[LSE]

I gave my wife a d40x as a gift. It is perfect for people who like photography but don't honestly care to learn all there is about cammeras. Weight is perfect for her. Highly recommend it. For me though, I rather have the d80.

[STinsane]

I have a D200, and just ordered a D3.

As photography being a second job, I need this kind of camera, but all of the nikons I use I love, even the little D40.

Get a nikon, you won't regret it.

[kts262]

If she already had a lot of Nikon film lenses then the D40, D40x, and D60 are a bad idea since as some others have said they don't have an internal autofocus motor in them so the older film lenses won't autofocus on them.

I used to have a D50 and it was great, it's basically a larger version of the D40 and it has an autofocus motor in the body. They are cheap now, like $400 for a refurb'd body direct from Nikon.

The D80 is also a great camera will work with all of her old lenses. It's also $800-900 for the body which is pretty good, especially since most of the internals of the camera are the same as the D200.

Originally Posted by Dragicon

The D200 doesnt have an "auto" function (as far as i know)., which can come in handy if you just need to take some quick pics. It also helps you determine what you should be shooting at as you can see what the auto function uses for fstop and shutter speed.

The D200/D300 only have 4 modes (Shutter priority, Aperture priority, Manual, and Program) and none of the auto/n00b modes like on the other cameras. Still they are very easy to use and grab quick pics. Program mode is very much an advanced auto mode. All of the modes on the D200/D300 will calculate everything out for you and also let you tweak what f/stop and/or shutter speed you want depending on the mode you are in, much like the other models do if you are in M/A/S/P mode.

[xlsupreme]

I've been shooting a D40 for about a year and a half now. I love the camera, get fantastic quality from it, and it was well worth the price I paid. The D40 I highly recommend for someone stepping into the world of digital photography. My only complaint is the lack of an AF motor, but there are a number of quality lenses out that have are AF-S, and considering your budget isn't for the D300 - D3 level, I'd say there are enough lenses available to get a LOT out of that camera. Go for it!

[jph]

Originally Posted by AKY

the MP does not dictate which camera can take better lower light pictures. This is based off a few other factors, such as the ISO, the aperture, the lens, lens technology (such as VR, noise reduction), etc.

in *this* particular case it does, as these two cameras use the very same image sensor.
one of them cramming more megapixels out of it than the other.

which means, each individual pixel will be smaller in that model (D40x)
which has as a result that the smaller pixel (physical size) will catch less light when exposed the same way as the other camera. which has the results that i described in my above post.

however, i DO agree that megapixels by itself do not dictate ISO sensitivity. however, when comparing the very same camera with the very same image sensor, the only difference being it's number of pixels, then it does


J.

[Parker]

Originally Posted by jph

in *this* particular case it does, as these two cameras use the very same image sensor.
one of them cramming more megapixels out of it than the other.

which means, each individual pixel will be smaller in that model (D40x)
which has as a result that the smaller pixel (physical size) will catch less light when exposed the same way as the other camera. which has the results that i described in my above post.

however, i DO agree that megapixels by itself do not dictate ISO sensitivity. however, when comparing the very same camera with the very same image sensor, the only difference being it's number of pixels, then it does


J.

while your theory seems very believable, the difference is probably negligible.

[jph]

Originally Posted by Parker

while your theory seems very believable, the difference is probably negligible.

not according to various reviews that i read.
i came very close to buying a D40 or D40x


J.

[AKY]

Originally Posted by jph

not according to various reviews that i read.
i came very close to buying a D40 or D40x


J.

Your theory is fair, no arguements there, but I still wouldn't use, or rely on the MP itself as to give a better low-light photo.

I think everyones gotten a bit MP happy in the past years, most "normal" shooters will never go past the need for 6 MP, or even 3 MP in some cases. However, that being said, if you're very crop happy, print very large, etc. higher MP could be very beneficial

[BluePearl04]

I don't suggest the D40 in her shoes, because the lenses she currently has will more than likely NOT AF on that camera.

I have a D50, and have grown out of it, but the funds for a d300 just aren't here right now.

[Parker]

the fact that she has older lenses should be case enough to not buy the d40/d60

[cbarbu]

this site made my mind in buying a D70 3 years ago
Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ

you can compare cameras side by side with almost all the features and much more...!

[ytsohptwhere]

I have a D50 and love it. I would stay away from the D40 if your girl likes using large lenses that have an autofocus motor because for some reason it cannot power the motor and you have to do everything by hand.