A combo of two lenses will give you better quality (especially on the long telephoto end). The 18-200 will let you keep only one lens on at one time, which is far more convenient, especially for travel. It depends on where your priorities lie..

The D40 lacks the AF motor, which means non AF-S lenses will not autofocus. Notably, you won't be able to use many primes such as the 50 f1.8, 85 f1.8, etc. To me, these are big losses (the ability to use large aperture primes), and I would take a D50 over a D40 solely for this reason. This may not matter to you, however...

Just to clarify a little, you can use the af lenses, you just lose the auto-focus. Inconvenient, but not a show stopper for most..

Mike..

I hadn't thought of the d50, but it seems to make a lot of sense. Thanks. I have a friend with a d200 and a 50 f1.8 and I was amazed at the pictures he could take for the price of that lens. Where could I buy a d50?.

Also, I've been comparing lenses between canon and nikon, and it seems canon has a greater selection and a better price for it's high-end lenses. Is this right? I don't want to buy one now, but eventually I might. And canon looks like the better option..

Thanks again for the help...

I dont think it is wise to buy a d50 just in order to use 50 1.8, I own that lens, it is sharp, but the bokeh is not so good..

D40 has better lcd(same as d200) and better auto white balance(can produce better looking pictures under difficult lighting conditions, eg. indoor fluorescent).

If you travel a lot, get d40 with 18-200. you will find this combo very convenient. if not and worry a little about the money, get combo 1855-55200vr, they can produce slightly better photo qualities and costs less. also these two are both very small, it wont be inconvenient to carry around..

Also get a sb400 flash, it can only tilt up 90 degrees but it is enough to produce beautiful indoor flash photos..

These are all basic entry level cheap equipments, when you later get more acquainted with photography and equipments and want to upgrade or go to canon, you can sell them(you wont lose much) or use as backup. d40 has a lovable size to carry around..

Http://www.bravelee.com/..

For the price, I think Canon offers much more 'affordable' high-end options compared to Nikon. But unless you're absolutely sure you're going to move into that territory eventually, I would look much more at the low-end consumer lenses available to you first. I think Nikon is a bit stronger in this department, but you could easily put together a good starter kit for Canon as well..

As for the D50, I don't know of any place you might find one new anymore. However, Adorama and KEH both sell a few used ones, for about same price as the D40:.

Http://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20271112.htmlhttp://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20271290.html.

Http://www.keh.com/...&CCC=&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=&KW=nikon%20d50.

Http://www.keh.com/...&CCC=&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=&KW=nikon%20d50.

I shoot Canon, so have not had much experience with the Nikon 50, but have heard much of the same - solid performance, and incredible when you consider the price..

With An 18-55 at f5.6 or even 55-200 at f4, it's impossible to get shots like these, with smooth background blur (taken with the Canon 50 f1.8):.

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So back to plan A with the d40. I should probably learn more just with the basic stuff and not worry about the future. I don't know enough yet. Also, I'm guessing it would be easier (and more profitable) to sell the d40 compared to the d50 since it's newer..

Do you think it's worth the money to upgrade to the d40x?.

And, what about the Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 HSM? Should I consider this lens or just go with the Nikon kit?..

I wouldn't let people disuade you from the D40(x) camera. This is a great camera, and the kit lens is much better than some people make it out to be (from what I've read, much better than the Canon kit kens)..

Just look around this site, there are many pictures taken with the D40 kit lens that are amazing. Judge for yourself..

Also, there ARE many lenses for the D40, many people say you will be limited, but only limited to either using AF (Auto focusing lenses), or manual focusing with non-AF lenses..

Here is one of the latest lists of D40(x) lenses - all of these lenses are Auto Focus lenses - and yes, if and when you step up to a higher level Nikon camera, the lenses you use with your D40 will work with that camera:.

AF-S DX 12-24mm 4.0G ED-IF.

AF-S 17-35mm 2.8D ED-IF.

AF-S DX 17-55mm 2.8G ED-IF.

AF-S DX 18-55mm 3.5-5.6G.

AF-S DX 18-70mm 3.5-4.5G ED-IF.

AF-S DX 18-135mm 3.5-5.6 ED-IF.

AF-S VR DX 18-200mm 3.5-5.6G IF-ED.

AF-S 24-85mm 3.5-4.5G IF-ED.

AF-S VR 24-120mm 3.5-5.6G ED-IF.

AF-S 28-70mm 2,8 IF-ED.

AF-S DX 55-200mm 4-5.6G ED.

AF-S VR 55200mm 45.6G IF-ED.

AF-S VR 70-200mm 2.8G ED-IF.

AF-S VR 70-300mm 4.5-5.6G.

AF-S 80-200mm 2.8 ED-IF.

AF-S VR 105mm 2.8G.

AF-S VR 200mm 2.0G ED-IF.

AF-S VR 200-400mm 4.0G ED-IF.

AF-I 300mm 2.8D IF-ED.

AF-S 300mm 2.8D IF-ED.

AF-S 300mm 4.0D ED-IF.

AF-S VR 300mm 2.8 ED-IF.

AF-I 400mm 2.8 D IF-ED.

AF-S 400mm 2.8D ED-IF.

AF-I 500mm 4.0D IF-ED.

AF-S 500mm 4.0D ED-IF.

AF-I 600mm 4.0D IF-ED.

AF-S 600mm 4.0D ED-IF.

Sigma:.

10-20mm 4-5.6 EX DC HSM.

12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM.

14mm 2.8 EX.

17-35mm 2.8-4.0 EX DG.

17-70mm f2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM New.

18-50mm 3.5-5.6 DC HSM New.

18-50mm f2.8 EX DC Macro HSM New.

30mm 1.4 DC.

50-500mm 4.0-6.3 EX DG.

50-150mm 2.8 EX DC HSM.

55-200mm 4-5.6 DC HSM New.

70-200mm 2,8 EX DG Makro.

80-200mm 2.8 EX DG Makro.

80-400mm 4-5.6 EX OS.

100-300mm 4.0 EX DG.

120-300mm 2.8 EX DG.

150mm 2.8 EX DG MAKRO.

180mm 3.5 EX DG MAKRO.

300mm 2.8 EX DG APO HSM.

300-800mm 5.6 EX DG APO.

500mm 4.5 EX DG HSM APO.

800mm 5.6 EX DG APO.

Albert-Ohttp://www.berto.zenfolio.com.

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Buying a worse camera so that you can sell it at a higher price in the future is really not a good way to approach equipment. If you want to do that, buy a Canon - they keep value on their equipment much better than Nikons. In a year or two, you might be talking a difference of $50 between the cameras, or you may even see the D50 worth more than the D40, because the D40 isn't autofocus-compatible with prime lenses..

The D40x is a D40 with 10MP. For your uses, there will likely be zero benefit..

The Sigma 17-70 is a decent lens. But I would personally go with the Nikon 18-70 - stunning lens for the price...

I am so tired of people copying and pasting this list..

#1 Almost HALF of the lenses here top $1000. Many of them top $3000. What use are these to beginners looking at the D40..

#2 It ignores the main problem with the D40 lens - no autofocus with primes like a 50 f1.8 or 85 f1.8. This is like:.

"The D40 isn't able to autofocus with a few lenses, which you might consider essential.""BUT LOOK AT ALL THESE OTHER LENSES! THIS LIST IS REALLY LONG!".

Not a single one of the lenses here has the same capability as a $100 50 f1.8. Not a single one..

Cosilver wrote:.

I wouldn't let people disuade you from the D40(x) camera. This is agreat camera, and the kit lens is much better than some people makeit out to be (from what I've read, much better than the Canon kitkens)..

Just look around this site, there are many pictures taken with theD40 kit lens that are amazing. Judge for yourself..

Also, there ARE many lenses for the D40, many people say you will belimited, but only limited to either using AF (Auto focusing lenses),or manual focusing with non-AF lenses..

Here is one of the latest lists of D40(x) lenses - all of theselenses are Auto Focus lenses - and yes, if and when you step up to ahigher level Nikon camera, the lenses you use with your D40 will workwith that camera:.

AF-S DX 12-24mm 4.0G ED-IF.

AF-S 17-35mm 2.8D ED-IF.

AF-S DX 17-55mm 2.8G ED-IF.

AF-S DX 18-55mm 3.5-5.6G.

AF-S DX 18-70mm 3.5-4.5G ED-IF.

AF-S DX 18-135mm 3.5-5.6 ED-IF.

AF-S VR DX 18-200mm 3.5-5.6G IF-ED.

AF-S 24-85mm 3.5-4.5G IF-ED.

AF-S VR 24-120mm 3.5-5.6G ED-IF.

AF-S 28-70mm 2,8 IF-ED.

AF-S DX 55-200mm 4-5.6G ED.

AF-S VR 55200mm 45.6G IF-ED.

AF-S VR 70-200mm 2.8G ED-IF.

AF-S VR 70-300mm 4.5-5.6G.

AF-S 80-200mm 2.8 ED-IF.

AF-S VR 105mm 2.8G.

AF-S VR 200mm 2.0G ED-IF.

AF-S VR 200-400mm 4.0G ED-IF.

AF-I 300mm 2.8D IF-ED.

AF-S 300mm 2.8D IF-ED.

AF-S 300mm 4.0D ED-IF.

AF-S VR 300mm 2.8 ED-IF.

AF-I 400mm 2.8 D IF-ED.

AF-S 400mm 2.8D ED-IF.

AF-I 500mm 4.0D IF-ED.

AF-S 500mm 4.0D ED-IF.

AF-I 600mm 4.0D IF-ED.

AF-S 600mm 4.0D ED-IF.

Sigma:.

10-20mm 4-5.6 EX DC HSM.

12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM.

14mm 2.8 EX.

17-35mm 2.8-4.0 EX DG.

17-70mm f2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM New.

18-50mm 3.5-5.6 DC HSM New.

18-50mm f2.8 EX DC Macro HSM New.

30mm 1.4 DC.

50-500mm 4.0-6.3 EX DG.

50-150mm 2.8 EX DC HSM.

55-200mm 4-5.6 DC HSM New.

70-200mm 2,8 EX DG Makro.

80-200mm 2.8 EX DG Makro.

80-400mm 4-5.6 EX OS.

100-300mm 4.0 EX DG.

120-300mm 2.8 EX DG.

150mm 2.8 EX DG MAKRO.

180mm 3.5 EX DG MAKRO.

300mm 2.8 EX DG APO HSM.

300-800mm 5.6 EX DG APO.

500mm 4.5 EX DG HSM APO.

800mm 5.6 EX DG APO.

Albert-Ohttp://www.berto.zenfolio.com..

You see? perfect example above....

Fact is, since you're just starting out, I would recommend the kit lens on the D40(x), and perhaps the 55-200mmVR, this lens runs about $250 (not $1000's), or the 70-300mm if you feel you need more reach for about double that price - again, not $1,000's..

Both of these are great lenses. You won't regret your decision either way you go..

As far as the D40 vs D40x, you get a faster flash sync speed with the D40, which means you can use a faster shutter speed with your flash. The x of course gives you more MP's, which may not be important, unless you want to crop heavily. The D40x also has a slightly faster Frame-per-second rate (3fps vs 2.5fps), not too much of a difference there. The D40x has a lower ISO rating of 100 vs 200 on the D40. If you don't know what these terms mean, please google them and determine what you need, or don't need..

The D40(x) is a great starter camera, I have the D40x, and do not plan to sell it as I upgrade to a D200 or D300, but keep it as a second (fast grab and go) camera, and as backup..

If you haven't gone out and held either the D40x or a Canon, or any other camera you are interested in - you should/need to do this, see how they feel in your hands, while looking through the viewfinder, pressing the shutter release, etc..

Good luck!.

Albert-Ohttp://www.berto.zenfolio.com..

Also, keep in mind, even though there may not be that many AF prime lenses available (yet, but look at the Sigma list, they do exist), you can still use non auto- focus lenses with your D40(x). You will simply have to manual focus (you know, the way most of best and most famous photographs you've ever seen were shot)..

Albert-Ohttp://www.berto.zenfolio.com..

I did shoot a D40X and compared it to my 2 year old Pentax DS. It offered no more resolution but the photos did come out with a processed, plastic look in comparison. The lack of a top panel was also a pain..

I would really look at the K100D or K100D special. They are not dumbed down or stripped. They are also compatible with all past K mount lenses amd have AS. The K100D Special Adds SDM compatability and the AS from the K10D...