Need some advice

sokdo · 11-08-2009, 12:43 AM

Recently picked up a Nikon D40 and I'm going to the zoo tomorrow for some anthro project but I'm going to be taking pictures. I'm pretty much a novice and although I've been reading guides and whatnot for amateurs, I'm not sure when exactly I'm suppose to deploy these "strategies" so I'm asking you for advice. Tomorrow will be fairly sunny and if I want some great shots of most likely sedentary animals, what settings should I be running at?

Things like iso, white balance, etc. Thanks for any advice!

ichiban · 11-08-2009, 05:29 AM

aperture priority or av should be the mode your in. Set you f stop to about 5.6 or more to get a crisp image. Always try to shoot with the sun behind you.

Dr_Jones · 11-08-2009, 09:08 AM

buy a polarizing filter...cheap and it does make a crap ton of difference

UdubBadger · 11-09-2009, 12:12 PM

d40 doesn't control aperture if I am correct (at least when I borrowed my friends I couldn't figure out how to do it).

rodi · 11-09-2009, 12:22 PM

it does, it just doesn't have an aperture-specific dial (just like most canons).
you have to hold a button and then spin the shutter-speed dial.

UdubBadger · 11-09-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodi

it does, it just doesn't have an aperture-specific dial (just like most canons).
you have to hold a button and then spin the shutter-speed dial.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....

immiketoo · 11-09-2009, 01:34 PM

Also, don't be afraid to use the flash even if it is sunny. Sometimes the lighting creates shadows where you dont want. Use the flash to fill the image in. Beauty is you can do one of each and see what you like.

11-08-2009, 12:43 AM	#1
sokdo Lieutenant 52 Rep 582 Posts Drives: 335i E92 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fullerton, CA iTrader: (0)	Need some advice Recently picked up a Nikon D40 and I'm going to the zoo tomorrow for some anthro project but I'm going to be taking pictures. I'm pretty much a novice and although I've been reading guides and whatnot for amateurs, I'm not sure when exactly I'm suppose to deploy these "strategies" so I'm asking you for advice. Tomorrow will be fairly sunny and if I want some great shots of most likely sedentary animals, what settings should I be running at? Things like iso, white balance, etc. Thanks for any advice!
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11-08-2009, 05:29 AM	#2
ichiban Colonel 98 Rep 2,012 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2)	aperture priority or av should be the mode your in. Set you f stop to about 5.6 or more to get a crisp image. Always try to shoot with the sun behind you.
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11-08-2009, 09:08 AM	#3
Dr_Jones Major 74 Rep 1,027 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0)	buy a polarizing filter...cheap and it does make a crap ton of difference __________________ Just like Indiana...I love my whip
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11-09-2009, 12:12 PM	#4
UdubBadger Banned 648 Rep 24,685 Posts Drives: '04 330i ZHP Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chicago Burbs iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [9.50] 2011 135i [7.46] 2008 328xi [8.76]	d40 doesn't control aperture if I am correct (at least when I borrowed my friends I couldn't figure out how to do it).
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11-09-2009, 12:22 PM	#5
rodi . . . 188 Rep 2,391 Posts Drives: your FACE! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Atlanta proper iTrader: (-1)	it does, it just doesn't have an aperture-specific dial (just like most canons). you have to hold a button and then spin the shutter-speed dial. __________________ 2009 135i \| space grey \| sport \| navi \| hifi \| heated dinan stage 2 software \| bmw performance exhaust kw v2 \| hotchkis front sway \| vmr v710
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