Nikon D40

[kdibattista]

You have all convinced me that I want an SLR. I went to the camera store and played around with a couple... the reduced lag time is what absolutely sold me. OMG... that's fantastic!!!! The saleswoman told me that she was a "Nikon girl" all the way. She showed me the different features on the D40x(I think... the newer D40) but the D40 was $200 cheaper. I figured for my first it would ok. Any thoughts on this camera? I want to go back on Monday to get it but wanted to hear any reviews first.

Thanks!!!

 

[YEKCIM]

I personally chose the D50 (now discontinued, but still available in places) over the D40. However, having said that, from all I've heard, the D40 is a fine entry level camera. I suggest you google "D40 review" and read up on the camera before you buy it, although I doubt you'd be disappointed in it.

Here are a few to get you started:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/nikond40x/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_reviews/nikon_d40.html
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/ND40/ND40A.HTM

The basic difference between the D40 and D40x is megapixel count.


Keep in mind that a dSLR is a system, only one part of which is the camera body itself. Equally, if not more important, than your camera choice is your choice of lenses. Give that some serious thought, within the context of what kinds of subjects you shoot, and your budget. Most serious dSLR owners have LOTS more invested in lenses than camera bodies, and with good reason. Lens choices are the primary reason dSLR's exist in the first place.

~YEKCIM

 

[Miller1412]

I have the D80 and I love it!! Have fun picking a dSLR...warning though...it'll start you down a long road of wanting more lenses and equipment

 

[ukcatfan]

I personally chose the D50 (now discontinued, but still available in places) over the D40. However, having said that, from all I've heard, the D40 is a fine entry level camera. I suggest you google "D40 review" and read up on the camera before you buy it, although I doubt you'd be disappointed in it.

If you are sold on Nikon, then I would vote D50 over the D40 or D40x b/c they do not have a focus motor in the camera. That means that only lenses with their own motors can autofocus. I am not all that familiar with Nikon, but I believe that also means that many of the most popular lenses would be manual focus only.

Kevin

 

[KrazyPete]

It's a good camera. I'm pretty sure you will be happy with it. I don't think the AF motor is that big of a deal unless you intend to buy used lenses. As long as you're buying all new stuff you'll just look for the lenses with their own internal motors (AF-S or AF-I). They're quieter anyway.

 

[tinksdad]

The D40 is a decent entry level DSLR. The others have spoken about some of the deficiencies of the camera, ie: no focus motor in the camera. Not positive about this, but I'm thinking most of the lenses you're going to get will be AF-S and AF-I lenses. The older AF lens will still work, you just need to manually focus. That would be a deal breaker for me.

The main differences between the D40 and D40x are:

* 10 megapixel sensor vs 6 megapixel
* Lower base sensitivity (ISO 100 vs ISO 200)
* Auto ISO option includes ISO 200
* Faster continuous shooting (3 fps vs. 2.5 fps)

If you like it and it "feels good" in your hands then it's going to work for you. If the cost of the camera is a major part of the equation (usually is) then you might consider another brand. Several members of this board have extolled the virtues of the Pentax line out right now, a great value!

 

[Groucho]

The D40x, IMHO, seems like a total rip-off compared to the D40. That's an awfully big bump in price for a camera that is basically the same as the D40, just with more megapixels (which you generally won't notice except in extremely large prints.)

The D50 is certainly preferable to the D40 due to the focus motor and a couple other things.

You can certainly find any of the cameras for much cheaper online than in a brick & mortar store. Beach Camera is pretty popular for good service and extremely low prices. You may also want to consider the Pentax line, which have the same sensors as the Nikons, very similar ergonomics and feel (and a nicer kit lens), cost less, and all (except the K110D) have image stabilization built into the body, whereas for the Nikon, to get IS, you'll have to buy expensive lenses.

The Nikons are certainly very nice though, and would definitely be my choice after the Pentaxes.

 

[handicap18]

If you've never owned any kind of SLR in the past and your initial intentions are just as an upgrade from a PnS to get the no shutter lag and faster start up time and get a better sensor for better pics, then the D40 is a very good camera.

From your post it may be a very good fit for you. Coming from a PnS it really isn't a big camera compared to most of the other dSLR's. While the D40 will not auto focus with older lenses there are still many lens options in the Nikon line (around 30 or so) and Approx 17 from Sigma, not sure about which specific ones from Tamron and Tokina.

It has a great sensor and its high ISO performance is right with the D50, which happens to be one of the best in the line.

While down the road with this particular camera you wont be able to auto focus with the f/1.8 lenses, there are a large number of f/2.8 zoom lenses that do work. You'll want to look for any of the Nikon lenses that have AF-S (don't worry about the AF-I lenses as no one mentions them because they are the $10,000+ lenses and there aren't that many of them). All the new Nikkor lenses are being made AF-S. Some of the more recent ones are farily affordable including the new 50-200mm ED-IF AF-S VR. The kit lens that comes in the D40 package is pretty good, but for me its not long enough at 18-55mm. I originally went with the 18-70mm for my D50 and have since gone up to the 18-135mm (both are AF-S lenses).

No need to worry about flash compatibality as the 3 newest i-TTL flashes will work no worries (SB-400, SB-600 & SB-800).

While the D40 is not for me, it is by no means a bad camera. It produces great images, it's small and managable, easy to use, has full SLR capabilities (fully manual or you choose the modes to control what you want) and is affordable. If it feels comfortable in your hands, then that is really the most important thing.

 

[poohluvrs]

I was looking at the D40, then DH found the Canon Rebel 8mp...does anyone know how those compare? Im a novice.....TIA!

 

[ukcatfan]

I was looking at the D40, then DH found the Canon Rebel 8mp...does anyone know how those compare? Im a novice.....TIA!

Check this site for some reviews of different entry level DSLRs. You should read a few to get an idea of wht features you want. We can all give you our favorites, but that does not mean it would be teh best for you. http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

Kevin