The D-40 is an unusual
camera. Although small, it provides a 4-megapixel resolution and a 2.8X
zoom lens and, in addition, it offers fairly advanced controls to the
user and does so in a functional way.
The D-40Z has a number of features found in much larger, and more expensive
cameras: complete priority modes, including a workable manual mode;
extensive white balance settings with a one-push option that can be
used with the flash and a slave flash; controls over contrast and saturation;
and even white balance compensation.
Aperture: f 2.8, shutter speed 1/100 sec.
Aperture: f 2.8, shutter speed 1/50 sec.
For those who like to make the most of their equipment, the white balance
compensation is an excellent tool. It makes it possible to tweak the white
balance, whatever the setting, and subtly alter the image. In a sense,
it provides a touch of artistic control over the way the camera allocates
colours and, along with the saturation and contrast controls, gives the
photographer a possibility for experimentation. Moreover, the availability
of all these image controls can act as a self-teaching tool, with the
results immediately visible when the images are transferred to a computer.
Added
to all these controls is the fact that the D-40Z can record TIFF format
photos in a reasonably short time: an 11.3 megabyte file is recorded in
30 seconds.
The
D-40 is also surprising in other ways. The images produced by the camera
contain little noise, showing the effectiveness of the noise reduction
system for long exposures. Although limited to a maximum of 16 seconds,
this length of time permits night time shots.
The snowy street scene on the left is captured late at night, and is lit
by a single sodium vapour streetlight. To dark-accustomed eyes, the trees
in the distance are mere shadows against the sky; but to the D-40, they
appear almost as clear as in daylight.
No camera is ever perfect,
but for the D-40 the negative side of the ledger is short.
Aperture: f4.8, shutter speed 1/160 sec., +0.5EV.
The
front element of the lens is a bit prone to flare if there is a strong
source of light overhead as the front element is nearly flush to the front
of the lens barrel; under some contrasty conditions the images can show
a chromatic aberration — although it seems to be mostly in wide angle;
and the shutter release is a bit over sensitive, making it easy to take
a photo while handling the camera.
Astride between the pluses and the minuses, is the fact that only 2 batteries
power the D-40.
However,
the camera turns out to be relatively parsimonious and provides a reasonable
operating time before requiring a freshly charged set. Still, for any
extended outing a spare set should be taken along.
