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Camera question... decisions decisions!

Prettym1k3

Turbo Monkey
Aug 21, 2006
2,864
0
In your pants
Probably not the best place to ask, but I trust most of your judgments as long as you're taking things seriously.

Brief history: I owned a Nikon D50 with an 18-55. I want another SLR (Specifically Nikon. I love their cameras). I'm no professional photographer, but I can take a good shot, and I'm reasonably well familiar with Nikon cameras. I cannot afford the D200, D300, D3, etc. So don't bother. I'd also like something that my future wife will use.

I've been thinking of one of three choices:

D40 w/ 18-135 ($649).
D40 w/ 18-55 and 55-200 ($675)
D60 w/ 18-55 VR ($749)
D80 w/ 18-55 ($879)

I'm leaning towards the D60 as it comes with a VR lens (vibration reduction), and the fact that it's middle ground in price.

K go.
 

Arkayne

I come bearing GIFs
May 10, 2005
3,738
15
SoCal
I'm a Canon guy as well. Why not just keep the body and buy an $$ VR lens similiar to a Canon L lens?
 

Prettym1k3

Turbo Monkey
Aug 21, 2006
2,864
0
In your pants
Well, everyone I've talked to says that the D40 is the way to go. THe D60 does some cool things that the D40 doesn't ,but I'm not too concerned. If I get more into it at a later date, I can always upgrade the body.

I just liked the D50 that I used to have because it could run AF lenses. But I rarely use the auto-focus anyway, so I think I'll be okay.
 

H8R

Cranky Pants
Nov 10, 2004
13,959
35
I just liked the D50 that I used to have because it could run AF lenses. But I rarely use the auto-focus anyway, so I think I'll be okay.
Bought my wife the D40 - great camera. Same pixel count as the D50, much better processing though.

Looky:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/NikonD40/page22.asp

No AF motor. Just get a compatible lens or go MF.



I'd either go w/ a D40 and a couple good lenses or the D80 and one good lens.


I have a D70s with a 18-70mm that kicks all kindsa ass. I'd also look for that setup if you don't mind used and you have big hands. (the D40 is tiny-tiny-tiny)
 

Prettym1k3

Turbo Monkey
Aug 21, 2006
2,864
0
In your pants
I know the size difference, and I really don't like the small size of the D40, but again... I'd like something that my fiance' is cool with using as well.

She has small hands. And her small hands meant I didn't have to buy such a big rock for the stone to look large on her tiny fingers. So maybe I can deal with a small camera in trade.
 

H8R

Cranky Pants
Nov 10, 2004
13,959
35
I'd like something that my fiance' is cool with using as well.
If you are looking for every feature available at an instant via a dedicated button, the D40 ain't it. But for every day use it's nice, I'm sure she'll love it.

The screen is WAY better than my D70s (or the D50), with a scroll feature on the data wheel. Really nice for quick reviews.
 

Prettym1k3

Turbo Monkey
Aug 21, 2006
2,864
0
In your pants
Yeah, that's what I was thinking.

I've just also been thinking that for future purposes, the D60 would be nice as I can get the much cheaper AF lenses without having to spend the cash on the AF-S lenses. Not too sure if that'll ever come into play though, to be honest, as I usually shoot manual focus anyway.

But I can get the D40 with the 18-135 AF-S for $649, so you really can't go wrong with a deal like that.
 

H8R

Cranky Pants
Nov 10, 2004
13,959
35
I've just also been thinking that for future purposes, the D60 would be nice as I can get the much cheaper AF lenses without having to spend the cash on the AF-S lenses.
Umm...I think the D60 is the same as the D40 - it requires the AF-S lenses for autofocus.

Also like the D40, pretty much any Nikkor or Nikon lens will manually focus on it. (except the crappy Pronea lenses)

http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/slr-lens.html
 

Prettym1k3

Turbo Monkey
Aug 21, 2006
2,864
0
In your pants
I think that was where the D60 took after the D50... in that it would manually focus with non AF-i/AF-S lenses. I might be wrong, but I think that's one of the major selling points of the D60 over the D40x, is that you don't need AF-S lenses.
 

H8R

Cranky Pants
Nov 10, 2004
13,959
35
I think that was where the D60 took after the D50... in that it would manually focus with non AF-i/AF-S lenses. I might be wrong, but I think that's one of the major selling points of the D60 over the D40x, is that you don't need AF-S lenses.
It's the same thing.

I have a D70s, my wife has a D40. Both can use older lenses with manual focus, same as the D60. (same as the D40x too)

I have a 50mm f/1.8 from the 80's I picked up for $30. Works perfectly on the D40.

 

H8R

Cranky Pants
Nov 10, 2004
13,959
35
Nice shot, man!
Thanks! (not my kid...)



So my suggestion:

D40 w/ kit lens.
Prime 50mm lens. Get an old MF Nikkor or spend the coin on a Sigma (there are no AF-S Nikkor primes)
Telephoto zoom of your choice.
 

r464

Turbo Monkey
Oct 17, 2006
2,604
4
Earth
Prime 50mm lens. Get an old MF Nikkor or spend the coin on a Sigma
Look for the Nikon E-Series 50/1.8 if you want to find a bargain manual focus lens. However, you may just want to spend the extra to get the new 50/1.8 AF lens. It is not AF-S, so it will not have auto focus capabilities on the D40, but you will get a warranty and will have the option of it being AF should you upgrade you camera body at a later date.
 

H8R

Cranky Pants
Nov 10, 2004
13,959
35

blue

boob hater
Jan 24, 2004
10,160
2
california
Be sure to hold a D40 before you buy one...they're TINY. I mean, not as small as a Rebel, but pretty diminutive. The lack of an AF motor is a hindrance, and the poor low-light performance of the sensor (high ISO) can be a detriment if you're into that (Though with your D50 experience, I suppose it's to be expected).

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest a used 30D with a decent all-around lens and a 50mm f/1.8. Unless you have a fanatical devotion to Nikon (or in other cases, Canon), I don't see why not. Just my opinion.
 

H8R

Cranky Pants
Nov 10, 2004
13,959
35
With a D70s and that 18-70mm I was talking about.

Old Sunpak strobe off the back screen.