Having decided I am going to get a new camera I've been reading reviews till they are coming out my ears and still can not make up my mind!

I want a camera with a faster shutter speed (have 2000 just now), more responsive, has a large bright viewfinder (I have rubbish eyesight) and most importantly takes very good quality pictures - I also don't want to break the bank or buy something excessive I might never get the most out of.

Started with the Nikon D40 - easy to use, compact, gets good reviews and Olly likes his! But am put off as the autofocus only works with certain lenses - I'm sure that's not a big issue for experienced photographers but it is for me and I feel that might be restrictive in the future. I'm also not sure if this is a big enough step up from my existing camera which I don't just set to automatic and let the camera do all the work. I'm doing a camera course so I'm starting to understand how to use my camera on manual settings.

Next the Sony A100 - gets good reviews again, lots of used Minolta lens on ebay to buy for it, image stabilisation, dust cleaner, seem to get lots for your money but noise at higher ISO is picked up in every review. What is putting me off is buying a camera with a flaw picked up by every reviewer but will this be a problem for me - don't know till your using it. Other Jan on this site likes hers a lot!

Next Nikon D80 - this is the camera I read about and thought I want one! Seems to be very good all round with excellent quality photos and is the most expensive of these here of course ;) Will I be able to get the most out of this camera and will it be so much better than the D40? These 2 don't have any dust cleaning or stabilisation - does it matter that much?

Then there's the lenses - reviews I've read for the Nikkor lenses are saying the 18-70mm is a better lens than the 18-135mm, the 18-55mm lens is on par with the 18-135mm (these are the most common bundles). Then there is the 18-200mm which costs as much as the camera again! Then there is the vast array of lenses by Sigma, Tamron etc etc.

So at the mo I'm thinking buy the D80 body, I've found the Nikkor 18-55mm lens for just £50 - that would get me started till I get the hang of the camera then decide what other lenses would suit me better.

Phew, think that's about it. Now you see I am driving myself round the bend! Any advice would be appreciated, on the above - thank you!

So many choices :)

Just wanted to say something about dust cleaner: from what I read the only one that really works is Olympus. With the others, it can help to reduce dust a little but you will probably end cleaning the sensor manually.

The D40: what to say about it? It is very easy to use and it is the most affordable slrs so far (£330 with the lens). It is compact and light. I love it but I also have other slrs in case I want more speed etc. That said, I find it to be the most fun to use.
A few photos of gmacleod's Henri posted lately on Boxerworld were taken with that D40. I can upload some in large size if you want.
The kit lens is very decent and you can add later a 55-200 VR (stabilised) for £249. There is also the 70-300 VR (stabilised) for £330 if you need a lot more zoom. Keep in mind you need to magnify by 1.5 so the 55-200 become in fact a 82-300mm.
For the price you cannot go wrong! 6 megapixels might seem small but unless you do large prints or crop a lot, it is fine.

If I had only one slr in that range of price, I probably would take the D80. It will allow you to take some prime lenses like the 50mm f1.8 (doesn't work on the D40 except if you use it manually). I also like the little LCD on top that I miss on the D40. 10 megapixels is nice too for cropping.
I read the 18-70 is better than the 18-135. Mine (18-70) broke after 2 years. It was very fast to focus and silent but it had some distorsion at wide angle, a lot more than the Sigma 18-200 per example, so some softwares like DXO to correct it is useful.
Not an easy choice! :D I have to say for the price of the D80 you get the D40 with the 18-55 and the 55-200 VR, that's tempting :)
A D40 with the Nikkor 18-200 would be the perfect "bridge" camera.

There are two versions of the Nikkor 18-55mm. The second one is better.

What about Canon? The 400D is very interesting too :D
And Pentax?

There will be a rebate on the D40/40X from tomorrow :)
The site isn't ready yet:
http://www.europe-nikon.com/promotion/
In France the rebate is 90 euros, which is about £60. Makes the D40 or the D40X very interesting.

It is confirmed now: http://www.europe-nikon.com/home/en_GB/local/broad/327/1.html
Have you decided? ;)

So many choices :)
What about Canon? The 400D is very interesting too :D
And Pentax?

Your not helping saying things like that :D

It is confirmed now: http://www.europe-nikon.com/home/en_GB/local/broad/327/1.html
Have you decided? ;)

That makes a really tempting deal as I could get the D40 at £328 plus 18-55mm lens for for pretty much half the price of the D80! Mmmmmmmmmmm everybody likes a bargain :) Or with the 18-55 and the 55-200 VR as you say.... makes a great deal too.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my ponderings - I was flicking through a magazine last night in Tesco, ok so I flicked through all the camera ones......and was looking at a review which mentioned that they found some of the settings on the D40 fiddly to get to - rather than having a dedicated button they are within menus - do you find this or do you not mind?? Hope that makes sense I only had time for a quick scan my dh was getting fed up!

Thanks again :)

The only thing I miss is the little lcd on top I have on the D70 so I do not have to rotate the camera to see the rear lcd. I am lazy ;)
It would be better to have two dials on top like on the D70/80 for better controls but then I mostly use the D40 in P mode where everything is automatic. It does take good pictures easily :)
The menu system itself is very nice and very friendly. I haven't done it but I think it is possible to customize some buttons so you can reach some settings faster.
You can read about the D40 at http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm
The guy is fanatic about his camera and not that objective but I share his opinion about the D40. Like him I have more expensive cameras and lenses but I often use the D40 because it is light and fun.

In the UK I got all my cameras and lenses at Warehouseexpress. I see at http://www.warehouseexpress.co.uk/?/photo/digicameras/Nikon.html you can get the Nikon D40 Black with the AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II for only £270 including cashback. This is really a good value.
The D80 is probably better (more megapixels, better viewfinder, better controls, better autofocus, and can take more lenses) but is it worth twice the price of the D40 with its lens? It will be even more since you still need to get a lens for the D80.

You currently have a x12 zoom. I am sure you would need something like the 55-200 or 70-300mm to add to your camera. It will be frustrating with only the 18-55 especially if you want to take photos of birds.

A word about lenses since you are going to get your first digital SLR: check them (see what each brand has and what's their price) because once you choose a system (like Nikon fit lenses), it is expensive to change for another system. It is again hard to choose. Nikon has lenses like the 18-200 or 18-135 Canon does not have (I still wonder why). Canon has lenses like the 70-200 f4 that Nikon doesn't have. Usually Nikon lenses are more expensive than Canon lenses but there are lenses from Sigma or Tamron you can buy instead. If you buy the D40, here is the list of compatible lenses:
http://www.sigma-photo.com/news/news.asp?nID=3324
I have two listed there: the 10-20 and the 70-200 and they both work fine.

It is just my opinion. Do your search on other forums etc as I do not want to be responsible if you aren't happy with you new camera. LOL

It is just my opinion. Do your search on other forums etc as I do not want to be responsible if you aren't happy with you new camera. LOL

Tee hee hee don't worry I won't ;) It's really helpful having somebody to ask :)

I agree I will need to get either a 55-200 or 70-300mm lens too, that's one thing I like about my current camera is it's zooming ability! Although with my new camera I might be able to focus on birds and get the picture taken before they have disappeared.....................

So the front runner at the mo is the D40........why pay more when you can pay a lot less and get similar results...........but then again I used to indecisive but now I'm not so sure!

Thanks for your help, I owe you a pint the next time I'm in London or the French Riveria or you visit Scotland :D

Only one pint? :D

I will upload some D40 photos that have not been manipulated (full size) so you can see.

The Canon 400D is good too :) I have the 350D that doesn't have a good autofocus but the 400D fixed it. It has 10 megapixels ;)

Some reviews:
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/nikon/d40-review/
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/nikon/d80-review/
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/digital_rebel_xti-review/index.shtml

Only one pint? :D


I'll get you a packet of crisps too ;)

After a manic car show & guests weekend, I'm back thinking about cameras, although I did spend the weekend eyeing up all the other ones going round! Going to decide and buy this week!!

I will upload some D40 photos that have not been manipulated (full size) so you can see.

That would be great - thanks :)

What kind of car show? :)

I uploaded 10 photos at
http://www.duque.fr/nikon-d40/
They are "out of the box" without any editing.

DSC_0914.JPG (robin) was taken with the Sigma 70-200 at iso200
DSC_1323.JPG (guns) was taken with the kit lens 18-55 at iso1600
DSC_1378.JPG (bicycles) was taken with the kit lens 18-55 at iso200
DSC_3954.JPG (cat) was taken with the Sigma 70-200 at iso400
DSC_4027.JPG (blue building) was taken with the Sigma 10-20 at iso400
DSC_4104.JPG (meerkat) was taken with the Sigma 70-200 at iso400
DSC_4327.JPG (heron) was taken with the Sigma 70-200 at iso800
DSC_4586.JPG (Henri) was taken with the kit lens at iso200
DSC_4756.JPG (dining room) was taken with the Sigma 10-20 at iso1600
DSC_4764.JPG (Brussels Grand Place) was taken with the Sigma 10-20 at iso400

For "only" a 6 megapixel camera it does quite well :)
At full size you see the noise at iso1600 but save the photos to your hard drive and look at them resized to your screen size. They look fine. Same for A4 size prints.
That said, the D80 is tempting too ;)
For the moment if you get the D200 you have Nikon NX (an editing software worth £119) for free.

What kind of car show? :)


It was a vintage and classic car show held near us at Thirlstane Castle:

http://www.thirlestanecastle.co.uk

We go as part of the X1/9 Owners Club, we tend to avoid car shows as we all prefer driving our cars rather than sitting in a field looking at them, but they organise a cracking run on the Saturday and there's lots to do and see on the Sunday plus means we get in for free ;) We don't take showing our cars very seriously at all, when Dino our boxer was sitting next to me in the car everybody was ignoring the car and staring at Dino going ohhhhhh look a boxer :) Out of the 8 X1/9s we managed to get 4 dog owners - classic cars and dog ownership seem to go together for some reason.

Thank you for taking the time to upload your photos - I like the colours compared to my camera and also the good results at the higher ISO, what I original set out to get was a camera better than the one I have. so drum roll please...............I've decided to get the D40 - as well as being impressed with the camera itself, the price is so good just now compared to the D80, it just seems to make more sense plus a couple of reviewers have commented on getting just as good results from the D40 as the D80 and most of all yourself included have mentioned how much fun it is to use and I want to have fun when I'm taking photos :) So it's official a D40 it is! Phew...............:p

Very nice castle! :)
There is a comic "Yoko Tsuno" and she drives the Fiat X1/9 model 79. You can see it at
http://yoko.tsuno.free.fr/index.php?mod=engins&pg=1005&cat=Les%20voitures.

Congratulations for your wise choice :D
I believe for a first slr it is a good choice and its price is excellent. You really get a lot for your money. Technically the best camera I own is the Canon 30D but I find it heavy and not easy to use (its ergonomics is bad, you need your two hands to start the camera per example). It will take better pictures (depending on conditions) but it isn't as fun to use as the D40. By the way, my father wants mine so I might be getting another one.
Get a 2GB SD card :) The battery seems unlimited. I have taken more than 1,000 photos (without flash) before recharging the battery.
When are you getting it?

As you like nice cars, here's a photo taken with the D40 and its kit lens:
http://www.photoboard.eu/nicecar.jpg

Very nice castle! :)
There is a comic "Yoko Tsuno" and she drives the Fiat X1/9 model 79. You can see it at
http://yoko.tsuno.free.fr/index.php?mod=engins&pg=1005&cat=Les%20voitures.


That's fab! Although I see they even managed to mention rust a couple of times - no idea what they're on about...........:D
Was it not Roger Leloup who worked with Herge on Tintin - I love Tintin, I've a big pile of Tintin books I'll never part with! :)

When are you getting it?

Well I was hoping it would be tomorrow after pressing the 'buy button' but it's the good old we only deliver to the cardholders address thing and as the parcel needs to be signed for will have to have a rethink - it's never easy! Of course now I know what I want, I want it yesterday.....

As you like nice cars, here's a photo taken with the D40 and its kit lens:
Very nice indeed, although generally prefer a prancing horse on the front :)

What they say is that over 170,000 have been produced between 1972 to 1988 which is a good life for a sport car. It is probably the car with a central engine with the highest production. The last produced are known to be less prone to rust.
Yes, he did work with Hergé. I too have a big pile of Tintin. I have all of them :D I was born in the same city as Hergé :)

Waiting for your photos with the D40! I do have a photo of a Ferrari taken with the D40. I will upload it when I find it.

The only one I don't have is Tintin in the Land of the Soviets - but I do have all the Asterix books :) I see it's for sale on ebay so I think I'll get it. I've only been to Belgium once with work and then it was Brussels.

I'm so glad you metioned Yoko Tsuno - I have ordered one of the books for a friends birthday - he'll love it - I got one that has the most X1/9 bits in it, it's winging it's way here through Amazon France.

Camera is also on it's way, it was enroute to the delivery branch at 19.30 last night so should be here today - then I can have a play at the weekend :D

I do have Tintin in the Land of the Soviets but not all Asterix. I have read some Asterix written in English and I was well surprised to see how well they managed to translate them because some jokes work only in a French context.
Does Yoko Tsuno comic exist in English version? In 1985 I met Roger Leloup, a very nice person. I have a comic with his personalised sketch and signature :)

Here's a nice car and I am sure you will agree ;)
http://www.photoboard.eu/ferrari.jpg
It is a 100% crop of a much larger image taken with the D40.

Back to the D40 and here are more reviews/previews:
http://www.digitalsecrets.net/secrets/D40Preview.html
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/ND40/ND40A.HTM
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/NikonD40/

When you get your camera today, be careful when you put the lens on: be sure there is no wind/dust around. I always change lenses keeping the rear LCD on top so the dust doesn't fall into the hole.

I don't think there are English versions of Yoko Tsuno - I've bought it in French - my friend will only be interested in the cartoon images of the car - it's right up his street for his X1/9 collection of bits and bobs. Lucky you meeting Roger Leloup and getting a personalised sketch - what a treasure :)

Nice car - think it's the 430, I'm better on older cars than the new ones - they just don't design cars like they used to. Most modern cars are so bland and uninspiring, although Alfa have brought our some stunners in the last few years.

Thanks for the tip with fitting the lens I was thinking about the dust issue early today. Good job I've bought a new camera as I think mine is playing up - taken some photos today and they all look a wee bit fuzzy :(

Still no package delivered? :)
Once you have the D40, you will stop using the Sony except for its movie mode.

Yes, older cars often looked better but I believe at the time they were new we weren't that interested by them. LOL
Some other Ferrari (taken with a Coolpix 5000)
http://www.photoboard.eu/ferrari1.jpg
http://www.photoboard.eu/ferrari2.jpg
http://www.photoboard.eu/ferrari3.jpg

Still no package delivered? :)


Yes - arrived safe & sound and have been having a play today. Very easy to use, compact size, easy menus to navigate, really quick compared to my old camera - I'm very impressed - most complicated bit was getting the strap attached ;).

So cheers Olly - your advice has been much appreciated :)

http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w52/x19er/general/?action=view&current=Pint.jpg

Here's some photos - nothing very exciting, it's been a lovely warm day here so just been at home. There's only 15 out of the oh about 100 I've taken so far :D

http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w52/x19er/D40/?action=view&current=1.jpg

Thank you for the pint :D
I am very glad you enjoy your new camera. The photos in your gallery look great!
I like the ISO menu with the little images next to 200-400-800-1600 :)
Have you put the automatic ISO on? I have it to automatically increase the ISO when the speed is below 1/125.
After getting used to a "real" viewfinder, try to look again through the electronic viewfinder of the Sony. You will wonder how you managed to take photos previously. LOL
To me, it is the perfect fun to use slr especially when traveling.

Thank you for the pint :D


Your very welcome :)

Yes I've got the automatic ISO on - I've found the whole camera to be very straight forward, can find everything I'm looking for in the menus just fine, had a quick flick through the instruction manual and even it all seems very logical compared to my old camera - it's instruction manual used to make me loose the will to live ;) . I was worried about the viewfinder as the one on my Sony was indeed rubbish :D , but I've no problems with this one at all.

All in all so far I'm well chuffed!

How many photos taken so far? :D
I got a new Nikon as well as my father gets the D40. I will post a new thread about it.

150 taken so far! The 55-200mm lens arrived yesterday but I've not been able to try it as it's been raining here, supposed to keep raining for a few days, so will have to be patient.

Congrats on the camera :D That was a dilemma.. I went through it too. This one.. that one.. so hard to choose! :eek:

My first photos were of the dog too ;) Perfect subjects.