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Is a Nikon D40 be a good camera for a beginner equine photographer?

So, I'm looking for a camera, I was going to try looking at the D40 or the D60, the D40 is more in my price range than the D60, advice? Thanks! any experince with this camera?

Public Comments

1. Well, I am sure it is a good camera, but it is 3 years old. I would recommend the Sony Alpha A330. It is newer, you get more features, and it is within the same ballpark price-wise.
2. Nikon D40/x would be an awesome choice, as I've seen a lots of pictures made using it by the beginners and a bit more experienced people. Picture quality and a lens it comes with is a really win-win. Try exploring flickr search by camera: http://www.flickr.com/cameras/nikon/d40/
3. It's not the age of the model or whether it's the "latest and greatest." The question you have to answer is if it has the features you need. If that "equine photographer" is truely your intended specialty, then you will need a good portrait lens. A reasonable telephoto capability, a fairly fast shutter speed and the ability to take indoor shots with available light and not a flash. Depending on the lens package you have, the D40 should be able to do most of what you need to do. Hint: Full profile portraits can be nicely done with, virtually any lens. But if you try to take a 3/4 or full frontal view of a large animal with any standard lens, you will be disappointed with the results. You will get an image of a HUGE head and tiny, foreshortended body. You will get better results if you stand WAY back and come in close with a telephoto shot. That way, head and body will be closer to the same "plane" with each other and will match in size. I also recommend you spend a LOT of time takeing hundreds of practice shots of the same kind of subject you plan to shoot "for real." Go to the arenas and practice rings where the equestrians are practicing. Find the positons from which you can get the best angles. Learn which setting to use for the available conditions. (indoors, outdoors, actions, etc.) Learn which are the most dramatic angles and MOMENTS in which to get the best shot. (the horse at it's highest point in the jump, or even a fraction of a second BEFORE will be a much better shot than the moment his forelegs hit the ground) A horse's behind is not usually the best shot. Learn the terminology, such as the equipment (tack) used, the manouvers, parts of the horse's body, (not shoulders, but withers, not ankles but fetlocks, etc.) names of the events and all you can. That way, when at an event, you will be less likely to be caught flatfooted. (you miss the all important "dressage" event because you're in the stables trying to get that "artistic" shot of a saddle sitting on a staw bale). Horses eat hay and sleep on straw. Hay is long, round stems. Hay is long FLAT stems. Learn to talk to a horse and where NOT to stand. Put your hand on the top of the base of the tail when walking behind the animal. (a horse has to raise it's tail before it can kick straight back) Get some of those pouches that you can hang from your belt. Carry tissues and/or antiseptic wipes, horsey snacks (be sure to ask the horse's handler) and water and snacks for you. Shoes that can take rough work, preferably leather, with knobby soles. Buy a wide brimmed hat. Trust me on this. You will need it. Good luck and have fun.