Thinking of a D40

[nowin]

Hi all,

Been a while since I've visited the forums, but my Canon G6 up and died last week, and I figure its better to spend the money on a new DSLR than having it fixed. I've been thinking of a Nikon D40 for a few reasons (the standard template q&A follows), mainly because if the D40 is still available at major sellers for, what 4 years after it was released, it must have some serious benefits, plus, adding an extra lens keeps it in budget.

As always, thanks in advance.

Budget

Not having the last name of Kennedy or Buffet, I can stretch total investment to $600-$700.00. I already have a nice padded carry case and various CF/SD cards, so its camera and lens only.

Size

Not a big issue. I have a Canon SD1000 for pocket-use, and I'm used to a carrying an SLR type body with an extra lens.

How many megapixels will suffice for you? Overrated. That's why I think 6-10 is more than sufficient for my skills. (or lack thereof)

What optical zoom will you need? open to discussion

How important is “image quality” to you? 9-10

Do you care for manual controls? Comfortable using

General Usage

What will you generally use the camera for? outdoors, automotive & sporting events, anywhere I take it, basically.

Will you be making big prints of your photos or not? Probably not

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos? Probably not

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos? Yes, more often than not. I have a separate video camera, so no video mode is not a factor.

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate? Canon (been using varius ones for the past 8 or so years), but I'll be honest, I'd like to try a Nikon for a while due to the reports I read.

Are there particular models you already have in mind? D40, D60 D5000 (if I get a lottery check). I lightly looked at the Canon Rebels, but any pluses and minuses would be greatly appreciated.

Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD) No

[Screenclutter]

For the lens question budget wise, it depends in what country you live in, kit lens prices vary.

If you are in the right country, the 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR are often sold together with a dSLR and you would get a discount on both lenses when all three are purchased together.

[speaklightly]

The Nikon D-40 is an excellent value right now if you can find the 2 lens (18-55mm and 55-200mm) kit. based on your requirements it sounds like it would work well for you. The 1/500th flash synch might well be a bonus as well.

Sarah Joyce

[KCook]

If you have Nikon lens lust, the D40 will get you on that train. What crossed the D40 off my list was the lack of exposure bracketing. I use that feature quite a lot with my Sony Alpha. I think the D60 does have bracketing, but double check that ...

Kelly Cook

[raven15]

I'd say the D40 is overrated. It is not bad, but... it is a few years older than it used to be, and technology hasn't stood still in that time. The only really positive thing is the flash sync speed, as speaklightly said. The kit lenses are especially irritating to me (unless you get the new VR versions... and they are a little irritating too). Maybe direct your attention to some slightly newer cameras, Canon XSi, Olympus E-520/620, Pentax K2000, Nikon D3000 etc.

[speaklightly]

The Pentax KX model that will be out next month is certaily worth paying attention to as it offers a lot of features in the paper specifications. If price is the bottom line then the value offered by the Sony A-200 or the newer A-230 which is very capable of using high ISO settings, up to ISO 3200, are worth looking at for their bigger bang for the buck status.

Sarah Joyce

[nowin]

After all was said, done, and spreadsheeted, I bought a refurb Nikon D40 from B&H about 2 weeks ago. I looked favorably at a Sony A200 from an acquaintance, but happened to go out trackside as a spotter with a fellow with a Nikon D60 at one of my autocross events, who put forth a good discussion of a cost-value analysis of the Nikon D40 vs D60 vs D3000 vs D5000. After that day, God knows how many variations of this and that and forum researches I did. :confused:

Figuring this was my novice foray into the DSLR world, getting a reliable basic unit, and spending the difference (from a D3000) also got me a Speedlight and a the Nikkor AF-VR 55-200 lens, plus a bit extra left for the savings account towards a D90 or something like that in a few years.

The refurb with the 18-55 lens was only $345.00.

I am very very pleased with it. :)

Right out of the box, I used it that night at a function, and was impressed with the difference over the prosumer G6 I was using. I figure I can learn the tricks and tips on the D40, and give it to my wife (who swiped it for a day already on me) when I want to go to a higher-end unit.

I've spent just a whole day looking over discussions on something as basic as Large-normal vs Medium-fine settings. Amazing. :eek:

Now to go catch up with info on the DCRP Nikon board.... ;)

Thanks to all for their input. Hope I can repay some new DSLR'r on the forums in the future.


/eddie

[speaklightly]

Congratulations on your new Nikon D-40!

I am sure you will enjoy the D-40 a lot. Have fun and post some photos when you have a chance.

Sarah Joyce

[fionndruinne]

Good choice! You should look into more lenses, also, for the 18-55mm won't satisfy your lust for glass for long (trust me). The 55-200mm VR, 35mm f/1.8, 18-105mm VR and 70-300mm VR are some good models to look at.

[Screenclutter]

You did well to get the speedlight; that plus your two kit lenses will probably keep you busy in terms of learning curve for a year at least. I'd say your next purchase would be the 35mm f/1.8 for indoors, or maybe learn about filters.

You may have gotten something like a D90 or 50D, but my guess is that for a good while, you would not have fully used the potential of those two cameras.