Camera Store Drooling

[Andy]

I checked out my local camera store. They had the Nikon D40 and Canon DX10? All 10 mega pixels. I had some serious thoughts about busting open my rusty wallet. The pricing was around $700 US which I guess is reasonable for digital SLR?

[White Wolf]

Camera Store Drooling

and you didn't take a photo to share with us?

The pricing was around $700 US which I guess is reasonable for digital SLR?

That seems about the price for the Canon that is offered in my area. The Nikon D40 here with lense is on sale for $599

[Andy]

and you didn't take a photo to share with us?

Stores in my area often have a ban on photography I'm afraid. I gues it's to stop rivals capturing the prices or something to do with the Japanese ladies 

I will try and take a pic outside the store 

[White Wolf]

I will try and take a pic outside the store 

As long as your still drooling that would be great!

[Andy]

My camera gets heavy use here since there are so many photo opportunities. Last weekend I was going mad photographing ladies in kimono, stage performances, geisha and cherry blossom. Also I used the video capture facility of my camera to film manic drumming by the river. I am thinking about publishing this video to youtube or google video. For the first time my 1GB SD card got filled.

[SensoVision]

although I'm not going to buy camera in near future I'd be interested to see sample photos as well especially from D40.
Andy, I've thought that you're satisfied with your current camera, or it's not correct statement anymore?

Also I used the video capture facility of my camera to film manic drumming by the river.

Do you aware that dSLRs not able to capture movies, they are done as still camera only, so if you shot video frequently you'll probably have to carry some P&S for this purpose along with dSLR

[Andy]

I am satisfied with the cannon A620 apart from it would be good to have image stabilization for shots on max zoom.

Of course it would be nice to have a digital slr as well. I have no plans to buy one at the moment just drooling.

[Andy]

At first I thought Digital SLR cameras were too big but I found using the Sony fine with the neck strap. I held the Nikon D40 and Canon DX10 in the shop (store) and they are fine weight wise and not so big. The start time seemed fast after flicking the on switch and the controls seem similar with a wheel knob to select the shooting modes. The compact camera is great for carrying in a pocket or in my case in a pouch on my bike handlebar so I don't miss photo opportunities when I am cycling around.

p.s. I am thinking about making some CD compilations of high resolution pictures to sell. The pictures are likely to be of nature scenes or animals and city-scapes. Ideal stuff for webmasters maybe? This could justify buying a digital SLR.

[Hope]

I have the Nikon D50, and older model of the D40. I love it. The size and weight are not too bad and the pictures are great. I would recommend anything from Nikon.

[Andy]

I would recommend anything from Nikon.

I feel some strange force prising my wallet open and the credit card levitating to my sweaty palm. Damn you Hope! 

[Hope]

Don't blame me, it has nothing to do with me. It is all you. You want it and you know it. You just need to blame someone so your wife doesn't yell at you. 

[Andy]

Maybe I can get some great pics as she is yelling? 

I just found this site where the owner is echoing my feelings about the light weight:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm It's 10pm now here so I guess the store is probably closed 

[Hope]

I had a Canon AE1 for years, so my Nikon D50 isn't too bad.

[SensoVision]

p.s. I am thinking about making some CD compilations of high resolution pictures to sell. The pictures are likely to be of nature scenes or animals and city-scapes. Ideal stuff for webmasters maybe? This could justify buying a digital SLR.

That's right my girlfriend and me frequently use photos made by me in different projects, so your CDs may actually sale. BTW consider adding macro shots of different objects like insects, leaves, shells, etc.

Don't blame me, it has nothing to do with me. It is all you. You want it and you know it. You just need to blame someone so your wife doesn't yell at you. 

That's right, and if it's come to blaming you can blame me too in this case

Andy, so what camera your hands like most? Which one have most intuitive controls and other things?

[Andy]

Andy, so what camera your hands like most? Which one have most intuitive controls and other things?

Well, both the Nikon D40 and the Canon DX10 were very similar in feel and controls so I would have to re-visit the shop and read some reviews in detail to decide.

I like the software that comes with the Canon. The image browser is very nice plus the remote control. I wonder how the Nikon software compares?

Looking back at some of my past photos with the Canon A620 they seem good enough so I am not sure if I really need one of these DSLR's 

[Hope]

I have never used the software. There is a remote available for the Nikon as well. I don't have it, but have heard it is nice. it is an additional cost though.

[Andy]

My Canon has software called the "Zoom Browser" that makes it very quick and easy to view your photos. You know what it's like after a day of shooting tons of photos and having to look through them and find the best ones. Also it's quick and easy to look back through your archived footage.

The remote I was talking about is via a usb cable from my laptop where I can control all the manual settings and preview the shot like a web cam. It's not an essential feature but handy for taking pictures of an object when the camera is on a tripod.