Nikon D40

Coldow91 · Sep 15, 2007

I am getting into digital photography and have heard that the Nikon D40 is one of the best entry level DSLRs. Is this true? Is it a good camera for a beginner? Is would rather get a nikon than anything else because my buddies all have nikons (but they say that I have to buy a camera myself

) and I can borrow there lens (yes I know that with some lenses you lose the AF).

Also, what external flashes can you use with the D40?

Also, how hard is it to develop negatives in B&W if you know nothing and have no materials? Basically starting from scratch.

Thanks in advance.

Patrolman Pat · Sep 15, 2007

I've just bought a D40X, essentially same camera but with higher megapixels. I find the camera very easy to use having used Nikon SLRs before. From what I can gather the SB400 and SB600 flashes can be used, I'm hoping to add one to my Xmas wishlist.
Battery life is very good, controls can be a bit fiddly IMO but with more use they are starting to become easier to use.
I looked at the D40, D80 and Canon entry level (400??) and bought the 40X because Nikon Australia had a great deal at the time and they were also on sale at my local retailer. I saved $400 which will go towards some extra goodies.

D40 · Sep 15, 2007

Well yes the D40 is a great camera and the SB-600 is probably the best speedflash for a beginer. BUT the D40 does not have an auto focus motor so you have to manually focus all non AF-S lens. This is a problem if you really hope to get into photography as there are a lot of nice non AF-S lens out there for a good price. I would look at the D80 as you can use all the older lens. If you are on a tight budget and absolutley cant wait then the D40 is a great camera. I really like mine and plan to learn on it and later on I will upgrade, mayber when the new line of Nikons come out in a few years. Hope it helps

Coldow91 · Sep 15, 2007

Thanks that really helped. I think I will get a D40 and and use it until it limits me, then upgrade.

oceaneyes · Sep 16, 2007

I've been looking for places to buy a Nikon D40 of my own and I think the best prices are on ebay stores...you can get one with a load of accessories for around $550, and this is definitely better than any other price I have seen so far...you can get a 4Gb sd card, two lenses, a tripod, some filters, and two cases, a hard case and a travel case...while these might not be top of theline for what they are, they don't seem ****ty either although what do I know, I'm still a n00b myself :-D

you can also find similar deals on the D40x and I'm sure the same applies for the D80, though I haven't looked for it yet.

JrGMan2004 · Sep 16, 2007

oceaneyes said:
I've been looking for places to buy a Nikon D40 of my own and I think the best prices are on ebay stores...you can get one with a load of accessories for around $550, and this is definitely better than any other price I have seen so far...you can get a 4Gb sd card, two lenses, a tripod, some filters, and two cases, a hard case and a travel case...while these might not be top of theline for what they are, they don't seem ****ty either although what do I know, I'm still a n00b myself :-D

you can also find similar deals on the D40x and I'm sure the same applies for the D80, though I haven't looked for it yet.

I bought mine on eBay from Cameta Cameras. I went with the Body, 18-55mm kit lens, and carrying case, then bought an SD card from NewEgg. The same package with a 2GB SD Card was $50 more... you can buy a 4GB card shipped from New Egg for $10 more than that, and can get a 2GB card shipped for $30, so I did that.

Coldow91 · Sep 16, 2007

Thanks I will look around on ebay

JrGMan2004 · Sep 16, 2007

Coldow91 said:
Thanks I will look around on ebay

Just make sure you do some research on Google before you buy off of eBay. Just because someone's feedback looks good, doesn't indicate they are a good seller. I've seen plenty of sellers in another field that had good feedback, but still suceeded in continually ripping off their customers...