New to photography

Hey you all , I am new to photography. I just got a Nikon D40x from my mom who got a new camera. I didn't know where to start with a lens so I went and got a 55-200 lens to start. Hopefully I grabbed the right lens for just taking some pictures.

I've been looking into other lenses and it seems I should have gotten a 35mm focal lens?


Either way I'm starting to take some photos now as I'm in Baltimore on vacation.

 

Is the d40x a good model?

Let me repeat I am completely new to this

 

Feel for you. Be safe!

 

The D40x. is a fine camera. It is a bit aged, but a couple of things...its a Nikon, so the optics and mechanics are as good as it gets in that age and price range. It is a very good starter for getting into digital SLR. One great thing about Nikons is that any lens made for a Nikon mount will fit it. For beginning, you got an OK lens...will be fine for both outdoor shots and indoor with flash. I would recommend only buyin Nikkor or Tamron lenses for that camera. You might want to get one fixed length lens for indoor shots. Be sure to buy a tripod...good shots generally come from a steady mount. Even a relatively cheap tripod is better than your hands (just go to Amazon and google tripods...find a highly rated one in the $50-100 range and you will be fine for starters.)
There is little you can't do with the D40x...its doesn't have the bells and whistles of a D500 of course, but for learning I think its a great choice that can grow with you as your interest grows. Then, when you outgrow it, the lenses you use will transfer to your next Nikon (like the D7200 or D500).
Have fun...don't worry about what anyone says negative about that camera...I actually have owned that camera years ago and found it a fantastic entry to the world of Digital SLR.

 

Great answer

 

Great! Thank you all for the reply, I'm not usually one to take photos, but now I feel compelled to do so because I now have this "fancy" camera.

 

Hey! One thing I found helpful was reading and watching YouTube videos that explains aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. Once you read/watch them then go out and have fun with your camera! Go have fun shooting and rewatch those videos as much as you need to fully understand. I'm just a hobbyist but understanding those and your camera setting will help.

Like others said: quality lens > newer camera body.

I learned the hard way in the beginning

 

Get a copy of Understanding Exposure... and never use your camera in full auto mode!

I prefer aperture priority myself.

 

Learn how to shoot in manual mode first