Nikon DSLR Dilemma- D200, D80, D40X

[ATNY]

Hi! I'm trying to decide between Nikon's D200, D80, and D40X & am hoping someone can offer their opinion. My main concern is print quality---I'd be using it for 8X12 to 12X18 prints. I currently have a tamron XR & nikkor AF lenses for 35mm & I'm hoping I can use those. Below is the questionnaire. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Budget
around $1,000

Size
Doesnt matter

Features
Image quality importance=10

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for? hobby photographer/ weddings

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not? yes! 8X12 to 12X18

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos? yes

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos? no

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate? Nikon (like)

Are there particular models you already have in mind? D200, D80, D40X

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
hotshoe

[coldrain]

I do not really see your dilema... the D40x is OUT because it is a very cut down DSLR, even missing the Nikon standard internal motor that your lenses WILL need to autofocus. And that is by no means all it misses either.

The D200 is above your budget and includes things you do not need: weather sealing (ever had a camera cease to function because you were out photographing in big down poor? even got your camera broken because of dust entering the body?) and hard to use extra configurable AF groups.

The D80 on the other hand offers all you will need, and includes the same AF system and same 10mp sensor, and can perform very well, especially in RAW format. And it fits in your stated budget... is less heavy and less big than the D200.

All in all, the D80 seems to fit the bill perfectly for you.

[fionndruinne]

You stated you have a Nikkor AF lens, correct? In that case, it should work on the D40x. The other lense may work (I don't have any experience with it), but probably won't auto-focus.

The D80 sounds good for you to me as well. If you have the cash for it, that is. The D40x is several hundred dollars cheaper. Also the D40x, as far as I know, still contains the D40's help system, and you sound to be an advanced enough user not to need it. That's only one feature, though. I don't know whether the D80 has the D40's customizable menu; that's a nice thing to have. You'll just have to line them up and see which has the most-needed features, but judging from the amount of high-quality images I've seen from the D80, you'll not go wrong getting it.

[Ray Schnoor]

You stated you have a Nikkor AF lens, correct? In that case, it should work on the D40x.
Actually, it will work on the D40x, but won't auto focus unless it is an AF-S lens. AF lenses do not have the internal motor needed to work on the D40x where the AF-S lenses do.

Ray.

[jcon]

The D80 would suit you best here. I dont see the need to spend the extra cash on the D200, use it on better glass.

One thing I would like to clear up though, the "hard to use extra configurable AF groups" comment kind of baffles me. How is it hard to use? I have had no problem with mine. Have you ever used the D200, CR?

[SpecialK]

Hi! I'm trying to decide between Nikon's D200, D80, and D40X

Budget
around $1,000


D200 way over budget, D80 slightly over budget (if you want a lens and card with it). Still, I think everyone goes over budget, no matter how small or large...