Nikon D80

[handicap18]

best place to post your question is over at nikonians.org. They have a D80 users forum. Lots of seasoned photog's over there. I actually haven't visited that forum, but I go to the D50 users forum all the time as well as Nikkor Lenses and 3rd party Lenses forum.

Definately play around with the settings to find what you like best. Took me about a month or so to figure out what I liked best on my D50. I played around a lot with the custom settings and then ended up not using them, opting instead for the Vivid option. I like that one best.

 

[Jockaroo]

I've changed my settings and I'll try to get out and shoot some similar shots to compare to the ones I've had problems with. Unfortunately, everything I was shooting outdoors is now frozen and dead, but it should be warming up in the next couple of days. Thanks.

 

[Jockaroo]

best place to post your question is over at nikonians.org. They have a D80 users forum. Lots of seasoned photog's over there. I actually haven't visited that forum, but I go to the D50 users forum all the time as well as Nikkor Lenses and 3rd party Lenses forum.

Thanks, I'll check into that forum as well. I hope they don't mind novice-type questions. I posted here because I feel so comfortable with this forum, but appreciate an additional direction.

I'll keep playing with the settings as suggested. I've got time to learn the camera. I don't have a big vacation or "life event" in the near future, so I do have time to practice. Who knows, maybe in the weeks to come, I can start posting photos here also.

 

[ranthony]

OK, I've been researching and need a bit more information. I'm hoping someone here can help. I'm looking to enter the dSLR world. I currently have and old Nikon N50 with a 35-80mm AF Nikkor lens. Here are my questions:

1. Will my lens AF on the D40s? (If I'm understanding what I'm reading correctly, it won't).

2. Will my lens AF on the D80? (I think it will).

3. Will my flash (Sunpak Power Zoom 4000) work on any of these camera?

4. Would you buy a used D80 body off a reputable e-bayer?

The cost difference from a D40 kit to a D40x to me is not that big a deal. If I'm wrong and my current lens will work, then I will go for the D40x. However, if my current lens will not work, as I suspect, on the D40s but it will work on the D80 then I would probably go that way and just get the D80 body to start.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

The D40 does not have a focus motor in the camera, so it only works with lenses that have focus motors built into them. I think that means that it needs to be an AF-S lens in Nikkor speak.

The D80 has a focus motor, so it will almost certainly work with your lens.

Most people are assuming that virutally all new Nikkor lenses will be AF-S lenses, so this issue shouldn't be a problem with future lenses.

The flash will almost certainly work, but it might not support all of the TTL metering capabilities of the camera. In other words, it would be able to automatically adjust the flash exposure as well as it would with a newer flash.

I would buy a used camera off of eBay, but I would be very cautious about it. For some reason, cameras appear to be one of the most fraud prone items on eBay. Make sure that the seller has plenty of positive feedback, that the feedback is recent, and that the camera is in line with the other sorts of things the person buys and sells. You might also want to look for someone that is selling one locally so that you can do an in-person transaction.

CAUTION: I'm not a Nikon expert, so take my post with a grain of salt.

 

[ukcatfan]

Try to find a D50. It is cheaper than the D80, but is not crippled like the D40. There are still a few around, but you might have to do some hunting as the supply is getting very low.

Kevin

 

[tinksdad]

If those were my choices, I'd definitely take the D80!! It's going to be more expensive, but then it's MORE camera. Your old lens will work just fine.

Mark is right on about the D40. I don't get Nikon doing that, but it's definitely billed as a starter camera for the move up crowd.

As far as the Sunpak flash, those are pretty reliable flash units. Not positive about the TTL, but I think it will work just fine. It will definitely work as a manual flash.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I don't get Nikon doing that, but it's definitely billed as a starter camera for the move up crowd.

Nikon's been moving towards AF-S for a long time. Lens motors have numerous advantages, including full-time manual focusing, faster focusing, the ability to customize the motor to the lens, and quieter focusing. It also makes the body simpler, lighter, and cheaper.

The problem that Nikon faces is how to make the transition. They've been making AF-S lenses for quite a while now, so they've been gaining the advantages that they offer. However, until AF-S lenses reach a critical mass of people's lens collections, they can't drop having the motor in the body.

I'm speculating, but I'm betting that they dropped the body motor in the D40 to cut costs and because they thought that sales of an entry level body would be least impacted by people with lenses that would be made obsolete.

Canon approached the same problem years ago when they initially made the switch to AF. At that time, they designed an entirely new lens mount. That meant that none of their old lenses worked on the new bodies but that the lens mount could be optimized for their new AF system. There were other reasons for the change as well, such as increasing the mount size to allow for wider aperture lenses.

It's an age old problem with technological change. How do you incorporate new features without leaving anyone behind. Eventually, I suspect that Nikon will drop the use of body based focus motors throughout their model line. I have no idea how fast they'll push that. I suspect that even they aren't sure.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Dupe

 

[YEKCIM]

FWIW, there are a few new D50's still around; check pricegrabber. Also, a few factory refurbs. Adorama, for example, has refurbed D50's for $399. I'd seriously consider a refurbed D50 over the D40, unless you figure on buying a bunch of new lenses anyway, in which case the in-body focus motor issue is of less importance.

~YEKCIM

 

[Master Mason]

unless you figure on buying a bunch of new lenses anyway, in which case the in-body focus motor issue is of less importance.

~YEKCIM

If your going to buy a bunch of new lenses, you could always come over from the Dark Side and get a canon

 

[handicap18]

I too would take a used/referbished D80 or D50 over a new D40 or D40x. For me the focus motor is a big thing. That eliminates a lot of prime lenses including the 50mm f/1.8 (that retails for only $110 or so) and the 85mm f/1.8 along with a bunch of other 3rd party lenses that are excellent and can be found used for a very affordable price.

You are correct that your current lens for the N50 will not work on the D40/40x, but will on a D50/D80 or any other Nikon dSLR.

As for the flash, it will fire when you press the shutter, however, I do not know for sure how it will work in any auto mode. I have an older Quantaray flash that I used briefly with my D50, but it could only be use in manual mode (on the flash that is). It was kind of a pain to work around so I didn't bother with it for long and eventually ended up getting the SB-600 flash.

The D40/40x are excellent camera's. Though I really don't think the D40x is worth the extra $$$ for really just extra MP's. It is a smaller body, much smaller than your N50. It takes great pictures and has excellent high ISO performance. If you don't ever see yourself getting one of the prime lenses or any other older used lenses then the D40 would be fine.

You can still find some good deals on older f/2.8 zooms that only have AF and also quite a few 3rd party f/2.8 primes.

The list of lenses compatable with the D40 is growing. I believe Sigma has 17, not sure about Tamron and Tokina and there are about 30 or so Nikkor AF-S lenses. However, there are hundreds and hundreds of AF lenses out there. Nikon will be making all AF-S lenses in the future, but who knows when they'll start to re-release many of the primes like the 50mm, 85mm, 28mm, 60mm macro f/2.8 and others.

There are a few primes that are AF-S, but the least expensive right now is the 105mm f/2.8 Macro which is about $800. All the others are in the thousands of dollars (long telephoto's at f/2, f/2.8 and f/4.

 

[Groucho]

Like the others, I'd stick to a D50 or a D80.

For older non-TTL flash units, you have to be careful about voltage, some put out more voltage than the current cameras can handle. As long as you're OK in that, you should be fine. I use a 15+ year old flash occasionally on my DSLR, and just shoot in Manual mode matching up to what the flash recommends on the back. I think I could actually shoot Av just fine with it, but haven't tried.

 

[KrazyPete]

Just so there is a dissenting voice on the D40, It's does have some upgrades over the D50.

"On the plus side you get ISO 3200 equiv. (HI 1), the ever useful customizable Auto ISO, a larger viewfinder view, shorter shutter lag and viewfinder blackout, a larger LCD monitor, a considerably nicer user interface, SDHC support, a new image processing engine, unlimited JPEG continuous shooting, in-camera retouching (including D-Lighting) and of course a smaller and lighter body. It would not therefore be fair to describe the D40 as a 'dumbed down' D50, far from it, the range of improvements and new features out-weigh those which have been removed or reduce, which would most likely not be missed by the average D40 owner."

Source: DPReview.com

But, if you can spring for the D80 you can have your cake and eat it too... or, keep the old lens and use it too?

 

[jonestavern]

Just so there is a dissenting voice on the D40, It's does have some upgrades over the D50.

"and of course a smaller and lighter body"

Source: DPReview.com

I have a D50 and have been very happy. Just for grins I picked up a D40X recently and found it to be too small for my hands. Just another thing to consider.

Chris

 

[Groucho]

I don't think that anyone thinks that the D40/D40x are necessarily bad cameras, they are generally very good cameras, with one or two enormous faults. Removing that focus motor seems like a really poor decision on their part, it likely won't be noticed by a casual buyer but someone doing their research and realizing that it will affect some lenses that they might want in the future is definitely going to be turned off.

Now, if Nikon suddenly starts releasing a D40f ("f" for FOCUS! ) for the same price, exactly the same as the existing D40, except for a focus motor, then I think it'll be recommended a lot more often.

 

[ranthony]

...In the 12 or so years I've been using it I've never 'seriously' considered buying another lens. Now, granted, I've been doing the mommy thing as of late and I haven't had near as much time to shoot as I would like, but I'm wondering if I may be better off just trying to dump off my N50/AF lens/flash and put that towards a new purchase. If I do that, then I'd probably go with the D40 and not worry about compatability with my old lens.

There's just something in me that makes me 'uncomfortable' with a D50 because it's been discontinued. It may be irrational, but that's the way it is.

For me, right now, I want great shots of my family. It may be a few years before I'm interested in a bigger lens to get my little guys on the soccer field. I want something that can make great family shots both indoors and out, and with or without flash. I love my little pns Canon A540 for outside shots. It's small, light, and I can carry it around in the diaper bag (amongst all the goodies need for twins) without a care. But forget it when trying to shoot indoors in not so great light. Then, I always go for my N50 but it seams like such a beast in my hands.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm heading over to ebay to see what a reasonable price would be to ask for my stuff.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I may be better off just trying to dump off my N50/AF lens/flash and put that towards a new purchase

Well if you are going to do that, take a look at the other brand as well. You'll probably still feel most comfortable with Nikon, but this could be a prime opportunity to move up to a Canon.

 

[Master Mason]

If your going to buy a bunch of new lenses, you could always come over from the Dark Side and get a canon

Well if you are going to do that, take a look at the other brand as well. You'll probably still feel most comfortable with Nikon, but this could be a prime opportunity to move up to a Canon.

See great minds think alike

 

[KrazyPete]

Well if you are going to do that, take a look at the other brand as well. You'll probably still feel most comfortable with Nikon, but this could be a prime opportunity to move up to a Canon.

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