Nikon D40 for starters?

[kwonchoba]

Looking to get into the photography world and saw the Nikon D40. I was just wondering if it is a good all around camara for starters. There is one on sale at my Best Buy for $400 and it comes with a 18-55mm f/3.5 - f/5.6 ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens. Just wanted to know if this would be a good camara for someone who is just starting.

 

[taraj_00]

I've had this camera for 7 months or so. For my uses (casual, family pics for us, etc) it's been great. I can't imagine that I would ever want to do pictures for anyone else with the setup, but it was easy enough to learn with books and some internet research.

I have since added a SB-600, the 35mm 1.8 and the 55-200 VR to my gear list, and I've not had any limitations in what I'm doing.

 

[IgsEMT]

To learn basics the camera is ok. Lens - its a kit lens that will do the job for a long time. Buying at Bestbuy? - that I wouldn't do only b/c they are usually over charging by about 5-15%.
B&H, Adorama, Focus Camera, KEH are just few stores I'd recommend looking into before BB.
Good Luck

 

[kwonchoba]

Thanks I had no clue not to buy at BB. I am just looking for a good starting camara for taking pic. I go to a lot of car shows and camping and what not and like to take pictures of cars and stuff like that.

 

[white]

Just be aware that the d40 has no autofocus ability. Nikon does make certain lenses that will autofocus for it, though. Other than that it is a good camera.

 

[kwonchoba]

What does the autofocus ability mean.

 

[white]

It sounds like you should do more research before buying this dSLR.

No autofocus means the camera won't do it for you.

 

[TylerF]

yes it will. it just wont autofocus with older lenses. any newer lens will work just fine. just look for af-s on the lens. and best buy can price match most places. just ask them when you go in.

 

[eric-holmes]

The D40 is a good place to start but you will quickly grow out of it if you plan to venture more deeply into the world of photography.

 

[tdz16]

My biggest issue with the D40 is that I shoot constantly at an ISO of 200 and still get more noise than I'd like all the time. Its pretty much made me determined to upgrade very soon.

~Tom

 

[Darkhunter139]

My biggest issue with the D40 is that I shoot constantly at an ISO of 200 and still get more noise than I'd like all the time. Its pretty much made me determined to upgrade very soon.

~Tom

The D40 does fine at 200 and 400 ISO, even 800 ISO is okay.

Ive been loving my D40 so far and found it to be a great starter camera. Next step up would be the D5000 but you are looking at a lot more money.

If you would not mind buying refurbished this is a great deal, personally I would shell out the extra $120 and get this.

http://www.adorama.com/Als/ProductPage/INKD5000RD.html

 

[KmH]

Just be aware that the d40 has no autofocus ability. Nikon does make certain lenses that will autofocus for it, though. Other than that it is a good camera.

Nikon and others make more lenses than you'll likely ever need that will auto focus just fine on the D40.

Here is a list of them:

From Wikipedia.org: List of Nikon compatible lenses with integrated autofocus-motor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nikon Nikkor: 54 lenses
Wide-Angle

• AF-S DX 10-24mm 1:3.5-4.5G ED
• AF-S DX 12-24mm 1:4G IF-ED
• AF-S 14-24mm 1:2.8G IF-ED
• AF-S 17-35mm 1:2.8D IF-ED

Mid-Range

• AF-S DX 16-85mm VR 1:3.5-5.6G IF-ED
• AF-S DX 17-55mm 1:2.8G IF-ED
• AF-S DX 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED
• AF-S DX 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED II
• AF-S DX 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G VR
• AF-S DX 18-70mm 1:3.5-4.5G IF-ED
• AF-S 24-70mm 1:2.8G IF-ED
• AF-S 24-85mm 1:3.5-4.5G IF-ED
• AF-S 24-120mm 1:3.5-5.6G VR IF-ED
• AF-S 28-70mm 1:2.8D IF-ED
• AF-S DX 35mm 1:1.8G
• AF-S 50mm 1:1.4G

Super-Zoom

• AF-S DX 18-105mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED VR
• AF-S DX 18-135mm 1:3.5-5.6G IF-ED
• AF-S 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6G DX VR IF-ED
• AF-S 18-200mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED-IF VR DX II

Telephoto

• AF-S DX 55-200mm 1:4-5.6G ED
• AF-S DX 55-200mm 1:4-5.6G VR IF-ED
• AF-S 70-200mm 1:2.8G VR IF-ED
• AF-S 70-200 mm 1:2.8G ED VR II
• AF-S 80-200mm 1:2.8D ED
• AF-S 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6G VR IF-ED
• AF-S 200mm 1:2G VR IF-ED
• AF-I 300mm 1:2.8D IF-ED
• AF-S 300mm 1:2.8D IF-ED II
• AF-S 300mm 1:2.8G VR IF-ED
• AF-S 300mm 1:2,8G ED VR II
• AF-S 300mm 1:4D IF-ED

Super-Telephoto

• AF-S 200-400mm 1:4G VR IF-ED
• AF-I 400mm 1:2.8D IF-ED
• AF-S 400mm 1:2.8D IF-ED
• AF-S 400mm 1:2.8D IF-ED II
• AF-S 400mm 1:2.8G VR IF-ED
• AF-I 500mm 1:4D IF-ED
• AF-S 500mm 1:4D IF-ED
• AF-S 500mm 1:4D IF-ED II
• AF-S 500mm 1:4G VR IF-ED
• AF-I 600mm 1:4D IF-ED
• AF-S 600mm 1:4D IF-ED
• AF-S 600mm 1:4D IF-ED II
• AF-S 600mm 1:4G VR IF-ED

Macro

• AF-S Micro 60mm 1:2.8G IF-ED
• AF-S Micro 105mm 1:2.8G VR IF-ED
• AF-S DX Micro 85mm 1:3.5G ED VR

Teleconverter

• AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III
• AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E II
• AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II
• AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E II
• AF-I Teleconverter TC-14E
• AF-I Teleconverter TC-20E

Nikon notes:

1. ^ a b c d e f Will only mount original Nikon Nikkor AF-S and AF-I lenses (without modification). Not recommended for use with Nikkor DX lenses.

Sigma: 46 lenses
Fisheye

• 4.5mm f/2.8 EX DC Circular Fisheye HSM
• 10mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Diagonal fisheye

Wide-Angle

• 10-20mm 1:3.5 EX DC HSM
• 10-20mm 1:4-5.6 EX DC HSM
• 12-24mm 1:4.5-5.6 EX DG ASPHERICAL HSM
• 14mm 1:2.8 EX HSM RF APO
• 17-35mm 1:2.8-4 EX DG ASPHERICAL HSM

Mid-Range

• 17-70mm 1:2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM
• 17-70mm 1:2.8-4.5 DC HSM "for Nikon Only"
• 17-70mm 1:2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM
• 18-50mm 1:2.8 EX DC HSM MACRO
• 18-50mm 1:2.8 EX DC HSM "for Nikon only"
• 18-50mm 1:2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM
• 18-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 DC HSM
• 24-70mm 1:2.8 EX DG HSM
• 30mm 1:1.4 EX DC HSM
• 50mm 1:1.4 EX DG HSM

Super-Zoom

• 18-125mm 1:3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM
• 18-200mm 1:3.5-6.3 DC
• 18-200mm 1:3.5-6.3 DC OS
• 18-200mm 1:3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM
• 18-250mm 1:3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

Telephoto

• 50-150mm 1:2.8 APO EX DC HSM
• 50-150mm 1:2.8 APO II EX DC HSM
• 50-200mm 1:4-5.6 DC OS HSM
• 55-200mm 1:4-5.6 DC HSM
• 70-200mm 1:2.8 APO EX DG HSM MACRO
• 70-300mm 1:4.0-5.6 DG
• 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 DG MACRO "With Built-in Motor"
• 70-300mm 1:4.0-5.6 DG APO Macro
• 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 DG OS
• 100-300mm 1:4 APO EX DG HSM
• 120-300mm 1:2.8 APO EX DG HSM
• 300mm 1:2.8 EX DG APO HSM

Super-Telephoto

• 50-500mm 1:4-6.3 APO EX DG HSM
• 80-400mm 1:4-5.6 EX OS
• 80-400mm 1:4.5-5.6 EX DG APO OS
• 120-400mm 1:4.5-5.6 DG OS APO HSM
• 150-500mm 1:5-6.3 DG OS APO HSM
• 300-800 1:5.6 APO EX DG HSM
• 500mm 1:4.5 EX DG HSM APO
• 800mm 1:5.6 EX DG APO

Macro

• 150mm 1:2.8 APO EX DG HSM MACRO

Teleconverter

• TELE CONVERTER APO EX DG 1.4x
• TELE CONVERTER APO EX DG 2.0x

Tamron: 14 lenses
Wide-Angle

• 10-24mm 1:3.5-4.5 AF Di-II LD

.
Mid-Range

• 17-50mm 1:2.8 SP AF XR Di-II LD Aspherical [IF] (A16NII)
• 17-50mm 1:2.8 SP AF XR Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF]
• 28-75mm 1:2.8 SP AF XR Di LD Aspherical (IF)(A09NII)

Super-Zoom

• 18-200mm AF XR Di-II (A14NII)
• 18-250mm 1:3.5-6.3 AF Di-II LD Aspherical Macro NII
• 18-270mm 1:3.5-6.3 AF Di-II VC LD Aspherical [IF] Macro
• 28-300mm 1:3.5-6.3 AF XR Di VC

Telephoto

• 70-200mm 1:2.8 AF Di LD MACRO
• 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 AF Di LD Macro (A17NII, with built-in motor)

Macro

• 60mm 1:2 SP AF DiII LD (IF) Macro
• 90mm 1:2.8 SP AF Di MACRO Model 272E

Teleconverter

• Tamron SP Pro 1.4x
• Tamron SP Pro 2x

Tokina: 1 lens
Wide Angle

• 12-24 1:4 AT-X 124 PRO DX II

] Kenko: 9 lenses + 3 lens extension tubes
Teleconverter

• Teleplus Pro 300 1.4x
• Teleplus Pro 300 DG 1.4x
• Teleplus Pro 300 2x
• Teleplus Pro 300 DG 2x
• Teleplus Pro 300 3x
• Teleplus Pro 300 DG 3x
• Teleplus MC4 AF DG 2x
• Teleplus MC7 AF DG 2x
• Teleplus K1.5 AF DG 1.5x

Lens extension tube

• AUTO EXTENSION TUBE SET DG 12, 20 and 36mm
• EXTENSION RING UNIPLUS TUBE DG 12
• EXTENSION RING UNIPLUS TUBE DG 25