Hi all,

I was just about to purchase the Nikon D40X, chosen above the Canon EOS 400D purely on the basis of the memory card type, I have a built in card reader on my HP laptop and it covers the same media so it was logical to get the Nikon.

Basically I need to know what the best combinations of lenses are and what they will actually do for me. I have always stuck with simple point and shoot cameras on Auto but I now need the good one for work (finally)
which will consist of all sorts of stuff like brickwork for high detailed texture maps and also for myself for taking close up detailed pictures of models etc ( sorry not the human kind )
I've always managed to get pretty good results from standard cameras but now it's a necessity to upgrade.

The options I have seen in the package deals are

D40x + AF-S DX 18-135 mm Lens

D40 + AF-S DX 18-55 mm Lens + AF-S DX VR 55-200 mm Lens

D40 + AF-S DX 18-55 mm Lens ( obviously the same as above without the extra lens )

Also what's the cheapest place to get kits like these but I need a 2GB card, a Case and a Tripod added to this.

Oh yeah also, any other camera options you'd say are better than this one ?

Thanks all.

Another I have come across is the
Samsung GX10 DSLR Twin Lens Kit

Would this be a better option at £599 with a 18-55 and 50-200mm lens included ?

Ignore the Samsung, its not the kind of camera you really want by the sounds of things. Also, for the type of close up work you want to do, maybe ignore the kits and buy body and lens seperately as it sounds like you will be much better off with a Macro Lens. I would also recommend looking at Olympus Cameras. Personally I wont buy anything else because imo they are the best available without going into the exceptionally high end.

Give Stuart at Digital depot a call - www.digitaldepot.co.uk - 01438 74 55 44 - He is exceptionally helpfull and their prices are very competitive!

Thanks for the reply Stumac, funnily enough I was looking also at the Olympus E510 with the Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens and 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Lens, is that a much better option than the ones mentioned previously ?

There's also the Sony Alpha range, there's way too much choice

Hi Koa, best advice I can give is go to talkphotography.co.uk for the best advice available to the newcomer & experienced tog.

Using this forum classifieds I have purchased three cameras in the last 2 months. Eos-20d, Eos-350 and lately an Eos40D. There is a section that offers real world results for each manufacturers lenses and it's a very friendly forum. If you join please mention me (Veracocha). I picked up a 4gb CF card for £12

i've litereal just got my nikon d40 with the 18-55 lens with the aim to upgrade in the future.

i'm a beginner when it comes to this type of photography (so many variables to learn about) but i've been for a play today and have loved every minute.

i got mine from amazon i got:

d40 with the 18-55 lens (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000KIX65S)
2gb sd card (bytestor) (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000ML2AJ6)
hama 62 tripod (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000WXD16)
lowepro rezo case (awesome and will hold 2 lenses) (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007X5OZ6)

for £340 delivered (parcelforce 24)

i'm loving my new kit, the only limitation with the camera is the user. its has a great visual representation of what the settings do which has aided how i expose images etc. (still a long way to go) the tripod is stable at a range of heights and has a hook for weights if you want to increase stablity. spirit levels are useful too. byestor card has performed well (camera capable of 340mb/s). the camera case is brill, plenty of places to put things the camera part opens away from you aiding quick access and has a 'raincoat' pocket that has a fully waterproof covering that slips over the case!

there is also a camera warehouse shop, http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?/photo/digicameras/Nikon.html

Hi Bozzy and Raptor, cheers for the information. I'll take a look at that site Bozzy thanks.

That's some really nice kit you have there Raptor and at that price an unbelievable bargain, nice one

so really you want a macro lens.

forget the 55-200 VR lens. The stabliser is for when you are using the long end of the lens.

if you are going to be shooting closeup detail, using a tripod, is there any need for a zoom lens? Prime lenses will give you sharper images generally, but of course you are limited to one focal length.

The Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM is a good lens.

Thanks Arc, I'll look into that lens.

Yes I want very good close up detail for some things, but the work related stuff will require pictures taken of buildings and there materials, basically a shot of one brick and then another consisting of around 1 square yard/meter, and again another of 2 sq yards etc until I have the whole structure. I should have explained that first.

e510 is a brilliant camera, i have use of one and its brilliant. the 'kit' lenses you mention are SUPERB quality, though really you want a macro lens, I'm sure Stuart could sort you a E410 or E510 body with the 35mm Macro (which I think is probably the best value for money lens on the market across ALL manufacturers) and that would be a perfect set up for you!

So you'd recommend a plain E510 with a Macro lens and this will cover me ?
Can you show me what this lens is Stumac so I can do some researching on it ?
Then I'll give that chap a bell tomorrow.

Thanks.

http://www.digitaldepot.co.uk/Lense...ital_35mm_f/3.5__Macro_Lens/product_info.html

Thats the lens. Dont be fooled by the cheap price, as I said, its the best value for money (performance per pound) lens on the market imo!

It might be worth you considering the E410 rather than E510 as the type of photography you are doing wont require Image Stabilisation

http://www.digitaldepot.co.uk/Digit...tal_SLR-Olympus_E-410/c1_1107_1104/index.html

I know they are kits, but as I said, ask Stuart about just body, I am sure he could do something.

and link to e510 bundles he is doing
http://www.digitaldepot.co.uk/Digit...tal_SLR-Olympus_E-510/c1_1107_1106/index.html

when you speak to him say Ken Thomas referred you

excuse my double post, but just to point out E410 is equivalent to the D40x AND the 'kit' lens is far better quality!

If your considering an Olympus DSlr (good choice) then dont rule out the E-500. Its been replaced by the E-510 now but if you arent fussed about buying recon or second hand then its defo the camera of the range (on a budget) to go for! Can be had for very little money now adays!

Its 8mp as aposed to the 10mp that the 510 offeres which is still plenty as far as image size goes. I printed (on a proper digital minilab) a 16x12 from a full res image and it was as sharp as a 6x4.

Otherwise the 510 is a cracking piece of kit too and I want one

excellent point cant believe i forgot that one! (Between me and my dad we Have E500, E510, E1 and E3)

Link to ex-demo and NEW E500s http://www.digitaldepot.co.uk/Digit...tal_SLR-Olympus_E-500/c1_1107_1105/index.html

Thanks very much indeed Stumac, I can finally go to bed and relax knowing I have (you have) sorted this stuff out that's been going round in my head for the last 10 hours :bang:

I will most likely need the image stabalisation for when I use the camera on familly trips etc where I won't have a tripod, it'll be worth having for me because I don't have a steady hand and no it wasn't down to drink
Most likely I'll get the one with the one lens packaged and buy the Macro lens on top with a tripod and a card, oh yeah and a case.

I'll give him a bell and I'll mention the name

Thanks again you've been a huge help.

Mark.

No problem. Need anything further feel free to drop me a PM or even msn - [email protected]

All sorted with Stuart now, I got the E510 with the 14-42mm lens bundle, the Zuiko ED Digital 35mm f/3.5 Macro Lens you recommended Stumac, an olympus XD 2GB card ( because these allow the panoramic shots, so I read somewhere? ) the Gorillapod SLR Tripod and a Lowepro Apex 110 AW camera case/bag whatever you wanna call it. All for a great price which I won't divulge here as it would be disrespectful to Stuart who dealt with this really helpfully, I am very pleased with the deal.

I have to wait a week or two for the funds from work but Stuarts put them by for me, very nice chap and I'd recommend that shop to anyone.

I really can't wait to get it now, I went down to Jessops today to have a look at one and they are lovely cameras, a lot chunkier than I thought they would be but that's good for me.

These fonts are all messed up, don't blame me, I didn't do anything I swear

I may get some other bits to go with that kit if I discover there's anything else I may need. Do you think those Lens options I got will offer enough diversity or will I need another sometime in the near future ?

For now I think you will find that will be more than enough for you. You will find the long run, you will develop your own style and particular method of shooting. Then you will probably want a new lens. For me, I like very wide angle lenses and very fast (large maximum apertures) my dad prefers telephoto lenses and uses a 50-200mm more than anything else.

Check out www.fourthirdsphoto.com it is a forum dedicated to users of fourthirds cameras (fourthirds is a standard developed by olympus for mount and sensor size etc). This standard is currently used by Olympus, panasonic and Leica!

Anyway, let us know what you think and post some pictures once you get it!

I sure will Stumac, thanks for the link I'll have a look around and cheers for that info too, every little bit helps as I am determined to make the best use out of this camera as I possibly can.