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Best Digital SLR camera?

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I used one, found it extremely slow (focus speed) during continuous focus (for moving subjects, not just sports). But that's a specific niche, and may not be something you'll ever need... as it can get the job done somewhat for candid shots It is an extremely inexpensive lens, and may be a good starting point on a budget, especially if the alternative is a junky kit lens with f5.6 available light. On your budget, it's wildly better than the similarly priced lenses like those just mentioned. The 50/1.4 mentioned by Muck is in another galaxy of price.

I absolutely love my Canon brand 85mm 1.8. Great portrait lens and functional enough for indoor action (basketball, etc) where even a 2.8 lens & ISO 3200 is not enough lighting (common for most youth indoor sports venues). Not long enough for a field game like indoor soccer, but definitely useable for basketball. And it doubles as a very nice portrait lens as well. All for only $300 or so.
 
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OSUsushichic;1199823; said:
Anyone used a 50mm f/1.8? That seems to be a really popular lens, especially for portraits and low-light photos. And it's inexpensive!
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The Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D is a grreat lens. Very sharp & lightweight.

One thing to be aware of if you get th D40 is that it does not have an auto-focus motor in the body so you need to stick with lenses with a built-in motor.

In the Nikon lineup that means ons designated as AF-I or AF-S. I believe the AF-I's are currently out of production and have been replaced by the AF-S.

Sigma also produces a line of lenses compatability with the D40 that are labeled HSM (Hypersonic Motor).

Most other Nikon lenses will work with the D40, you will just be forced to focus manually.


Edit: Started poking around a bit and it looks like Nikon has not released any AF-S primes (fixed focal length) yet. So pretty much any 50mm lens you find will not be able to take advantage of auto focus if used on a D40.

The sole exception seems to be a 50mm f/1.4 released by Sigma but I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner given it's price range ($400 or so).

Looks like I may have given you some bum advice given your body choice. :(


jwinslow;1199832; said:
The 50/1.4 mentioned by Muck is in another galaxy of price.
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That was actually a brain fart on my account. I've had a 1.4 so long that I'd forgotten 1.8 is the standard for a chap/fast 50mm.
 
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I should note my review was of the Canon 50 1.8, which I got for $50. It was pretty cheap, but better than a kit lens... at times. The Nikkor sounds much better from Muck's feedback.
 
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Purchased a Nikon D60 today. Can't wait to play!

nikon_d60_1.jpg
 
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I have the Canon XTI. Very pleased iwth it...just wish I could take better pictures. Although the ones from Greece were very nice.

I've heard the Nikon D40 and 60 are better - I got the Canon as I already had a zoom lens and non-Nikon lenses don't work on a Nikon
 
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tibor75;1214931; said:
I have the Canon XTI. Very pleased iwth it...just wish I could take better pictures. Although the ones from Greece were very nice.

I've heard the Nikon D40 and 60 are better - I got the Canon as I already had a zoom lens and non-Nikon lenses don't work on a Nikon
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The salesman at a local camera shop (Calumet) said that they've had a lot of problems with the Canons, particularly the XSI. He said the Nikons have been amazing, which reaffirmed my commitment to buying the Nikon D60.
 
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