Hi all,

I once owned a Pentax Spotmatic 35 mm film camera in the 70s but that was the beginning and end of my photographic experience until about 6 years ago when I got a Sony Cybershot 3.2MP digital pocket camera as a Christmas present. The Sony was not a very good camera and did not last much more than a year but it was good enough to get me interested in digital photography.

That interest eventually led me to Renderosity and I have been posting images here for about five years. I have been using a Nikon 7900 Coolpix digital 7MP (7.8-23.4mm built in lens) pocket camera almost all of that time. After the Sony died, it is the second digital pocket camera I ever owned or used. 

I quickly discovered that it was just a so-so camera for most subjects and situations but it was very good at taking macro/close-up shots. With this discovery and my interest in little critters, it seemed only natural to pursue that genre of photography and soon, I was hooked. (For those who don’t know me, my Renderosity name is “leeco” and my gallery indicates my subject and style preferences).

This little camera fits in my shirt pocket. It is simple to operate, takes great macro shots, was reasonably priced and has been very dependable for the past 4 years or so. I am quite happy with it and am often amazed at the shots I manage to capture using it..

With that being said, eventually, I could not help thinking about upgrading to a digital SLR and the appropriate lens at some point in time.  I thought I would get the digital advantages of my little pocket camera but with more versatility and control, bigger images, bigger monitor, quicker responses, etc.  This thought seemed like a logical progression and eventually became such an insistent one that this past Christmas; I decided the time had come for this next step.  I did a fair amount of on-line research and read specs, compared brands and price lists, made my choices and ordered all the various equipment and accessories I thought might be suitable for my upgrade.

I got a Nikon D40x 10MP digital SLR camera body, an AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm auto focus-anti shake lens, an AF-S Nikkor 55-200 auto focus-anti shake lens, a close up lens set (+1, +2, +4, and 10x macro), an 8 GB memory card, 2 extra batteries @ charger, remote control, lens cases, lens cleaner kit, mini tripod, and carrying case for all.  I was more than a little excited when it all showed up. It was a stretch for me financially but I was positive it would open new opportunities for shots and improve my results.

As soon as I attempted to take my first shot with the new camera, I made a totally unexpected discovery that put a serious damper on everything.  It quickly became apparent that the monitor could not be used to preview a shot for focus or composition. Its only purpose is for accessing the menus and looking at the shots after they are taken. One must use the viewfinder to focus on the subject and compose the shot.  It turns out this is true of all Digital SLR cameras. Who knew? Not me! LOL!

You see, I usually get within arms length of my subjects and then extend the camera to within a few inches of them. Then by looking at the monitor, the image I see is big enough for me to adjust the focus and see all the little details of my little subjects. I don’t think I ever looked thru the viewfinder of my Nikon 7900 pocket camera in the 5 years I have had it.  Even after all the research I did, it never occurred to me that Digital SLRs and Digital pocket cameras had this fundamental difference.  I did not know enough to realize my new camera would not have this most useful (for me) aspect of my little pocket camera. I assumed all digital cameras operated basically the same. It turns out I cannot see the little details through a viewfinder (I even ordered a view finder eye-piece but I still have problems with getting a sharp focus in manual mode). The auto focus and anti-vibration features don’t seem to do any better.

I have not had the time to really spend on photography since before Christmas, however, I have made a few attempts to see if I could overcome this setback but with no success.  This has been very frustrating.  In addition to this viewfinder setback, I have also been unsuccessful with a number of other aspects of this new equipment.  For instance, my attempts to use the 55-200mm lens in order to shoot subjects at greater distances than I am used to has not turned out well.  I can’t seem to find the appropriate distance to take my shots. None so far have had the look of those my pocket camera takes.  Nor can I figure out how to use of any of the close up lens that came in the set I bought.  I don’t really even know if they are appropriate for my equipment or intentions.

As of now, I am sad to say my disappointments outweigh my expectations and I basically regret my decision to upgrade. My little pocket camera had fooled me into thinking I was becoming a photographer. Such is not the case as it turns out. I really am a point and shoot amateur, lol. I definitely need to learn a lot of new things about basic digital SLR camera equipment in general and specific techniques for what I bought. I am not sure when I will find time to practice.  I am not thrilled with the big camera bag I need to hold everything (this is the only drawback I had anticipated).  I am not sure I chose correctly with my choice of camera or lenses. I have not managed to take even one shot I feel is worth posting here.  My only satisfaction with the experience so far has been the fact that I fulfilled a long-standing wish - even if that wish turned out to be an ill advised one, lol.

As it turns out in my case - newer and bigger is not always better. Knowledgeable advice is always a good thing to seek.  Hands on experience out weigh spec comparisons and hopeful assumptions. Some wishes are better left un-fulfilled, lol.

I trust this may help someone else avoid the mistakes I have made when the desire to upgrade started nagging at me.  My advice is:  Think it through.  Try to actually use comparable equipment before buying something.  Don’t underestimate the good qualities of what you already have and don’t overemphasis its flaws either. 

Lee

As you may remember from our correspondence last year I too started with the same film SLR as you, and still own it with loads of fab lenses.
Lots of folk on RR have said to me to get a DSLR, but my relply has been that I should probably never take another shot if I did! I don't like carrying stuff, and I also knew I should experience exactly what you describe!
Like you and your Nikon, my Panasonic TZ1 and I are never apart except when sleeping, and so no preparation is needed to get ready to take pics. It is there when I'm gardening, shopping, dogwalking etc, and 90% of my shots are opportunist.
I recently bought another 2nd hand Panasonic pocket camera, the TZ3, but it doesn't have a hard lens cap so can't live in my jeans pocket. So it gets less use.

Maybe you will find other subjects for the new kit, Lee!

Your fellow pointandshooter
Andrea

Lee

A sobering tale, I salute you for having the courage and the generosity of spirit to post it.

There is only one thing I would take issue with: you think you are less of a photographer for using a compact camera than a dslr.  It has been said many times before, but it really is not the equipment that makes the photographer.

I, along with others, have argued in this forum before about the merits of using a compact camera for macros of bugs etc.  They are an ideal piece of equipment in many ways.  The dslr you now own, has its own advantages for different shots. I hope you come to realise the dslr is an additional piece of equipment you will use for other photography in the future. 

In the meantime my plea is that you continue to enjoy and get pleasure from using you compact cam to take exceptional macros of bugs.

Don't let this setback spoil your rewarding and interesting pastime. 

Richard.
  

There are a few shots I took with my old pocket camera some years ago and I wish I had the DSLR then to do the photo...but, would the photo be better?  Likely not...the real difference is the shot with DSLR would be in raw, which the other camera did not have.

I also appreciate you candid words of your experience.  I believe you will find the DSLR worth having and will become accustomed to the lenses, unless you get so frustrated you put it down and leave it there.

Who can go through the galleries here and see good and bad photos? We all can. Who can tell which were taken with what?  Hummm..                          Thanks for the thoughts.  Tom.

I would suggest two things rather take it back, and buy a new version of the camera you are use to. Or take a class at your local collage to learn all the bells and whistles...

Best of luck and you are right the camera you had took some stunning photos. 
Lynell

I have used the D40 very limited. I was not impressed by it and think the D80 is far superior but it was replaced with the D90. to me Canons are easier to learn for me, but if I was to apply myself, I suppose I could learn Nikon.I actually have a 8 pixel Nikon point and shoot

the live view option on the D90 as the Canon models is not usable to me as I prefer the view finder.my D50 has it but I have never turned it on. it also uses the batteries quickly from what I have read

I suggest take several pictures of your subject if time allows and then save the good ones. with a dslr dof takes it's toll on macros.your point and shoot does not have the same issue

A very candid tale Lee. I would suggest you just take the new camera out and take lots and lots of shots with it. As you progress, read the parts of the manual that interest you at the time and you will learn more and more. Little conveniences and capabilities will come to light as you use it more, but always remember it is a hobby and you do it for pleasure. Like baseball, it's a game and the umpire says "Play Ball." He doesn't say "Work Ball!"

Although I am now on my second DSLR, I still found places to use the point and shoot until it died after 18,000 shots. My first DSLR did 48,000 images for me and is still working well in a relative's hands. I upgraded to get even more features, but I still do not know how to use them all. I read about it when I want to, and always learn a bit more. The improved features have been well worth it.

I still have my Pentax Spotmatics and film still captures a sunset much better than digital, in my opinion. The film camera is a lot more expensive to use, so I don't take too many sunsets.

Good luck with it and enjoy!

Wayne

Whaleman, our stories have a few parallel lines...different cameras and likley different time lines but similar, indeed.

All in all, I am glad the "getting used to" and learning to enjoy part of going to DSLR are past. Now it is second nature, almost.  Yet, I do have to admit to a few shivers and doubts when first the new cam was in hand.  

I will never complain about the macro on my old Minolta point and shoot with manual options...that was a fine one in its day. The macros were just fine.  Today, macro is different with a lens for that job..but overall I will not go back.

Lee, use the non-dlsr for macros if you want.   In any case use what will give you closest to what you want at the time.  When it comes to other shots including tele, I do believe time will prove the value of changing the lens an the DSLR.       I will not try to convince anyone of anything here...we know essentially what we are doing, all of us who have commented.   It is a matter now of us and what others use is not important if we can get what is pleasing personally.  (I can say that since I do not expect to earn a living with my photos.)      Tom

Certainly agree with Richard on this sobering tale,  and indeed digital revived my own passion for photography.  The Macro from my little compact were a revelation..

 I do think it may well have been down to the choice of equipment when you got the SLR I would have thought a dedicated Macro lens would have been far better choice, when the close up filters can also be used..    Upgrades do bring a whole host of changes and ways of working, as the wider you open the window the more the muck blows in!!

A funny reversal on "knowing what to expect" came one day when a customer could not get their camera to work.  I thought I would give it a try.  Well, it was a new compact camera and I simply could not discover how to get to the settings needed...the camera was a mystery to me.   Sure, point and shoot was easy but to move from there seemed shrouded in some insiders secrets.

And quite honestly I have a lot of trouble using the lcd instead of viewfinder, now that several years are given to viewfinder only, as in the older days.

Best wishes with all of this and perhaps all of this will help someone else on the verge of changing camera systems.

I appreciate the comments and even though I am still mostly mystified by all the options, I have done more research and I am still hoping to overcome my shortcomings, lack of knowledge, and less than spot on first choices for the lens i bought, lol.

BTW - I have been practicing with the new D40X and have been informed I need to try decreasing the aperture size in order to increase the DOF. I figured out how to do that on the new camera and I think it has helped some but need more results to quantify those results.

I am now looking at possible solutions to achieve what I want for what I can afford. I have read about teleconverters, extension tubes, close up filter lens, reversing rings, coupling rings, and macro lens.  Although my head hurts now, I have come to the conclusion that I have 2 viable options.

The first option is a reversing ring that will allow me to use either or both of the 2 lens I now own (an 18-55mm Nikkor AF-S VR  and a 55-200mm Nikkor AF-S VR). That is a very cheap possible solution but I am not sure it will really take me very far in the right direction and what real disadvantages it envolves.

The 2nd option is a dedicated macro lens. I have looked at prices and a Nikkor 105mm AF-S VR is completely beyond my financial abilities. Even the Nikkor 60mm AF-S  is beyond my price range. I did read a lot of good reviews on a Vivitar 100mm f3.5 lens and despite the repeatedly mentioned  fact that this lens is poorly constructed, the same people say it overcomes this drawback by being optically great and very inexpensive (I found  prices for new ones in the $100-$200 range). This  lens is the solution I am considering, however,  I know enough to realize it must be able to mount on my Nikon D40X body and thats the rub. I cannot seem to be able to find out if it will mount as is or will I need some adapter to make it compatible? Does anyone have an opinion about this lens and the mounting question.

Thanks again for the comments so far, and I am looking forward to any further assistance anyone is willling to give.

Lee

Attached Link: Review of Cosina/Vivitar 100mm macro lens

One point to note is: It will not auto focus on your camera, you will always have to use manual focussing. Not necessarily a drawback with macro photography, but something I thought it worth you being aware of.  

You need to get one with a Nikon F mount then it will fit your camera.

@Leeco;

***"The first option is a reversing ring that will allow me to use either or both of the 2 lens I now own (an 18-55mm Nikkor AF-S VR  and a 55-200mm Nikkor AF-S VR). That is a very cheap possible solution but I am not sure it will really take me very far in the right direction and what real disadvantages it envolves."

***You will not be able to use those lenses by using the reversing ring as they are "G" series lenses that do not have a manual aperture ring...which means you can not set the aperture in a reversed set-up.
You will need to get a lens that has an aperture ring in order to use them in reverse fashion.
You will also need to get a dedicated flash because with the high fstops required for the DOF...light loss becomes an issue....
When using a reversing technique you also lose the ability to focus.

Most of the macros in my gallery were taken with either a Nikon D70 or Nikon D300 using a reversed 24mm lens and SB800 flash.
There are several difficulties when using this method...should you decide to give it a try....send me an IM.

A few other points....1)most newer DSLR's now have live view capabilities allowing you to use the LCD screen.  (I have it on the D300, but I still prefer to compose in the viewfinder!)

1. Richard (Onslow) is correct....macro work is primarily a manual focus job!
2. The only way to get the DOF with a DSLR that you can achieve with a "point and shoot" is to use a focus stacking technique which further complicates things....in many ways, a point and shoot cam is the best cam for macro work.....