D40 or D40x? at DVinfo.net

Heath McKnight · May 28th, 2007, 04:05 PM

Aside from faster fps in the D40x (3 vs. 2.5) and 4 more megapixels, is the D40x really worth it for the extra $200? I can more accessories, but if I really need the extra mp, then I guess so.

Ken Rockwell's site is my new favorite destination, and he discusses the D40 and the D40x, along with The the megapixel myth.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks,

heath

Boyd Ostroff · May 28th, 2007, 05:11 PM

I decided to get the D80 instead of the D40 for several reasons, but that was before the D40x came along. Can you buy a D40 or D40x body only? I wanted to pick and choose a variety of odd lenses and don't care much for the cheap "kit" lenses they offer. I suppose I would go with the D40x over the D40 if given that choice. But how much more is the D80?

I would still pick the D80 over the D40x however. Among other things, the D40 series doesn't have a focus motor and that limits autofocus ability to a smaller number of lenses. It also doesn't have the little LCD screen on the top of the camera which I find really handy for looking at the settings. Outside in the full sun I find it difficult to see those numbers in the viewfinder, especially when wearing sunglasses. The D40 series also lacks a depth of field preview button.

The D40 series uses different batteries too. Don't know anything about those, but the D80 batteries seem to last forever. I have two but haven't ever needed to change them during several hours of shooting.

But they are all nice cameras IMO, so pick the one which best fits your budget and don't look back!

Heath McKnight · May 28th, 2007, 05:22 PM

I think my budget is tight, so it'll likely be the D40.

Thanks!

heath

Bob Zimmerman · June 9th, 2007, 07:50 AM

Heath for the price the D40 will be a very nice camera. You can't go wrong with the Nikons,,,IMHO. Last year I bought the D200. Man it takes nice pictures.

I was looking at the D40 at Best Buy the other day and it looks like it is built well.

Boyd my other two Nikons camera D70s and the D100, the batteries last a long time. But the D200 is not as good. I think it is just the bigger LCD screen. Evertime you check your picture and turn on the screen just drains the battery. I have three so it never is a problem.

Heath McKnight · June 10th, 2007, 09:09 AM

I've heard the D200's batteries run down, too; must be the power in that baby! (wink)

heath

Frank Granovski · June 12th, 2007, 05:54 AM

This one's funny but very true: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/7.htm

Heath McKnight · June 12th, 2007, 08:40 AM

yeah, I saw that, too. Ken's awesome and I love his site!

heath

Heath McKnight · June 24th, 2007, 09:20 AM

I'm actually using a D40x right now and will likely go with that one. If I had received a D40, I would stick with that. It's very cool! Pictures coming soon, but be kind. These are my firsts!

heath

Denis Danatzko · July 12th, 2007, 08:20 AM

besides the extra MP...the D40X has a lower ISO rating (100 thru 1600) while the D40 is 200 thru 1600. Not necessarily a major difference, and probably not important to everyone, but a difference nonetheless. I just got the 40X day before yesterday (my first digital SLR) and our "relationship" is just starting out.

Heath McKnight · July 12th, 2007, 08:36 AM

The flash sync speed is 1/250 compared to the D40's 1/500, which I suppose isn't as great. But I love the D40x!

heath

Leigh Wanstead · July 12th, 2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denis Danatzko

besides the extra MP...the D40X has a lower ISO rating (100 thru 1600) while the D40 is 200 thru 1600.

D40's ISO goes from 200 to 3,200. Nikon code-names ISO 3,200 as "HI 1" to scare amateurs away from using it, because these same amateurs would clog up Nikon's (800) NIKON-UX support lines complaining about grainy photos.

Glenn Davidson · July 12th, 2007, 05:28 PM

Leigh,

Your photos have inspired me to upgrade from my Sony DSC V1 to a Nikon D40 or D40X. Which lens are you using? Also, has the D50 been discontinued? B&H does not seem to stock them.

Heath McKnight · July 12th, 2007, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn Davidson

Leigh,

Your photos have inspired me to upgrade from my Sony DSC V1 to a Nikon D40 or D40X. Which lens are you using? Also, has the D50 been discontinued? B&H does not seem to stock them.

D50 is history. Either the D40 or D40x will be fine. For the same price as a D40x, you can buy the D40 kit with some extra goodies, including the 55-200 mm lens at www.ritzcamera.com and others.

heath

Leigh Wanstead · July 12th, 2007, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn Davidson

Leigh,

Your photos have inspired me to upgrade from my Sony DSC V1 to a Nikon D40 or D40X. Which lens are you using? Also, has the D50 been discontinued? B&H does not seem to stock them.

Thanks

The lens I am using is this one http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18200.htm

Regards
Leigh

Denis Danatzko · July 13th, 2007, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leigh Wanstead

... to scare amateurs away from using it, because these same amateurs would clog up Nikon's (800) NIKON-UX support lines complaining about grainy photos.

The owner's manual points that out: HI 1 is "an ISO equivalent of roughly 3200." Important safety tip, though my first inclination after getting grainy photos would be that I hadn't used the camera correctly. I'd certainly analyze my settings and re-read the manual before rushing to use an 800 number and asking a weary rep to repeat an answer they may have given hundreds of times to others. That would be my last resort.

Do so many owners rush to have their hand "held" that they really clog phone lines before consulting the docs that come with the item?

Out of curiosity, how often do folks here call a manufacturer's 800 number for tech help?

May 28th, 2007, 04:05 PM	#1
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	D40 or D40x? Aside from faster fps in the D40x (3 vs. 2.5) and 4 more megapixels, is the D40x really worth it for the extra $200? I can more accessories, but if I really need the extra mp, then I guess so. Ken Rockwell's site is my new favorite destination, and he discusses the D40 and the D40x, along with The the megapixel myth. What are your thoughts? Thanks, heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

May 28th, 2007, 05:22 PM	#3
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	I think my budget is tight, so it'll likely be the D40. Thanks! heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

June 10th, 2007, 09:09 AM	#5
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	I've heard the D200's batteries run down, too; must be the power in that baby! (wink) heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

June 12th, 2007, 08:40 AM	#7
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	yeah, I saw that, too. Ken's awesome and I love his site! heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

June 24th, 2007, 09:20 AM	#8
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	I'm actually using a D40x right now and will likely go with that one. If I had received a D40, I would stick with that. It's very cool! Pictures coming soon, but be kind. These are my firsts! heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

May 28th, 2007, 05:11 PM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,798	I decided to get the D80 instead of the D40 for several reasons, but that was before the D40x came along. Can you buy a D40 or D40x body only? I wanted to pick and choose a variety of odd lenses and don't care much for the cheap "kit" lenses they offer. I suppose I would go with the D40x over the D40 if given that choice. But how much more is the D80? I would still pick the D80 over the D40x however. Among other things, the D40 series doesn't have a focus motor and that limits autofocus ability to a smaller number of lenses. It also doesn't have the little LCD screen on the top of the camera which I find really handy for looking at the settings. Outside in the full sun I find it difficult to see those numbers in the viewfinder, especially when wearing sunglasses. The D40 series also lacks a depth of field preview button. The D40 series uses different batteries too. Don't know anything about those, but the D80 batteries seem to last forever. I have two but haven't ever needed to change them during several hours of shooting. But they are all nice cameras IMO, so pick the one which best fits your budget and don't look back!

June 9th, 2007, 07:50 AM	#4
Bob Zimmerman Major Player Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Illinois Posts: 888	Heath for the price the D40 will be a very nice camera. You can't go wrong with the Nikons,,,IMHO. Last year I bought the D200. Man it takes nice pictures. I was looking at the D40 at Best Buy the other day and it looks like it is built well. Boyd my other two Nikons camera D70s and the D100, the batteries last a long time. But the D200 is not as good. I think it is just the bigger LCD screen. Evertime you check your picture and turn on the screen just drains the battery. I have three so it never is a problem.

June 12th, 2007, 05:54 AM	#6
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	This one's funny but very true: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/7.htm

July 12th, 2007, 08:20 AM	#9
Denis Danatzko Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NYC Metro area Posts: 579	One other difference... besides the extra MP...the D40X has a lower ISO rating (100 thru 1600) while the D40 is 200 thru 1600. Not necessarily a major difference, and probably not important to everyone, but a difference nonetheless. I just got the 40X day before yesterday (my first digital SLR) and our "relationship" is just starting out. __________________ Denis ------------ Our actions are based on our own experience and knowledge. Thus, no one is ever totally right, nor totally wrong. We simply act from what we "know" to be true, based on that experience and knowledge. Beyond that, we pose questions to others.

July 12th, 2007, 08:36 AM	#10
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	The flash sync speed is 1/250 compared to the D40's 1/500, which I suppose isn't as great. But I love the D40x! heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

July 12th, 2007, 05:28 PM	#12
Glenn Davidson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Nevada City, California Posts: 499	Leigh, Your photos have inspired me to upgrade from my Sony DSC V1 to a Nikon D40 or D40X. Which lens are you using? Also, has the D50 been discontinued? B&H does not seem to stock them.