Nikon D40

[cobbler]

I am making a transition to DSLR and I saw a bundle package at Circuit City for the Nikon D40 for $640 and it comes with an 18-55mm lens and a 55-200mm lens.

Can anyone tell me about this, is this a good deal? And what are some good websites to learn about DSLR so I might do some research?

Thanks

 

[YEKCIM]

Not too bad for B&M. However, if you are certain you want that exact package, you can buy it online (buydig) for $580, shipped, no tax, and it includes a 2GB mem card and a couple of instructional DVD's.

They also have the D40 with just the 18-55mm kit lens and a two gig card for $470 shipped.

One more option to really muddy the water is the D40 + 18-135mm lens for $662 at Adorama. A little less reach but covers a good zoom range in one lens.

I have the 18-135mm and the 70-300VR lens, which makes for a nice two-lens combo with a good bit of overlap. The 70-300VR, however, is considerably more expensive than the 55-200VR. BTW, I don't think any of the two-lens D40 kits offer the VR version of the 55-200mm lens. To get the VR version, you'd need to buy the D40 with the 18-55 and the 55-200VR separately. The 55-200VR sells for about $220 online.

There! Have I totally confused you? If so, welcome to the world of DSLR buying!

Oh, and a few good review sites are:

www.dpreview.com
www.steves-digicams.com
www.dcresource.com
www.imaging-resource.com
www.megapixel.net

~YEKCIM

 

[RainyDays]

There is also kenrockwell.com. He has a lot of info there about the D40. I have a D40 and love it. I bought mine with only the 18-55mm kit lens and just today ordered the 55-200VR from Adorama. I figure I will try it out for a few days and if it doesnt have the reach I am looking for I will return it for the 70-300VR. The past few days we have had some indigo buntings at the back yard feeders and I am dying for the lens to get here and try for some shots.

 

[cobbler]

Thanks, do you think getting the D60 with the Vibration Reduction would be the better buy.

Right now I have a Kodak point and shoot with image stabilization so I assume the VR is the same thing, correct?

 

[YEKCIM]

Thanks, do you think getting the D60 with the Vibration Reduction would be the better buy.

Right now I have a Kodak point and shoot with image stabilization so I assume the VR is the same thing, correct?

The D60 does NOT have body-based VR. If you get the 18-55VR lens, the VR is in the lens, not the body. Nikon makes VR and non-VR lenses so in order to have image stabilization with a Nikon dSLR, you *must* buy a VR type lens.

~Y