The D50 is the predecessor of the D40 and is cheaper - is it possible you mean the D40X or D80 (which are more expensive than the D40)?.

The D50 is a steal at the moment, if you can get one, because it is 'last year's model' but has some extra features that the D40 doesn't, like an additional LCD display on the top, and compatibility with a much wider range of lenses. For a starter camera you couldn't do a lot better. And it should be CHEAPER than the D40.Mike..

I think the problem is no one has them anymore. And the ones that do overprice them because I'm looking at amazon since Ritz and alot of small camera stores I went to didn't have a D50 in stock. On Amazon, the price of the D50(body only) is $719 while the D40 is $531.  I'll keep looking for a D50 but could someone recommend the other stuff to me for a D40 and/or D50 since most of the stuff can still apply, I presume...

What is your list?.

You can build a starter system around a D80 for $1800..

The D40x eliminates options for more budget oriented lenes from both Nikon and makers like Tamron and Sigma. (it also has dropped some features that were on the D50 and are on the D80 that some people find useful.).

If you want Nikon.. and want to grow. D50 or D80 would be my reccomendations..

Ken - KM 5Dhttp://www.cascadephotoworks.com..

To be honest, I need everything since I've only had a Panasonic Lumix LC43 which died on me..

I was thinking a Transcend 8gb SDHC memory card, with my older SD cards as backup, and Tamrac Adventure 9 backpack for the camera and it's accessories, but if anyone has advice on those 2, please advise..

The D80 does look appealing so thats in my shopping cart but I'm guessing I'll need 2 lenses to start off with, one for a family portrait type shot and a longer range landscape shot. But with the D80, I could possibly save money by getting Sigma or Tamron.Flash-SB400?.

As it is clearly apparent, I am quite unsure of everything still...

I guess there isn't a way to edit my last post but I was thinking of getting the D80 with the 18-135mm AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens for $1,135...

There ought to be an FAQ stickied with this topic, it gets asked so much (and fairly enough seeing as this is the beginners forum!). Anyone want to start a sticky?.

Anyhoo you should probably state what kind of photography you are interested in doing, and what your experience level is. When I started photography I simply bought the model recommended to me. Thats a good way to start because your mentor will be able to advise and train you in using a camera that he/she knows very well as you grow. I used the same camera my professor used when he started out, it was old and clunky but I benefited from his insight in what the camera could do and it's limitations. But yeah, some of that info would help others advise, and also I think there are a couple of other threads just recently started with the same topic which you might find interesting, you don't even have to search as they are really recent and you just have to look down a few posts ..

I guess the only way to describe it would be the average person who wants to take pictures of everything but mainly scenery/landscape and family pictures while on vacation..

My experience level:nil with SLR cameras but my uncle is teaching me some stuff with his D50 although he's an amateur...

Well I think you'll probably get more useful and informed replies now that we know you're a casual/amateur photographer with room to grow. If your uncle is teaching you, and he has a D50, I think it might be a good idea to go into Nikon because the system is more familiar to you, and who knows you might be able to borrow lenses from him too. There is a page of examples of what the D40 can do in the hands of amateurs at the picturetown web site: http://www.stunningnikon.com/picturetown/.

I personally use a Canon 400D (aka Digital Rebel) which is a great camera but I cannot in all honesty recommend that to you given what you've said. Go with the Nikon ..

How does this look?Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only)Nikon Complete Lens Cleaner KitNikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens.

Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasNikon SB-400 AF Speedlight for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasNikon EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery for D200 Digital SLR CameraLowepro Slingshot 200 All Weather Backpack (Black)2x SanDisk 2 GB Extreme III SD Memory Card ( SDSDX3-2048-901 ).

All I would need are filters, right? Also I was looking at the Tamron Autofocus 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras because it was recommended in another thread but I am still unsure about the lenses which are pushing my total cost over $2000, which isn't great but it's fine...

That looks like a great setup, and seems very flexible which is good for you right now..

I am not a Nikon user so I am going to leave it to Nikon users to advise on the lens specifics. In fact you might want to try asking on the Nikon forums because lens are the most expensive thing you will buy and the thing that will vary most in quality. Based on what I've heard, if you are getting 18-200mm the Nikkor 18-200mm is supposed to be better than the Tamron and other 3rd party lenses, but you will want to try asking Nikon users to be sure..

Good luck in your new hobby, may it bring you as much joy as it has me...

If you are going to shoot RAW look at 4GB CF cards.Make sure if you get filters you get Mulitcoated to cut down on reflections..

But that is a really sweet system you have set up there.....

Ken - KM 5Dhttp://www.cascadephotoworks.com..

Thank you MWCT and Ken for everything.  I do have one comment for this forum and it should employ something like what the head-fi forum members say to all new members, "Sorry for your wallet" because photography uses alot of money...

R1n7r4h wrote:.

Thank you MWCT and Ken for everything.  I do have one comment forthis forum and it should employ something like what the head-fiforum members say to all new members, "Sorry for your wallet"because photography uses alot of money..

It does if you like good equipment.. but a good photographer can find a good shot with any of the current DSLRsKen - KM 5Dhttp://www.cascadephotoworks.com..

Just buy the camera with the kit lens for a little over $500 and get other items as they come along. Trying to buy everything you can think of up front will only frustrate you with mistakes later on. Get the camera and enjoy what it does firs.Dave Lewis..

Do you think it would be possible to get the D40/D40X instead because it looks like I am using Nikon lenses which are compatible with them? I just don't see that changing ever...

If you mean you have lenses now or that you are sharing. Any that are AF lenses vs AF-S will not work on the D40/D40X it doesn't support lots of Nikon lenses and most 3d party lenses. This is because they didn't include a motor for AF style lenes the don't have a motor in the lensKen - KM 5Dhttp://www.cascadephotoworks.com..

I thought the D40/D40X supported AF/AF-S lenses. I dont know, I guess I'll take the risk and order the D50 from USA-World-Sales...

Most prime lenses for example, are "AF" so you would need anything other than the D40/D40x to use autofocusing on them. You CAN use them on the D40 but you would need to learn to manually focus them, some people are good at it, and some find it frustrating. Thats why I decided against the D40x when deciding between it at the D80..

KelvinNikon D80, 18-200mm VR, SB-600 FlashGalleries (Taken with a Sony H5):.

Hawaiihttp://picasaweb.google.com/corrsfreak/Hawaii?authkey=QMYfcNocFqQCar show:http://picasaweb.google.com/.../corrsfreak/CarShowMar18?authkey=vdeSQn7a_sgZoo and Ducks:http://picasaweb.google.com/...corrsfreak/CalgaryZooMar17?authkey=DvyRbU989F0..

Thank you DiceK, I am about to go D50 hunting because I would prefer that over the D40 or D80 but we shall see...

There's a lot of people that will defend the D50 to the bitter end. The D40 will auto focus only with AF-S lenses. Manual focus with most others. The D40 has the same processing engine as the D80. The thing that nobody's telling you is that the D40/D40x has better image quality than the out of production D50. They retired it for a reason! Think about it.

D80=more megapixles=larger prints. If that matters to you. My son and buddy have D80s and we've compared side by side the IQ. Why go backwards technically. For $1800.00 you could have an amazing set up..

Don't worry about fast SD cards. The D40 buffer will handle whatever you throw at it, unless, maybe you're shooting raw+jpeg. You could buy a D40 set up I have or get the 18-200 Vr lens ($825.00) more. Sell the kit lens for $150.00 on eBay. SB400 flash $129.00, or SB 600 $200.00. SB400 is a nice size very compact.

Your budget would make many new photographer green with envy. You should go to the camera store and check it out. Also, go to the Nikon D80,70,50,40 forum and look at the D40 owners photos. You will be amazed at what you'll see. Good luck with what ever you decide on, it's a blast once you get started!.

PS: Check Beach Camera for prices in the US. (beachcamera.com) They are very competitive and reliable.Ron.

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Thank you very much Ron. Its actually a joint-venture with my dad, with him taking up the change after the $1500 line. However, back on topic, I think I am sold on the D40 especially with your post and that campaign by Nikon illustrating the D40's ease of use...

The lens thing is an issue....

I have the kit 18-55 and a 55-200 VR and they are more than enough for my needs. Would I enjoy a 50mm 1.8 AF-S? Of course, but it's not necessary, especially not yet. I thought about this motor question long and hard, and to me it was worth it to have the D40's putative image quality over the D50's lens selection. You can't lose with either, though.My old Nikon 4300 Album: http://picasaweb.google.com/Garrett.Bredell/PSArchive..

The 30m f1.4 from Sigma is fully compatible with the autofocus on the D40 and has had excellent reviews, if you need a fast prime lens for indoor work without a flash. Given the popularity of the D40/D40x I imagine it won't be long before other manufacturers are providing additional lenses along the same lines, and the issue of availability of autofocussing lenses for these cameras will disappear.Mike..

Mike703 wrote:.

The 30m f1.4 from Sigma is fully compatible with the autofocus onthe D40 and has had excellent reviews, if you need a fast primelens for indoor work without a flash. Given the popularity of theD40/D40x I imagine it won't be long before other manufacturers areproviding additional lenses along the same lines, and the issue ofavailability of autofocussing lenses for these cameras willdisappear..

Interesting argument... since when some of us have question the removal of the focus motor. The Nikon defenders says "Most D40 owners will probably never buy another lens.".

Not exactly a glowing reccomendation to Sigma and Tarmon to build lenses with the increased cost of a motor..

It will be interesting see how that shakes out.Ken - KM 5Dhttp://www.cascadephotoworks.com..

I did some test shots at ISO 400 with the D40X compared to my old DS. The D40x shots had no more resolution and had a plastic like look to them..

One thing I do not understand is why Nikon needs Noise reduction on their 6MP cameras and Pentax does not. They both use the same sensor. Yet, the Pentax gives better high ISO results...

That's a very nice dad. Just don't forget that Father's Day is comming up fast. I hope my son remembers what a nice dad I am! My daughter too.Ron.

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I definately haven't forgotten about Father's Day. I'm actually buying the camera for my dad since he loves taking pictures of all his flowers, his arowana and flowerhorns, and stuff like that...

He has an Arowana! Cool. I;ve had a few, but it's been years. It's fun to feed them goldfish while holding about an inch above the water. Cool to see them jump for it.Ron.

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Right now, he doesn't like goldfish or any feeder fish at all so we are feeding him bloodworms and grasshoppers. Hopefully, his appetite doesn't swing towards bullfrogs and beyond..

However, on topic, I will be ordering my D40 from Amazon, the seller is actually Beach Camera this weekend, so it will just in time for my trip to Seattle...

I keep thinking I should order the 55-200mm lens just for a ligher weight but seems like that is the only reason to buy. Anyone have any suggestions?..

Don't sell the 55-200Vr short, it's a very nice lens. I'm notjust saying that because I have it.Ron.

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Yup, I've made up my mind for sure this time. I am getting the 18-135 as a walk around lens. And the rest are the 18-70, the kit lens(18-55), and the 70-200...

I just ordered my D40 yesterday, also from Amazon. Just getting the 18-55 for now, but I'll stash some money away for a longer zoom later. (I'm still using my DiMage Z1 regularly, but couldn't resist a DSLR for $503.)..

R1n7r4h wrote:.

Yup, I've made up my mind for sure this time. I am getting the18-135 as a walk around lens. And the rest are the 18-70, the kitlens(18-55), and the 70-200..

Your purchasing all these lenses or just the 18-135 and the 70-200?..

Well, I couldn't make up my mind before but I think I have an idea now. I am going with the 70-300mm VR and 18-70mm. So I have those 2 lenses, the Slingshot, D40 with kit lens, 2X 2Gb Kingston SD cards, extra battery, SB400, and the Lens Cleaner and Giotto Air Rocket...

You've chosen well. However, you really don't need and extra battery as battery life is amazing. More than 700 shots.Ron.

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I'd rather be safe than sorry because I remember one trip to Yellowstone. We were living in the cabins that Yellowstone National Park has for rent, I believe, and there were no electrical outlets to charge our cellphones or anything...

Actually get 2 batteries because that way you can let one fully discharge before putting the second one in and not have to wait for recharge. You don't want to be constantly recharging batteries because that reduces their lifespan...

The Lithiun-Ion batteries don't need to be fully discharged before recharging.Ron.

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