[mgsm666]

Hey,

So my girlfriend is considering getting a D40. She's been into photography for a while, and has a bunch of nikon lenses from her film camera, but is ready to upgrade to digital (has a crappy point&shoot). Been reading reviews, but wanted some feedback from the boards.

Sounds like in terms of nikon's, its D40 or D200 - the ones inbetween don't really justify their price point based on features.

So - any thoughts on the D40? What do you like/dislike?

Beyond just the "I <3 it," which we see so often, any actual thoughts on the camera?


Thanks


Jesse

[blindfold]

The low end stuff is cheap for DSLR and it has many lenses as you can ever dream of. D40 is a bit small, but if your girlfriend has small hands then it would fit her perfectly, even if you are buying online, go to the store and have her try it out.

And yes, D200 is justified because of many feature and the layout and the extra wheel just for iso and many other small details that makes it feel more "natural"

[k38s]

Go to KenRockwell.com IMO he gives the most thourogh un-biased review out there.
You can't go wrong with eaither one. Good luck.

[Wolverine 250R]

My girl and I each have a D40. I came from a film SLR and she had no previous experience and we are both happy. I like the small size as its not too difficult to lug around. The only drawback is the lack of an internal AF motor. The 50mm f1.8D Nikkor lens is cheap (~$100), but it will not AF on the D40. I have the lens and its great and most of the time I like manual focus, but shooting wide open, in low light, or with moving subjects, is hit or miss.

Check out my member journal (http://www.iwsti.com/forums/members-...8-new-pic.html) for photos taken with my D40. There are two higher res (1920x1200) wallpapers linked at the top. Each has minimal PS. The first is taken with the 50mm f1.8D lens- look how sharp it is. The second is with the kit lens. You can also search flickr for photos taken with D40s.

I paid $500 from BHPhotovideo.com for my camera and I am very happy with it.

[stretch]

After playing with several cheap SLR's, I actually preferred the Pentax K100D Super to the D40 and others. It did more stuff, like bracketing, in-body stabilizing, auto ISO, and probably a few other features I'm not remembering. It has an 18-250mm lens which looks on par with the Nikon 18-200mm VR.

The D200 is an incredible camera and I feel much better than its rivals at that price. The D300 is leaps and bounds better still, and is the best crop-frame camera on the market.

I own a D80 and love it. I'd consider that as a cheaper, lighter alternative to the D200. It does 90% of the same stuff, like the wireless flash, bracketing, auto ISO, DOF preview, and in-body focusing motor.

[///M Power]

I like the D40 but I would go with the D40x because its a 10mp camera instead of a 6mp.

[stretch]

6mp is plenty for almost anything, even when printing 8x10's the lens is far more important.

[///M Power]

I agree but for the price, I would rather pay close to the same price for new technology rather than the older technology

[Halogene]

Originally Posted by ///M Power

I agree but for the price, I would rather pay close to the same price for new technology rather than the older technology

agreed. i bought a d80 last january and have been very happy with it. but if i had to choose now, i'd pick the d40x for sure. now i'm saving up for a d3... :P

[Parker]

Originally Posted by mgsm666

Hey,

So my girlfriend is considering getting a D40. She's been into photography for a while, and has a bunch of nikon lenses from her film camera, but is ready to upgrade to digital (has a crappy point&shoot). Been reading reviews, but wanted some feedback from the boards.

Sounds like in terms of nikon's, its D40 or D200 - the ones inbetween don't really justify their price point based on features.

So - any thoughts on the D40? What do you like/dislike?

Beyond just the "I <3 it," which we see so often, any actual thoughts on the camera?


Thanks


Jesse

if your girlfriend has old lenses from her film cameras, I can 99.9% guess that they won't autofocus on the D40/D40x. The d40/d40x doesn't have an internal drive motor for AF so non AP-S lenses won't work. Consider looking at a D50 or D80.

Originally Posted by stretch

I own a D80 and love it. I'd consider that as a cheaper, lighter alternative to the D200. It does 90% of the same stuff, like the wireless flash, bracketing, auto ISO, DOF preview, and in-body focusing motor.

The D80 is a very capable camera and is a very good alternative to the D200.

Originally Posted by ///M Power

I like the D40 but I would go with the D40x because its a 10mp camera instead of a 6mp.

I agree but for the price, I would rather pay close to the same price for new technology rather than the older technology

The only true difference between the d40 and d40x is the 4mp difference. More mp don't always equal better pictures. You have to remember they're using the same chip and cramming more mp onto it. In some cases, it actually makes your image quality worse (as is the case with a lot of p&s cameras)

Originally Posted by Halogene

agreed. i bought a d80 last january and have been very happy with it. but if i had to choose now, i'd pick the d40x for sure. now i'm saving up for a d3... :P

The d80 is 10x better in all aspects than the d40x. You are definitely getting your moneys worth.

[jph]

Originally Posted by ///M Power

I like the D40 but I would go with the D40x because its a 10mp camera instead of a 6mp.

which is why the D40 will make better pictures in lower light conditions, and can be stopped down further, and use faster shutter speeds in the same conditions than the D40x

me, i'm about to pull the trigger on a canon 40D


J.

[fullerton]

Originally Posted by stretch

6mp is plenty for almost anything, even when printing 8x10's the lens is far more important.

Agreed 100%. My new 5mp cell phone camera sucks because the lens sucks. My years old 4mp powershot out shoots that thing 10 to 1.

OT: I have always been impressed with Nikon's D line of cameras. Ever think of trying to pick up a used D200? I bet a lot will be hitting the market now that the D300 is out.

Also, while she may have a lot of old Nikon lenses around, she is going to want to upgrade her glass. It may still look nice, but the new glass has many features that will aid in producing the best shots possible. Not to mention they are made for a ccd instead of film.

[AKY]

Originally Posted by jph

which is why the D40 will make better pictures in lower light conditions, and can be stopped down further, and use faster shutter speeds in the same conditions than the D40x

me, i'm about to pull the trigger on a canon 40D


J.

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.

I personally use the D200, however that is because I need the extra functions it has, however there is quite a price jump between the D40 and the D200 (or the D300 now, which i'll be switching to soon).

Both cameras are great, but you can't really compare them apples to apples.

If she is just wanting to learn digital photography, the D40 could be a great starting camera, as it will keep things a little simpler, while still giving her the hands on experience.

Ultimately the lenses are the most important factor (IMO) when buying camera gear. I would take a D40 with top notch lenses, over a D200 with mediocre lenses anyday.

[UltimateLurker]

I personally like the D40, and coupled with the 18-135 and 50mm f/1.8 it'd be a great starter kit.

[Dragicon]

I've got a D80. If you are an very experienced user, the D200 will prob work. However, if it is your first DSLR or whatnot, i would suggest not getting it. 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. I got a D80 only because i got an unbelievable price on it. Otherwise i prob would have gotten the D40.