Consider the D80
Fat_Man said:
During this weekend's outing, while trying to catch a pic of a water crossing, my friend kinda....errr...dropped....my point-and-shoot Canon into the water.
Sooo......the months and months of pondering and dreaming of moving up in the photographic world to an entry level DSLR just moved closer into reality.
A month ago we almost bought one, but paused to think on it due to the price...but now we have a good reason (no camera) and are going for it.
We are looking at the Nikon D-40. From every review I have seen it seems to be a pretty nifty camera for those just getting started in serious amateur photography.
Anyone have this camera, have experience with it, or heard things (good, bad, indifferent)?
Anyone have another camera they think I should consider?
David, consider the D80 as an alternative. The main thing that the D40 doesn't have is a mechanical drive for nikon's standard auto-focus lenses. In other words, there's a motor in the D80, D200, etc. and all of their other AF bodies that can drive the focus mechanism on their standard AF lenses. The D40 will only work with their AF-S lenses (similar to the EF-S Canon lenses). The AF-S lenses have their own AF motors built in and they draw current from the body to power the lens's AF system.
Don't get me wrong, the AF-S lenses are great, especially the pro ones like the 70-200 VR or the 17-55 (I have both of these), but I would like the option of adding other lenses. Only you can decide if this is important, but I'll throw one out there that I use all the time in low light situations (50 f/1.4) This is one of the fastest lenses (=allows the most light) out there and a joy to use on a DSLR in low light situations. Put differently, the 50 f/1.4 will allow 4 times as much light into the body as the fastest, most expensive Nikon pro zooms (like the 2 I mentioned above). Those zooms are a constant f/2.8, which only allow 1/4 the amount of light into the camera as any f/1.4 lens will. Your typical zoom that is less pricey would have a variable aperture, such as f/3.5 (short end) to f/5.6 (long end). For anyone that doesn't know about f-stops; the larger the number, the less light the lens will carry to the sensor.
So, I'm a "spend my money once kind of guy", so for a couple or even few hundred more, I'd go with the D80.
Also, double check that whether the D40 and D80 have the same AF system. I believe the D80 has the same as my D200, which is the CAM 1000 unit. It's very fast and responsive. Very nice for quick photography, such as trying to keep up with your new kid whenever he/she starts running around. Or, when doing sports or action type photography.
Let me know if you've got other questions. I've got a complete Nikon system with over 12 lenses and 4 bodies. I use them all the time and could tell you practically anything you'd want to know about them.
Good luck and good choice with the Nikon (Canon's are also top notch).
Cheers,
TD