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Digital SLR / DSLR Camera Question / DSLR Thread 2

 
Can I get an auto-focus 50mm/1.8 lens if I buy a Nikon d40? It's not clear to me whether auto-focus is supported on the d40. :confused




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i should be receiving my canon rebel xs tomorrow. i was limited by the same price range of the OP, and I think this camera will be good for someone like me, making the switch from a point and shoot to something with a little more manual ability.

I purchased mine from amazon; $500 for the camera body, 18-55 lens, camera bag, 4gig card and extra battery. I'll let you know what I think, but i'm sure you will have bought one by then.
 
VeloceMoto said:
Can I get an auto-focus 50mm/1.8 lens if I buy a Nikon d40? It's not clear to me whether auto-focus is supported on the d40. :confused

.
Click to expand...

BrassPremier said:
the d40 only autofocus's with AF-S and AF-I lenses
Click to expand...

The Nikon 50/1.8 lens is focused by a motor in the camera body, which the D40 does not have. AF-S lenses use an ultrasonic type motor built into the lens.

So currently, the answer is no.
 
You can cancel B&H order and get similar setup from your neighborhood Costco. Srsly.

Baptistro said:
Well, I canceled my order with Costco because I wanted the camera before the end of the week, so I went with B&H, the lenses are a little different, and I got an 8GB memory card instead. Total cost difference, +$12.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/589090-REG/Canon__EOS_RBL_XSi_w_EF_S_18_55.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12142-USA/Canon_2514A002BA_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_8.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/534908-REG/Kingston_SD6_8GB_8GB_Class_6_SDHC.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/302290-REG/Canon_7507A004_2400_Gadget_Bag_Black_.html
Click to expand...
 
cycle61 said:
The Nikon 50/1.8 lens is focused by a motor in the camera body, which the D40 does not have. AF-S lenses use an ultrasonic type motor built into the lens.

So currently, the answer is no.
Click to expand...




Wait, so auto-focus on a d40 and a 50/1.8 lens is not possible? :confused
 
VeloceMoto said:
Exactly. I was wondering if someone would comment on that.

I was at the SF Public Library last weekend and was checking out the Afghanistan photo exhibit on the top floor. The photos were taken in the 1970s with, of course, 70s technology. I wondered to myself how much better (or worse) the technology is today for a given price range, or how many of the technological advancements of today really apply to me.

If a Canon d40 or a Rebel with a few of the right lenses give me the same options and opportunities for success as, say, a photojournalist from the 70s, then HEY!

Yeah?





EDIT: Here are a few of the images I am referring to:
Click to expand...

B/W pictures... Still hard to reproduce with current digital technology due to the way how the light is captured and processed in digital sensors. That's why I still keep my Nikon N80 :) Overall, a D40 with a kit lens OR any modern DSLR equivalent should be good enough to get started.

I got my start at the age of 12 using a Zenit (a somewhat primitive Soviet camera by today's standards). It was a pain in the rear to use because you had to take a lot of pictures, then develop and then print. All of that was done in my bathroom. To be honest with you all those efforts resulted only in one picture that I still keep (the picture of my dad); the rest either did not survive the move or were thrown out.

The ultimate advantage that you get with digital cameras is the fact that it is easier to take more pictures and make selections. Can you become a photo journalist with an XTi? You betcha. All you need to do is to take a lot of pictures of semi-interesting subjects and then throw the bad ones away (actually the hardest part). If enough people on this board are interested, perhaps we can do photo outings be it on motorcycles or just short trips to the city. If you get 500 shots and 20 of them are 8x10 worthy, then you have succeeded :)
 
vman said:
B/W pictures... Still hard to reproduce with current digital technology due to the way how the light is captured and processed in digital sensors. That's why I still keep my Nikon N80 :) Overall, a D40 with a kit lens OR any modern DSLR equivalent should be good enough to get started.
Click to expand...


What makes those Afghanistan pictures so special, from a technical perspective? I don't have a trained eye yet.



vman said:
I got my start at the age of 12 using a Zenit (a somewhat primitive Soviet camera by today's standards). It was a pain in the rear to use because you had to take a lot of pictures, then develop and then print. All of that was done in my bathroom. To be honest with you all those efforts resulted only in one picture that I still keep (the picture of my dad); the rest either did not survive the move or were thrown out.

The ultimate advantage that you get with digital cameras is the fact that it is easier to take more pictures and make selections. Can you become a photo journalist with an XTi? You betcha. All you need to do is to take a lot of pictures of semi-interesting subjects and then throw the bad ones away (actually the hardest part). If enough people on this board are interested, perhaps we can do photo outings be it on motorcycles or just short trips to the city. If you get 500 shots and 20 of them are 8x10 worthy, then you have succeeded :)
Click to expand...

I'm stoked! This is exactly the sort of remark I was looking for in my original post. I can't wait to buy a camera and get started now!
 
Ant said:
Is this a good price? (canon rebel xsi)

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11305081&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US
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Yes, it's a good deal for what you are getting. I have that 75-300mm lens, though, and I can tell you that it's probably not worth paying for in your first DSLR purchase. The max aperture is so small that unless you are shooting the sky on a sunny day, you'll absolutely need a tripod. I used it to get some great shots of the blue angels, but trying to use it in my backyard was a nightmare.
 
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