Hey all,

I just bought a Nikon D40X (Kit) 2 weeks ago after using Canon S3-IS for quite a long time.

So far I can't seem to figure out what's so spectacular about the SLR camera compared to what I've been using all this while.

Between fast point and shoot applications, the S3 wins. I don't think you guys buy the SLR camera to use it's auto-shoot/scene/portrait... etc functions. By the time I finish setting up the shot, either the subject is impatient, or I'd have stood there for ages, and worse still if the shot doesn't turn out properly, I'd have to reset everything again.

Worse still the view-finder is so small compared to using the LCD + histogram for the S3. Changing apperture, shuttle speeds and ISO doesn't seem to affect what I see in the viewfinder. As a result, more often than not the shots turn out bad. So much for the "What you see is what you get" concept for SLR.

Zoom wise, the kit lens sucks compared to the in-hand 12x zoom of the S3. Don't even ask me to spend another RM 2.5k for something better. I know the SLR's advantage is interchangable lenses, henceforth versatility in taking pictures, but am I honestly expected to carry around 3 lenses and swap them each time I need to take a photo?

Thanks and appreciate some comments and feedback on the above. I'm beginning to think I blew away RM 2.5k on an unnecessary and (inferior) purchase.

* Btw, I use my cameras to mainly take scenery shots during travels, taking group photos... and all the normal stuff people use the camera for. I don't camp outdoors for hours just to take a photo, I don't use a tripod and I don't intend to sell any of my photos. I just like the satisfaction of taking some good shots every now and then, while having all my other shots turn out clear.

Firstly thanks for the quick replies.

I'm not blaming Nikon or Panasonic or Olympus or anybody for anything. I'm just putting forth honest viewpoints from a person that's trying to make the transition from point-and-shoot/prosumer to SLR cameras. So far it's a painful and (irritating) experience.

The way you guys put it, does it mean that SLR is such a *slow* camera that you guys have to slowly compose all your shots before finally taking a picture? Does it mean that you need to have several years of experience of using SLR to know what settings to use for particular photos/scenes?

From what I see, the *features* difference between SLR and Prosumer cameras is slowly disappearing. Nowadays you can do most of the adjustments as well in prosumer. You only can't change the lenses (But that's beside the point at the moment).

Edit : In reply to vikingw2k, so one must be a *camera geek* in order to master the SLR?

This post has been edited by darthbaboon: Jan 15 2008, 05:10 PM

That's a lot of replies and I appreciate the viewpoints.

The main reason why I got the DSLR is I recognized that the S3's got certain limitations during certain situations and shots, and I had hoped that the DSLR will be able to address/overcome these limitations.

Some of you have pointed out that I do not know much about cameras or photography. That would be not far from the truth. I'd say that I've learnt just enough to let me play around with manual mode to take some shots which I couldn't have taken using "auto" modes.

The beauty of the prosumer is that it retains a level of automation that takes a load of trouble/worry off the photographer => Undesirable for pros, but desirable for normal people who don't know what in the world is white balance, bulb exposure... etc. (much less how to control/tweak them).

The sudden need to tweak and play with so many values/buttons is overwhelming.... hence the frustration.

Anyway, I've bought the D40x... no turning back now. Might as well learn to be a better photographer... hoping that you guys can provide some tips and help/change in perspective and viewpoint.

Still have more noob questions from me, thanks for bearing up so far. This is in reply to Scorgio's post :

1) Accurate optical viewfinder - S3 doesn't. Whatever you see on your electronic viewfinder or LCD is actually a delayed liveview.

When I adjust shuttle speed/apperture/iso, the changes are reflected directly on the S3 LCD. Thus I know if I've got the ISO too low or adjusted the shuttle speed too fast and can compensate before taking the shot. I tried varying this on the D40x... there are no changes visible on the viewfinder. Many of my shots end up too dark/too bright and I have to take several (trial and error) before finally getting one right.

Do you guys have a certain sixth sense or experience that tells you what shuttle/iso/apperture to use for what occasion?

2) Image quality - The sensor size of a dSLR is much bigger than S3. Thus the ability to capture a wider range of colors & tones.

This doesn't really matter for me right now since my objective is primarily to capture photos for 4R and just enjoyment. Correct me if I'm wrong but I doubt the differences can be so great that it's noticable with the naked eye (unless you post two identical photos by prosumer & D40 side by side).

3) Burst mode - The slowest of the dSLR selling in the market today can do 3fps, S3 is 1.5fps/2.3fps (based on dpreview.com).

This is for fast shots/sports/continuous shooting I presume? Not really used atm for group photos, posed-photoshoots and scenery.

4) Hotshoe - The S3 don't have it thus can't mount an external flash. And thus can't shoot beyond 20ft in low light condition.

Night shots are really bad for the S3. How much is an external flash btw?

5) AF speed - The worst SLR can AF in less than 0.5 sec. While S3 usually takes 0.5-1 sec to lock on.

I don't notice the difference.

6) Shutter range - SLR is 30 - 1/4000 sec. While S3 is 15 - 1/3200 sec.

At 1/4000 or even 1/3200 sec unless the background is very bright otherwise the photo will turn out dark anyways so hardly/seldom use.

7) Instant response - SLR power up almost instantly (0.2 sec average), S3 around 1-2 sec.

An improvement of course, but I find the 1-2 sec sufficient since it takes me that long to bring up the camera and start looking at the subject anyways.

8) Shutter lag - entry level SLR is 80-90ms. S3 , I don't know.

I don't take sport/fast photos so I don't know.


Again, thanks to those who have replied constructively.

This post has been edited by darthbaboon: Jan 16 2008, 09:26 AM

I love your reasoning bro... And don't worry I don't look at the D40X with such loathsome hate anymore. ;p

Btw quick question to save me some precious time going through the thick manual :

I) Bro Burgaflippinman mentioned "There is a meter telling you whether you shot would be correctly exposed or not." Where's this located?

II) How to activate Liveview? Does D40X have it? Any histogram for this liveview?

Cheers!

Well if we all had time (and possibly attention span) to read and digest thick manuals/guides/self-help books this world will be an uthopian theme park, a lot of instructors/teachers/counselors/shrinks will be out of a job and there'd prolly be world peace and an end to world poverty, hunger and illiteracy at last.

RM 5.7k for liveview and even more mysterious buttons and functions..... *run for your life!*

Thank you. I apologize if you or anyone felt offended by my ignorance through this post. But I am honest enough to admit that I've learnt much from all the postings and help you guys have provided... much more than if I had RTFM (or attempted to do so).

The transition to SLR from PnS or prosumer isn't gonna be an easy one, but it helps to know that I'm not the only one frustrated at the buttons and functions landslide.

This post has been edited by darthbaboon: Jan 17 2008, 05:47 PM

Took some test shots with the D40X and I must admit the photos are more refined compared to the S3 (S3 shots not posted... doesn't have the same blur-ness in the photo thus turned out quite ugly).




And this was taken with the S3 on another occasion :

Ok a couple of quick questions :

I) How critical is post-processing for you guys? I have always printed, posted or presented my photos As-Is... direct from the camera. Always have adjusted lighting using apperture, shuttle speed or iso. I don't quite know how to do exposure compensation or other stuff so could that be why some photos come out "dull"?

II) Would you recommend the photos be taken in RAW or JPEG (Fine) mode?


@ Derek : Have some bad experiences with noise in high ISO modes for S3, so up till 1/3 or 1/4 for non-moving objects I'm still okay with it. Will try to lean against something or crop my hand against another object to stabilize. I guess will have to get out of bad habit and play with ISO more often. Out of curiosity... if 1/8 is slow... what's the standard/recommended shuttle speed for scenery/still objects?


Edit : Great pictures in the Bird Park outing. A pity I missed it.

This post has been edited by darthbaboon: Jan 21 2008, 11:49 AM