Nikon D40 Trading in for what? I need help choosing the right camera.?

Question

I currently own a Nikon D40. I bought it less than a year ago thinking that it would be the last camera I ever had to buy. I was wrong. I do photography as a hobby/job and I knew when I bought this camera that it was not compatible with other lenses, but silly me i didn't really understand why people needed different lenses anways? Now i know. My photography skills have grown and my camera hasn't. I want to purchase a 1.8 50mm lens and this is not available for this camera. As far as images, this camera has gave me some great shots and I love its ease of use but I am sorry now that I bought it. I guess i wanted a camera with all the bells and whistles without the cost - Now i am looking to trade it for something that is able to use any lens, but that will still be compatible with my 18-55mm lens and flash ( i definately wanna stick with a Nikon model) I looked at all the models online from the D50, D80, D200, D300 - I don't know what to buy. I can't tell oranges from apples.

Answer 1

The Nikon D50 will work with a 50mm AF lens in autofocus; the disadvantage is that it's no longer being made, so you can only get it used. It's a very good camera and in fact, I own one. Price-wise, they have held their value well, approaching the price of a new D40. The ability to use the older AF lenses (without the built-in motor) has helped to keep the D50 up in price. In effect, it's much like the D40, but with the ability to use the non- AF-S lenses and autofocus. However, it's 6mp.



You can ignore the D40x and the D60; they won't work with your required 50mm.



So, in new cameras, that leaves you with the D80. It's compatible with your older lens and flash. It'll autofocus with the 50mm AF lens. It's 10mp. In other words, it meets all of your requirements.



The D200 and D300 are priced above your limit.



Now, if you want to consider used cameras, you might also consider the Fujifilm S2 or S3 Pro cameras. They shoot at an interpolated 12mp (the sensor has 6mp in a different layout). In terms of actual resolution, it's more like about 7 or 8 megapixels. However, what makes those two cameras special is the out of camera color--absolutely way better than the Nikons. The S2 Pro doesn't have much dynamic range (the range between light tones and dark tones), but the S3 Pro has more DR than any other camera (except the new S5). DR is vital in situations where there's a lot of light and dark detail and you need to capture it. They're only available used and should be around $400-600. Oh yeah, they take Nikon lenses and will AF with your 50mm AF. I don't know which flash you have; if it's the SB-600 or 800, it'll work on those cameras.



So bottom-line for you:

new: Nikon D80, 10mp, and will work with the 50mm and your existing gear.



used: I like the Fujifilm S3 Pro for its tonality and color; the Nikon D50 works like your D40, but will accept all your old gear and the 50mm AF lens (and will AF with it).



EDIT: ARrrgh! George, if you don't understand the advantage of a 50mm f/1.8 lens over the 18-55mm kit lens...you'd better go get a 50mm lens. Not only will the 50mm lens let in more light for night shooting, but the f/1.8 aperture blurs backgrounds far better than the zoom. That's an effect you cannot get from using a flash or bumping up the ISO.

Answer 2

Sounds like your looking for exactly the D80, 10 megapixles and lens compatibility. You'll like the d80 more because of how much quicker you can change settings with the additional buttons. No more having to go through all of those annoying screens on the d40 just to change ISO lol. I sold my d40 last year for $475 on craigslist and used the money to buy a d80 body only. I already had a 28-105 from my nikon F80. The d80 will be a camera that you can use for years allowing you to build on your lenses. I was in the same boat so I hope that helps.

Answer 3

For the best bang for your buck, the Nikon D80 is ideal. 10mp with full AF on all Nikon mount AF lenses.



Here's a great Ebay vendor that sells only Nikon USA imports, important for future Nikon support and repair.

http://search.stores.ebay.com/Cameta-Camera_d80_W0QQfcdZ2QQfciZ5QQfclZ4QQfromZR10QQfsnZCametaQ20CameraQQfsooZ1QQfsopZ3QQfsubZ3QQsascsZ2QQsaselZ27280321QQsbrsrtZdQQsofpZ2



Looking on my local edition of Craigslist, I found several D200's for under $900.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=d200

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=d200



I love my D200, because I can use even the older manual Nikon lenses with full metering.



But a D80 will be MUCH simpler to operate as a D200 requires a great deal of photographer investment in setting the camera for the situation. The D80, like your D40, has user-friendly modes for most shots.



From your history of questions, it looks like you would really benefit from taking some photography classes. Your D40 is a capable camera.



Out of curiousity, what are you needing the 50mm lens for? Your 18-55mm kit lens covers that range and you can increase your ISO for lower light, or use an SB400 or SB600 flash for other situations.



Do you have any other lenses? If not, consider selling your D40 with the kit lens and starting afresh.



Just a thought.



Edit for a response to Anthony - I've shot with enough 50mm lens over the decades to realize the difference. But I was just asking what the questioner was intending to shoot. As a photographer, photo sales rep, and a photo class trainer, I've used a few 50mm lens in my time. If you check the profile, you'll see that the questioner has had many questions about how to use their D40. Yes, a 50mm lens is great. But does this user really want the speed or have they been given one piece of information and are reacting to it? Just trying to help here.



And if one is truly using the 50mm for selective depth of field, then manual focus will give the shooter more control over which part of the scene is in and which part is out of focus. Therefore, a 50mm used manually will work wonderfully with a D40.

Answer 4

You can get a 50mm lens for the D40....

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-50mm-Nikkor-Digital-Cameras/dp/B00005LEN4



They are different in shutter response time, ISO speeds, processors, and almost everything except megapixels.