http://www.nikonchat.com/nikkor-macro-zoom-lens/
Is this a sufficient Paparazzi camera (please read)?
I have a Nikon D40 and the following lenses: NIKKOR 70-210mm AF 1:4-5.6 and a SUN ZOOM LENS FOR NIKON 85-300mm/1:5 MACRO. With respect to lenses, what does the “f” mean (i.e, f/4-5.6) and how do I find that on my camera?
Also, what is a good and compatible Flash to get for this camera?
If my questions are dumb, I apologize.
The ‘f’ is referring to ‘f-stops’ – which is the measure of light that enters the camera, also known as ‘aperture’. In reference to your lens, it means that your camera has a maximum aperture of inbetween 4 stops and 5.6 stops depending on how much you zoom.
So if you set your camera to use a low aperture, say 4 stops, a lot of light will enter the camera and you willl have to compensate with a high shutter speed. And vice verse, you can put it tight up to say 20 stops, so not much light will enter the camera.
Cameras like the d40 do all of this automatically, but a more experienced photographer will set his camera to manual mode or aperture priority and set it himself.
Also, a lower f stops (a wider aperture) means that you have a shallower depth of field, so only your subject will be in focus and the the background will be really blurry. This can work in your favour if you are taking portraits.
Anyway, the camera and lenses you have would be the envy of a lot of photographer. You may need to buy a lens with a short focal length in the near future though, if you start to get ‘close’ to your subjects, but this is a really good kit.
As for a good flash, I am not really an expert in this area but any flash made by Nikon will do, or a good quality one from another company.
nikon d3000 10.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens + Sigma
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