D40, 40x or 80?

[BaffledinBrussels]

I am new to the world of dslr's. I currently have a p&s (Canon Powershot SD550) but find it rather limiting in terms of zoom and the quality of pictures - I want that "wow" factor that I have seen on some of the "picture of the day" posts.

Since I was generally happy with the SD550 I immediately considered the Canon Digital Rebel Xti. My friend raves about hers and she let me borrow it for a day. I found it very easy to use but very uncomfortable to hold. At first I thought it was due to the sudden size difference from my SD550 but when I hit the local camera shop and held a few others I knew this wasn't the case. I much preferred the feel of the Nikon models. I did have a slight preference for the feel of the D80 over the D40(x) but don't know if I can justify the higher price for a slight difference in comfort.

In terms of usage, I will primarily be taking pictures of my kids. I need a camera that can capture the everyday things kids do as well as indoor ballet recitals (where we might be sitting further back from the stage) and outdoor soccer games. We do hike and camp quite a bit so I want to be able to take good pictures of landscapes, flora, and wildlife (I am hoping nature photography can be come a hobby down the line).

My budget is around $1000 (camera, lense(s), and maybe an extra flash). I can adjust the budget if the reasoning is convincing enough.

So should I go for the D40 with a few good lenses? If yes, which lenses would you recommend to cover the usage situations I described? Besides the difference in megapixels, is the D40x something I should be considering? Is the lack of an internal focus motor on these two models a major concern? I do not have any lenses yet.

Or should I go with the D80 and look to add better lenses later? If yes, what basic lense should I start with?

Since I am new to slr's I don't want to spend too much on a camera where I will ultimately use only a small fraction of its features. On the flip side I also don't want to spend too little on a camera that I may outgrow it in a few years as my skills improve (and I don't expect to become a pro by any means, more of a learn as you go amateur;))

Thanks in advance for your help.

[wannabe]

I would recommend the D80 with the 18-135 lens. This should give you a pretty good set-up for starters. (disclaimer - this is the set-up I started with in 2006, so I'm biased!) The D80 has some extra features that I find pretty valuable. First, your lens options will be limited witht the D40 and D40x, but not so with the D80. Second, the D80 has a top lcd panel. I don't know what I would do without that! Third, the D80 has two dials for changing settings. On the D40, you have to go into the menu to change some settings. As I have improved my photograpy, I often change settings to get a more "artistic" shot. If I had to go into the menu every time I wanted to change some settings, I think I would miss some of my better shots. When I bought the D80, it had more features than I needed at the time. But I have grown into the camera and been very happy with it (and still am!) I know if I had gotten less camera, I would have wanted to upgrade a lot sooner.

The D80 is also a pretty good value right now. I think you get a lot of camera for the price.

[wannabe]

Oh, also wanted to add - the indoor ballet thing is going to be tough. My daughters are both in ballet and I borrow or rent a lens for their recitals. But I'm hoping to buy one soon. However, that won't be in your initial budget!

[ooverdrive]

I you are thinking about indoor shots the primes f1.4 and f 1.8 will be of great use,but these will not auto focus on D40/40x,so if $1000 is your budget then you have to look for
a body with auto focus feature,perhaps a D80 btw one thing D80 is now reasonably priced
everywhere and the rumor is this model is about to be discontinued for lieu for a new body.....may be a D90?wait if u are patient enough.

[Visual Reality]

D90 will be far out of the price range.

I'd go D80 as well.

[ssil2000]

you mentioned the feel of the d80, i would say that is a very important reason to look at the d80, confort when holding a "heavy" camera (compared to a P&S) is very important in my honest opinion, i love the feel of my d80.
with 1000 budget you will be going for a couple of options, d80+18-135 or d80+18-55&55-200 VR

these set ups will serve you well in all of your outdoor/well lit scenarios, for capturing the kids indoors i strongly suggest a flash SB-600 will do the trick but when we look at budget you will be going towards 1500 once you factor in camera lens(s) memory card(s) flash, and you will need some kind of bag/backpack.

now the issue i am most concerned about is your indoor ballet shots, the issue is you are going to have to give a little quality to achive results, ISO will need to be high and as a result you may lose some IQ... you do get VR with the kit lenses but unfortunately the VR is used to allow slower shutter speeds without blurring, but if you are trying to capture motion the slower shutter speed with show blurriness anyway. as you mentioned you will need the reach, the 55-200 will handle the reach with no issue, you may just have to compromise some quality.. having said that i still think it will outperform the P&S.

hope this makes some sense :)

Sergio

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Baffled I'm just repeating what everyone else said but I agree with everyone so far. Pay the little more and get the D80. You like the feel and it has some great extra features for you to grow into if you choose to. By spending that little bit more for the body (than the D40/D40X) you're keeping your future options much more open. Things like off camera flash and prime lenses.

If you choose to grow the hobby in the future by buying other stuff then you MIGHT regret skimping a little on the body (that you only buy once).

As Ssil pointed out depending on your local prices you may need to stretch your budget a little.
Body + kit lens (perhaps 18-135)
memory (perhaps 4GB Extreme III)
external flash (perhaps SB600)
possibly skip the spare battery (but I suggest you buy the spare)
camera bag (comfy and padded)

[jcon]

D80 and the 50-150mm F2.8. Also, you could add the 50mm 1.8 for around $100US.

The 18-135 or any other kit will completely suck for the indoor recitals.

[ColColt]

Here's what Consumer Reports had to say about the D80 in comparison with other comparable familiars.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

So does that chart tell you who pays the most for advertising with them?

[ColColt]

Are you suggesting our illustrious Consumer Reports aren't honest?:D Supposedly, they do their own testing and send out inquiries to consumers about products in order to come up with charts such as this.

[K1W1]

If the US Consumer reports work the same way as they do here you have to read their reports with a fair amount of scepticism.

Here (in Australia) the poll their members with what are basically multiple choice questionnaires. The problem with that is the their members are not a representative sample of the owners of any given product, they are just people who have joined the organisation and are skewed towards a particular demographic that is people with an interest in Consumer Rights. They may not even own or have experience with the product being surveyed.
Consumer reports here at least should always be read with that in mind. They are a tool like every other tool available and they are there to be used but they should be used along with other sources and not in isolation.

[XaiLo]

To that I add, there are a few capable cameras available on the market... it still boils down to the personal taste and or influences of the purchaser. The D100 and the 10D still take good pictures their only crime has been time.

[BaffledinBrussels]

So the D80 it is:)

Thank you all for your input. Now I just need to decide on the accessories and lenses - decisions, decisions.

One more question, where do most of you buy your camera + accessories, online or in a local shop?

[fionndruinne]

I'd say the 50mm f/1.8 is a no-brainer with the D80, especially for indoors shots of children and the recitals. You might also want to add a flash, even the SB-400 would help, though it misses some of the features of the more expensive models.

[wannabe]

So the D80 it is:)

Thank you all for your input. Now I just need to decide on the accessories and lenses - decisions, decisions.

One more question, where do most of you buy your camera + accessories, online or in a local shop?

Both. We have a local shop that is very competitive with their prices, so I often buy from them for the service. But, it is an hour away, so for small accessories, etc. I order from B&H.

Personally, I would choose a kit lens (my recommendation being 18-135) and get the 50mm 1.8. Use this for awhile and then decide what you want to add. Everyone's shooting style is different and what one considers a necessity may not be for you, and vice versa.

[tdisom]

So the D80 it is:)

Thank you all for your input. Now I just need to decide on the accessories and lenses - decisions, decisions.

One more question, where do most of you buy your camera + accessories, online or in a local shop?

You made the right choice. I recently purchased the D80 with the 18-55 AF kit lense and I am extemely satisfied. I was in your position about a week ago. I now know if had went with the D40 or (x) I would be kicking my self (you know where) right now. The out of the box quality of photos are unbeatable, not mention when I play around with the settings. I originally purchased it to do my own printable (high res family) photos but now have become addicted to the possibilites of the camera alone, in less than a week. Trust me you won't use the D80 for just family photos and ballet recitals alone. I promiss once you get over the intemidation stage sky is the limit, you won't be able to put it down. Just take your time and watch your wallet(LOL). If you bought a kit where the lense came with. I suggest mastering that lense to deside what you are lacking in the development of "YOUR OWN" style of photography. This will cut buying items that you think you need, if that makes any sense. In stead of asking what is a good lense for the D80 you will ask what is a good outdoor portriat lense? ect. If you don't have a lense I would suggest the 18-135 AF as well, if you buget will allow. Again master that lense and then decide where to go from there. As far as online shopping I have used beachcamera.com and buydig.com (sameCompany) with pleasing reviews. Well good luck and I hope you enjoy your D80 as much as I do. Keep us informed.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

I'd really recommend the SB600 over the SB400 if you're going down the flash path.

The SB600 works a treat and really changes the look of your photos as you bounce the thing off walls and ceilings. At home it allows a fast shutter speed to capture the little tikes as they run riot.

[Rooz]

actually, if all your going to do is on cam flash bounced off a ceiling inside a normal house in TTL mode, then the sb400 works exactly the same as its larger brothers. i can't pick the difference at all in those circumstances.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Oops illustrated my ignorance

[tdisom]

I don't want to get off subject or anything and I don't want to hijack this post. However, what is the deference between dedicated and non-dedicated flashes and which one can be used as a slave flash (wireless). I know I will get shunned and booed for this question but which of the chepo models if any does anyone recommend. I am looking for something that works like the big boys not necessarily outperform them. My reasoning is my budget is not the most sizable in the forum. So I need practice before commit to a SB-600 or 800. Is there any good functioning cheap slave flashes out there if so please recommend them. Thanks.

[Turn]

D80 is ownage

go for that

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Is there any good functioning cheap slave flashes out there if so please recommend them. Thanks.

I don't know enough to answer but have you tried looking at stobist
http://strobist.blogspot.com/

From memory they give a lot of info on which older model strobes can be had for a song and will work great.