Got a new camera (few questions)

[Paul.]

Just bought a nikon d40 and tripod today and have been trying to read through the manual:dead: Confusing for a beginner. Couple things (might sound dumb)

1. Do you need to buy a memory card before any pics can be taken and if so what memory card???
2. Am i ready to just start taking pics in auto mode???
3. Advice on night pics needed.

Cant wait to get snappin but it seems i cant without a memory card:dapprove:

Cheers

 

[koi]

Nice wee camera

1. You may be able to take pics but will need a memory card in it to save them
2. Yes, use auto mode until you get comfortable with the camera and then start playing about with different settings
3. Definitely use a tripod and use a remote to reduce camera shake, if you don't have a remote just use the timer

Memory cards are dirt cheap, would get at least 4gb:
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Ele...xtreme-III-4GB-SD-HC-Memory-Card/Product.html

 

[.GAZ.]

Nice 1 paul.. i need a good camera in my life tbh!

 

[Paul.]

so basically i cant take any without then??? where do you get these remotes from??

 

[koi]

Not sure about Nikons but with the Canon you can go to the menu and choose to 'shoot without card'. You can then take pictures and review them but obviously won't be able to save.

Check out http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/cat18.html for places to buy

Have fun...

 

[Reyes]

Nice entry level cameras these. I'm selling mine soon.

 

[.GAZ.]

Nice entry level cameras these. I'm selling mine soon.

Aye? PM me a price.. Dont go mental tho lol!

 

[The Boosh!]

Nice entry level cameras these. I'm selling mine soon.

pm me when you are fella im wanting to buy one new but if you sell yours for a decent price il have it

 

[clairemae]

Yeah should be able to get a decent sized memory card for pretty cheap now.
and if you just stick it in auto mode theres no point in getting a slr the A and S settings are good to get used to it

 

[seb]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0470171480/?tag=cliospnet01-21

buy this book, the manual is shite. i have this book and can highly recommend it tbh.

 

[.GAZ.]

Nice entry level cameras these. I'm selling mine soon.

Aye? PM me a price.. Dont go mental tho lol!

pm me when you are fella im wanting to buy one new but if you sell yours for a decent price il have it

LOL!

 

[The Boosh!]

bidding war ftw lol tbf though there only 250 brand new so not a massive amount of moolah

 

[.GAZ.]

bidding war ftw lol tbf though there only 250 brand new so not a massive amount of moolah

Im from Glasgow.. £250 is a years wages!

 

[The Boosh!]

hahaha pmsl... you can have it then since you are disadvantaged

 

[.GAZ.]

Danke

 

[Coby.]

Looking to get a DSLR in the next month or 2 but when I borrowed one I found just playing about in the garden with the settings was the easiest way to get used to it

 

[DannyR]

Getting used to it and playing with it is the best way, I've noticed how much better I've got since January to now!

 

[Coby.]

Its all your fault Danny that I am now going to spend a fewe hundred ona camera LOL

 

[Vish]

Memory cards: http://www.mymemory.co.uk/SDHC

I've been very happy with the service and the cards I've wanted have been cheaper here. Not sure if everything cheaper than everywhere.

 

[Andi-B]

Just bought a nikon d40 and tripod today and have been trying to read through the manual:dead: Confusing for a beginner. Couple things (might sound dumb)

You read through the manual? .. Are you mad?? I never did with mine.. I'm a 'button player' lol

1. Do you need to buy a memory card before any pics can be taken and if so what memory card???

Yes, you will. I suggest 2Gb and 4Gb SDHC cards, buy as many as you can afford and preferably a decent make, also when you've done for the day, copy your pictures off.

2. Am i ready to just start taking pics in auto mode???

If the camera is set for Auto, yes.. You are.

3. Advice on night pics needed.

You will preferably need to be out of Auto mode for night pictures and you will need to play with settings. I generally use Manual mode for most pictures, (auto if its a very quick shot) but for night shots I use Manual mode as you can adjust all settings.

 

[Greendots]

Nikons have an option buried in the menus to shoot without card, but tbh you should never have this enabled ! Think of the red faces when you shoot a cracking set of pics only to find you forgot to put in the memory card. (Or a wedding, or other important event....)

For night shots, as above, get a tripod. Even a cheapy 15 quid job from argos will do the job (hang your bag on it to add more weight). Nice to avoid shooting at ISO1600 on the D40 sensor, and with a pod you can set up for long exposures ! (set camera to 'S', values are fractions of a second, full seconds are represented with " eg: 5 = 1/5th, 5" = 5 seconds) And use the timer function set to 2 seconds once the camera is set up if you dont have a remote. They are only a fiver from ebay, but use IR so you'll likely need to be firing from the left side and slightly in-front to get consistant releases due to the other sides being obscured by the lens and camera body.

 

[JJ!]

Ken Rockwell talks a lot of crap, but his D40 guide is excellent and is highly recommended. There is a simple version here:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/users-guide/index.htm#index

Scroll to the bottom of the page and there are more advanced guides.

 

[Paul.]

thanks for the info guys! Had a go at night pics last night. Thoughts?

www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=411695