I am thinking about purchasing my first Digital SLR Camera because I am tired of Point and Shoot Cameras, I want something with more detail and potential. Anyways, I was looking into the Nikon D40 because I have heard great things about it being an entry-level Digital SLR. It comes with a 15-55mm Zoom Lens and the D40 for a total of 449.00 online at Amazon.com. I read all the reviews and more than 100 were 5 stars, and the rest got like 4 or something. If anyone could shed some light on how the Zoom lens plays a factor in Image Quality, etc I would appreciate it. For things like sports events, if I zoom into a player, would 55 Zoom be okay, and how about macro images? Thank You!!
YES
the more glass, or plastic between subject and recording medium whether film or electronic the more distortion.
I have worked as a professional since the 1970s, and I have only used zoom lens for low value sports or theatre work, all magazine or studio work were done with fixed telephoto lens.
Sales men tell you what they have is the best available, but it all depends how high you plan on rising, as an artist…
Film is still superior. but for the bottom levels of the market Digital is climbing… in another 40 to 50 years I might have to eat my words.
I own two digital cameras, and four Hasselblads and two 35mm Nikomats
The best digital camera I have used is this one on youtube
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=x0F2lKW74WE
I am going to buy one just after Christmas,
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The 18-55 lens is a very nice general purpose lens, but probably not adequate for sports photograpy under most circumstances.
Check out this page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/476181737/
This was made on a DSLR with the same “crop factor” or “magnification factor” as your D40, so the results would be the same.
You would want to add (perhaps) a 55-200 VR lens for most sports. This would be an “entry level” lens for the purpose, but it would give you an idea what you might achieve with the high-priced toys.
The Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR lens would be a dream lens, except it costs 3 times as much as your initial purchase of the D40 and 18-55 lens.
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jsblindside,
I don't recommend zooms.
However, the 18-55mm kit lens that comes with the D40 is not horrible. It is decent, very inexpensive and a good way to start.
Once you get your feet wet then invest in much better glass like primes and well regarded fixed maximum aperture zoom lenses.
j
Zooms are not macros. I recommend this lens for macro work http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2160/AF-S-VR-Micro-NIKKOR-105mm-f/2.8G-IF-ED.html
In my opinion, good sports photography requires primes such as this http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/1909/AF-S-NIKKOR-300mm-f/4D-IF-ED.html
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YES
the more glass, or plastic between subject and recording medium whether film or electronic the more distortion.
I have worked as a professional since the 1970s, and I have only used zoom lens for low value sports or theatre work, all magazine or studio work were done with fixed telephoto lens.
Sales men tell you what they have is the best available, but it all depends how high you plan on rising, as an artist…
Film is still superior. but for the bottom levels of the market Digital is climbing… in another 40 to 50 years I might have to eat my words.
I own two digital cameras, and four Hasselblads and two 35mm Nikomats
The best digital camera I have used is this one on youtube
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=x0F2lKW74WE
I am going to buy one just after Christmas,
References :
I don't know what is meant by a 'fixed aperture zoom lens' as I don't believe anything like that exists…. I believe Mere Mortal means a fixed focal length long lens (aperture can be changed on almost ALL lenses except for a very few old ones).
Don't fall for the statement that zooms are not macros… I have used my 600mm AF-I D f/4 to do macro work just by adding an extension tube to it. Many pro photographers do this to provide a space between skittish subjects (like frogs or lizards) and the lens. My focal point is nearly 13 feet from my lens and I get wonderful macros with a loss of only 1 stop. You'd be surprised at how many people don't know about this.
The D40 is an excellent choice but the 15-55mm zoom lens that comes with it is an entry level lens that is okay for general photography but not sports (where you do need a longer focal length lens). You can purchase a very cheap extension tube to provide macro quality from your 15-55mm lens. Just seek one with the electronic connections unless you feel you can 'figure out' the exposures you will need to manually shoot your macros.
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Pro Photog: http://www.jpgmag.com/people/Galan
The “kit lens” is not the best lens. 55 mm is barely telephoto, it won’t zoom into things from really far away, they will still be small. You will probably want to get a 210 mm zoom to a good 300 mm. The problem with zooms is that some of them change apertures when they are zoomed out, mostly to 5.6, which when indoors will make your pictures really blurry because of the shutter times, and that’s no good for sports. Look for ones that don’t change, like a straight f4. The only problem is that they will be really heavy and long.
I have a sony alpha the range on the kit is 18-70, but I own a good telephoto that is a straight f4 and the lenses by minolta are cheap used.
Read up on lenses first, learn what the numbers mean first before buying. Ask to try out some cameras with telephoto lenses in camera stores. The staff will be happy to help you even if you don’t plan on buying with them.
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'fixed aperture zoom lens' - are lenses where the minimal aperture doesnt change through out the zoom range - - any pro knows that……..
eg: a 70 - 200mm F4 - the lens stays at F4 if you want from 70 to 200
a non 'fixed aperture zoom lens' will be like a 70-200 F4.5-5.6, at 70mm you can use F4.5 but at 200 it will be 5.6
so like mortal said 'fixed aperture zoom lens' are better,
go with sam and mortals answers, i would
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