Nikon D40 package deal...worth it?

[LaYzEe]

http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/SLR1160.htm

What do u guys think of this package? Im looking to upgrade my camera soon and i came across this deal.

I currently use a Sony H5 and its still a good camera for me but after 2 years of using it, I think i can opt for a DSLR now

Thats y im looking at a beginner entry DSLR.

I love taking pics of landscapes, portraits, night shots, macro shots and of course automotive photography

Let me know what you guys think! Thanks!

[LaYzEe]

so im assuming people dont like this deal?

[TWiTCHY]

You'll find soon enough that you'll want lenses with a bigger range. Save your money for that lens.

[UdubBadger]

yeah... i'd go body only and spend money on 1 really nice lens. I'll be honest, when I got my canon a few years ago i did a package like this with an 18-55mm and 75-300mm lenses. I never used the 75-300 not only cuz I wasn't shooting that far away but cuz BOTH lenses were pretty much junk. If youre going Nikon (which I would probably advise you against because I have a bias for Canon) I'd say get a body only and pick out 1 nice lens.

heres a few ideas...

Rebel XSi body $568

EF 28mm-135mm IS 3.5/5.0 lens $388 or less for used.

or if you can spend a bit more... I'd love to get my hands on this one...
EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS $899 new



obviously those are just canon's but just an idea...

[UdubBadger]

actually come to think of it... I might even sell you my 20d body if you're interested... Gotta wait to see how much financial aid is gonna give me but I'm hoping to pull the trigger on a 5D soon.

[bmwturbopower]

or get a 24-70 f/2.8 L for 1grand it's a lovely lens

[UdubBadger]

i think its a 24-105 L which comes with the 5D mark II now.... god i hope i can snag one of those package deals

[vladinecko]

to me, that's an awesome deal. the downside is, you have to carry around two lenses. they give you plenty of range; if 11x zoom isn't enough for you, then i don't know.

i would definitely not go with a 18-135mm lens. if you want to go in that direction (having one all-around lens), spend a few hundred more and go with the nikor 18-200mm one. it is, arguably, an excellent lens but you won't find one for below ~$650.

so think about it, body only D40 would run you, say $350, plus $650 for a really nice lens and you're at a grand already. with the ritz deal, you get the inconvenience of having to carry 2 lenses but you get it with the D40 + some goodies for just $599.

i bought my D40 two years ago for $599 and it came with just the basic 18-55mm lens. if you're looking to update your Sony, this is a great deal!

[LaYzEe]

thanks for advice guys!!!

Yeh, i might just go with the body and just get an uber cool lens...

But will a D40 be a suitable body for me? 6.1 megapixels is fine with me actually, i dont even go over 3000 x 2000 in my pics since i usually just upload them for websites.

I mean, theres really no need to get a 10.1 megapixel cam if ur not going to blow up/enlarge ur pictures right?

[UdubBadger]

well you need to also consider the benefit of having a larger full frame (or close to) sensor which is why I am going to upgrade soon

[bmwturbopower]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

i think its a 24-105 L which comes with the 5D mark II now.... god i hope i can snag one of those package deals

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830998375

[UdubBadger]

ahhhhh yes... ok a 2.8 L instead of a 4.0 L I thought you were talking about the one I almost bought a month ago...

damn i think i'd rather have the 2.8

[Tallest]

yeah, go for body and good lens, unless the lens with camera is a good basic lens (like one that comes on rebel XS). Then you can add up more stuff as you need.

i also have bias for Canon.

[Subw00er]

Spend a little more and get the D40x with a 18-135 lens. Its a great combo. If you can afford the VR lenses, get them, but honestly, not a big difference. Make sure you save money for one of the Nikon flashes, they are necessary. The small one is ok for close shots, but the medium or larger one is best. Enjoy, the d40 series is GREAT and easy to use and takes great pics without a lot of effort, especially if you are new.

I have personal experience with the d40x and d80. I like the d40x much more.

[Subw00er]

ps- look at the EYE-FI SD card. You can wirelessly send your pics over your network when you get home! Its great and works perfectly in the nikon.

[Tondtar]

Good deal but ....I think you should find a deal w/ D40x camera. It matches the new D60 specs and is cheaper due to old inventory being cleared by the big guys. I bought it recently as my first digital SLR with a 18-200 mm lens and D600 flash. I am quite happy with it so far. I am planning to buy a 70-300 mm VR lens next. The combo will last me a while before it's time to upgrade to something more professional.

[Carrera RSR]

Read up on Ken Rockwells site regarding D40 and all things Nikon. Very good read

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

He is Nikon biased (to balance out the Canon recommendations). I bought the D40 with 18 - 55mm kit lens and soon upgraded to the 55 - 200mm VR lens. The D40x gives you more megapixels but not a better picture.

Suits me fine as I am still learning various features. Most guys who recommend more expensive cameras/lenses will already be more advanced in their shooting or have too much money burning holes in their wallets

Buy the best you feel you can justify. However there will always someone in photography who will state you should have bought something different.

[BMWE90]

Originally Posted by JNic335i

or get a 24-70 f/2.8 L for 1grand it's a lovely lens

I'm thinking about getting one of those. POTN member are you?

[LaYzEe]

so my friend is saying dont get the D40 or D40x becuase it doesnt have an auto focus (internal focus drive motor) so in order to have it, u'll need to buy a lens that comes with it already.

what do u guys think of the d80? prices should be going down by now right?

[Subw00er]

Originally Posted by LaYzEe

so my friend is saying dont get the D40 or D40x becuase it doesnt have an auto focus (internal focus drive motor) so in order to have it, u'll need to buy a lens that comes with it already.

what do u guys think of the d80? prices should be going down by now right?

Yes, the lenses have the motor internally. There are mixed feeling on this and I went back and forth over this in the beginning. I dont think its a show stopper for a few reasons. One, you dont already own lenses, so its not like you're wasting money, just get lenses with the motor inside (make sure the lens states "AF-S"). you can get the kit lenses on ebay quite inexpensively.

Second, I like how the focus motor is in the lens, so you have less wear and tear on the internal one when you are switching lenses around (you have more motors doing the work instead of a single one). Also, not that its likely with a nikon, but if the motor breaks, you dont have to send your camera body in for repair and be without a camera.

The new nikon lenses are great, dont let the focus thing stop you.. worst case is that you have to manually focus if you borrow someone else's lens.. The d40x is a GREAT camera, especially for someone starting out with SLR.

BTW I have a d80 at work and I MUCH PREFER the d40x. I think it takes better pictures, it has their updated interface and its lighter and easier to carry. Please dont buy a d80 over a d40x. Maybe the d60 is a consideration?! I'm not sure what focusing it uses (lens or body), but again, dont let the lens focus malarchy bother you. Just get it, you'll love it. It makes me look like a pro!

Just make sure that you budget for a flash, its pretty much required unless you are using a fixed focus lens or something. The on-camera flash is not great at distance, and if you have a big lens, it will produce a shadow at the bottom of your image. If you're on a budget get the small flash (~100), if you have some cash, get the middle one (~200) , and if want to have fun with multiple flashes, get the big ones. The ttl flash stuff is really neat, but honestly, I just use a single flash most of the time. I have the big flashes, but if I were to do it again, I'd just get the middle one. I did own the small one for a week and it is great, especially for the money, but I found it was not strong enough at distances over 20 ft or so. Indoors or normal shooting though, it would be fine. There is a mod where you cut a white film canister's end off and place it over the flash head and it works awesome! Free mod! I like to shoot at weddings, so this was was prompted me to get the larger flashes.

I used to own the 18-135 lens and it is good if you are on a budget. I ended up selling it on ebay to buy the 18-200VR because I wanted a little more range.

I use the 18-200 VR lens and a fixed focus 60mm. Both of them are excellent. I dont need to use my flash with the 60mm - this lens was released a few months ago and its quite expensive, not sure its worth the money..unless you are really critical. Most of the time I use the 18-200VR and that lens is worth the money. Its AWESOME but it does require the flash. But together its a really nice shooting camera. I also have the 18-55 kit lens, which is good, especially for a kit lens..but doing it over I'd just get the d40x body, the 18-200VR lens and the middle flash (I forget the model, d600 maybe), and call it a day. I feel now that my camera setup is great and I have no feeling like I want to upgrade.

It will look expensive up front, but you will have bought the best combo (IMO) for this camera and it will take amazing shots. I think most people buy the kit lens, upgrade, upgrade again and then end up spending a lot more than if they would have bought the right stuff in the first place - I certainly did this.

Another word of advice, you only need one extra battery, not two. The battery life on these cameras is amazing. I can take thousands of pictures on one battery.

FWIW, I also have a canon rebel xti at work and I HATE it. The menus and operations are so complicated I find it difficult to take a decent picture. It also feels sort of cheap.