D40 questions

[go cowboys]

My sister has been eyeing my new D80 and is interested in a new camera but would like to stay in the $500 range. I am still trying to learn mine and I suggested the D40 as I have read good things here, but I have a couple questions.

Beach and B&H have the best prices I have seen. Any other suggestions?

How does the size compare to my D80? Are my lenses going to work with her camera? What are the disadvantages of this camera?

Thanks for your insight!

Jeff

 

[YEKCIM]

My sister has been eyeing my new D80 and is interested in a new camera but would like to stay in the $500 range. I am still trying to learn mine and I suggested the D40 as I have read good things here, but I have a couple questions.

Beach and B&H have the best prices I have seen. Any other suggestions?

How does the size compare to my D80? Are my lenses going to work with her camera? What are the disadvantages of this camera?

Thanks for your insight!

Jeff

I have two D50's and love 'em, but no hands on experience with the forty or the eighty. Here is a D40/D40X/D80 comparison. As you can see, the D40/D40X is a good bit smaller and lighter than the D80. Can't say if that would be a positive or a negative, personally, but if your sister has smaller hands, she might appreciate the compact size of the 40/40X. If your lenses are AF-S, they should work with a D40/40X. If you have non-AF-S lenses, they will work with the 40/40X, but will not AF. Least expensive body with body-integral focus motor is the D80, at present. Is she planning on the 18-55 or the 18-135 kit lens? The latter is obviously going to be out of the $500 range (D40+18-135 was about $720, last I checked), but is a very sharp and very versatile lens.

Beach/Buydig and B&H are very reputable online retailers, and generally have excellent prices, Beach/Buydig in particular.

Good luck!

~YEKCIM

 

[ukcatfan]

I can also say the Beach/Buydig are good places to buy from. If the AF motor issue is going to be a problem, she might still find a refurb D50 around. Also, if that advantage of having lenses to borrow is gone, there is no reason that she could not look at other brands. For just a little more than $500, the Rebel XT is a good deal right now, but supplies are bound to be getting pretty small by now. It has not been made in six months or so. Olympus should also have some offerings in that range. I believe the Sony is still a little too much to make it close enough in $$$. Then comes my favorite, the Pentax K100D at ~$420 after a $50 rebate right now.

Kevin

 

[McRib]

FWIW, I've seen a nice little D40 starter kit at Costco recently (at least here in the Seattle area) which included a camera bag, 2 lenses (not sure which) and I believe some small accessories. I would have to assume a memory card as well, but I didn't really look at it that closely.

 

[YEKCIM]

she might still find a refurb D50 around.

Kevin

I'm almost certain that the D50 refurbs are all gone. Glad I got my two when I did

~YEKCIM

 

[ukcatfan]

I'm almost certain that the D50 refurbs are all gone. Glad I got my two when I did

~YEKCIM

That is too bad. I just cannot understand why they seemed to downgrade when releasing the D40. I know that there are some improvements, but with the features that were removed, I just do not see why anyone would want a D40.

Kevin

UPDATE: Sigma4less has a D70s refurb for $564.95. They seem to be a reputable place and have almost a 9 lifetime rating on ResellerRatings. http://www.sigma4less.com/

 

[ukcatfan]

Back to the OP. I just realized that the only thing we have been talking about is the focus motor(although that is the biggest disadvantage). A few other things I do not care for on the D40 are no DOF preview, no info LCD, extremely limited RAW software, and only three focus points. None of those are real deal killers, but with other cheaper cameras offering theese features, why does the D40 not have them?

Kevin

 

[tiguan]

Between Beach vs B&H, i will choose B&H because it is a reputable store( in my opinion). D40 is a good starter light weight camera with a bright Lcd display. You may want to spend your $$$ on a good (fast f/2.8) nikon lenses ( avoid non-nikon lenses u may regret it later)which you can still use if you wish to upgrade you nikon camera to a D200 or maybe a future D300

 

[go cowboys]

Thanks for all the info. I know she is still trying to decide between the two. The lens motor thing does not seem to bother her as she probably will not use any older lenses. I do not know about the 50mm 1.8, is it compatible?

She is just getting into the DSLR fun, so some of the features removed for the D40 are not things she would use yet. She has found some D50's on ebay for around 400.00 but my guess is she will opt for a D40 even though it is somewhat inferior and more expensive because she can find one new with warranty, etc for 524.00. I am trying to let her make up her own mind as there is nothing fun about family being dissatisfied with a purchase you suggest.

If you can think of any other deal breakers that I should pass along please let me know. She got on ken rockwells site and read about the D40 and he was pretty complimentary. Also got good reviews on steves-digicam and dcresource.

 

[ukcatfan]

Thanks for all the info. I know she is still trying to decide between the two. The lens motor thing does not seem to bother her as she probably will not use any older lenses. I do not know about the 50mm 1.8, is it compatible?

It is not just older lenses and no, the 50mm f/1.8 will not AF. That lens alone makes it a deal killer IMO.

Kevin

 

[go cowboys]

Kevin, Would you opt for a used D50 on ebay then?

 

[ukcatfan]

Kevin, Would you opt for a used D50 on ebay then?

As long as it is a reputable seller and I would want to know the number of shutter actuations it had. They might even find a better deal on a body only and be able to get the 18-135mm instead of the kit. I am not a Nikon user, but I have read that it is a much better lens than the standard kit. That might put it over $500 though.

Just for our knowledge, what lenses do you have that you plan on sharing? If you do not have a bunch of them and the cost is their biggest factor, then they might be better off with a different brand.

Kevin

 

[go cowboys]

I have the 18-135 AF-S that came in my D80 kit. I also just purchased the 50mm 1.8 and the 18-200 VR. I was hoping that she would be able to use the 18-135 as I probably will not need it anymore. I will check on a D50 body only and then share my 18-135. Great idea Kevin.

 

[Groucho]

Beach/Buydig are very, very reputable. Definitely don't be afraid to buy from them instead of B&H.

And every company makes some great lenses and some non-great lenses, you limit yourself if you stick to the camera manufacturer's lenses only.