exploding tech Nikon D40 DSLR camera

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This month, we explode Nikon’s big-selling (and smallest) DSLR, the D40, to see what’s inside and how they get it all to fit.

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Acting like shutters on a window (hence the name) by opening and closing at varying speeds, the shutter is what actually controls the exposure time of the CCD sensor, which is located directly behind it.

The prism is simply a series of mirrors positioned to behave the same way as an inbuilt persicope, allowing the user to see past the shutter and other camera internals (and out through the lens).

The D40’s Pentaprism design viewfinder provides a wealth of information to the user through LCD displays (and is also adjustable).

This 6MP CCD sensor is the guts of the camera. This is what has replaced film as the means of recording the incoming light to create your images.

1 Shutter Release button with on/off switch2 Mode selection dial3 Flash Hot-Shoe Adaptor Flash Hot-Shoe Adaptor4 Pop-up Flash Pop-up Flash Pop-up Flash5 Viewfinder eye-piece Viewfinder eye-piece6 Viewfinder optics with

dioptric correction. dioptric correction.7 Prism for directing the user’s

view down and through the body and lens body and lens 8 Metal lens mount9 Release switch circuit.

10 Lithium Battery bay Lithium Battery bay11 Power circuit12 Drive motor for reflex mirror and shutter13 Viewfinder mount

14 Reflex Mirror15 Shutter16 CCD Sensor17 SD card slot attached to the main board18 Digital processing circuits (DG PCB)19 LCD display and rear button plate rear button plate20 D40 front body panel D40 front body panel21 D40 support frame D40 support frame22 D40 rear body panel D40 rear body panel23 Flash charge holder Flash charge holder Flash charge holder24 D40 frame base with tripod mount with tripod mount25 D40 body base panel with battery bay door

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exposure time of the CCD sensor, which is located directly behind it.6 16

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