newbie nikon d40 question

p1tse

p1tse

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have just brought one from a guy from the site.

fantastic images compared to my pocket camera.

got a few questions:

1) looking through the eye/ view piece and can see the three square bits, i've noticed there is a little hair like mark on the right. it's not on the lens, as changed lens and still there, but doesn't effect pictures, any idea if it's in the camera of view piece?

2) does the camera not take pictures if it can't focus or too close to an object?

3) got a filter lens thing, how and when do i use this?
thanks
 
a few answers

1 ) the eye view piece is known as the viewfinder
if you can see a hair like mark in viewfinder and it doesnt appear in photos then it's either in viewfinder or it's on the mirror.

2 ) if the focus mode selected is S and camera cant lock on focus then shutter will not release ,maybe because camera is too close to subject,all lenses have a minimum focus
distance, focus mode is static , still, stationary

or if you prefer still stationary static.

in focus mode C shutter will release whether focus is locked on or not.

3 ) as praxis says whats the filter lens thing.
 
that's it couldn't think of the name, viewfinder.
so if it is in the viewfinder, any way to get it off?
or if it's on the mirror, i presume in the body when the lens is not on?

as for the filter:
Hoya Super HMC Pro 1 UV Filter 52mm

how durable are these cameras, lens etc. or is due care required all times?

as for not taking pic, it was on auto lens and auto on the main body. i'm thinking maybe i was too close.

going to have to learn more about the camera and more manual options.
 
to clean viewfinder

use a good quality lens cleaning tissue ( i use pec pads) and to get in crooks and nannies a cotton wool bud .you can of course only clean the outside.

to clean mirror

BE VERY CAREFUL mirror is delicate and is easily scratched but again a good quality cloth DRY
switch off camera,remove lens and GENTLY wipe

as for filter

uv is Ultra Violet it cuts down on haze caused by uv light when taking photo over long distance, the other benifit of a filter is it gives protection to the front of lens

its much better+ cheaper to scratch filter than lens.
 
1) if it's anything like the D80 I have the hairline mark is straight and parrallel to one of the edges - if it is it just supply power to the 3 dots - nothing to worry about and deliberately there. Cleaning won't help and may actually damage the system.

2) In AF single shot mode the shutter won't release if the focus isn't there, however in continuous AF and manual the shutter will fire every time you press the button.

3) Use the UV filter on the front of your lens to protect the front element from damage - take it off whenever you use another filter.
 
got the same hairline in the d50 . not on the mirror or the viewfinder , but as simon has pointed out and as daftbugga has mentioned be VERY carefull with the mirror ( wouldnt touch it myself unless really had to )
 
thanks

i will probably just leave it, as doesn't effect the pictures, but it's just above the right focal viewfinder marker

so should i almost usually always use Hoya Super HMC Pro 1 UV Filter 52mm on any lens or picture i take?
 
Most people normally have a UV filter on the front of each lens to protect the front element from scratches. The theory behind it is that if you scratch the filter you can take it off and replace it with another for a couple of quid - much cheaper than replacing the lens or sending it off for repair.

The counter to this is that a filter adds an extra two surfaces to you lens that might allow light to bounce off and create halos, flare etc which degrade your pictures. But provided you have a decent filter (which you have) and use a lens hood when shooting in the general direction of the sun (or light source) you should be OK most of the time.


So to answer your question fit a UV filter to each lens (a separate one for each lens) and leave it there only removing only when you have to e.g if you want to put another filter on such as a polariser.
 
thanks.

ok, so i'm in need of another filter and another nikon cap for the lens
 
P1tse, any lens that's not fitted to the camera should really have a lens cap at both ends and equally a lensless camera body should be fitted with a body cap. As regards the filter I suppose it could be argued that you could simply fit the one you already to which ever lens is fitted to the camera as your two lenses both have the same size filter thread ie. 52mm. However at around £20-£25 each I personally would invest in another filter rather than keep removing and refitting the one you have.
 
think i may just do that.

will keep a look out.

i also need a cap for the lens end too.
so do i use filter for 100% of the time?
 
Opinion is generally divided on using UV filters. They don't offer any advantage to image quality, but if you scrape the end of your lens on something it ends up being £25 to replace it instead of the cost of a new lens; up to you whether you think it's worth it.
 
hello you guys, it happened to me too, but it has more dust in the viewfinder, also the sensor too....but how can i clear them? i am starting to be worried...oh and about the viewfinder i noticed that there's a small in the middle a circle...also down to the left there' something i dont know, i think a dust...yeah well, how can i clear them?

thank you...
 
For sensor cleaning, I use Digipads, they sell a pack of five with a blower for about 15 quid. It's not a difficult as everyone makes out.

The dirt etc you're seeing in the viewfinder may be trapped behind or on your focus screen. It's a bit fiddly to take out and clean (it's very delicate and easily scratched so be careful) Not sure how the D40 is built, but in the D70, D50 and all older Film SLR's the focus screen is held in with a little clip and you use a small screwdriver to pop it out for cleaning.
 
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