D40 for DSLR beginner?

[thunderable]

I toyed with the idea of the D80/18-200 VR for quite some time, but not only hasn't the camera come down in price, Nikon apparently will never manufacture enough of the 18-200VR lenses for the price (hovering over $1K from any reputable distributors) to come back down to reality ($600-700 is what people seem to think it's really worth). And honestly, I think $2K+ for everything involved is a bit more than I need to (or should) spend at this point in my photographic avocation.

So...I've set my sights on the limited, but possibly good for me, D40. I tend to take most pics while hiking, which isn't often, so I like the idea of something light and easy to use. Also, I do enjoy architecture/urban landscape photography now and then, and of course the occasional family/friends photos. Up til now, I've been happy with my Nikon 5200 P&S, but would like a little more control.

OK, enough ramblings. My questions are:
1) Is the D40 a good bet or any suggestions for other cameras in this price range?
2) I've not read great things about the 18-55 kit lens, and while I would, of course love the 18-200VR, I've given up the ghost at this point. Would it be worth it to get (if I can) the D40 body only and buy the 18-70 lens, possibly with the 70-300 as well? And on the latter, there is a huge price range diff between the old one and the new VR version. I know that VR is excellent for long-range zooms, but ~$400 extra is a lot. :eek:

Cheers,
Alex

[jcon]

I would consider a D50, its around the same price and the D50 will autofocus all the lenses, the D40 only has a short list of lenses that will autofocus, otherwise you have to manual focus. Here is a thread I think you should read...

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27666

[T06]

.....ditto on what he said.

[soccerjoe5]

i think i really like the D40! i read at a website (ryan rockwell or something) that he doesn't really use his D80 and D200 much anymore and uses his D40 most of the time coz it's so fun to use and convenient to carry around.

i've read great reviews and opinions of the lens that comes bundled with it

[Riley]

that would be ken rockwell

[thunderable]

Yeah, Rockwell is pretty high on the D40 and fairly opinionated from what I've seen and heard.

So many options here...

That link to the previous thread helped break things down - thanks. Here's another interesting conversation I found elsewhere on D40 vs. D50:

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Iq69

The price for the D40 & D50 with the 18-55mm kit lens is the same (just shy of $600), though for $200 more, the D70s is available with the 18-70mm lens. Thom Hogan sees this as clearly superior to the 18-55, but Rockwell likes the latter. And I know there is the new version (II) of this lens on the D40, so not sure how much better it is than the original.

All in all, what's stated in that link I posted above is probably true for me: aside from the kit lens, I likely won't buy anything else (at least not anytime soon) than a zoom, probably the 70-300mm VR.

[jcon]

that would be ken rockwell

Short and to the point, I agree with you Riley.

For him to say he prefers the D40 over the D200, well... that sums up MR. Rockwell.

[sjseto]

I don't think there's anything wrong with preferring the D40 over the D200. It depends on the type of shooting that one is doing. On his web site, Ken Rockwell says, "I grab my D200 for serious stuff and grab my D40 for family snapshots and light weight". So it sounds to me that he now uses his D40 more often, but that's because casual snapshooting is what the average person gets to do more often than "serious" shooting. It doesn't mean that he thinks the D40 is better than the D200 in all ways; but for everyday life, the smaller, lighter, easier-to-use camera is the one you reach for first.

On a day-to-day basis, I use my Fuji F30 way more often than my Nikon F80. But if I'm going somewhere specifically to take pictures, I almost always take my "serious" camera, the F80.

I haven't shot with the D40, just handled one in a store, and my first reaction was, "It's so cute!" I couldn't believe how small and light it was. I can imagine that shooting with it is a pleasure. Now, I probably wouldn't get one for myself because I have quite a few older Nikon lenses that wouldn't autofocus on the D40. But for someone who hasn't any investment in older Nikon lenses, and for getting DSLR image quality without the bulk and weight, the D40 seems very appealing.

Stephanie

[speaklightly]

Stephanie-

I have always really admired you Fuji F-series Photos. They are wonderful. I made the leap to the Nikon D-40. It is really quite an advance.

You ought to try the Nikon D-40. It really is a wonderful camera. Yes, you are correct that it only uses Nikon's AF-s lenses, but there a quite a few of those lenses. The D-40 is leagues ahead of the D-50. And when coupled with the Nikkor 12-24mm wide angle lens, it is a very impressive camera

Speaklightly

[soccerjoe5]

cool i envy you! i'd love to buy a D40 :) i'll try to get one soon :) i hope the lenses for it increase in number, become more available, and not to mention cheaper :)

[sjseto]

Stephanie-

I have always really admired you Fuji F-series Photos. They are wonderful. I made the leap to the Nikon D-40. It is really quite an advance.

You ought to try the Nikon D-40. It really is a wonderful camera. Yes, you are correct that it only uses Nikon's AF-s lenses, but there a quite a few of those lenses. The D-40 is leagues ahead of the D-50. And when coupled with the Nikkor 12-24mm wide angle lens, it is a very impressive camera

Speaklightly

Why, thank you Sarah (I know that might not be your real name, but I remember that it used to be your sig). It's great to see you around the forum again. Congrats on the D40 purchase. I know you'll post some great photos from it soon.

Actually, I picked up a D80 about a month ago - my first DSLR. Haven't shot anything that I think is worth posting yet, but hopefully soon. I'm still a bit freaked out by all of the buttons and options (shooting with a film SLR was never this complicated) but I am so loving how swift and quiet the autofocus is on the 18-70 lens. If I had the funds to justify owning more than one DSLR I would certainly consider the D40. However, my collection includes 2 Tamron zooms, 3 Nikon primes, and 2 Nikon zooms that are on indefinite loan from my brother, and none of them will autofocus on the D40, so it was never really an option for me as a primary camera. For now, I'm content to have my hands full with the D80.

i hope the lenses for it increase in number, become more available, and not to mention cheaper

I don't think you can count on those lenses getting much cheaper anytime soon; they aren't like digital cameras, where the prices seem to sink like stones in water. So, in other words, start saving! :)

Stephanie