why all the hate on the d40?

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by crazzy88ss

How does that make you be more creative?

So you can do the job properly and focus manually for full control. Regards, ken

[OsmosisStudios]

I launched myself into the DSLR market with a D80, mainly because I couldnt justify another chunk of change for the D200. If I could have, I'd have gone straight to a D3.

Not having stepped up each step, I had to learn how to work everything, and I think it's worked out okay. I'm always improving (as is everybody else) and am always learning more (especially with my accessories).

A friend of mine got the D40x and, after trying my D80, regretted her decision. Sure, it's bigger and heavier, but it's also considerably more powerful and easy to use. Of course, it also has a Manual mode, so I can always go manual if I want. All of my lenses (besides my nifty) have autofocus with instant manual override.

[wckeep]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

I launched myself into the DSLR market with a D80, mainly because I couldnt justify another chunk of change for the D200. If I could have, I'd have gone straight to a D3.

Not having stepped up each step, I had to learn how to work everything, and I think it's worked out okay. I'm always improving (as is everybody else) and am always learning more (especially with my accessories).

A friend of mine got the D40x and, after trying my D80, regretted her decision. Sure, it's bigger and heavier, but it's also considerably more powerful and easy to use. Of course, it also has a Manual mode, so I can always go manual if I want. All of my lenses (besides my nifty) have autofocus with instant manual override.

the d40 also has manual mode. All af-s lenses have a switch on them to interchange between autofocus and manual. a friend of mine has a d80 and side by side we took identical pictures. except for one where i took a better picture.

[crazzy88ss]

Originally Posted by wulf

Because you have to make a conscious decision about where to focus.
Wulf

Originally Posted by richsuk

Selective focusing? On wider apertures it can allow you to focus on what you want rather then what the AF wants. Probably some other way.

Though no AF all the time can be a pit of a pain in this day I could live without it.

Are you guys serious? Are you telling me you have no control over where the camera focuses? You act like the auto focus controls you... Do you guys not know how to select AF points? Haven't you heard of focusing and recomposing?

I used f1.8 all the time, with AF, and put the point of focus exactly where I need it every time... Is there something I'm missing?

[wulf]

I find the "focus and recompose" method a pain to use. I'd much rather compose (taking into account the overall scene and lighting) and then focus in on a particular detail.

If I had more than three AF points, the ability to select between them might more often coincide with where I think I want to focus but one of the benefits of manually focusing is that you can use your glass as a tool to study the scene and perhaps spot a possibility you would otherwise miss.

I can see that the value of AF depends partly on the subjects you like to capture but, for the kind of things I prefer (see my Flickr stream, linked below) I think I'd still be using manual quite often even if someone decided to donate a D300 to me.

Wulf

[crazzy88ss]

Oh... Yea I guess 3 AF points is pretty limiting. But I usually do just fine with my 5. I usually select the AF point that is on the place I want to have in focus and that's always worked just fine for me.

[richsuk]

I've got 51 point AF and I still MF sometimes.

Then again I probably AF over 50% of the time (maybe closer to 70%).

Everyone has there own methods of getting a pic, some like to hand all control to the machine, some like to manually set everything and some like to be in the middle somewhere.

Suppose it's the same arguement with cars, I prefer a manual transmission but can drive a auto for short periods where required but I dont miss manual windows and prefer electric ones.

[dannyrich]

I actually enjoy going bac to the D40 because of its simplicity.

I sometims get annoyed at what the d80 selects!

I have got it on manual selection now but when the d80 focuses itself it can pic more than one focus point, i cannot!

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by dannyrich

but when the d80 focuses itself it can pic more than one focus point, i cannot!

If you have the AF in spot mode it won't do that. It'll only focus on what is in the target [] bracket.

[angeleyes216]

The d40 is my first DSLR camera and so far i like it ..ive had nothing but good comments on DPS with some minor critiques mainly because of my lack of photographic skill and knowledge. So until i win the lottery ill be happy with what it does..you can view on flickr.