Nikon D40 + lens for $450

[Aharami]

friend of a friend emailed me asking if the D40 for $450 is a good deal. Considering i got my XSi for $400 (body only), I dont think it is, but then again CL and ebay seems to show 450 as an ok price for that camera.

I have to experience with the D40 myself, but Ive seen people steer others away from the camera. What else can I recommend? D60? D80? I'm not sure if he has a budget..emailed him back...will find out shortly.

 

[Fardringle]

Is that new or used? I would definitely stay away if it is used unless it is a really nice lens (not the kit lens).

I haven't shopped around so I'm sure there are even better prices, but Amazon is selling the D40 new with the 18-55mm kit lens for $450.

 

[ElFenix]

a guy on nikonians was selling a d40 kit for $350 last week. that sounds about right for that camera used.

 

[Aharami]

thanks. told him about the amazon D40 deal. Is the D60 a significantly better camera than the D40?

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Aharami
thanks. told him about the amazon D40 deal. Is the D60 a significantly better camera than the D40?

well it's basically the same thing with a higher res sensor (some people claim it's noisier, i'd have to see prints to be sure, sensor may be different model than the one in the D40X going on dpreview's measurements) and some anti dust features. D40 and D40x have a better flash range, D40x and D60 have actual ISO 100 (D40's sensor is more sensitive to start with and so ISO 100 is a software matter on that camera, that could also be a reason for the D40's lower noise profile, each ISO is boosted half as much as on the D40x and D60). D40X and D60 have a higher fps but none of them are speed demons. D60 has a sensor on the back to turn off the main screen when you put your eye to the eyepiece. there is also active d-lighting, which changes tone curves in software to lighten up shadowy areas.

the biggest change is that the kit lens for the D60 was a stabilized model, while the kit lens for the D40 and D40X weren't. nikon may have added the stabilized lens to the D40 kit by now.

 

[Aharami]

:thumbsup:

 

[aphex]

oops

 

[shortylickens]

I got the D40 from newegg for $380, but that was a long time ago. Almost a year now that I think about it.
Its good but has no motor for auto-focus, so most lenses wont auto-focus for you unless they are of the AF-I or AF-S variety, which cuts into your lens choices.

Other than that I have no real complaints. Sensor quality is excellent. Resolution is good enough for 8x10 glossy prints. Battery is strong. It uses SD for memory which may be a turn off to older photographers but I actually prefer it. I got a 16GB SD card from a website for 30 bucks and that was almost a year ago.

 

[jpeyton]

Worth about $300.