Dedicated flash for Nikon

I'm not sure, but I should think there'll be an anti-redeye feature on the D40.
Stick with the built-in flash til you find any limitations, then have a look around. It is usually a good idea to use the flash from the camera's maker, especially as they start at fair prices.
They're not only more powerful but also more delicate and flexible.

Take yer time and enjoy!

Tony

Get used to it first. I have a dedicated flash for my nikon but it is £160

The shame about the d40 is lack of support for older lenses, you are restricted to modern electronic focus mechs. That being said do keep an eye out for a decent fixed lens for good brightness.

Try it out first with the pop-up flash and see. If you must, buy the small SB400 flash.

OK guys thanks, I'll play around for a while and see how it goes. Looking around the net it seems that redeye isn't such a problem with DSLRs anyway.

Even if I buy a flash later it's still a cheap camera for what it is.

Bazz

quote:

OK guys thanks, I'll play around for a while and see how it goes. Looking around the net it seems that redeye isn't such a problem with DSLRs anyway.

Not true unfortunately....and there are many good reasons to buy a good flash to accompany your nice SLR and redeye reduction is only one of them.

In the meantime learn your camera, more importantly learn good photographic technique and buy equipment only when you really think you understand how to benefit from it.

My two cents.

Cheers

Jim

One thing you might want to consider is just how much you really need the flash. One of the advantages of digital SLRs is that they can operate at high ISO settings when neeeded (yours goes to 1600). It's like having all film speeds in your camera at once as you can easily switch between speeds. I adjust ISO almost as often as I adjust aperture or shutter speed. The penalty at high ISO is some noise, especially in the darker areas of the image but the picture will generally have a more natural feel if it is shot with available light. Less chance of the "deer in the headlights" syndrome. Maybe then invest the money in a nice fast "prime" (fixed focal length) lens instead.

Like this f1.8 Nikkor perhaps....

http://www.nikon.ca/en/Product.aspx?m=14105

This lens would be a good focal length for portraits and general shots of friends and family. No red-eye worries when shooting available light, too.

Extra image sharpness is other advantage of a lens like this when compared to "one size fits all" zoom lenses. It's also a lens for life. It's good enough for any upgrade and will also work with the full-frame Nikons.

You'll also look like a pro shooting available light with a prime lens when everyone else is popping off point and shoot with that annoying pre-flash red-eye stuff.

Just a suggestion.

If you add a flash to the camera you will get a lot of extra light output, you can use a diffuser/reflector to soften the light and reduce the impact of the shadows on the image.

You will lose a couple of stops of light but get very nicely lit images in return.

Lumiquest do a nice range of reflectors
see
Lumiquest web site

quote:

the picture will generally have a more natural feel if it is shot with available light

Depends on the available light. If it's a mix of colour temperatures, it can look awful.

quote:

Extra image sharpness

Because I'm worth it.

quote:

You'll also look like a pro shooting available light with a prime lens

I don't use a prime lens.

quote:

Originally posted by Derek Wright:
If you add a flash to the camera you will get a lot of extra light output, you can use a diffuser/reflector to soften the light and reduce the impact of the shadows on the image.

You will lose a couple of stops of light but get very nicely lit images in return.


Lumiquest do a nice range of reflectors
see
Lumiquest web site

Also consider that a separate flash can be tilted to bounce the light to get a softer and more natural effect. The on-camera flash doesn't have this option. Bounce lighting can be done in combination with diffusers as well. Again, the advantage of being able to use faster ISO speeds really opens up options here.

quote:

Originally posted by count.d:

quote:

the picture will generally have a more natural feel if it is shot with available light

Depends on the available light. If it's a mix of colour temperatures, it can look awful.

quote:

Extra image sharpness

Because I'm worth it.

quote:

You'll also look like a pro shooting available light with a prime lens

I don't use a prime lens.

1) Yep
2) Huh?
3) Well that's just super.

Thanks for that, some interesting stuff on the Lumiquest site.

I won a few bucks on lotto last night, not quite enough for a pair of 500s, but certainly enough to recoup the cost of the camera and buy a couple of extras, the SB400 flash for starters.

The idea of a small, lightweight lens for low light appeals. I'll have a look at the f1.8 suggested by Winky, seems very good value. Manual focus only with the D40 I see.

quote:

Originally posted by bazz:
Thanks for that, some interesting stuff on the Lumiquest site.

I won a few bucks on lotto last night, not quite enough for a pair of 500s, but certainly enough to recoup the cost of the camera and buy a couple of extras, the SB400 flash for starters.

The idea of a small, lightweight lens for low light appeals. I'll have a look at the f1.8 suggested by Winky, seems very good value. Manual focus only with the D40 I see.

Or with your new found winnings look at the f1.4 version! Good luck with it. Post some piccies.