learning how to use D40

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daveskates

Senior Member
So I'm new to the dslr stuff. I've been going around taking pics a lot lately and I'm hooked on the camera! I do need some help/advice. I have no idea what the settings mean on the camera for example the "P, S, M," etc. I'm sure they're there for a reason and I'd like to learn how to use the camera to it's full potential. Is there any guides on here? does each setting need to be used based upon lighting? I have a lot to learn!

Many thanks in advance!
 
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Steptoe1962

New member
carguy said:
Good Morning.

Along with the Nikon manual, there are a few helpful DVD tutorials and free Youtube videos out there to guide you as well:

DVD: Magic Lantern DVD Guide for Nikon D40 Digital SLR Camera: 9781600591808: Amazon.com: Books

Nikon D40 - QuickPro Camera Guide (Tutorial DVD): QuickPro: Amazon.com: Books

Amazon.com: Nikon School DVD: Fun, Fast & Easy II D40, D40X, D60: Camera & Photo

Good Luck!
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I recently bought the Magic Lantern DVD guide - wow I never knew the camera had so many features :) and I have set it up just the way I want it 10 / 10 :cool:
 
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Eyelight

Senior Member
What they said ^^^^

Learn 1 thing at a time.

Approach every shot like you only get one chance.

Reading articles and viewing tutorials is good, but you will learn the most by studying your own work. In other words, don't delete the bad shots until you know exactly why it was a bad shot.
 
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fotojack

Senior Member
daveskates said:
So I'm new to the dslr stuff. I've been going around taking pics a lot lately and I'm hooked on the camera! I do need some help/advice. I have no idea what the settings mean on the camera for example the "P, S, M," etc. I'm sure they're there for a reason and I'd like to learn how to use the camera to it's full potential. Is there any guides on here? does each setting need to be used based upon lighting? I have a lot to learn!

Many thanks in advance!
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The "P" stands for Professional! ;) lol...just kidding. :) It means Program Mode. The "A" means Aperture Mode, the "S" means Shutter Mode, and the "M" means Manual Mode.

In Program Mode, the camera makes all the decisions as to how the picture turns out. The Aperture Mode means you select the aperture, the camera does everything else. The Shutter Mode means you select the shutter speed, the camera selects everything else. Manual means you select everything (self explanatory, right? :) ).

Take your time, read the manual, books, YouTube videos, etc....it will come to you. Don't rush this. It's part of the fun of learning how to take pictures with what you have to work with. Have fun. :)
 
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Steptoe1962

New member
The 'Magic Lantern' DVD is invaluable, it teaches you everything that the boring manual tells you and a lot more.
My main gripes with the D40 was that you couldn't adjust the focus points - you can as I learned from the DVD.

I always enjoyed black & white when I used film, according to the manual you have to convert the file in camera to BW, but the DVD teaches you how to set the camera to BW. So I have ordered orange and red 52mm filters.

White balance was something that I never really understood and was reluctant to tamper with in film cameras, again the fellow in the DVD explains it in layman's terms.

Looks like I'm going to have an interesting summer experimenting with the D40:)
 
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daveskates

Senior Member
well since this post i've sold the camera and wanted something newer so I went and got a D3100, just picked it up last night i still have lots to learn. While I had the D40 I did get some pretty good pics out of it, definitely a cool camera!
 
Roy1961

Roy1961

Senior Member
Contributor
best thing i can add is to open a 365 thread and post your pictures, you will get good advice/criticism there to help you, plus in a few months you will be able to look back and see how far you have came along.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
daveskates said:
well since this post i've sold the camera and wanted something newer so I went and got a D3100, just picked it up last night i still have lots to learn. While I had the D40 I did get some pretty good pics out of it, definitely a cool camera!
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I remember my D40... Good little camera if a bit limited. What I suggest you take a look at is The D3100 Digital Field Guide. It's what your Nikon manual *should* have been in my opinion. It's not all-encompassing (it's a field guide after all) but it's cheap and will far better explain what all those bells and whistles do on your '3100 and it will get you up to speed a lot faster.

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daveskates

Senior Member
donaldjledet said:
Well the D 3100 is a good camera, now read the manual,and watch the videos just like was said for the D40.
Congrats on the new camera.
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thanks picked it up for $200 !
it's pretty much brand new, it didn't come with the manual book so I need to get on that asap so I can learn to utilitize this thing properly.
 
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daveskates

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
I remember my D40... Good little camera if a bit limited. What I suggest you take a look at is The D3100 Digital Field Guide. It's what your Nikon manual *should* have been in my opinion. It's not all-encompassing (it's a field guide after all) but it's cheap and will far better explain what all those bells and whistles do on your '3100 and it will get you up to speed a lot faster.

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Thanks I'll save the link. Also was curious to ask what lens would you all suggest? with the D40 I felt like I could only do so much with the kit lens, I liked it as it was but a buddy of mine takes amazing photos but he's busy more often than not. He mentioned looking into 35mm 1.8 MF or a 50mm 1.4 MF ? I believe he said 1.4, something that shoots a lot faster than the kit lens and is great in low light.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
daveskates said:
Thanks I'll save the link. Also was curious to ask what lens would you all suggest? with the D40 I felt like I could only do so much with the kit lens, I liked it as it was but a buddy of mine takes amazing photos but he's busy more often than not. He mentioned looking into 35mm 1.8 MF or a 50mm 1.4 MF ? I believe he said 1.4, something that shoots a lot faster than the kit lens and is great in low light.
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Your friend was probably referring to the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G lens. It's about $200, new, and it's a real gem of a lens. You can go faster (meaning f/1.4) but wow do you pay for a premium for that minor increase. If I were you, I'd stick with the 35mm f/1.8 for now, it's plenty fast in low light and one of the best prime lenses out there for DX bodies like your D40.

Another good, all purpose sort of lens is the Nikon 18-140mm. It goes for around $600. It's not as fast as the 35mm but it's more flexible. What lens you need depends on what you plan on doing photographically and how much you're willing to spend (of course).

Good glass does not come cheap but buy smart since your glass can stay with you even as you upgrade your camera body over time. Glass is an investment so choose wisely and be willing to pay because there's really not much point in buying cheap glass.

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daveskates

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
Your friend was probably referring to the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G lens. It's about $200, new, and it's a real gem of a lens. You can go faster (meaning f/1.4) but wow do you pay for a premium for that minor increase. If I were you, I'd stick with the 35mm f/1.8 for now, it's plenty fast in low light and one of the best prime lenses out there for DX bodies like your D40.

Another good, all purpose sort of lens is the Nikon 18-140mm. It goes for around $600. It's not as fast as the 35mm but it's more flexible. What lens you need depends on what you plan on doing photographically and how much you're willing to spend (of course).

Good glass does not come cheap but buy smart since your glass can stay with you even as you upgrade your camera body over time. Glass is an investment so choose wisely and be willing to pay because there's really not much point in buying cheap glass.

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thanks so in comparison the 1.4 is faster but it's not that necessary eh? if that's the case i'll just get the 1.8 next time i get paid and start having fun with this thing. Also what about the 50mm lens?
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
daveskates said:
thanks so in comparison the 1.4 is faster but it's not that necessary eh? if that's the case i'll just get the 1.8 next time i get paid and start having fun with this thing. Also what about the 50mm lens?
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Looking at B&H I see the 50mm f/1.4G sells for $425 while the 50mm f/1.8G sells for $216. That's all but double the price for a pretty minuscule increase in performance in my opinion. Pocket the $209 and get the f/1.8G.

As for 50mm vs. 35mm: Lots of people swear by the 50mm, lots of people swear by the 35mm. They're both excellent lenses and which you prefer will be a matter of personal preference. I could be happy with either (I own both). I find the 15mm difference, in all practical terms, pretty much a non-issue; using the 35mm sometimes you'll find you wish you had just a tiny bit more "reach" and if you opt for the 50mm sometimes you'll find you wish you could back up just a little more to get something else in the frame. C'est la vie, mon ami!

All that being said, however, my personal preference is for the 35mm; I just find it easier to work with. Make no mistake, though, either would be a perfect lens for someone just getting started, but good enough of a lens you'll want to keep it forever.

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