Thoughts on a camera I have the option on buying pls

Janine

Janine

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Anyone willing to give me any feedback on a camera I am considering buying? I used to have an Olympus OM10 in the 70's but have forgotten far more than I ever learned about exposure etc.

I am in my 50's and have ankolising spondolosis of the neck, which effectively means I cannot carry anything too heavy over back or shoulders etc., so really need a light (ish) camera.

I love the outdoors and walks looking for wildlife and sunrise/sunsets etc., and am looking at getting into photography as a hobby again. I also love taking pics of my snakes and other animals as well as small wildlife in the garden etc.

I have been offered a Nikon D40x (10.2mp) from someone at work that is 3 years old, and she is now progressing onto something that has more range regarding exposure etc. I have read that a couple of people have had the main circuit board go within the first 18 months or so of having this particular camera, but not too much about this....

She's also offering the 70 to 300mm lens for £120.... does this sound reasonable, and if it may fit my needs?? Sorry, camera and kit lens is £250.

Thanks for sticking with what could easily turn into a novel! ..... J
 
have a read of Ken Rockwells review...''here''

i have to agree with KR... :lol:.. i started with the D40 ... a cracking little body
with an 18-55 AF-S VR lens

this lens shoots way above it's price

i now have a D5000 with an 18-70 AF-S
but still kept the 18-55 VR as a small sharp walkabout lens

a D40 and 18-55 went for about £200 here recently i think


the 70-300 lens doesn't sound the right focal length for your shots....:shrug:

there are a number of camera straps around which are more padded/better designed than the standard Nikon strap - and will distribute the load better over your shoulders

cheers...john
 
What make is the 70-300? Sigma's and tamron's tend to go for between £70-100.

A d40x is a good camera and it's small and lightweight. You will probably need to get yourself a 18-55 aswell so budget another £50 for a used one.
 
Thanks for your responses. The other lens she's selling is a sigma 70-300mm for £120.

I guess £250 for the D40x then is not too bad, given that I don't have to pay P&P and also don't have to travel to get it as its right on my doorstep.

Thanks for the advice about the camera straps... any particular makes??

And finally.... why do you not think the 70-300 lens sounds the right focal length for my shots?.... some of what I photograph are adders, grassies and slow worms in the field as it were, so often not able to get up close and personal like:lol:

Thanks for your help... really appreciated.

Oh yeah... can't afford the second lens yet anyway, so may not take her up on that one.... J
 
Op-tech straps are neoprene and have elastic in them as well so they make the camera "feel" lighter. I use one on my D7000 and 24-70 which is a fairly heavy combo with no problems.
I also used to have a D40 (one below the D40X) and wish I never sold it.
I would say for general use, get the D40X and get a 18-55 as well as mentioned above.:)
Good luck with it all

Although re-reading your original post, the 70-300 would be good for small wildlife in the garden as well.

Is it D40X and kit lens for £250 or is that price body only and an extra £120 for the 70-300?
Is the 70-300 the optical stabilized version as well? If not I think it may be a little over priced for used as mentioned above they tend to go for £70-100 ish.
 
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JulesP said:
Op-tech straps are neoprene and have elastic in them as well so they make the camera "feel" lighter. I use one on my D7000 and 24-70 which is a fairly heavy combo with no problems.
I also used to have a D40 (one below the D40X) and wish I never sold it.
I would say for general use, get the D40X and get a 18-55 as well as mentioned above.:)
Good luck with it all

Although re-reading your original post, the 70-300 would be good for small wildlife in the garden as well.

Is it D40X and kit lens for £250 or is that price body only and an extra £120 for the 70-300?
Is the 70-300 the optical stabilized version as well? If not I think it may be a little over priced for used as mentioned above they tend to go for £70-100 ish.
Click to expand...

£250 for D40X and 18-55 kit lens. Not sure about the optical stabilized version of 70-300... still using forums such as this to find out what questions to ask when buying... so many thanks for the response... J
 
It might be worth looking around as well to see what else is available.
I know at the moment you don't have access to the classified section but in there for sale is a D3000 with 18-55 VR kit lens for £240 including postage and is less than 2 years old. Its a newer camera with newer technology. Also a very similar size and weight to the D40X and has a VR lens with it instead of the standard one, a spare battery, two 4gb SDHC cards, a third party infra-red remote and a digital field guide book.
There are some bargains to be had around here. It won't take long to get access to the classified section :-)

EDIT - the D3000 also has a guide mode to help you make choices about what you are doing and has a much better auto focus system with 11 AF points rather than 3 and also has inbuilt sensor cleaning.
 
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They are costly, but for you, you may wish to consider a black rapid type strap that will distribute the weight of a camera and lens over your shoulder. I really used to notice the weight on my neck, however with my black rapid I dont notice it half as much, often forgetting it there :thumbs:

Its alot less strenuous over a longer period of time as opposed to just a neck strap. However, if you are the type to whip out your camera from a bag, take a few shots and put it back until you see another opportunity, it may not be of much benefit to you.
 
do some research/ask questions before buying the Sigma 70-300

the APO version is far better optically and easily identified as it has a red ring at the top of the barrel.. like this ''link''

NEW at Amazon for £152............:thumbs:...may get one myself at that price..:D


I've had #other# make lenses for my D5000 -- and although all ok -- I have gone back to Nikon glass for its quality and VR

not top range models, but adequate for my level of experience

how about this...?

D40 or D40x body

18-55 AF-S VR.....replaced later with the 18-70mm AF-S [classic - read some reviews!] although i kept mine too

i got a 55-200 AF-S VR for £110 from here
you may want to save up for the 70-300 AF-S VR .. about £300 here
there is a cheaper 55-300 version ... seen some images and NOT impressed

starting with Nikon lenses means they are sellable if you upgrade

BTW .. i had a Sigma 17-70 ''link'' which had a 'macro' setting if you're into flowers - prob not 'real' macro for insects though
the OS version is MUCH more expensive.:lol:

HTH ...john
 
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With your medical problem it may be worth looking for a CSC rather than a dslr as they are much smaller and lighter and get some excellent reviews. However, if your total budget is the £250 mentioned then the D40x and £120 for the lens then it might just work out perfectly for you.
I've never used a CSC or a Nikon for that matter but I do know that a dslr and lens does get quite heavy on a long walk.
 
Thanks very much for the responses. The main reason I was thinking of dslr is that previously I got very much into taking a very wide range of pictures, both animals, scenery and macro, with the occassional horse show or two.

Not likely to carry a lot round with me unless going out for half a day or so, and can use hubby as a pack horse... :D For just an hour or two ramble would use a body belt until wanted to get camera out and use... do thoughtful setups more than instant reaction shots. Thought a dslr would give me far more options with potential different lenses and for me to progress over time. Also used to enjoy doing some quirky stuff. Loved the Olympus for the marvellous depth of field I could get and all the different effects I could make with landscapes etc. Back in the day, you had to do this with the camera as you could not manipulate film nearly as easily as graphic images nowadays.

Not really considered the compacts as wanted the higher processor capabilities of dslr..... may have a bit of a rethink, but still leaning towards dslr with decent carrying equipment for when hubby is having an off day :p
 
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