from the cheapo brands from best buy, CC, and wolf camera and all those stores. wolf will sell you a nice set of bogen legs and a decent bogen ball head for like 170 all together, and you will probably have it forever if you take care of it. I bought a ****ty one from best buy for 30 dollars a while back, its the most rickety piece of **** ever, and I am always afraid to put my camera on it.

col dal..
yeah i got myself a cheap one awhile back for my point and shoot..but plan on gettin a good one now that i got a good camera..lol
thanks

[13Bracer]

so i tried the settings and what not out last night..and this is what it came out with?
def didnt do somethin right?

[speedminded]

Hand held or on a tripod? Use the timer if you don't have a remote, you never want to touch the camera when taking a night shot.

Put the ISO down to 100 or 200, only use 800 if you are shooting hand held and don't have a choice.

A higher f/stop will give you a better depth of field and improve the colors/contrast.

White balance on Auto? Might want to play with the settings some if you don't want to do it in photoshop later.

[13Bracer]

Hand held or on a tripod? Use the timer if you don't have a remote, you never want to touch the camera when taking a night shot.

Put the ISO down to 100 or 200, only use 800 if you are shooting hand held and don't have a choice.

A higher f/stop will give you a better depth of field and improve the colors/contrast.

White balance on Auto? Might want to play with the settings some if you don't want to do it in photoshop later.

yeah i used a tripod..
ok yeah my iso was set on 800..lol
and yep the white balance is on auto..
i will def get back out theretonight and mess with it some more..
thanks

[13Bracer]

this is really a really dumb question but what is f/stop?

[speedminded]

yeah i used a tripod..
ok yeah my iso was set on 800..lol
and yep the white balance is on auto..
i will def get back out theretonight and mess with it some more..
thanks

Put the camera on timer, it's a pain in the ass because it takes 5 or 10 seconds for the shot but the outcome will be infinitely better.

On that same shot and it's not a windy night with the trees blowing around making them blurry i'd go with ISO 200, 1.5 to 2+ second shutter, f/6.3 or higher, and there's something i didn't mention before....do a manual lock on the focus. The camera will flip out if you have it on auto focus with the cars going by. Look through the view finder with it on auto focus, focus on your subject, then flip it over to manual focus so it stays there locked.

[speedminded]

THEN once you get the basics down and comfortable with the camera settings you can start hyperfocusing by calculating the hyperfocal distance...

http://www.vividlight.com/articles/3513.htm
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tut...l-distance.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperfocal_distance

And people think you just push a button to get a pic

[13Bracer]

awesome thanks...yeah im gunna go out again tonight and give it another shot and see what i come out with

[On_Her_Face]

fish eye lens ftw

[james]

this is really a really dumb question but what is f/stop?

on a lens there are numbers that sometimes start pretty low like 1.8 on the one i have in my hand right now. this is one of the factors that controls DOF. the smaller the number on the lens, the less DOF you will have. if you use a higher F/stop the aperture will be smaller and you will have a longer DOF.

[speedminded]

this is really a really dumb question but what is f/stop?

Focal length divided by the aperture diameter. In full manual mode everything is fully adjustable with each setting being as equal important as the other: shutter, f/stop, ISO, etc..these are all things that could be learned with a point & shoot before jumping into a DSLR

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-number

The following images are the same shot with different f/stops, the first is f/5 and the 2nd is f/32, two completely different looking photos but the same shot with only a couple settings changed...

[13Bracer]

fish eye lens ftw

coon!

[On_Her_Face]

~offtopic~

when are we throwing down?

~ontopic~

lets take some pics of the vette!

[13Bracer]

~offtopic~

when are we throwing down?

~ontopic~

lets take some pics of the vette!

~offtopic~
whenever you want son!

~ontopic~
**** you know im always down man...

[lilmanx01]

very interesting. im tryin to learn about all this myself

i really want to be able to take crisp pictures, but i find it a little tough learning all the settings on cameras