Tag Archives: Nikon D40

Shooting some ice with the Nikon D40 at Lilly Bluff Trails, TN.

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My equipment for the day was the Nikon D40 and the Nikon 18-55mm VR lens. Now in a previous article I wrote my distain for the Nikon 18-55mm VR lens. But my back/spine has a different opinion and sometimes that opinion decides what camera and lens goes on the hike.

So I park my truck and put on my early winter hat. Check my gear for a slow two hour hike. The first place I go is a short walk to a very nice deck overlooking Obed River. The river is moving fast this time of year!

Then I proceeded to walk down a trail toward the bridge that crosses the Obed river. Sometimes you can catch some folks in kayaks running the rapids.

So maybe my opinion of the Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX is a little better this time around. Now you are not going to get the colors of these photos, unless you play with the saturation and white balance in post-editing! This is a cheap lens for under 50 bucks these days and just a beater to tramp around the woods with. Have fun and don’t sweat the small stuff!!!

The biggest hazard with ice is getting cracked on the head, when the temperature starts heating up.

Check that tree above! Hanging over the lip of the cliff!

Proceeding down the mountain you come across an area that is popular with rock climbers.

Get smacked on the head with a big ice rock and you die in heaven!

Experience the Obed in Tennessee! Smell you later!!!

Nikon D40 and the Nikon 18-55mm VR.

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So I was walking through the woods and this lady smacks her head on the biggest rock on the trail. Forehead split open. The family is wearing pajamas (crack heads?) — not sure. The temperature outside is like 29 degrees. Call 911 and take short cut through woods to road. Run for help at road. Cabin with car. No one is home. Go back. EMS shows up. Mission accomplished. No picture. It was personal and bloody.

But before the accident I took the pictures below. I adjusted the saturation and white balance in Apple photos.

The Nikon 18-55mm VR pretty much is a disappointment, but if you are desperate in 2025, it could be an option. I bought it for the wide range reach? Under 50 bucks, who gives a darn if it works? You will, trust me! Took some shots on a few hikes. I’d say stick with the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX (really the best lens for Nikon DX.)


Yeah, go old school DSLR full frame and hump that heavy gear!!!

Now if you have some good light, you can get some good shots. But on cloudy days I would not waste my time. Remember I was using the Nikon D40. Results would be different on a Nikon D7100, since you can shoot at a higher ISO.