I make it no secret that I have always dreamt of owning a DSLR one day. The thought of taking photos with a DSLR somehow looks and feels more … “professional”. However, the outcome of the photos are no guarantee. 
About a week ago, I received (or rather “inherited”) a new toy — the Nikon F-401x. It looks quite “OK”, right? It’s big, heavy and black. There are buttons all over the place, most of which I don’t know the function (YET).
If you take a closer look at the photo below, you can see that there are dusts in the lens. I wonder if that will affect the quality of the photo taken. Should I send it to the shop for some servicing? I wonder how much it will cost.
A top view shot of the camera.
This is the back view of the camera. One word — UGLY! It’s not ugly because it’s ugly but rather…where is the LCD screen? Oh yeah, if you haven’t already know, this Nikon F-401x is a SLR, not a DSLR. Hence, there is no LCD, it runs on 4 AA batteries and photos are “saved” on camera films instead of memory sticks.
I’m really enthusiastic to experiment with this new toy but there is one thing holding me back. That is the cost to experiment with it. A 24 roll film costs me RM11.50 while developing them will cost me another RM14.50. That means every photo I take will cost me slightly more than RM1!
I’ll be attending my cousin’s wedding next month. Therefore, I need to play around with the Nikon F-401x to see how the photos develop. I’ll be bringing my Panasonic DMC-FZ3 along as a backup.
If I manage to hide the “back” of the camera from public eyes, people might think I’m using a DLSR. Heck, some might even be jealous of me! Hahahahaha.
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At least the camera is a good start for something better, like the real DSLR cameras. I have the same desire like yours, to OWN a DLSR camera. I love taking photograph and right now I only take photos using my Olympus digicam and my 2MP SonyEricsson W850i.I aim to get the Nikon D40 as my entry level DSLR.
Once you’ve played with it, you’d love what it can do. And it might just tempt you into buying a DSLR. Consider yourself warned.
I have the Nikon D40 and it was less than RM2K now. You may want to try that. For an extra RM700, you get a Nikon D40x. Hehehe, I have two DLSRs but the CF card slot for my Konica-Minolta kaput and will costs RM1K to repair. *roll eyes* Once you are into DSLR, there is no end. My lens costs RM2.6K and I am now eyeing another RM2.5K macro lens. That’s why I have so many blogs, so many ads and so many paid posts.
@Az1
The next step after deciding to buy a DSLR is the brand. Then the price range, the features, the lens, and I don’t know what else. One thing is for sure, those need money. Unfortunately I don’t have much of it. Hehehe.
@mooiness
Hahaha. The major cons I’m frustrated with this SLR is the fact that “experimenting” will be very costly. Furthermore, the “result” of the photo can only be seen many hours (if lucky) later.
I need no warning because the truth is, I WANT a DSLR!
So, do I need to send the camera for service (the inside of lens is a little dusty)?
@lilian
Wahhhh…so cheap? To think that I paid RM1,700 for my DMC-3 a few years ago. *sigh* They are getting cheaper and cheaper nowadays. I guess the “real money spending” comes AFTER we buy the DSLR (ie. to buy new upgrades like new lenses and other stuffs that I don’t even know exist). *drooling*
Yeah yeah, I want to write PPP also. I need manehhhh. I signed up with them already but don’t know how to “describe my blog” to sound damn cun (even when it isn’t). Maybe I should ask help from “someone”?
lol i dun have a camera… and it’s never heard of that blogger who doesn’t own a camera
@Mossie`Ol Chin
I’m sure there is. If not, you are the first. Hehe.
I also have a Nikon 401x. I bought it ten years ago because it’s the best value for your money at that time in choosing a traditional SLR. And I was not dissapointed. Nikon shoots quality pro pictures with the price of an amateur camera. It is really a terrific camera. I am still using it with my new Nikon D100.
I am no longer using the Nikon F-401x. I find the auto focus is out sometimes. The biggest drawback is of course the film. I hate to not being able to view my shots immediately after taking the photo.
My Nikon D40x is serving me well. Next stop would be to get a long range lens and/or a flashgun.