Lens Compatibility Question

[ToddB]

Hey all,

I'm new to the site and have absolutely fallen in love with some of your photos. It has gotten me all geeked up about buying a new camera. Currently I have a Nikon N60 with Tamron 28-105mm 1:4-5.6 and a Nikkor 70-300 1:4-5.6G lens. I really like the camera but it is not digital (obviously) and it makes experimenting VERY expensive. I would like to upgrade to a Nikon DSLR but am not sure which ones are compatible with the lenses I already have. I have heard that the D40 is not but I don't remember why it isn't compatible.

Can anyone give me some guidance as to what I should buy. Keep in mind that I am a hobbyist at best. I don't need a pro quality body, just one to keep an amateur happy.

Thanks

ToddB

 

[plentygood]

The compatibility issue with the D40 is it won't autofocus with lenses other than AF-S or AF-I lenses. They (EDIT: the other lenses) are still compatible in manual focus mode. I'm not expert, but what I've heard is the AF-S and AF-I lenses use an in-lense motor to autofocus and the D40 lacks the in-body motor to autofocus other lenses.

If you can afford it, I'd suggest going for the D80, which has the in-camera motor and delivers higher quality pictures.

 

[jedithebomber]

The compatibility issue with the D40 is it won't autofocus with lenses other than AF-S or AF-I lenses. They are still compatible in manual focus mode. I'm not expert, but what I've heard is the AF-S and AF-I lenses use an in-lense motor to autofocus and the D40 lacks the in-body motor to autofocus other lenses.

If you can afford it, I'd suggest going for the D80, which has the in-camera motor and delivers higher quality pictures.

Yes, if you have old glass that you want to use, go a step up from the D40 or find a used D50.

I still use my old Minolta film camera, to get past the cost I started getting the cheap store brand film (if you do some research you can find what no-name film is the same as the name brand) and then I have them processed negatives only ($2.50). To shoot a roll of film it costs about $5.

Cost is never a factor if you get a little creative...