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I'd Love Input (Or: The Kind of Post I'm Sure Everyone is Tired of Seeing)
As the subject states I'm sure this is a topic plenty have addressed in previous posts. But, as I've done quite a bit of research and still find myself wanting, I thought I'd try to get some knowledgeable people's feedback and suggestions directly..

Here's a little background: I entered the world of photography about one year ago (with a Nikon L4) and the no less daunting one of digital SLR's five months ago. I jumped into the latter probably too quickly for my own good; I researched, enough to allow me to think I knew enough, and wound up with A Nikon D40. I've loved the thing since the day I got it, it's a beautiful camera and takes wonderful pictures..

Since then I decided to invest in a lens, and reality hit. I quickly discovered my lens choices would be quite constrained by the D40 (if I wanted to be able to use auto focus and metering). I was furious; I had lived in a land where all DSLR's were created equally and I found myself waking to a world in which differences were substantially deeper than the names of manufacturers..

So I researched. "Canon vs. Nikon" "Are Fuji's worth considering?" "Sigma makes cameras!?!" "What the heck is a Leica?"And I learned, from various sources (with more than various credentials)..

And I believe I'm just about ready to upgrade (from my D40 which I am sure I will not keep much longer)..

Here are some of my preconceptions and ideals, which are in part shaping what I'm looking for. I am sure many of you can tear these apart (and if you can, please do so, I wouldn't mind in the least)..

I want to stay away from bodies that depend on lenses for auto-focusing and metering..

I slightly prefer Nikon (I like their ergonomics, I've heard they typically do better with portraiture (something on which I plan to base much of my photography in the future), and simply, I am more familiar with Nikon than any other brand.).

But I know I could adjust to a different camera "feel," Portraiture is aided more by lenses and Photoshop than by the make of a camera, and I wouldn't mind learning about other brands. -As you can see the preference is very slight-.

If I go with a Nikon I'd prefer to be able to take advantage of it's wireless flash technology (the SB-600 and SB-800 flash units). Or if I go with another brand I'd prefer to have wireless capabilities (I'd love to not have to "slave" if I could stay away from it.).

The last and probably the biggest "block" I'll have to deal with is cost. I am a college student (with 3 more years ahead of me, possibly more if I decide to chase after something bigger than a Major and a Minor). There is no way I can spend more than $1000 on a body. I'd prefer to stay within a $50 radius of $800 (forgive my math-mindedness), and of course I'm willing to go under that amount..

Alright, I'll say again, I'd love to get some feedback, comments, and ideas..

If you've read all of this I thank you for giving me so much time.My best wishes to you and yours.-Jared..

Comments (8)

The Nikon D80 has your name written all over it. Everything you have now will work with it..

I still believe that Nikon went too far with the D40/x in crippling the body so badly. Yes, it takes good pictures, and you *can* use it with other lenses if you want to, but it is still a crippled body. I think it is worse than the way Canon crippled the 300D, since at least you weren't locked out of a large portion of accessories by the body..

You could even find yourself a D50, which is still a great camera, for less than the new D80 body. I'd just go with the D80 myself, but budgets are rather constraining at times..

Crime Scene PhotographyA small gallery of personal work: http://picasaweb.google.com/PID885..

Comment #1

Caoedhen wrote:.

The Nikon D80 has your name written all over it. Everything you havenow will work with it..

I still believe that Nikon went too far with the D40/x in cripplingthe body so badly. Yes, it takes good pictures, and you *can* use itwith other lenses if you want to, but it is still a crippled body. Ithink it is worse than the way Canon crippled the 300D, since atleast you weren't locked out of a large portion of accessories by thebody..

You could even find yourself a D50, which is still a great camera,for less than the new D80 body. I'd just go with the D80 myself, butbudgets are rather constraining at times..

Crime Scene PhotographyA small gallery of personal work: http://picasaweb.google.com/PID885.

I was thinking about the D80 (quite a bit, actually). It seems like a well rounded camera..

But I thought I'd seen somewhere that the D80 requires a lens with a CPU for metering. I'm not sure if it's anything more than a rumor, so I'll do a little searching around. (Or maybe I'm just blowing the lens thing way out of proportion. I'm not a lens guru by any means... More studying is a definite at this point.)And thanks Caoedhen. The input is appreciated...

Comment #2

There's no reason at all why you limit yourself to Nikon lenses. Try Sigma, Tamron, Tokina. While on average brand name lenses are better, often enough third parties make excellent glass, at half the price. Most of which will work on your D40..

Dave..

Comment #3

Chato wrote:.

There's no reason at all why you limit yourself to Nikon lenses. TrySigma, Tamron, Tokina. While on average brand name lenses are better,often enough third parties make excellent glass, at half the price.Most of which will work on your D40..

Dave.

Thanks Dave, I truly appreciate your feedback..

I wasn't worrying too much about limiting myself to Nikon lenses, but about limiting myself to lenses that will give me both auto-focus and metering capability with the D40. One reason behind my madness is that there is a much wider selection of non-AF/CPU lenses, which I would rather choose from than the more limited category (not to mention price differences)..

I will definitely keep that in mind. It's good to know I won't have to part with my arm to get a decent lens..

Thanks again mate.Jared..

Comment #4

Gatot_jakatimur wrote:.

Jared, are you gonna sell your D40?.

If I continue to immerse myself with photography as I have the last year I'll 'outgrow' it sooner or later, so I'm pretty sure I'll be selling it sometime within a few months...

Comment #5

I want to stay away from bodies that depend on lenses forauto-focusing and metering..

I'm not sure what you mean about metering. This is done in the camera, and unless the lens you use is very old, it will work with your camera's metering system. Old lenses with a manual aperture ring and a mechanical coupling which tells the camera what aperture is set won't meter properly, but anything mroe recent than that should be fine..

Your point about the lack of in-body metering restricting the choice of lenses is a good one, but before you spend lots more money on a new camera just consider....

1. There are now a lot of lenses with in-lens motors which will work on your D40. Sigma in particular are releasing new ones all the time to fill the obvious market niche: for example they have just released a version of their well-regarded 18-50 f/2.8 macro, and their cheap (but optically excellent) 55-200 tele zoom, for the D40/D40x. Unless you want to you use some pretty esoteric lenses there should be plenty of lenses available with motors, from Nikon and third party manufacturers, that you can use..

2. There is an advantage to having the focussing motor in the lens: it is (according to what I have read) both faster and quieter. For example, the new 16-50 and 50-135 lenses from Pentax have in-lens SDM motors even though they don't need to because all Pentax cameras have an in-body motor. The marketing blurb says 'A new SDM system has been incorporated for smoother, quieter autofocusing operation using a built-in supersonic motor.' Pentax wouldn't have done this - and people wouldn't pay the higher price - if it wasn't a big improvement over in-body focussing..

Maybe this is the future of autofocus. I remember when the first iMac computers were released and everyone was shocked that they didn't have a floppy disk drive built in....

So unless your D40 is resticting your photography - i.e. you are finding that you cannot get the shot you want because of the technical limitations of the camera (like the burst rate is too slow for action shots, or three autofocus points isn't enough) - there's no need to change yet. (Of course a D80 would be really nice to have, but that's a different issue!).

Best wishesMike..

Comment #6

You could hunt around for a NOS or refurbished D70s (see dp review of the D50 for differences... think they mentioned the D70s has the flash option you'd like while the D50 doesn't). I've also seen refurb D100s for about $600. With the D300 coming soon, D200 prices may start to drop and you could possibly find a good D200 or D80 trade-up deal with your D40 if there are any good camera shops in your area...

Comment #7

Mike703 wrote:.

I want to stay away from bodies that depend on lenses forauto-focusing and metering..

I'm not sure what you mean about metering. This is done in thecamera, and unless the lens you use is very old, it will work withyour camera's metering system. Old lenses with a manual aperturering and a mechanical coupling which tells the camera what apertureis set won't meter properly, but anything mroe recent than thatshould be fine..

Your point about the lack of in-body metering restricting the choiceof lenses is a good one, but before you spend lots more money on anew camera just consider....

1. There are now a lot of lenses with in-lens motors which will workon your D40. Sigma in particular are releasing new ones all the timeto fill the obvious market niche: for example they have just releaseda version of their well-regarded 18-50 f/2.8 macro, and their cheap(but optically excellent) 55-200 tele zoom, for the D40/D40x. Unlessyou want to you use some pretty esoteric lenses there should beplenty of lenses available with motors, from Nikon and third partymanufacturers, that you can use..

2. There is an advantage to having the focussing motor in the lens:it is (according to what I have read) both faster and quieter. Forexample, the new 16-50 and 50-135 lenses from Pentax have in-lens SDMmotors even though they don't need to because all Pentax cameras havean in-body motor. The marketing blurb says 'A new SDM system hasbeen incorporated for smoother, quieter autofocusing operation usinga built-in supersonic motor.' Pentax wouldn't have done this - andpeople wouldn't pay the higher price - if it wasn't a big improvementover in-body focussing..

Maybe this is the future of autofocus. I remember when the first iMaccomputers were released and everyone was shocked that they didn'thave a floppy disk drive built in....

So unless your D40 is resticting your photography - i.e. you arefinding that you cannot get the shot you want because of thetechnical limitations of the camera (like the burst rate is too slowfor action shots, or three autofocus points isn't enough) - there'sno need to change yet. (Of course a D80 would be really nice tohave, but that's a different issue!).

Best wishesMike.

That definitely clarifies quite a few things. Thank you for the time you spent to spell all that out for me..

You guys have made this so much easier for me. Thank again!.

I wish you a great week mate!Jared..

Comment #8


This question was taken from a support group/message board and re-posted here so others can learn from it.

 

 

 

 

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