Brid River Reflections

The Pook · Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 1530 Location: Tasmania

Still learning with the new DX-40 and making lots of bad photos in the process, but it was a beautiful day at Bridport today and the colours in these reflections were gorgeous:

below: almost actual size detail

sunday · Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 3877 Location: Victoria

Were they taken in Auto mode Pook?

The Pook · Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 1530 Location: Tasmania

auto or no flash auto yes. I haven't learnt how to change the aperture and/or speed easily and quickly yet. It's certainly not as intuitive as a non-digital slr (to use a retronym) or a digital compact.

sunday · Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 3877 Location: Victoria

Simon · Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Posts: 1744 Location: Sydney

A suggestion or two that have been good for me, (more for Sunday's benefit, nocturnal shots), try playing around on "P". Flash on and off. but use the exposure minus. (to not overexpose dark scenes) Hold down the +/- button

and turn the dial near your thumb, you can see what's going on on screen or in the viewfinder.

Also there's the flash compensation, I think works similarly, but is good for taking pics in dark that don't look washed out by flash.

Press the + button twice, (bottom left here)

and then the arrows pad till flash compensation is selected, press OK then adjust.

ps pics are from great guide D40 guide at http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/users-guide/index.htm
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sunday · Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 3877 Location: Victoria

Thank you Simon Very Happy

The Pook · Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 1530 Location: Tasmania

Yes thanks Simon. It's handy having people with the same cameras to give tips.

I really don't understand why there isn't a one touch function to change the aperture though - I think that's a glaring omission, along with the inability to do bracketing. Even the compact I had two cameras ago was able to take three bracketed shots when you pressed the button. Can you get lenses for the DX that have the aperture function on the lens like a manual lens? I'd even rather have the ability to have manual f-stops than manual focus - it's just so much simpler and faster to rotate a clicky ring on the lens. Oh for the good old days... Laughing

(not that I'd be buying any more lenses anytime soon)

Dug · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 3284 Location: Maroochydore

My advice, NEVER NEVER NEVER use the Auto or "Idiot mode" settings.

Use P A S or M settings only.

The Auto settings have stupid little traps like autofocus on the nearest object that can be really annoying.

Try using the P setting to start with you will be surprised how accurate it is under most conditions.

Dug · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 3284 Location: Maroochydore

Don't expect to learn this overnight. The more you use the camera the more you will become comfortable with it and understand how it works.

AT least with digital there is no cost and the feedback is almost instant. they are a good teaching tool.

sunday · Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 3877 Location: Victoria