Opinions on a new Nikon D40

[TNjester]

I am finally deciding to make the switch from my trusty film (Minolta X700) to digital , and I am leaning very heavily toward the Nikon D40. Pretty much sold on the Nikon, so please refrain from trying to sway me to other brands. My wife has a Canon XTi and has had all sorts of issues (can you say "Err 99"? ) and is about ready abandon Canon. I have held both the Nikon D40 and the Canon, and find the Nikon fits my hands better; much more comfortable to me. I have also decided on the D40 over the D40x; as most of the reports that I have seen say that the only significant advantage of the D40x is the increased pixels. Since I will probably not be doing anything larger than 8x10, the increased resolution does not justify the difference in price (~$150).

No, the real decision is on the lense choices available.

One package I found is the 18-135 f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S. I like the idea of a single, general purpose lense that I can put on and shoot most everything I need (mostly travel photos), without swapping out several lenses. Even though a longer focal length would come in handy at times.

A second package that I have found has the D40 with the 18-55 f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S (which I have heard is a pretty good lense for a kit), and if I buy the Nikon 55-200 f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR at the same time, there is a $100 rebate. With the rebate, the second package is within about $40 of package one.

If the D40 came in a body only, I would seriously consider the 18-200 f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR, and just be content with a single lense solution for a while.

So, any thoughts/opinions/suggestions????

 

[Furgus]

A lot of people are going to tell you that the limitations of lenses is a reason not to get a D40, my take on that....if you know you want a 18-200 VR and are fine with using some older lenses in manual focus, then get it. It is a wonderful little camera. A couple of my friends have them, and they love them (they also have the 18-55, and 55-200 VR). I have a D50, and soon, well maybe next year a D300. A lot more companies are making AF-S lenses, so I would not worry to much about that.

 

[My2Girls66]

A friend of mine had the D40x- she loves it. She has the 18-55 and 55-200vr lenses. I have a D50 with an 18-125mm lens(along with a few older Nikkor zoom lenses). Its a great lens for travel- its on my camera most of the time- it has perfect range for most situations. When I travel I rarely find the need to swap lenses. I think the D40 with the 18-135mm would be a great way to start, if possible. You can add something with 300mm capability later if you find you need it. That 18-200mm sounds even better.

 

[handicap18]

The D40 is a very good camera. It takes great images. Outside of the issue with not being able to auto focus with older lenses, it is a highly recommended camera. Great high ISO performance just like the D50.

As for a lens to go with. If you can afford the 18-200mm I would go with that for a while. Its one of the best multi purpose lenses out there. The VR will help with some low light stuff (non moving subjects) and also will help with keeping the camera still when using the lens at the 200mm end.

I have the 18-135mm lens and love it. Its very sharp and very versitle and a lot less expensive than the 18-200.

I originally started with the 18-70mm lens and found that to be not quite long enough for me so I went with the 18-135 (though I would have gone with the 18-200 if I had the money).

The lenses I use most are the 18-135mm and 70-300mm VR. Great combination and handles most everything you'll encounter.

The 18-50 and 50-200 VR are a good combo, however, for me both are short on focal length for my tastes. Though everyone is different.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I got mine from Amazon in a package with an 18 - 55 AND 55 - 200 lenses

The two together give me the ability to do everything I want. The 18/55 is perfect for my close up full body shots (think characters.) and the 55/200 is awesome for everything I want true close ups of~

I also did alot of homework before deciding on the D40. It is TOTALLY worthy!

The size is a bonus, I used the D80 for two years and find the D40 is the perfect size and weight for carrying around the parks for days at a time. The quality and clarity is amazing.

 

[YEKCIM]

I have a D50 and D80 body and a modest assortment of lenses (see below). I bought the D80 for reasons other than 10MP vs 6MP and, honestly cannot tell the difference between a 6MP and a 10MP image. More important than MP is the lens issue. For me personally, the 18-55 is too narrow a range, which is why I went with the 18-138, which is a very sharp lens, and covers a wide zoom range. I also have the 70-300vr which I like and use a lot, as well. Between the two lenses, I'm covered, in 35mm film terms, from 28mm to 450mm, with a significant overlap between 70mm and 135mm, which I find to be beneficial. The main complaint about the D40/D40x is that it does not have a focus motor in the body, but as long as you stay with lenses with a focus motor in the lens (15-55, 18-135, 55-200vr, 70-300vr, Sigma 30/1.4 HSM, etc) it won't be an issue.

Hope that helps some.

~YEKCIM

 

[tiggerwannabe]

...as long as you stay with lenses with a focus motor in the lens (15-55, 18-135, 55-200vr, 70-300vr, Sigma 30/1.4 HSM, etc) it won't be an issue.

 

[TNjester]

Thanks all for the responses.

Was taking for granted that I would be buying new lenses since there was no "carry-over" from my Minolta; so, going with the AF motor in the lens was not that big a deal (other than a little higher price on the lens). Besides, since I am used to manual focus anyway, I don't think that that would be too inconvenient if I do buy a non-AF-S lens.

I did look at the kit with both 18-55 & 55-200 lens and thought that I might be swapping lenses too often between "up-close" and zoom.

Looks like I am favoring the 18-135 option, with a future 70-300 somewhere down the road. The downside of getting the 18-200 VR now, is that I would have to get the kit that has the 18-55, and I would have a lens that I would hardly ever use (unless someone would like to make an offer to "take it off my hands" )

 

[YEKCIM]

Looks like I am favoring the 18-135 option, with a future 70-300 somewhere down the road.

A pretty good strategy, IMO. Use the 18-135 for a while and evaluate your needs based on that lens. If you need to "go long", the 70-300vr will give you considerably more reach than the 18-135.

~Ed

 

[DW-Admin]

Watch the Best Buy ads for the D40. I knew someone at BBY and wanted them to get me a discount and the bundles they have on Sundays were actually down at cost. I am picking one up in a week or two for myself. You will no be disappointed. Plus it is on SD cards so you can't go wrong with SD

 

[Gdad]

D40 is a great camera- and with the 18-135, 70-300vr and the 30/1.4 Sigma would be an awesome kit.

 

[Furgus]

I don't know if you ordered it or not yet, but here is a deal from B&H with a $100 instant rebate

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=RetrieveSku&IC=NID401855552&Q=&O=

 

[TNjester]

Thanks for the heads-up; look like some very competitive prices. Right now, I am waiting on an annual bonus from work. Hope it gets here before the rebates expire.

 

[garate55]

I have the D40 with the 18-135mm lens kit and I love it. Look in my signature and take a look at my trip report, those pictures were taken with that kit. Actually some of the pictures in the trip report were taken with my wifes camera Canon P&S(forgot which model, don't have it anymore).

Here is a kit with the 18-55 and 70-300 lenses

 

[YEKCIM]

I don't know if you ordered it or not yet, but here is a deal from B&H with a $100 instant rebate

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=RetrieveSku&IC=NID401855552&Q=&O=

FWIW, I don't think the 55-200 is the VR version in this instance.

~Y

 

[handicap18]

Thanks all for the responses.

Was taking for granted that I would be buying new lenses since there was no "carry-over" from my Minolta; so, going with the AF motor in the lens was not that big a deal (other than a little higher price on the lens). Besides, since I am used to manual focus anyway, I don't think that that would be too inconvenient if I do buy a non-AF-S lens.

With the D40/40x and manual focus I think you'll be ok. The view finder is supposed to be pretty big. I don't know if it will show a locked focus though. I know that is a feature on the new Nikon D60 which is priced along the lines of the D40x. Not that I'm trying to throw a monkey wrench at you.

I did look at the kit with both 18-55 & 55-200 lens and thought that I might be swapping lenses too often between "up-close" and zoom.

Looks like I am favoring the 18-135 option, with a future 70-300 somewhere down the road. The downside of getting the 18-200 VR now, is that I would have to get the kit that has the 18-55, and I would have a lens that I would hardly ever use (unless someone would like to make an offer to "take it off my hands" )

This wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. Its nice to have an extra lens around in case something happens to your main lens. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Groucho]

Thanks all for the responses.

Was taking for granted that I would be buying new lenses since there was no "carry-over" from my Minolta; so, going with the AF motor in the lens was not that big a deal (other than a little higher price on the lens). Besides, since I am used to manual focus anyway, I don't think that that would be too inconvenient if I do buy a non-AF-S lens.

Well, as you probably know, you can still buy brand-new lenses that won't AF with the D40/D40x.

One thing to keep in mind - going from a manual focus film SLR to a digital SLR, manual focus is far, far, far more difficult. First off, you have a smaller and dimmer viewfinder (remember that the D40 has a 1.5 crop vs a film SLR), the viewfinder on entry-level ones is a mirror vs a pentaprism (not sure what your Minolta had), and the big one - no split-focus or microprism to assist you like you have on a manual-focus SLR.

Now, you can make the situation slightly better by replacing the factory focusing screen with something like the Katz Eye screen, but they're around $100 and will cause some metering issues - nothing that you can't overcome with some exposure compensation, but it does complicate things.

Actually, you did mention that your wife has an XTi (the poor dear ) so you may be somewhat used to this already. The D40's viewfinder will probably be a little better, but still a long ways from what you're used to with a film SLR.

 

[TNjester]

Wanted to thank all for recommendations. The bonus $ come in yay: ), and I found a good deal on a D40 kit. Got the D40 w/ 18-135mm & the 70-300mm VR. Even had enough left over to add an SB-400 flash.

Should be set for a while. Just have to learn to ring all the bells and blow all the whistles.

Already have the Sigma 30mm/f1.4 on the Christmas list.

The daughter & I made a quick weekend trip to WDW a couple of weeks ago, but it was before the new camera arrived. So, guess we will just have to go back so I can take some pics to post.

 

[Gdad]

Excellent- congratulations! That is a great kit and the Sigma will make it all the better. Enjoy- and be sure to post some pictures soon.

 

[handicap18]

Wanted to thank all for recommendations. The bonus $ come in yay: ), and I found a good deal on a D40 kit. Got the D40 w/ 18-135mm & the 70-300mm VR. Even had enough left over to add an SB-400 flash.

Should be set for a while. Just have to learn to ring all the bells and blow all the whistles.

Already have the Sigma 30mm/f1.4 on the Christmas list.

The daughter & I made a quick weekend trip to WDW a couple of weeks ago, but it was before the new camera arrived. So, guess we will just have to go back so I can take some pics to post.

Thats an excellent kit you got yourself. Well done. Now get out there and take some pictures!!!!