Nikon D40/D40x Digital Field Guide Reviews

• Essential guide for my step up to digital SLR photography

  
  By A197T2N6RU7K56 on 2007-10-13
  Last week I bought my first digital SLR - the Nikon D40x 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens. I decided to step into the world of digital SLRs after years of experience with different (and very good) compact or "point and shoot" digital cameras.
  
  My current compact digicam is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3K 7.2MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) - which I took to Peru, and with which I took some wonderful photos. As good as they were, I wanted to try for even better pictures, and happily bought my Nikon D40x SLR.
  
  But after I opened the boxes and got my pristine new D40x ready to use, I suddenly felt lost and overwhelmed. Yes, there's an "auto" setting, but if that's all I use, I figure I might as well not have spent all the money to get into the digital SLR world. The owner's manual is, I'm sure, complete and accurate, but I found it difficult. It tells me the name of a button and something of how to use it, but I don't have the background to know what most of that means in terms of taking a photo.
  
  Fortunately, I ordered this book from amazon - and it's saved the day. I'm still working my way through it, but I know it's a keeper - and it's going along whenever possible, for reference on the spot when I'm taking photos.
  
  I'm no dummy, nor a total novice at digital photography. But I'm not a professional photog, nor a "camera geek" familiar with a lot of the technical terms and concepts.
  
  The author strikes just the right note for me with the explanations in this book. At last - I'm starting to understand histograms, and feel more assured when changing ISO settings. I'm also learning the uses of all those dials and buttons on my new D40x.
  
  Reading this book has conquered a vague sense of dread I felt about this new gadget ("what was I thinking buying this complicated expensive camera?"). Instead, I'm looking forward to using my D40x and learning more as I go.
  
  I don't know if it exactly replaces the owner's manual supplied by Nikon, but I encourage anyone who's feeling baffled by that manual to get their hands on this book. It's made all the difference to me between puzzlement and comprehension.
  
  

• Best guide available

  
  By A3HT52YJD32LGJ on 2007-12-19
  I bought both this guide and the magic lantern guide not knowing which was best. While the magic lantern guide is okay (better than the manual), this guide is far superior in organization and instructions. The color pictures add a lot. The sections on how to shoot different types of pictures is great. If you need a guide get this one!
  
  

• Help for us non-techies

  
  By A27W6JH7W4IUBN on 2007-10-04
  I have a couple of Busch's earlier books on photography and really like his feel for the needs of those of us who would like to get beyond the snapshot level with our new expensive digital cameras. In this one, beyond the obvious help with using the D40, I like the all-color format which helps me find sections so much better. And I really like the sections on taking specific kinds of photos, which have charts that streamline all the variables you need to address. A small thing... the size is perfect for slipping into my camera case while having a complete guide to help me on the road.
  
  

• Excellent for beginner or intermediate

  
  By A1HTB06JQ7YFIJ on 2007-09-21
  This guide to the D40/D40x is aimed at the beginning digital SLR photographer, but has some excellent information even for advanced amateurs.
  
  It is well-written, well-illustrated, and covers the subject in depth. If you've just purchased a D40 or D40x, or have had one for awhile, you will learn many things here that are very difficult to get from the manual.
  
  The first third of the book explains all of the features and settings of the camera in clear, well-illustrated format. The remainder provides basic information on photographic techniques, and specific suggestions for many types of photography.
  
  Highly recommended!
  
  

• Nikon D40 field guid

  
  By AUOP5FKDWSEBY on 2007-10-25
  I got this for my wife to go with her new Nikon D40. This has been her go to book and the one that goes with her and the Nikon. The photos are well described and the camera settings for the shots are included with suggestions, that's a real help. The in depth description of the D40 settings and controls are the best we have found yet.
  
  
• Excellent book for many beginners to intermediate users of the Nikon D40/D40x cameras
  By A312XQYJGI3BD9 on 2008-02-18
  This book by David Busch gives a better insight into the use of the D40 and D40x cameras than does the guidebook that comes with the camera. The book contains many color photos to illustrate the discussion.
  I was moderately familiar with the D40x camera using the Nikon guidebook before I looked at the Busch guidebook so I could skip a lot of the introductory material. I skimmed the chapters QT (Quick Tour of taking and saving the first pictures), Chapter 1 (gives detailed names and uses of the camera functions), and Chapter 2 (essentials of camera metering, adjusting exposures, adjusting ISO, noise reduction, and retouching photos). I looked more carefully at Chapter 3 (playback menu, shooting menu, custom settings, and setup menu) as there are a lot of detailed settings that are easy to forget. I did not look carefully at Chapter 4 (exposure settings)since I have done this with a number of cameras. First time users should find these chapters useful.
  I looked more carefully at Chapter 5 (lenses) as it describes in detail the confusing lens-naming scheme of Nikon. Only certain lenses (AF-I or AF-S) with internal focusing motors will autofocus with the D40 and D40x since the camera has no focusing motor. I, for instance, use the kit 18mm to 55mm lens which will autofocus and also my old 70mm to 210mm lens with no autofocus motor for this camera. This is fine with me as I do not need autofocus with this latter lens. I often use the 70mm to 210mm lens with a Nikon close-up lens (5T, 6T) so I would much rather have manual focus. Nikon also has a decent, economical 55mm to 200mm vibration reduction lens with autofocus for these cameras that costs only about $250.
  Chapter 6 is mostly concerned with continuous and flash lighting. The D40 and D40x has a small built in flash although I usually use the Nikon SB-600 external flash on autosettings for a brighter flash. The various flash settings such as front sync, rear sync, slow sync, red-eye reduction, and exposure compensation are often confusing so this discussion should be helpful to many.
  Chapter 7 is a long chapter that suggests ways to approach taking photos under various conditions such as sunrise-sunset, infrared, action, black and white, flowers, and landscapes among many. One can pick sections they want to check. For example, the infrared section is the only place I have found some details on the use of these cameras for infrared (Nikon would not give me any information on the infrared sensitivity for these cameras but apparently they are sensitive to the near infrared). The cameras can be used with a Hoya R72 or Wratten 89b filter which will filter out the visible light and allow the infrared to pass. Also starting points to begin taking infrared photos are suggested (ISO 200, f/11, 8 seconds, use tripod etc) since exposure and focus have to be done by trial and error due to the different characteristics of infrared relative to visible light.
  Chapter 8 describes downloading and editing images mostly using software from Nikon (Picture Project, Capture NX, and Control Pro). Nikon Picture Project comes with the camera and can be used to transfer images to your computer, do minor editing, and sharing your photos. Nikon Capture NX has to be purchased separately (about $150), and it can be used to modify images that in some operations make it easier to use than Photoshop Elements or Photoshop. For instance, similar colors can be changed over the entire image in one operation without changing other colors in the image. I often use Nikon NX for changing colors and then return to modifying the image in Photoshop.
  Also there is an appendix and glossary. The appendix includes topics on updating the firmware of the camera (controls camera operations such as processing and links to external devices). Also the appendix suggests how battery life can be extended, fixing flash problems, reviving bad memory cards, and cleaning your sensor.
  In short, this book should be a good book for the beginner to intermediate user who want to find out about the details of the camera so that the best pictures can be made under a variety of conditions. The beginner who wants to use the D40/D40x cameras more as a point and shoot camera can just set the camera in programmed exposure mode and still obtain a lot of good pictures without understanding all the functions of the camera. The advanced user who has used a number of Nikon digital cameras would not probably find much in the book of interest. Thus the star rating would vary a lot depending on your level of experience.
  
  
• Should be standard-issue for new D40/D40x owners
  By A2E01WT8FGJNQ4 on 2007-09-22
  The Nikon D40/D40x Digital Field Guide could be a replacement for the owner's manual, and so much more. In addition to explaining the camera's features with simple language and large color photos, the author delves into the operation of Nikon's lens system and then provides countless examples and exercises to inspire the imagination and provide a solid foundation for DSLR users. I obtained this book in order to help a friend who recently purchased the D40X, but now I think I'll just turn the book over to him - he'll be in good hands.
  
  
• Great resource
  By AVNNGLTN2Q2A on 2007-11-26
  Being new to the dSLR realm, I found this book to be GREAT! It gave great information on an array of subjects.
  
  I've bough several books on the d40 and this one was by far the best.
  
  
• Nikon D 40 /D40X Digital Field guide
  By A36TTWBEU1YZLR on 2007-12-23
  Returning to photography as a hobby, after an absence of many years, and purchasing a Nikon D40 as my first digital camera I found the accompanying instructions to be very challenging. This book is easy to read,understand, and makes my entry into digital photography substantially easier. It allows me to completely understand the different functions of my camera and ultimately achieve a higher level of competence with the camera.The camera is excellent, and the book provides a great foundation for any future digital camera upgrade. I highly recommend the Nikon D40/D40X digital field guide.
  
  
• Nikon d40 field guide
  By A2XIGUOIIP4GMX on 2007-11-05
  This book on the Nikon D40 is the most informative guide on the market.
  It is very easy to read and understand.
  
  
• A must have - esp if you are a first time dslr buyer
  By AM8B0F7GQPCIE on 2007-12-08
  Great book - with tips about photography basics as well as instructions for the nikon d40x features and usage.
  
  
• What the manual SHOULD have been...
  By AA1D23OXG3UWZ on 2007-12-25
  Quite simply, if you have this camera, you need this book. Straightforward, easy to understand, and informative. A good dose of "why" to go with the "how"...perfect for a beginner or more advanced type.
  
  
• Nikon D40 Field Guide review
  By A206R7K7RLODH2 on 2008-01-24
  This is a great field guide! The materials that come with the camera from the factory seem to be so detailed that they lose the reader- - - confusing very often, and poorly written regardless of brand or camera quality. This guide places all essential directions in straight forward english, and tells the reader how to acomplish the desired action. It is clear, and very well written by someone that is not an engineering profesional -- -I refer to it daily !
  
  
• Great Guide!
  By A2K1SYA36OGMYE on 2007-10-24
  Not only does David Busch go in depth into the workings of the Nikon D40 and D40x, he gives great tips for anyone who is taking digital photos, no matter what camera you want to use.
  
  I learned alot about my camera reading this and I'm reading it again to make sure I absorbed it all!
  
  
• Nikon D40 Digital Field Guide Review
  By A3J7GUNS0RWSEB on 2007-12-30
  This book very quickly gives the information necessary to begin taking good pictures with a fairly complex camera. Without becoming technical, the basic capabilties of the camera are explained.
  
  
• Awesome Book
  By A3BDB8697OQMR on 2007-12-27
  This book has been my lifesaver!!! I wish the manual had all the detail in the words anyone could understand. It is well worth the money, you won't be sorry if you are new to SLR cameras.
  
  
• A Good Additional Source of Camera Information
  By ARL35GGIG8OU1 on 2008-02-18
  This book is good. I reveals most, maybe all, of the many features of the Nikon D40X. Since I read the manual that came with the camera I was somewhat familiar with most of the camera's features, but having an organized way to go through them again with suggestions as to how to best use them was well worth the cost of the book. The color pictures are a welcome addition to the text.
  
  
• Consider this the REAL Manual
  By A1MC2NXFGORS0 on 2008-04-14
  I've been trying to get through the actual manual for almost a year now, it's so obtuse and hard to follow. This book is GREAT and I've begun to love my D40x and appreciate it's many features. What seemed so complicated before in looking at the camera and it's many features has become easy to understand. This book is organized very well and easy to read. Of all the manuals I've read, this one is the first page turner that I've encountered.
  
  
• Better than the Product Manual...
  By A1XFO4FITUWOAG on 2008-03-12
  This book is far more clear and reassuring than the product manual. It's also a handy resource for people new to Photography and an SLR. Bottomline, it's a great buy!!
  
  
• The Manual that didn't come with
  By A55O1RDG0WPNZ on 2008-02-05
  If you own and/or use a Nikon D40 or D40x digital SLR, then this manual is for you. Clear, concise, well laid out with photographs of everything on and about the camera. The manual that Nikon packs with the camera has it all, but what a blasted chore to comb thru to find everything you need to be familiar with. David Busch has done a fine job putting this guide together.
  
  
• Nikon D40/D40x Digital Field Guide
  By A37ZO4UO570LHH on 2008-02-16
  If you own either of these cameras, this is the guide for you. It is much easier to understand than the original manual that was included with the camera and explains in depth all of the camera's functions, plus examples of how to take great photographs.
  It also explains which additional digital lenses can be used and how each of them functions.
  If you read this guide through, you will take your camera off "auto" and will enjoy making photographs that you only saw in magazines.
  
  
• Handy book - Leaves the manual in its dust (and at home)
  By A3H9D44HWBEODM on 2008-03-29
  Basically, you will never look at your manual again. This book describes everything having to do with your camera, with much greater detail than just the basics of how to navigate the camera. Using color pictures and examples it also shows the effects of certain settings as well and a section just dedicated to composition. Does it cover everything? No, but realistically no one book can. This is a great addition to your camera bag when you go on the road or travel and want a more comprehensive and readible eye friendly "manual" to help you explore, understand, and tame this powerful camera.
  
  
• Very good
  By A3RCEXV5769SG8 on 2008-03-29
  Good information on how the camera works, many of it you might already know if you are familiar with DSLR but it includes some details that are good to know.
  
  
• Excellent guide to the Nikon D40X
  By A1DOMPIBK03YW9 on 2008-04-15
  This is an excellent guide to the Nikon D40X, explaining all of the functions, camera operating modes, and settings. In addition section 2, is a comprehensive guide on taking great pictures with the D40X, covering all of the essentials, with many examples and tips.
  
  
• 'Must have accessory' with the Nikon D40
  By A3VF33T1CD1VDX on 2008-06-17
  This is an excellent piece of work, very thoughtfully organized and well written. Nikon should distribute a copy of this book along with the camera, instead of their user manual.
  I ordered a copy as soon as I ordered my Nikon D40. The book came first so I had some time to read before I got my hands on the camera. The Nikon user manual never got a chance to open. This will be the best investment you make besides the D40 itself. When you look at the results of your shooting, you will thank yourself for buying this book.
  
  
  
• Good book - combines detail and generalities well
  By A3R7CJ5V0CI0B6 on 2008-02-18
  I bought this book as well as the Magic Lantern book. I preferred the Magic Lantern book because it dealt strictly with the D40X camera that I had just purchased. The Digital Field Guide is a good book, but has several chapters on basic photography. As such, it is a good reference.
  
  
• Great value from the expert
  By A21XZ4JZE2IN48 on 2008-03-20
  Amazon got great value on this book. For a beginner, this book sure is useful. I have gotten some amazing shoots following the tips with my D40 using kit lens 18-55mm and 55-200mm. Highly recommended if you just got into DSLR with D40/D40X.
  
  
• Great book!!
  By A20AE2RMTV04UQ on 2008-04-05
  This book is great. It gives you a lot of information on the camera, but not just that, it also provides tips and how to apply photographic techniques.
  It's a great book.
  
  
• The Manual
  By A2SP9BTBBZ3C4Q on 2008-05-04
  If you miss a good manual for your new D 40/D40X, this is the right purchase. It is simple and systematic, and takes you through your camera step by step in a way that is very easy to understand. The last half of the book cover Digital Photografing in general, and it might be practical for a complete beginner. It is not a book about the art of digital photografing though !
  
  
• Perfect!
  By A2FJIJ7MZHO4AR on 2008-06-27
  This is the perfect Nikon D40/D40x guide for anyone unfamiliar with DSLRs. I had a somewhat basic understanding of my D40's controls before I bought this book and reading it has made such a difference in my pictures. Highly reccommended!
  
  

• Photoshop CS3 Workflow: The Digital Photographer's Guide (Tim Grey Guides)
• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Workflow: The Digital Photographer's Guide (Tim Grey Guides)

• Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for Nikon D40, D40x, D60 & D80 Digital SLR Cameras
• Nikon D40 / D40x Laminated Field Reference Card
• Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
• Nikon EN-EL9 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery for Nikon D40 and D40x Digital SLR Cameras
• Tiffen 52mm UV Protection Filter