Nikon D40

[megan_in_pink]

I am thinking getting this camera. I would come with the 18-55 lens and a 55-200 vr lens. This would be my frist slr.

If you ahve this camera can you also post some photos you took with it?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

If you search around, I think someone asked a very similar question last week and some pictures were posted. You can also look on flickr and other photo sites or google and you'll see lots. Good luck.

 

[annnewjerz]

I was thinking of buying the D40 a week or two ago. After doing some research on Amazon.com, I found that I liked the package that was offered with the D60 instead. It was higher in megapixels and had a couple other features the D40 didn't. You have the option of getting just the body, one lens or two lenses (all with the VR function built in, which I have learned is pretty important).

For my D60 body, and for the 18-55mm VR lens, it was $598 and Amazon had 12 months interest free financing going for it, so a pretty good deal for me. They also had the D60 with the 18-55mm and 50-200mm VR lenses for over $800, which I decided against.

I don't know what your budget is, or what you plan on shooting but that seems to be a question most will ask.

It was strongly recommended I get the D80 because it has the focus motor built into the body, rather than the lens...so in turn, you could buy less expensive lenses and they would autofocus with that camera. The D40, D60, etc. have the focus motor built into the lens, so the lenses are more expensive and the selection is slightly more limited. It was also strongly recommended that I go out and hold a variety of cameras to make sure I liked the feel of them. I tried the Canon Rebel xTi or xSi and didn't like it, the D90 I held and it was HUGE and I was playing around with a Pentax at Best Buy and just found that I liked the feel of the Nikon D40 and D60 best (they are around the same size and weight).

Knowing all of this, I chose the D60 and am really happy with it thus far. I know NOTHING about photography with a dSLR but have learned so much through this board and am looking forward to learning much more. If all you can afford is the D40, I would say if you are really interested...go for it, but just be aware the package probably has the lenses WITHOUT the VR. If you can afford more, I would upgrade to the D60 package, or even the D80 if it's feasible. For me...I know I will upgrade to the D80 body sometime in the future when I know more about lenses, technique, etc. but for right now the D60 fits my needs (considering I've only had it a week).

Rather than get the 50-200mm VR, I plan to save a little extra and get the 70-300mm VR because I have heard from the people who own it that they are extremely impressed with it. I also plan to save up and buy the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 and maybe the 18-200mm VR sometime down the road.

Good luck with your decision and sorry about the long post!

Here are some pix I took with it the first day I had it, knowing nothing. I don't think they came out half bad.

This is one taken inside of a restaurant in full auto, I believe.

 

[jim22046]

I have the exact same thing you are asking about.
Also sent you a PM.

 

[wenrob]

I have the D40 and love it, though I'm lusting after the D90. I'm surprised annewjerz found it huge, I didn't think so but I use the 18-200mm on my D40 and it's fairly heavy. Anyway, it's a great camera but I'm going to agree with annewjerz and say go for the D60 w/the VR lens. I'm no pro but I think it's a better value.
Taken today on the D40 w/kit lens:

D40 w/the 18-200mmVR:

 

[annnewjerz]

I have the D40 and love it, though I'm lusting after the D90. I'm surprised annewjerz found it huge, I didn't think so but I use the 18-200mm on my D40 and it's fairly heavy. Anyway, it's a great camera but I'm going to agree with annewjerz and say go for the D60 w/the VR lens. I'm no pro but I think it's a better value.
Taken today on the D40 w/kit lens:

D40 w/the 18-200mmVR:

I definitely don't think it was HUGE compared to some I saw, but after seeing it compared to the D40 and D60 it just looked like a monster (size-wise, not weight). I guess just using a p&s for so long, it was a little overwhelming to imagine one day carrying something that size around on my neck.

Not to hijack the thread, but since it relates...how do you like the 18-200mm VR? I have a list of lenses I think would suit my needs best (Sigma 30mm f/1.4, 18-200 VR as an every day lens and the 70-300mm VR for the zoo and an upcoming trip to Alaska). It seems like the 18-200mm VR gets mixed reviews, some saying they like the ability to use one lens for a large amount of situations and other reviews I have seen mention distortion at the larger end of the zoom. It's the most expensive lens I am looking at so I definitely want to make sure it's a good one before I bite the bullet and get it

 

[wenrob]

I think it's a great every day lens especially when you have two midgets to chase, lol. I've never noticed any distortion, both of those were taken fully extended. It is a little soft though which has me lusting after the very lenses you mentioned and I've been going back and forth on whether to sell it or not. I think if you're in a lot of situations where you just don't have time to change the lens or are taking casual pics then it's worth the price.