Nikon D40x -- DSLR for AP ??

[LoopBaCK]

** Just saw the other post on D40x... Gotta remember to search first!!! :roll: **

Just wondering what you folks think of this cam for AP. I don't have any Nikons so don't know much about them... The main thing that caught my eye was the video out capability. My Canon 20d doesn't have it so I have to add the eyepiece-cam for a downlink.

Seems to have all the bells and whistles. Ought to be about 1.5 to 1.75 pounds under heli. I'm not really in the market but like I said - the video out is a nice feature. From my experience shooting with a DSLR in RAW your image quality starts out way ahead of any point-and-shoot. This is just the first DSLR I've noticed that had the needed connections to make heli AP easy.

Link to DPReview article (http://www.dpreview.com/articles/nikond40x/page2.asp)

[dreslism]

Where is the talk of video out?

I just read a review of it in popular photography last night and did not see this.

In the DPReview I just saw video out as NTSC or PAL, but that is for playback (i.e. review of images) only. I did not see live preview video out, or maybe I just missed it?

I find it really hard to switch brands after you choose one, because of the glass investment. Bodies actually end up being the cheap part of the equation.

[LoopBaCK]

Scott... your probably right... darn! :) I took it to be live video but when you pointed this out I don't see anything saying it's more than a review tool. Darn! ...my bad :arggg:

But... this body is about 12 oz lighter than my 20d (weight w/out lens = 29oz). Specs say the D40x is 17 oz with battery. That will help...

I agree... Unless the body has some very compelling features I tend to stay with one brand as well.

[dreslism]

Rebel XTi will also be lighter than your 20D.

I love my rebel for the air. XTi would probably be even better...

Since you have glass already, you might find the XTi body relatively cheap.

But like you said, if it have live preview out.... I already did the black widow 161cx on my viewfinder, and it pops on and off in a second, so not a huge deal, but sometimes the straight down shot makes it tight with the camera sticking off the viewfinder.

Someday...

He also in the pop photog they showed the EOS 1DMKIII, and they showed it DID have live preview (at least on the LCD screen), can't confirm it has it on the video out, and 10fps to boot!

Only downer is the weight and the $4000 body! :D

[AZ ChopperCam]

can anyone confirm that the D40X does in fact have live video out?

[dreslism]

I am 99.99%-100% sure it does NOT have live video out.

All specs of DSLR's show video out, but that is just for playback of images in a slideshow.

I have not heard live video out preview on the nikon or canon lines.

DJ, you can get a wide angle camera from blackwidow and put it on the viewfinder of a dslr, then you have "live preview"

Canon makes an eyepiece extender that you mount the camera to, then slide the extender onto the viewfinder.

See this thread here, there are links in there to the blackwidow cx161

http://www.helifreak.com/viewtopic.php?t=23012&highlight=blackwidow

http://www.blackwidowav.com/CX161_17.html

[AZ ChopperCam]

awesome..... thanks scott

The canon extender will work on a nikon camera?

[dreslism]

awesome..... thanks scott

The canon extender will work on a nikon camera?

Uh, that I don't know about that...

I'm a canon guy.... :mrgreen:

Quick search shows nikon does make extenders:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&Q=&is=REG&O=productlist&sku=407315

NOt sure it will fit the D40x, also this one seems to be magnifying, so not sure if that is what you want either. I just know the canon one works great on canon camera.

Check with the guys on RR, I know there are a few Nikonians over there. I like the through the eyepiece view as it is showing me what the lens sees vs. sticking some camera off to the side that is somewhat close to what your camera is seeing.

[miami6]

DJ


The Nikon does not have live video out on any D50 , D70, D200, D80 , D40 ,D40x ,D2x
cameras


the best way to use a nikon DSLR or even a canon would be to use the KX 161 or kx 137 camera mounted to the eye piece to frame the shots

[ssozonoff]

I think that by the nature of the way the DSLR's and SLR's for that matter work, its not possible to have a live out. You must remember that there is a mirror between the lens and the ccd which reflects the picture to the eyepiece. When you press the shutter release that mirror is momentarily lifted so the image can reach the CCD.

I guess one could argue that there could be a mode which holds up the mirror on a constant basis... but I am sure this raises other problems..

My 2 cents,
Serge

[bladebreaker]

Not to start a new rumor, but I have read that the new Canon EOS-1D Mark III Does have live preview. I have the Nikon D40x and can confirm it doesn't. It only shows pics after shutter is released.

Tip

[dreslism]

Yeah tip, I had mentioned that a few posts up about the 1D MKIII, and said the only downside was it's a $4000 body. :D

I know the review I read said video preview on the LCD, but now sure about the video out feed.

Tip,

Since you have a D40x, how is it? Have you put it in the air yet?

I'm sure DJ would like to know any goods or bads about it.

Easy to trigger remotely?

I love my rebel for that, it's just shorting 2 wires together on the remote plug, so $1 in parts from radio shack for a plug connector, and I can use the existing flysoft rc switch I have been using.

[bladebreaker]

Scott,
I like the camera and have shot many ground pics, but haven't put it in the air yet. It is light (about the same as XTi) and the kit lens is much better than the XTi, but there are drawbacks. It doesn't have a remote plug, so you have to go IR or servo and the AF-S only lens issue somewhat limits you. I plan on flying it in the next few weeks, so I'll post the results. I'll probably put a viewfinder camera on it and servo trigger it. I don't really like the IR reliability for triggering and I don't know if the burst mode works via IR. I'd love to open it up and direct wire the servo like you guys did on the A640....but I'm not ready to hack it yet. I had an XTi, but I'm liking the IQ(with kit lens) a little better on the D40x. I can say the XTi with the Canon 10-22 was a nice combo. The Canons are definitely easier to set up. I had a direct wire from gentles...I think it was $30....could have made my own like you did and saved $29??

Tip

[dreslism]

Tip,

I did not realize the D40x was limited to AF-s lenses.

I am not a nikon guy, but from what you say,

Does that excludes using the Nikon 10.5mm fisheye on this one?

[bladebreaker]

That lens will not auto focus, but it will meter for Shutter and Aperature. Sigma HSM lenses work too, but there are only a few of them.

Tip