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Sunday, April 29, 2007

Nikon Speedlight SB-400

I did mention about Nikon SB-400 in my previous posting. Now i'm going to review this litte stuff. Overall, i'm very satisfied with the performance of Nikon SB-400. It gives me the option to have creative lighting. It is small, compact and most important is affordable. It uses only 2 AA-size batteries, which is very convenient as u can get the batteries in most convenience stores. The flash head can be tilted in 4 steps, horizontal, 60, 75 and 90 degrees. For me, it'll complement Nikon D40.

Below are the technical specifications for Nikon SB-400, extracted from Nikon's website:

Electronic ConstructionAutomatic Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and series circuitry
Flash Exposure ControlSlow-sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction in slow sync, Rear-curtain sync flash, FV Lock flash, manual flash (with D40 camera)
Guide Number30/98.4 (ISO 200, m/ft), 21/69 (ISO 100, m/ft)
Flash CoverageLight distribution covers an 18mm lens when mounted on a Nikon DX format camera and a 27mm lens when mounted on an F6
Film Speed Range in TTL auto flash mode0.6m to 20m (2 to 66 ft.) (Varies depending on the ISO sensitivity, zoom-head position, and lens aperture in use)
Recycling TimeApprox. 2.5 seconds
Number of FlashesApprox. 210/2.5-30 sec.
Power RequirementsTwo AA-size 1.5V batteries
DimensionsApprox. 66 x 56.5 x 80mm (2.6 x 2.2 x 3.1 in.)
Weight (without battery, memory card or body cap)Approx. 127g (4.5 oz.)
Other FeaturesReady light
Supplied Accessories (may differ by country or area)SS-400 Soft Case

Nikon D40

Almost 3 months since my last posting, dated back in february 2007. Now i'm back, with new gadget this time. Readers, i would like u to meet Nikon D40.

Well, i've been doing some research on digital camera for quite sometimes, more than a year. At first, D-SLR is not in my list as the cost is too high. I was looking for high-end point-to-shoot digital camera. Panasonic Lumix TZ-1 and Sony DSC-H5 were one of the few that make it into my list. Around December 2006, i found out about Nikon D40. Then i stop searching. That's it. I found it. This is the one.

In terms of pricing, well it is affordable. In the range of high-end point-to-shoot camera. Of course in terms of size, it is bigger than point-to-shoot digital camera. But we can have more control of the camera. The target market for Nikon D40 is for the high-end point-to-shoot customer who wants to explore the world of D-SLR, which suits me.

I want a digital camera that is affordable but rich in features. Well, Nikon D40 meet my requirements. It comes with AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II (kit lens for Nikon D40), charger, Nikon D40 body (duh), straps and USB cable for data transfer. On top of that, i added 1 GB SD card, UV filter, tripod, camera bag and last but not least Nikon SB-400 speedlight. I will tell you more on Nikon SB-400 in my next posting.

As i mention in my earlier posting, i'm going to review this stuff from average joe point of view. I'm still new in D-SLR world, still learning to expand my knowledge. So, do not expect any details on technical things.

I like this gadget very much. I don't mind carry Nikon D-40 around while i was out and about. I read alot on the net about photography. And try to experiment what i learn. It gives u the control like a professional photographer. In terms of interface, it's user-friendly. It has a theme whereby it will show graphically what is aperture and shutter. Very helpful and informative for beginner, like me! Until now, i'm still trying very hard to understand how to get the correct aperture, exposure and shutter. Most of the time, i will set the exposure control to P (programmed auto). So, i can concentrate on my composure rather than fiddling around the aperture and shutter. Combine this gadget with Nikon SB-400, u'll get more control in terms of speedlight. Bounce the flash to the ceiling and u'll get a natural-looking photos. I always use that when shooting in-door.

Do alot of reading before you buy digital camera. One thing for sure, don't get blind by MEGAPIXELS! The sales people will say, the higher the MP, the better the picture. Nonsense.
While my Nikon D-40 is only 6 MP, but the quality is comparable with 10 MP cameras. Try first before u buy. Don't just listen to what people said. Find the one that will suit u.

Below are the technical specifications for Nikon D40, extracted from Nikon:


Type of CameraSingle-lens reflex digital camera
Effective Pixels6.1 million
Image SensorRGB CCD, 23.7 x 15.6 mm; total pixels: 6.24 million, Nikon DX format
Image Size (Pixels)3,008 x 2,000 [L], 2,256 x 1,496 [M], 1,504 x 1,000 [S]
Sensitivity200 to 1,600 in steps of 1 EV with additional setting one step over 1600
File FormatCompressed NEF (RAW): 12-bit compression, JPEG: JPEG baseline compliant
File SystemExif 2.21, Compliant DCF 2.0 and DPOF
Storage MediaSD memory card, SDHC compliant
Shooting Modes1) Single frame shooting mode, 2) Continuous shooting mode: approx. 2.5 frames per second*, 3) Self-timer mode, 4) Delayed remote mode: 2 s. delay, 5) Quick-response remote mode
White BalanceAuto (TTL white-balance with 420-pixel RGB sensor), six manual modes with fine-tuning and preset white balance
LCD Monitor Size2.5-in.
LCD Monitor230,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
Playback Function1) 1 frame; 2) Thumbnail (4 or 9 segments); 3) Magnifying playback; 4) Slide show; 5) Histogram indication; 6) Highlight point display; 7) Auto image rotation
Delete Function1) Card format; 2) All frames delete; 3) Selected frames delete
I/O TerminalCan be selected from NTSC and PAL
InterfaceUSB 2.0 (High-speed): Mass Storage and PTP selectable
Picture Angle (in 35mm [135] format equivalent)Equivalent in 35mm [135] format is approx. 1.5 times lens focal length
ViewFinder TypeFixed-eyelevel penta-Dach mirror type; built-in diopter adjustment (-1.7 to +0.5m-1)
Eyepoint18mm (-1.0 m-1)
Focusing ScreenType B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark V with superimposed focus brackets
Viewfinder Frame Coverage/Magnification (with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1)Approx. 95% (vertical/horizontal) / Approx. 0.8x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1
AutofocusTTL phase detection by Nikon Multi-CAM530 autofocus module with AF-assist (range approximately 0.5-3.0m/1ft. 8in.-9ft. 10in.); Detection range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F)
Focus Modes1) Autofocus (AF): Instant single-servo AF (AF-S); continuous servo AF (AF-C); auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status, 2) Manual focus (M)
Focus LockFocus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button
Exposure Metering SystemTTL full-aperture exposure metering system. 1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); metering performed by 420-segment RGB sensor; 2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8mm circle in center of frame; 3) Spot: Meters 3.5mm circle (about 2.5% of frame) centered on active focus area
Exposure Metering Range (at normal temperature [68°F/20°C], ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens)1) 0 to 20 EV (3D Color Matrix or center-weighted metering), 2) 2 to 20 EV (spot metering)
Exposure ControlDigital Vari-program (Auto, Auto [Flash Off], Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close Up, Night Portrait), Programmed Auto (P) with flexible program; Shutter-Priority Auto (S); Aperture Priority Auto (A); Manual (M)
Auto Exposure LockExposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
Auto Exposure Bracketing±5 EV in increments of 1/3 EV
Maximum Shutter1/4000
Minimum Shutter30
ShutterCombined mechanical and CCD electronic shutter, 30 to 1/4000 s. in steps of 1/3, bulb
Sync ContactX-contact only; flash synchronization at up to 1/500s
Flash Control1) TTL: TTL flash control by 420-segment RGB sensor. i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR and standard i-TTL fill-flash for digital SLR available when CPU lens is used with built-in flash, SB-800, SB-600, and T041, 2) Auto aperture: Available with SB-800 with CPU lens, 3) Non-TTL Auto: Available with Speedlights such as SB-800, 80DX, 28DX, 28, 27, and 22s , 4) Range-priority manual available with SB-800
Flash Sync ModesAUTO, Portrait, Child, Close Up: Auto, auto with red-eye reduction; fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight. Night portrait mode: Auto, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction; slow sync and slow sync with red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight. Landscape, Sport mode: Fill-flash and red-eye reduction available with optional Speedlight. P, A: Fill flash, rear-curtain with slow sync, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction. S, M: Fill flash, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction.
Accessory ShoeStandard ISO hot-shoe contact with sync, signal, and ground contacts and safety lock
Self-TimerElectronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 5, 10 or 20s
Remote ControlVia Wireless Remote Control ML-L3 (optional)
Power RequirementsOne Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL9; charging voltage (MH-23 quick charger): 7.4V DC, AC Adapter EH-5 (available separately; requires optional AC Adapter Connector EP-5)
Battery Life (on a fully charged battery)Up to 470 shots on a fully-charged battery
Tripod Socket1/4 in. (ISO1222)
DimensionsApprox. 126 x 64 x 94mm (5.0 x 2.5 x 3.7 in.)
Weight (without battery, memory card or body cap)Approx. 475g (1lb. 1oz.) without battery, memory card or body cap
Supplied Accessories (may differ by country or area)Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL9, Quick Charger MH-23, USB Cable UC-E4, PictureProject, Rubber Eyecup DK-16, Camera Strap, Body Cap BF-1A, Eyepiece Cap DK-5, Accessory Shoe Cap BS-1