Tay wrote:
I have a Nikon D40 camera with the original lens kit. I primarily take landscape pictures on vacations via the landscape mode on the camera. Pictures have ranged from crap to awesome as I am purely amateur. My wife and I are set to retire and travel. I would love to upgrade the camera but I don’t want to break the bank. I want to stick with Nikon as I know the majority of the functions. I don’t need all the bells and whistles. I just need something that upgrades my picture taking so that we can make travel books.
If you all think I can keep the D40 body and just buy better lens I’m ok with that if I know the lens is idiot proof. It has to work for the D40 body.
Finally. Can someone please help me with getting tack sharp focus on my landscape shots? I use the landscape mode for shooting and lock focus on the most distant object or infinity. The trouble is that I typically lose focus on the foreground especially when I want some cool flowers in focus. I do not have a live view option to see the shot. What can I do to capture so many beautiful scenes that I typically miss?
Sorry to ramble. I truly appreciate all your help. Let me say in advance how much I admire the pictures I have seen on here. The majority of the compositions are breath taking and you all truly inspire me to be better. It’s amazing how images make you feel better about simply being human. God bless all of you and thank you so very much for helping us as we move about this planet.
I have a Nikon D40 camera with the original lens k... (
show quote)
The 6MP D40 is pretty "ancient" for a digital camera. It was great in its day, but a lot has changed in the 14 years since the D40 was introduced. There are any number of more recent camera that would have much better image quality potential. HOWEVER, lenses actually matter more than the camera they are used upon. If all you ever use is the kit lens that came with the camera, chances are that lens is holding you back more than the camera. But, the D40 also has it's limitations in what lenses it can use. For example, there are modern "AF-P" Nikkor lenses that won't work on it.
I agree with other responses about your focusing technique. It's incorrect to focus on the most distant object. You need to learn to use "hyperfocal focusing distance" for landscape shots.
It's optional, but I'd also recommend getting out of the camera's highly automated "Landscape" mode, which is probably limiting you in various ways. Those "presets" are some programmer's idea of how a camera should work and can be wrong as often as they're right (as you've seen). They also typically automate far more than just the exposure mode... Might override your autofocus, white balance and other settings, as well as force you to save JPEGs (no RAW image files). These are "point n shoot" or "snapshot" modes. It sounds as if you want to move beyond that and take more control of the camera to be able to get better shots.
You weren't specific about what you have to spend on an upgrade, so I'm just guessing here. If I were shopping for a Nikon to travel with, I'd probably give the new Z50 mirrorless serious consideration. The nice thing about a mirrorless camera is that it's more compact and lighter weight than a DSLR like you're using now. But a "problem" is that mirrorless cameras are "hot" and that means manufacturers can practically charge anything they want for them. The Nikon Z50 with 16-50mm "kit" lens is almost $900, which is actually a pretty good deal for a crop sensor mirrorless camera with its specifications. Or, in a kit with both 16-50mm and 50-250mm telephoto zoom (which might be nice for wildlife, but may not see a lot of use for landscape photography) it sells for just under $1100. This ia s fairly new camera, so there it would be rare to find used and there are limited number of them selling at a discount as factory refurbished. There currently isn't a wide angle lens specifically for the Z50, but the Nikkor 10-20mm (see below) can be used on it via an FTZ adapter.
A more affordable alternative might be the D5600 DSLR in kit with 18-55mm Nikkor lens, which is selling new for just under $700 right now. (It's also available in two-lens kit with a 70-300mm added, but that's a pretty cheap lens and there are better options). In both these examples I've mentioned kit lenses, even though I suspect part of the problem you're seeing with your D40 is its kit lens. Kit lenses have improved quite a bit in the last 14 years, so I suspect you'd see much better results with newer lenses... even kit lenses. But, the D5600 is also available with an upgrade lens... a Nikkor 18-140mm. Unfortunately, with this better lens, the price goes up dramatically to nearly $1100.
An even more affordable option is the D3500 DSLR in kit with 18-55mm Nikkor, currently costing around $500. This is a more entry-level camera with more emphasis on automation and less on user control. But it might suit your needs. It also is offered in kit with two lenses, where the same 70-300mm zoom noted above is added to the bundle. That costs almost $600. One of the problems with the 70-300mm in both these kits is that it's Nikon's least expensive telephoto zoom and one of the features omitted is their VR image stabilization (which the kit 18-55mm has). This is opposite what it should be. Telephoto lenses benefit the most from having image stabilization. There is a Nikkor 70-300mm with it, but it costs $50 more and isn't offered in the kits with the camera. AFAIK, the D3500 is only offered in kit with one or more lenses, and there unfortunately isn't a kit option offered with the better Nikkor 18-140mm lens.
Another option and even better DSLR in many ways would be a refurbished D7200, which can be found for under $700, for the body only. This is a more robust and durable camera in many ways. But you'd have to buy a lens separately, and even the most basic 18-55mm Nikkor costs $200 or so, new, though it can be found for under $100 factory refurbished. The better 18-140mm Nikkor sells for about $500 new, but can be found refurbished for about half that amount. The D7200 camera is a discontinued model and is no longer available new. But it is commonly available factory refurbished because it's remained popular because many people consider it in some ways better than its successor.
All the above are 24MP cameras that use CMOS sensors, don't have an anti-alias filter and can produce 14 bit image files. What all this means is that they all will produce better images than your D40. The lens used upon them will be more of a limitation, than the camera itself.
If it were me, and the Z50 were just too much money right now, my first choice would be a D7200 or D5600 with the better 18-140mm lens. That would handle most situations well. For landscape photography, I would then add the Nikkor AF-P 10-20mm DX wide angle lens, which sells for about $300 new (or a bit over $200 refurbished). This wide angle lens is a real bargain!
D5600 (body only): $597 new (B&H), $440 refurbished (Nikon USA).
--- or ---
D7200 (body only). $694 refurbished (B&H)
Nikkor 18-140mm DX VR lens: $250 refurbished (B&H)
Nikkor 10-20mm DX VR lens: $219 refurbished (B&H)
I would also recommend good quality circular polarizer filters for landscape photography. This type of filter can do a lot to improve landscape images. The 18-140mm lens uses 67mm size, while the 10-20mm uses 72mm.
B+W F-Pro CPL 67mm: $69
B+W F-Pro CPL 72mm: $78
-- or ---
B+W XS-Pro CPL 67mm: $89
B+W XS-Pro CPL 72mm: $87
B+W F-Pro and XS-Pro filters are the same in most respects, except the XS-Pro are in "slim" frames and use extra "Nano" multi-coatings that make them more water, oil, dust and scratch resistant, as well as easier to clean.
I know the B+W listed are top quality filters that costs less than the most comparable quality from other manufacturers. There may be some good filters available for less money.
Another accessory popular with landscape photographers is a tripod, which allows longer exposures, can make for better images by eliminating camera shake blur and encourages planning your shots. That might be something to consider in the future.
Except for the D5600 body refurbished, which is only available buying it direct from Nikon USA's website, all the above prices are from B&H Photo's website. There are other reputable stores that offer the same products at similar prices (Adorama, Amazon Direct, etc.), however if you shop online you also may find "bargain" prices on some of these items or "bundles". Beware! Many of those are rip-offs! Frankly, be suspicious of anyone offering prices lower than B&H or Adorama, the two largest
reputable and reliable online photography retailers.