I'm looking at a D40x for my son. He's a keen amatuer and is studying |Photography at \Uni. I'm confudsed between the various |Nikon models. The x has more pixels but that's not eveerything is it. Would I be better off looking at a D60- or even and 80?
They have different lens mounts I believe the D40 has the DX mount are the 60 and 80 the same? Are the mounts plastic or metal as I;'ve heard the metal mount is better. Maybe I would be better off buying a better camera second hand.
Nikon was always (35mm) the professional journalists camera of choice for it's ruggedness and picture quality. My son take action shots, maninly outdoors and is quite arty in in his picture composition be it portrait, architecture or skaters (his main subjects. For example I don't thing the 40x can shoot B & W from the camera.
If anyone has any informed ideas and can be bothered to reply thanks.
I would suggest the site www.nikonians.org which will have plenty of information about nikon photo equipment. My two cents you might consider the nikon D80 for these reasons it will take the older nikon AF lens vs the D40x only accepts the AF-S lenses. They are both autofocus but the regular AF is the older version and cheaper. Looks like the images per battery charge (D80 = 2,700) and (d40x up to 520). D80 has faster focusing because of more focusing area sensors vs D40.
if your son needs any nikon lens check out hoben02 or lenseguy
I have been using Nikon Film and DSLRs for 30+ years. The D40x (or D40, D50, D70, D80) will deliver excellent pro-grade images with the right eye and lenses. While they look rugged that really fail to live up to Nikon's pro-reputation. As you are already here on Ebay you should really consider a good used Semi- or Pro- grade DSLR for the same or less money. For example, the older Nikon D100 's 6mp matches the D-40 or D50. It is mostly metal and far ore rugged. The best feature is that it can use the old AI manual focus lenses form the 70s-80s, the finest EVER made (old lenses will not work on the D40-70). Also consider a D1, D1H or a D200 body. D200s are a good value now that everyone wants the D300.
Scan thru seller adorwin (Adorama's trade-in biz) and cameda camera for good examples.
Nikon's own website has a complete comparison for its current line of digital cameras and lenses, so you have lots of information to help you (Digital SLR Comparison Guide - Winter 2008).
A couple of the posters here have pointed out the differences between the D40/40x and other models. A general rule of thumb is that the even numbered cameras are compatible. The D80 starts to give you more flexibility and function. A primary difference is that the D80 and D200 have the autofocus motor built into the camera, while the D40/40x and D60 activate the AF motor in the AF-S lens series. So you have a much wider range of lenses to choose from with the D80/D2/D200.
The odd number cameras (D50/D70/D100) are compatible with the AF lenses as well. However, they don't activate the features of the AF-S lenses.
Pixelwise, Ken Rockwell doesn't think it matters much whether you have 6 or 10 megapixels. In fact, the Nikon D2H is a standard photojournalist camera and has only 4.1 megapixels. Many of the fantastic shots from the Olympics have been taken with the Nikon D2H....
There are some other relevant features that give you more flexibility to grow with. The D40/D40x/D60 have three primary spots for focus, while the D80 expands this to eleven. Film speed (ISO) is limited below the D80 also, which may be a factor if you want to shoot in low light.
Lenses are always a question. As stated, the D40/D40x/D60 are somewhat limited for autofocus to the AF-S series lenses. They're cheap enough, and you can cover the basics with the 18-55mm and 55-200mm zoom lenses for about $300 total. If you want a prime AF lens, the 60mm AF-S will set you back about that much as well.
My guesstimate on prices: D40 - between $250 and $350; D40X - between $300 and $500. Prices on the D80 are higher because the camera's newer.
your information on what digital SLR's will activate af-s features of particular Nikon lenses is inaccurate.
You said: "The odd number cameras (D50/D70/D100) are compatible with the AF lenses as well. However, they don't activate the features of the AF-S lenses."
All of those cameras you listed WILL fully utilize all functions of ANY AF lens Nikon makes, even the AF-S lenses, and with VR. Also, AF-I lenses will focus on the D40.
I owned a D100 for 4 years before buying a D200. I've used many AF-S lenses on the D100 with full focusing capabilities. I've owned and used the 24-120 AF-S VR, 24-85 AF-S, 18-200 AF-S and a couple of others.. All function perfectly.
AF-S lenses also work on the F/N70, F/N80, F100, F5, and F6 film cameras. VR works on all but the F/N70.
I currently own an N80, an F100, along with the D200. AF-S works on all of them just fine, as do the VR functions of the 18-200 AF-S VR.
Of course, vignetting occurs on the film cameras with the 18-200 as it isn't made for the larger 35mm image circle. I have owned an N70 and it worked with the AF-S as well, but does not activate the VR function.
Additionally, the older non ai lenses made before 1978 will mount on the D40 and D40x, something that even the top of the line digitals won't do without altering the lens. This means that any and all F mount lenses made from 1959 on will mount on the D40(x). You just have no metering and have to manually focus. This is similar for AF lenses that are not AF-S lenses, no auto focusing, but metering will function perfectly,
You can check it out here: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/d40-performance.htm#lenses
I agree with some of the other posters, the D40 isn't a great choice to learn photography on. There are better picks. An older D1 or D2 would be an excellent choice and prices are way down. They also meter with the older ai and ai-s lenses, as do the D1, D2, D200, D3, D300, and the new D700.
For anyone with a large collection of pre ai Nikkors, the D40 is an excellent choice, just get out the old light meter and be prepared to manually focus.
the nikon d-40 will not use all the lens nikon has to offer so you are limtedif i was going to get a camera for my son or daughter it would be a d-80 the dx is the lens format it means digatal,the lens mount ether metal or plastic is the the type of lens,i have both and work great,the plastic lighter lens are a angel from heaven meaning thet are alot lighter,and the d-80 you can shoot black and white just by looking at the menu the camera has
Don't let all the numbers confuse you. I have the D40. I have the D80. And I have the D1x. 6.1, 10, and 5.47 megalpixels, respectively. Megapixels ARE NOT everything. The D40 takes excellent images, but lacks the internal autofocus motor for many of the older lenses. It also lacks dedicated white balance, metering, and ISO buttons like the D80 (which cost considerably more). And yes, they can shoot black and white (through the menu settings), but you get better results shooting in color and doing a proper b&w conversion through editing software.
I don't like plastic mounts, because, well, I don't like plastic. Personal thing. The D40 and D80 both have plastic bodies. My D1x doesn't, and it's VERY noticeable (twice the size and weight of the D40). But I took three images this morning, one of the same subject which each camera (with the 18-135mm, 18-200mm VR, and 24-70mm f3.5-4.5D), and there was no difference in image quality. And all three use the same DX mount.
I think at this stage the D50 is the way to go. It has the motor in the body and will autofocus many older lenses. Also 6.1mp isn't exactly chopped liver. I bought a dozen lenses off Ebay for my first D50 and recently bought a backup D50. My D60 is for sale.
If your son is taking or planning to take photography courses that are more advanced, I would definitely suggest the D60, D80, or D90. The D40 is an amateur camera and it does not have the ability to expand with his increasing knowledge and interest. I would not even consider a camera with a plastic lens mount. You are asking for trouble. If at some point he uses more then one lens, ware, and tare will quickly take a toll. Do not even consider the new D3000 or D5000. They have not been receiving good reviews because the incremental increase in features over the D40 or D80 or D90 is not worth the cost. At this point, used digital cameras offer only slight cost savings and you will not get a factory warranty. This does not hold true for film cameras. Nikon film cameras that sold for thousands new are now readily available for one to two-hundred dollars. However, how long will film be available? Kodak discontinued Kodachrome last year. That should tell you something.
Hello, I am a recent graduate of a photography program and I started out with a d40x so I hope my advice can help you because I was in the spot of your son not that long ago. Altough my d40x was a great camera I grew out of it fast because of the auto focus motor and up graded with in month's to a d80 then d90 then d300. If he want's to get full use of good lenses please at least get your son a d80 or a d90. If he want's to shoot sport's and action like I did the d80 and d90 are ok but it can be hard to keep up because the auto focus motor is a bit slower. So look at a used d2h, d2hs, d2x, d200, or d300 any of these new or used are great please don't worry about megapixels they really dont matter anymore all camera's have more than enough other feature's like fast auto focus and the use of more and better lenses is more important. Also consider the lens you dont want a great camera ad a cheap lens. Prime lenses are great, fast and cheaper than good zooms and are ussually better and are way better than cheap zoom's. I would suggest the 20mm 2.8, 24mm 2.8 the 35mm f2 or f 1.8, the 50mm 1.8 is a must have and is very cheap but is a fantastic lens and ever photographer should have one and a lens like an 80-200mm or 70-200mm 2.8 is a must but they are all expensive but for sport's, animal's, nature, and portrait's is a must. The 70-200mm 2.8 or the 70-200mm 2.8 lenses are expensive but are worth it I saved up and got an older but still great 80-200mm 2.8 for $800 here on ebay. Hope that helps
Must use Buy It Now and PayPal.
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