Digital SLRs for Dummy

Here it is - the new love of my life...the Nikon D40.

I really wanted to take good pictures of my kids and my vintage finds, so I knew a Digital SLR (single-lens reflex) was in my future. A few weeks ago, I headed over the border to tax-free Delaware (10 minutes away) and paid $499 for it at a Ritz Camera store.  I had read so many good reviews about the D40, but it was nice to actually talk to an expert at the store about it. I know nothing about fancy cameras or lenses or aperture or f-stops. He explained to me some really simple things about digital SLRs that I just didn't know.

1. There are no automatic zoom in/out buttons like there are on my standard digital camera. You have to turn the lens to zoom in and out.
2. You can't view anything through the LCD screen until after you take the picture. When you take the picture, you have to do it the old-fashioned way: through the viewfinder. Some higher-end DSLR cameras offer "live view", so you can see the picture on the screen before you take it, but the D40 doesn't have this.
3. There is a dummy setting on most digital SLRs so that they act like standard point and shoot cameras. On the D40, there is a setting with a green camera icon. The camera store manager called this "Green and Go". I was really worried that I would have to learn a whole bunch of complicated settings with this camera, but I was wrong!

The camera came with a Nikkor 18-55mm lens. After I explained to the manager that I take most of my pictures indoors, because of my kids and my blog, he recommended that I look into buying a 50 mm f/1.8 lens. Then I had to go into the whole awkward explanation of my blog: "Well, I take pictures and write about the junk I find at yard sales". If that doesn't get me an odd stare, I don't know what will. I left the store without that extra lens, because I didn't know what the hell he was talking about and because it was an additional $150 and I wasn't in the mood to get divorced that day.

All I really wanted was for my photos to look as good as Jennifer Pebbles' photos on her blog. I've had photo envy of Jennifer for months. After I bought the D40, I went to her blog and read that she uses a 50mm 1.4 lens for her photos. I realized that I needed that magical lens. I would simply die without it. The 1.4 lens was a little pricey (around $350), so settled for the 1.8 lens that the camera store manager originally recommended. I ordered it the next day from the Ritz Camera website. Please don't ask me the difference between the 1.4 and 1.8 lenses...I have no friggin' idea. I just know that I love this camera. Here's why...

Jumping Finn (I never would be able to take this with my regular digital camera):


[He hasn't quite figured out how to button his pants, so pardon the belly button]

The rare, quiet Maeve:

The classic, scheming Maeve:

Happy Finn:

Part of my ever-growing globe collection:

 

There are probably some settings that I could have used that would make these photos look even better. I'll get there eventually. So, how about you...do you own a Digital SLR? What kind? Do you have any recommendations or tips to share? Or, are you thinking about buying one? Maybe we can figure out some answers together.

Comments

[Amanda]

Wow. That is making me really want to toss my point and shoot in the garbage!

[Emily]

Congrats on your new toy! I got the same exact camera on Tuesday for my birthday from my fabulous hubby! I've never used more than a point-and-click either but am slowly figuring out all this aperture/shutterspeed/ISO stuff... Have fun!

[Deborah]

Thank you for sharing about your new camera. I'm looking for a camera and just may take a look at this one!

Blessings,
Deborah

[retrojunkie]

Hi.
I have RSS'd your blog for a quite a while. I never got a chance to leave a comment(I'm too shy), but today I really want to comment.
I HAVE THE SAME CAMERA!
and I LOVE it.
I am glad you got it too.
I bought mine at Ritz as well. they offer some camera classes which are very useful. If you are nearby one of the stores, you should give it a try. It doesn't have to be the store where you bought the camera.
My neighboring store even offers a class devoted to D40.
Your pix turn out to be very beautiful. Clear picture on jumping Finn. Adorable.
I still can't take a picture of my jumping son...still needs practice.

[Kirsten]

Boyfriend has a D80, and I totally love it. I wish I could have convinced him to let me take it to my sister's for Thanksgiving so I could get a non-blurry picture of my 1 year old niece. That just doesn't happen with my point and shoot.

[Sasha Farina]

I have the same camera and loving it .. you will too. Just take the 12 weeks to better photos course by Joanna Bolick at TwoPeas.. you will get A LOT of info there... seriously. Congrats.. congrats!!! A beginning to a journey of falling in love with the camera..

[mary]

wow wow wow. I have had my eye on this camera for months now, but according my my husband we're on a "spending freeze" (not really familiar with that term)...so it looks like I'll have to wait. But thank you for this post - like you, I am a total newbie at this camera stuff and it's helpful to watch others learn.

[Dawn McVey (dawnsing)]

Hi there! We bought the same camera (Nikon D40) in Dec. and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!! My advice is to watch the DVD(s) that came in your kit. I learned a couple things that way, and then read the manual! Not necessarily cover to cover, but every time you want to know how to do something, hunt it down in the manual. You'll probably learn a few other things while on your search too!! LOL!

I have a brand new niece born last week and I was able to get some great shots of her with her eyes open, that everyone else was having trouble getting with their point and shoots. I've posted a few of them on my blog (www.dawnmcvey.typepad.com) and my sister couldn't believe how good they turned out....I'm in awe of the camera! Have fun with yours!!

[Traci in Virginia]

I have the Canon Rebel XTI. When I bought mine I agonized over whether to get the Nikon or the Canon. I went to Ritz and b/c I already had the Canon Rebel EOS, the salesperson showed me that everything I had fit with the XTI. So, it made sense to go with Canon. I loved the Nikon too though. I know you will love it...I have enjoyed this digital camera so much and my pictures are great. I took pictures of my children for Christmas cards and everyone said they looked professional. Enjoy it!!!

[Sugar Creek Farm]

Fancy pants cameras are fun :) I'm a Canon girl myself. AND I'm glad my boy's not the only one that goes around with his pants unbuttoned! I feel better now.

[Andie]

Oh! I just bought the exact same camera. And I love it! Of course, I just dropped it off my kitchen table last week... not a good day. So things are on hold for now. But LOVE it!

[Robin]

Cool globes! I too have my own little collection of tin globes.

[Alicia]

Hey, Colleen,
If you want I can explain some of the basic manual controls for you. It's pretty simple and if you know these things and you spend some time experimenting, your shots are going to be so much better than on auto. Auto's also fairly unpredictable and obviously not easy to control.
If you reply back, I'll comment again with some explanation. =)

[Andrea Amu]

Hey, I just found your blog by blog-hopping... haven't looked past this post but I plan to browse around ;)

Just had to chime in here and say that I too have the Nikon D40 and LOVE it! Read up in the manual and get acquainted with some of the other settings... the camera really packs a punch!

[Kirsty]

Your kids are adorable! Those are some great photos.

[Rosemary]

i love your globe colletion, it makes me happy :)

[Jill]

I've been eyeing the same camera for a few months now. I wasn't happy with my Canon, but suddenly it starting taking better photos (don't know what I'm doing differently!) so now I'm not sure what to do. I'm sure I'll get an SLR eventually though!

[vee]

I just got a canon rebel xt and love it! I am playing around with priority aperture which is fun because you chose the depth of field and the camera does the rest! :) love your blog!! will be back :)

[Denice]

You inspired me. I have the Nikon D40--it's never been out of the box. So I'm still using my Coolpix. I have felt so overwhelmed by it....I will pull it out!

[brand-eye]

awesome. first of all, i LOVE your blog. one of these days i want to get to your cute little store.
also, i have been wanting this camera for months. i almost bought it for myself after christmas. maybe i will treat myself for my birthday.

[Rosemary]

Wow!!
Those are great photos!!
That is an amazing camera!
Enjoy it,
Rosemary

[Wanda]

Those are beautiful pictures!! That's on my "someday" list, now. I had a vague "someday I'll have a really good camera" list entry. Now I have a model. Of course, by the time I get around to it, that model will be discontinued and I'll be confused again.

[Audrey]

My daughter is a scrapbooker and photographer and I mentioned your camera to her and also your comment to Jennifer Peebles. It turns out she knows Jennifer! (They have met at some scrapbook event) I think that is so funny and further reinforces my belief in 'what a small world this is - and the 6 degree thing'! I love your blog - your sense of humor is perfect.

[kacey]

Great photos! I have a canon xti. There is nothing better than a digital SLR camera. You can take a bazillion photos. Delete the crummy ones. Lots of control over the settings. Fun. Fun.

[Sweet Cottage Dreams]

Your camera takes some wonderful photos! I will have to look into getting one of those! I collect globes, too. Have you posted how they are all displayed? I'd love to see them!!

xo
Becky