Nikon D40 opinions.

[Upendi&Mina]

I've been looking at different slrs and I think I've settled on the Nikon D40, but I'm looking for opinions. Specifically I'm looking at getting this kit...
9420 Nikon D40 6.1 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Two Lens Kit, with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX & 55mm - 200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX - USA Warranty

I'd love to hear what others think of this camera as admittedly I don't know much about dslrs. If you have another camera you think I should take a look at, by all means let me know.

This is all a ways down the road as I have to do some saving, but this is a big investment for me and I'd like to be as educated going into it as possible.

[GipsyQueen]

Nikon D40s are good for beginers who haven't used a slrs before. They're pretty simple to use and the pictures are pretty awsome! I still have my D40 but I'm looking to upgrade while Im over in the USA because they are less expenisve over there.
Another very good cam. is the Nikon D60, also very simple to us and it has more megapixel (The nikon D40 has 6 and as far as I know the D60 has 10). Also have you taken a look at the Canon Eos line or the Sony Alphas? Very good cameras. I would suggest taking the D60 from the start though. The D40 is a good camera, no doubt - but you "grow out of it" pretty quickly.

[Upendi&Mina]

Thanks for the info.
I'm also looking at the D3000, in which case I'd go with this kit.
9718 Nikon D3000 DX-Format 10.2 Megapixel Digital SLR, 2 Lens Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR Lens & 55mm - 200mm f/4-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR Lens - USA Warranty

[JennSLK]

I know nothing about cammeras, but when I was looking I was told by a pro that the D60 is MUCH better

[Upendi&Mina]

I'm looking into the D60 too, I've been reading a bit. And from what I read the D3000 seems to be a step up from the D60 which is a step up from the D40. I hope that made sense.

[Toller_08]

I have a D40 and really like it. I do want to upgrade to a professional grade camera eventually, but for now my D40 suits me perfectly fine. I plan on getting a new lens soon too, which'll make it even better. I haven't had any issues with it really at all... for a while I thought it had a bit of a slow reaction time (before I really knew my camera), but quickly learned that was a result of low light and the wrong lens for the situation. I think the D40 is a fantastic camera for a beginner/somebody who is just looking to learn how to take nice photos but not planning on pursuing photography any further than that.

As for whether the D60 is better, it is supposed to be an upgrade from the D40, but many people feel that they prefer the D40. Just depends on who you talk to I guess.

[Fran27]

I think the d40 is probably not such a good bet for someone who is new at photography and doesn't really know/have the time to learn.

For the average camera user like me (who doesn't know a thing about photography), I have to trash half the pictures because they focus on the wrong thing. The time I tried to do something manually my pictures were all black. I'd like to learn, but can't find any 'true beginner' info anywhere, and the manual is too complicated for me. So my pictures suck.

If you know more about photography than me you should be fine though.

[ACooper]

Originally Posted by Fran27

I think the d40 is probably not such a good bet for someone who is new at photography and doesn't really know/have the time to learn.

Really? I set mine to auto everything and I don't have a problem.........and photographers don't come much more clueless then ME! LOL

Here are two pics I took of my daughter recently (with nikon d40 set to auto and the 18-55 lens), I think they came out good considering I am nearly camera illiterate! And sadly, they came out better than a PRO took for her senior pictures so we might be blowing these up and using them for just that purpose.
Keep in mind that they aren't enhanced in anyway.......no lighting touch ups or ANY work in photoshop......




I would TOTALLY recommend the nikon d40 to a beginner.......and even someone in between because it does have manual settings for everything once you learn more

[~Jessie~]

I started out with the D40. I really liked it, but I ended up upgrading to the D80.

[Laurelin]

I like my D60, haven't messed with a D40 so I can't give you the comparison that way. I think the D60 is a great camera for beginners. At first I started just shooting on auto and then I worked to learn how to shoot in manual or aperture depending on the setting. I'd invest in a good lens, my kit lens is not that great and I rarely use it anymore.

Here's a pic we took right after getting the D60 (and had zero idea how to use it!) No enhancement either





Here's an edit:



I love photoshop lol