Some basic photography/camera advice?

Question

I'm looking for a relatively cheap starter's dSLR camera, preferrably a kit with a lens. I know that most of my subjects will be stationary, and that I'll look to make the most of the whole "blurry background" effect... which I think has something to do with depth of field, but again, I don't really know.
Also, any affordable lighting/studio solutions would be helpful, especially if they're mobile.

Picture Taker · Accepted Answer

The Nikon D40 is a great little camera, very easy to use and quite reasonably priced.  It will get you in the Nikon family which is a great place to be.  If you buy accessories and lenses, you will be able to use everything on any Nikon that you might upgrade to later on.

Here are a few reviews, in case you have not read them yet.  Be sure to note that they are several pages long and some of the reviews also have some sample images that you can look at.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/nikon_d40.html
http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3756/camera-test-nikon-d40.html
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/d40-recommendations.htm

I hate to see people slam the camera because it can't autofocus with older Nikon lenses.  It is true that there is a "slight problem" with older Nikon lenses not autofocusing on the D40, but if you do not own a bag full of older lenses, it is not going to be a problem.  It is barely a problem anyhow.  If you check www.nikonusa.com for "AF-S" lenses, which are ALL 100% compatible with the D40, you will find 23 lenses, including 7 "VR" (vibration Reduction) lenses and one true macro lens with "VR".  There are another 25-plus lenses in the current catalog that provide all functions except autofocus as well as many (possibly dozens) "out of print" lenses that will work just as well.  In addition, although these lens will not autofocus, most of them will still give focus confirmation.  From the D40 manual:  "If the lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 of faster, the viewfinder focus indicator can be used to confirm whether the portion of the subject in the selected focus area is in focus.  After positioning the subject in the active focus area, press the shutter release button halfway and rotate the lens focusing ring until the in-focus indicator is displayed."

The D40 only has 3 autofocus zones arranged horizontally at the center, 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions.  This might be considered a limitation, but realistically, most people will find this perfectly adequate, especially if you are moving up from a point and shoot with only a center zone.

You can get the D40 with the 18-55 kit lens at B&H Photo (available through Yahoo! Shopping or at 1-800-622-4987) for $550 (April 2007).  You will want to add a decent SD memory card and I recommend a Sandisk Ultra II or Lexar Platinum II - either 1 GB or 2 GB would be great.  You can get one from B&H also for $30-45.

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Some basic photography/camera advice?