d50 or d40x?

[sjunkie]

Hello all. Total newb here. Here's the deal. I've got a ton of points on my AMEX card and can get either a d50 or a d40x, both with a Nikkor 18-55mm lens. The d50's worth 82k points and the d40x is worth 120k.... yeah i've had this card a very, very.... very long time. I don't however have enough opints to get the Canon 20d which i believe is the next one they have. I've always wanted a dslr camera but wasn't sure about spending too much on it. I've read plenty that the d40x doesnt have a built-in autofocus motor and looking for lenses down the line will be difficult and/or more expensive. However it does have more megapixels than over the d50. A buddy of mine who i guess is my portal to camera knowledge is telling me to get the d40x since it is the latest model and that since i have no older lenses (or any for that matter) it shouldn't be a problem since most lenses nowadays are being made with built-in autofocus motors. Is this true? Would I still have to pay more for the autofocus lenses? Which would you say would be my best bet? I'm looking to do i guess portraits and landscaping... i may want to take it snowboarding with me.... any and all help would be GREATLY appreciated. thanks in advance!

 

[TATTRAT]

Well, I am not to sure of the little things, and all the spec between the two off top of my head, but I LOVE my D50. have not had an issue with it one bit.

 

[smcaskil]

Here is a list of lenses that are available. You will notice the Nikkor lenses are all AF-S and AF-I because this is all that works with the D40X.


List of current fully compatible AF-Lenses for the D40/D40X:

Nikkor:

AF-S DX 12-24mm f/4.0G ED-IF

AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF

AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF

AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G

AF-S VR DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G New

AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF

AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED-IF

AF-S VR DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED

AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

AF-S VR 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF

AF-S 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED

AF-S VR 55–200mm f/4–5.6G IF-ED

AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF

AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G

AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D ED-IF

AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G

AF-S VR 200mm f/2.0G ED-IF

AF-S VR 200-400mm f/4.0G ED-IF

AF-I 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED

AF-S 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED

AF-S 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF

AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8 ED-IF

AF-I 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED

AF-S 400mm f/2.8D ED-IF

AF-I 500mm f/4.0D IF-ED

AF-S 500mm f/4.0D ED-IF

AF-I 600mm f/4.0D IF-ED

AF-S 600mm f/4.0D ED-IF


Sigma:

10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM

12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM

14mm f/2.8 EX

17-35mm f/2.8-4.0 EX DG

17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM New

18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC HSM New

18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro HSM New

18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS New

30mm f/1.4 DC

50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX DG

50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM

55-200mm f/4-5.6 DC HSM New

70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Makro

80-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Makro

80-400mm f/4-5.6 EX OS

100-300mm f/4.0 EX DG

120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG

150mm f/2.8 EX DG MAKRO

180mm f/3.5 EX DG MAKRO

300mm f/2.8 EX DG APO HSM

300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO

500mm f/4.5 EX DG HSM APO

800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO

You can peruse the ones you might want and check prices, comparing them with AF lenses of the same type.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Go with the D50, it's bigger, got a screwdriver in it so it's fully compatible with ALL Nikon AF lenses. The D40 only works with the AF-S ones.

 

[Stranger]

if smcaskil listed prices you would understand the benefits of the d50 (if money is a factor, you really get much better glass if you spend the money for the ones listed). I own the D50 and never regret my purchase. Prime lenses work perfectly on the d50 and you will probably use those if you want to do portrait work

 

[sabbath999]

D50, no question about it.

Here, let me help out with the prices on those AF-S lenses listed (USA Warranty from B&H). AF-I lenses are no longer available new and have been out of production for years now:

AF-S DX 12-24mm f/4.0G ED-IF -$919.95
AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF - $1,499.95
AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF - $1,199.95
AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G - $119.95 (included in the kit though)
AF-S VR DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G Not Available
AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF - $349.95
AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED-IF - $329.95
AF-S VR DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED - $749.95
AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED - $299.95
AF-S VR 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF - $514.95
AF-S 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED - $1,469.95
AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED - $169.95
AF-S VR 55–200mm f/4–5.6G IF-ED - $229.95
AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF - $1,624.95
AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G - $479.95
AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D ED-IF - $914.95
AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G - $759.95
AF-S VR 200mm f/2.0G ED-IF - $3,999.95
AF-S VR 200-400mm f/4.0G ED-IF - $5,099.95
AF-I 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED Not Available
AF-S 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED - Not Available
AF-S 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF - $969.95
AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8 ED-IF - $4,499.00
AF-I 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED - Not Available
AF-S 400mm f/2.8D ED-IF - $7,699.00
AF-I 500mm f/4.0D IF-ED - Not Available
AF-S 500mm f/4.0D ED-IF - $7,199.95
AF-I 600mm f/4.0D IF-ED - Not Available
AF-S 600mm f/4.0D ED-IF - $9,499.95

Yes, these lenses will fit your camera and work with full auto focus, but do you see the trend. With the exception of the cheap kit lenses (18-55, 18-300 and 55-200 VR & non-VR models) which all are basically cheap lenses with cheap plastic mounts, the AF-S lenses quickly range up to being some of the most expensive on the planet.

Hey, I am not knocking them, they are great and worth the money... I own a bunch of em... it is just that for a beginner starting out with an entry level DSLR, the lenses can be dauntingly expensive if you are stuck buying AF-S.

If you want third party, you are stuck with only Sigma. I like Sigma, and own a couple of their lenses, but even then you are missing out on half of their line, as well as all of the Tamron and Tokina lines...

Me, I would take the D50 in a heartbeat over a D40x (I own a D40, I know whereof I speak).

 

[smcaskil]

Thanks for the price list, sabbath!

 

[sjunkie]

Wow you guys ROCK!!! Thanks sabbath for the breakdown. I left for coffee right after the post and was eager to come back for the advice! Thank you very much all of you!

 

[jstuedle]

As has already been said, D50! hands down. No contest.

 

[petey]

Thanks for the lists!

 

[NateS]

Yeah, some of the best lenses for the money don't autofocus with the D40 which makes me a sad panda. For example all of the Nikon primes like the incredible bargain 50mm f1.8 won't AF. Sigma 30mm f1.4 is another option for the D40 but it's about 3 times the price (lower f-stop though)

 

[Sw1tchFX]

D50, no question about it.

Here, let me help out with the prices on those AF-S lenses listed (USA Warranty from B&H). AF-I lenses are no longer available new and have been out of production for years now:

AF-S DX 12-24mm f/4.0G ED-IF -$919.95
AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF - $1,499.95
AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF - $1,199.95
AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G - $119.95 (included in the kit though)
AF-S VR DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G Not Available
AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF - $349.95
AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED-IF - $329.95
AF-S VR DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED - $749.95
AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED - $299.95
AF-S VR 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF - $514.95
AF-S 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED - $1,469.95
AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED - $169.95
AF-S VR 55–200mm f/4–5.6G IF-ED - $229.95
AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF - $1,624.95
AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G - $479.95
AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D ED-IF - $914.95
AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G - $759.95
AF-S VR 200mm f/2.0G ED-IF - $3,999.95
AF-S VR 200-400mm f/4.0G ED-IF - $5,099.95
AF-I 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED Not Available
AF-S 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED - Not Available
AF-S 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF - $969.95
AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8 ED-IF - $4,499.00
AF-I 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED - Not Available
AF-S 400mm f/2.8D ED-IF - $7,699.00
AF-I 500mm f/4.0D IF-ED - Not Available
AF-S 500mm f/4.0D ED-IF - $7,199.95
AF-I 600mm f/4.0D IF-ED - Not Available
AF-S 600mm f/4.0D ED-IF - $9,499.95

Yes, these lenses will fit your camera and work with full auto focus, but do you see the trend. With the exception of the cheap kit lenses (18-55, 18-300 and 55-200 VR & non-VR models) which all are basically cheap lenses with cheap plastic mounts, the AF-S lenses quickly range up to being some of the most expensive on the planet.

Hey, I am not knocking them, they are great and worth the money... I own a bunch of em... it is just that for a beginner starting out with an entry level DSLR, the lenses can be dauntingly expensive if you are stuck buying AF-S.

If you want third party, you are stuck with only Sigma. I like Sigma, and own a couple of their lenses, but even then you are missing out on half of their line, as well as all of the Tamron and Tokina lines...

Me, I would take the D50 in a heartbeat over a D40x (I own a D40, I know whereof I speak).

Here's a cookie!

 

[Groupcaptainbonzo]

In line with everyone else, I would suggest the D50. It has sooooooo much more to offer. As you have no other lenses, Does it HAVE to be a Nikon?
Nikon are among the best in the world, but if you only look at one make you are restricting your choice. Personally, I would always compare Nikon and Canon. And recently Olympus are trying to get back in to the top slot (although , how successfully I have no idea). The idea is that if you already have a lot of gear you are caught in the equipment trap (It costs a lot of money to replace all the old gear which does NOT fit your new kit of a different brand). So to start with, I would definately recommend going into a store, and trying all the alternatives, to see which you prefer before you take that first step and commit yourself to what could be a lifetime with a specific brand.