Newbie need help

[krazie fishie]

Hi Guys and Gals...

Need some help here...

I am a complete idiot when it comes to dSLR camera... I have been a P&S guy for all this time and I am now contemplating to move over to the dark side of DSLR...

I have read some reviews on d Nikon D40 camera.. Seems that this is an ideal camera for entry level like me. I have read a few reviews but I still haven't gone to any shop to enquire the camera.

What should i ask the shop owner when I am buying this particular model?

What questions can I ask without looking like a complere idiot...??

[noruazumi]

for a start, it is good if u can know the current market price of the camera so that u won't be chopped into million of pieces.
ask around the market price for the model that u want and also for other models, just in case.

[krazie fishie]

If I not mistaken.. the retail should be around RM2000 - RM 2500 rite..??

Apart from the price... anything else that I should know before making my purchase...?

When I read about the lenses and the shutter speed and what-ever-wat-not.. to me it is like an alien language...

[somy nex]

try reading the 2nd and 3rd short courses at this link here --> http://www.shortcourses.com/

it'll help you learn the basics how cameras work, and help you think through what features you need to best suit your type of photography (or the things you think you'll be photographing most).

i guess when i go look for a camera, i usually think of what i will be using it most for (size/travel? low light? speed/action? landscape? etc.) then this will help me cut down my list of potential cameras. but first you need to understand what the specs mean, and the above link should help you a bit in that.

[noruazumi]

If I not mistaken.. the retail should be around RM2000 - RM 2500 rite..??

Apart from the price... anything else that I should know before making my purchase...?

When I read about the lenses and the shutter speed and what-ever-wat-not.. to me it is like an alien language...

i really not sure the market price for D40/x but the range that u gave is too much. RM500 is a lot u know.

before i say more, how much is your budget? and what do u plan to do with the dSLR? i mean what type of things that u want to shoot.

[ShaolinTiger]

I suggest if you want a good guide price call Jason and Desmond (their details are listed in the forum) and ask them for a price, also tell them you are from Shutter Asia.

They will give you the best available price, so you should try to get something close to that where it's convenient for you to purchase.

I think the D40x is a great start and has enough manual controls for you to develop along the way.

It will retain good second hand value aswell if you wish to upgrade in the future.

[galee]

Err.... D40 w kit lens is RM2.2K dee on market price... can try second hand... I think there are quite a number of ppl trying to sell theirs. At least if you find that you don't like it, can sell it off again with minimum lost... :)