Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens   [D40 with 18-135mm Lens 2007]

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Rave Reviews (24)*

• 1) Unless you are a sport journalist, I don't think you can go wrong with this camera

  by Sidarta Tanu on November 26 2006
    1250+ helpful votes

  The 6 Megapixel Nikon D40 is targeted for those who want a relatively compact and light camera yet having most of the important SLR features. The D40 is priced reasonably (cheaper than D50/D80 and Canon Rebel XTi). In my opinion, if you are still considering whether to get a point and shoot camera or a DSLR, the D40 will be a better choice than any point and shoot camera, by far, even those with 8MP or 10MP. But if you are already deciding to get a DSLR or you want more control of the picture taking experience, then I would recommend you to also test the D50 and/or D80 first before deciding to buy the D40. I want you to make sure that you know what you will get (and not get) with the D40. Don't get me wrong though, the D40 is an awesome camera, and I don't think you will regret buying one. There are some limitation with the D40 which shouldn't bother most people, for example, the D40 doesn't have dedicated button to change picture quality, white balance or ISO settings (which generally only professional/enthusiast will care). Once you understand (and accept) its limitation, the D40 is a potent and exciting photography machine.
  
  Just like all its (DSLR) siblings, the D40 powers on instantly and take pictures with almost no shutter lag which are the major advantages of a DSLR over a point and shoot camera. In addition to the P,S,A,M mode, the picture quality of the auto settings (auto, child mode, landscape etc) are also very good. With 2.5 frames per second you can capture movement progress in sports like football, basketball, baseball etc. Also great to photograph your family or child (child mode). The D40 is a great all around camera.
  
  Some notable new features:
  1. Auto (no flash) mode. Without this mode the flash will pop-up (on all other pre-programmed mode) even when you don't want to use flash (which can be annoying). The internal flash will not pop up automatically with the P,S,A,M settings.
  2. In camera editing capability such as black and white, sepia and some filter effects etc. While sounds gimmicky, these features are useful especially for those who doesn't have Adobe Photoshop (or other image editing software).
  
  To date, D40 is the smallest and lightest among all the Nikon DSLR (even smaller than the Canon Rebel XT/XTi, however the D40 is more ergonomics). I believe that choosing a camera that fits comfortably with your hands is important. Therefore, I recommend people to test the camera before buying (even if you want to buy online, please do go to a physical store and test the camera first whenever possible).
  
  The D40 has only 3 (horizontal) autofocus point (5 for D50 and 11 for D80). If you know "The Rule of Thirds", the additional AF points above and below the center focus point (available in D50 and D80) are handy to help create the horizontal third line. However, the 3 horizontal AF point in D40 is still helpful to create the vertical third line. Also one can focus with the middle AF point and after the focus is lock then move the frame upwards/downwards to create the horizontal third line. Just make sure the exposure level is still accurate when you move the frame after you lock the focus.
  
  About the 18-55mm II AF-S kit lens: A good lens producing sharp photos (though not a very fast lens). Also decent for close-up/macro photography. Lens uses internal focus technology and focusing operation is silent. A very decent kit lens.
  
  Lens compatibility: Notice that with D40, autofocus function will not work for non AF-S/AF-I lens. If you already have non AF-S/AF-I Nikon lenses and want a backup or replacement camera, you will be better off buying D50, D70s or D80. If you buy the D40, it will be convenient to stick with AF-S and AF-I type lenses. I'm not sure why Nikon choose this route for the D40 (whether to enable smaller size camera or from now on Nikon will only make AF-S lens compatible camera). There are a lot of good Nikon AF-S lenses (price range added: low, medium, high) that are fully compatible with the D40 such as:
  
  - Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX (L)
  - Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S (M)
  - Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX (L)
  - Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX (L)
  - Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX (L)
  - Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX (L)
  - Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S DX VR (M)
  - Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX (L)
  - Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR (L)
  - Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR (M)
  - Nikon 12-24mm f/4G ED IF AF-S DX (M)
  - Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H)
  - Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX (H)
  - Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H)
  - Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR (H)
  - Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro (M)
  - And several other expensive prime tele/zoom lens like 200-400mm, 300m, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm.
  
  High priced lens ($1000+) are usually pro level lens which usually have better construction, faster (f-stop), and produce better quality picture. However, often times, lower price lens will serve your needs just fine. I think it is important to know what you want to use the camera for before deciding which camera and lens to buy.
  
  Image quality of the D40 is very good which is #1 factor that I look for in a digital camera.
  
  Here are the pros and cons of the D40 in my opinion:
  
  Pros:
  1. Nice out of the camera result picture quality
  2. Affordable price
  3. Compact size and light weight
  4. Large and bright 2.5 inch LCD
  5. 2.5 frames per second
  6. B/W, Sepia, several more in-camera editing features.
  7. Instant power on, fast autofocus and no shutter lag
  8. Noise is acceptable at high ISO settings. Auto ISO settings available.
  9. Great 18-55mm II AF-S kit lens.
  10. Great battery life (400+ on a single charge. 1000+ if flash is not used).
  11. Auto (flash off) mode available
  12. 1/500 flash sync
  
  Cons:
  1. No direct button to change QUAL, WB and ISO settings
  2. Grip comfortably but might be a bit too small for some people
  3. No top LCD and no front command dial
  4. Autofocus will not work with non AF-S or non AF-I lenses (such as the 70-300m G and 50mm f/1.8D lens)
  5. No AF/MF switch (have to use the switch on the lens)
  6. Only 3 autofocus point
  7. 6 Megapixel (More Megapixel needed to print larger than 12 X 18 at 300 dpi)
  8. No night landscape mode in pre-programmed settings
  9. No in camera image stabilization (like Sony and Pentax) but Nikon has lenses with it (VR).
  10. No depth-of-field preview button
  
  In conclusion, the D40 is perfect for those who want high quality pictures, more control (than a point and shoot camera), and have a DSLR experience (instant power on and no shutter lag), without having to carry a bulky camera. And unless you are shooting sports/actions professionaly (which faster focusing processor, faster frames per second and larger memory buffer might be needed), the D40 is pretty much all you will need.
  
  Happy Photographing!
  
  Sidarta Tanu

• 2) A superb deal for an excellent entry level DSLR camera.

  by Larry on November 24 2006
    310+ helpful votes

  This is an ergonomical, fast handling, very solidly built Digital SLR with many excellent features (like a 2.5 inch silky smooth and bright lcd found on the $1600 D200). Pictures are beautiful. It uses the same excellent 6 megapixel sensor from the D50, D70, D70s. 6 megapixel is plenty, I get tack sharp 8x12 inch prints. Don't get stuck in counting megapixels. 6MP from a DSLR will blow the doors off a 6,7,8MP compact or even DSLR-like cameras. Especially under low light conditions. 6mp is 3008x2000 pixels. 10mp is just 3888x2592pixels. Not as much difference as many people think.
  
  A Nikon DSLR body only for $499 or $599 with the lens? Darn. Nikon pricing strategy is so aggresive. With the D80 at $999 and 400DCanon at $799 body only. The main drawback for the D40 is you'd have to stick with AF-S or AF-I lenses if you want to get auto focus. You can still focus manually with other Nikon lenses. I guess they did it so D50's resale value won't drop too much. With the D50 you have access to Nikon's wide and prestigous range of lenses. Needless to say it makes a difference.
  
  However, the kit lens is adequately sharp and responsive. For $100 it can't be beat as a good everyday use lens. At wide angle 28mm distortion is minimal. Pretty sharp at the other end of the zoom, no distortion.
  
  It has a 3-point auto focus system, thats good enough. In fact I prefer it that way. I never cared for 7, 10, 11 point or more focus systems.
  
  No more top mounted LCD display, so what? Just use the beautiful 2.5" color LCD display. It's fast to see from the eyecup to rear LCD.
  
  It's got a bunch of excellent in camera processing which the D50 and D70 never had. Red eye reduction, D-lighting-automatically compensates for darker areas, image-overlay, trimming(new feature), b&w etc. The new menu is beautiful. Also zooming in during playback has been improved(one thing I always found slightly inconvenient on the D50, D70).
  
  Very fast from power up to taking pictures. Continous mode fires at 2.5 frames per second.
  
  
  For the price Nikon has really figured out how to built a solid , ergonomical , feature rich DSLR. Nikon really knows how to built solid SLRs. It is small in size but unlike the Canon 350/400d/xti(good picture and processor ,new dust reduction, but slightly less ergonomical and solid), you get a comfortable grip that doesn't make your hand feel cramped.
  
  For this camera, Nikon also came out with a new flash SB400(works on the D50 too) if you need a more powerful flash. The built in flash is excellent and accurate and powerful enough for most situations.
  
  I've had a bunch of digital cameras , Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Fuji, Sony 3ccd HiDef, Canon XL1 etc. The D40 is a superb camera for beginners or even semi-experienced enthusiasts, or as a second camera. You can save the money and buy some lenses or strike some big prints.

• 3) Good first DSLR, not a good upgrade for Nikon owners

  by Hiram Grant on November 28 2006
    230+ helpful votes

  The Nikon D40 is a quite capable Digital SLR, that should deliver good picture quality, in a compact and affordable camera. It has all the basic features you'd expect (listed quite well by the staff at Amazon), so let me go into comparisons with other cameras.
  
  First and foremost, the D40 lacks the focusing motor built into the body of the camera (like all previous Nikon DSLRs). Instead, it must have a motor built into the lens (Nikon calls these type "Silent Wave" or AF-S), otherwise, you lose autofocusing. While Nikon offers several AF-S lenses, they offer only a handful under $1,000. Additionally, the D40 will only be available in the US with the 18-55 kit, and most the other lenses under $1,000 over lap very much with this lens. Tamron and Tokina currently offer NO lenses with the motor built-in for Nikon cameras, and Sigma only offers a very few. If you want a zoom going to 300mm any time soon, be prepared to shell out about $600 for Nikon's new 70-300VR lens if you require autofocus. It promises to be a very nice lens, but you can get a basic Canon or Sony 75-300 for a bit over $200. Thus, if your considering the D40 because you have a bag full of Nikon AF lenses, then you might instead look at the soon to be disappearing D50.
  
  Compared to other Nikon DSLRs, the D40 is much smaller, very similar to the Canon Digital Rebel XTi. While this results in a smaller, lighter camera, it also means it will have some of the same drawbacks that many Nikon owners have teased Rebel owners. The camera will have a smaller grip; a smaller, less powerful battery; will lose the top info LCD and use the rear 2.5" screen instead; and, the feature Nikon users typically point to when they refer to "ergonomics" is the viewfinder. While the D80 has a .94x viewfinder, the D40 matches the smaller .80x of the XTi.
  
  The autofocusing points will also drop to 3, with 5 being the previous low on a Nikon DSLR.
  
  The D40 will do very well, especially since Canon & Sony aren't currently offering a lower cost, 6 megapixel camera. The directly comparable camera would be Pentax's K110D, which retails for about $550 with lens and after rebate. It uses the same 6 megapixel sensor supplies by Sony as the D40. A bit heavier, is uses 4 AA batteries instead of the LithiumIon. I prefer the latter, but there are many fans of the inexpensive AA NiMH rechargables. The viewfinder is also larger, and has a very nice 11 point AF system. Pentax also offers the more popular K100D, which is the same as the K110D, but with SR ("Shake Reduction") built into the camera body. This retails, after rebate, for about $50 more than the D40.
  
  So the D40 will be a very nice camera for the budding photographer, but not necessarily a good upgrade for current Nikon owners. Instead, they should look at the D50 (while supplies last), or consider the superb 10 megapixel D80.

• 4) Simply the best

  by Daniel J. Zajic on June 15 2007
    170+ helpful votes

  Nikon has hit a grand slam with this camera. It's as close to perfection as any digital camera has ever come. Sure, there are "better" cameras for more money, but they are all twice the size/weight. I would get this camera even if I had an unlimited amount of money to spend. There is simply nothing like it. Lots of ingenius user interface elements, superb feel/handling, superb flash (both internal and external SB-400), outstanding image quality, instant response, superb viewfinder, superb LCD... I could go on. I have nothing bad to say about it, and I'm extremely picky. I thought I was going to wait for a full-frame sensor body, but when this came along, I could not wait to upgrade.
  
  The lack of a built-in focusing motor is an ADVANTAGE in my opinion. It's one reason the camera is so small and lightweight, and I believe all future Nikon lenses will have internal focusing anyway. So unless you want to use older, heavier, and slower focusing lenses for some strange reason, you'd be paying for and carrying around something you won't even use.
  
  In addition to the superb 18-55mm (i.e. 27-82.5mm) kit lens, I bought the 55-200mm VR II and 50mm F/1.8D lenses, the SB-400 external flash and a remote (3rd party off Ebay). I suspect many, many people will buy this exact set of equipment, since it's really all you'll ever need. No need for an extra battery, unless you ever go many photo-filled days without being able to recharge. Get at least two 1GB 50x (or faster) SD cards, so if one stops working (it does happen), you aren't stuck.
  
  The 55-200mm VR (i.e. 82.5-300mm) is a necessity for shooting any action/wildlife. The optical stabilization is truly awesome, and better than sensor-based stabilization (e.g. Pentax K10D, Sony Alpha) since you can see it working right through the viewfinder, making it easier to frame/focus your shot. Although the lens may seem slow (f4-5.6), don't forget that stabilization gives you an extra 2-3 stops, so it's really more like f2-2.8 (without the reduced depth of field, of course). DO NOT consider the slightly cheaper non-VR version, unless the slightly smaller size is an absolute necessity.
  
  The 50mm (i.e. 75mm) is a nice walkaround lens when you want to go as light/small as possible. It's super fast (f1.8!), allowing you to take handheld photos at night with no flash! It's also a nice portrait lens, although the 55-200 is better (75mm is a little short).
  
  The D40x is a poorer choice for the vast majority of people. The extra resolution means your photos take up more space and are slower to work with. It also has a slower max. flash sync speed (1/200 vs 1/500). If you don't know what this means, trust me, it's important, and one day you'll be really happy you have it. Since the D40's pixels are larger (less pixels in the same size sensor), there is less noise, so having ISO 100 is useless. Do you really need 10MP? Do you print larger than 16x20? Heck, do you print at all? I know I don't. Think it will give you more cropping ability? Think again. Without a super expensive lens ($1k+), the lack of sharpness and magnified distortion of the cropped image won't be as good as the uncropped 6MP of the D40. Save the $200 and use it to get the 55-200 lens, or the 50mm lens and the flash.
  
  If you're ready to move to a DSLR, take this camera for a test drive. You will most likely fall in love with it's wonderful handling, and excellent performance, as so many people have. There will be a new generation of cameras coming out this fall, so you may want to wait, although there's really nothing that can be improved upon with this camera.

• 5) Made for beginners but a great walking camera for pros too!

  by P. Burnett on December 12 2006
    90+ helpful votes

  I bought this camera as a compliment to my current professional system based on the Nikon D2X. It's a great "walking around" camera for a pro as it will do all the things that pros are used to asking of a camera, great nikon metering, kit lens is decent, programming and screen quality are par with the flagship D2X. All this makes it the perfect 2nd camera or "pro's snap shot camera". I would not consider doing pro work with it, that's the X is for, but as far as it shooting excellent quality, tough nikon build quality, superior metering and battery performance for, so far in my testing, over 600 shots! The downside is, and I say this as primarily a prime lens shooter, it will only AF with AF-S or AF-i lenses, or those with built in focusing motors. Yes, this kinda sucks, but really only to those who probably rely on AF too much anyways. The novices will probably only use AF-S lenses and the kit lens at that. As a pro, I tend to shoot the D2X full manual and often only turn on AF when needing a quick shot, the rest I still focus by eye. Most of the pros I know do this as well.
  SO, if you are a pro and, like me, long for the days when you carried around that old tank of a film camera (FE2 for me!) but wish there was a digital equivalent that could do all it would do and more, then this is a perfect compliment to your system. If you are a beginner, and you started with this camera, it would open up a whole new world of professional digital photography for you and then you'd want to move up to the D80, D200, then possibly D2X or beyond (when available) but I guarantee you'd keep this one for fun even if you moved up.
  
  The point is this camera is fun, advanced features for pros, ease of use for novices, and much more accessible, super lightweight camera for all.

• 6) The DSLR you have been waiting for to move up from P&S

  by Tool Connoisseur on February 04 2007
    60+ helpful votes

  The D40, quite simply, is the camera I have been waiting for. I was into 35 mm SLR photography 20+ years ago. I got back into photography with the new digitals but held off on digital SLRs because they were expensive, but more importantly, so large. Not so the D40 on either count.
  
  I compared the D40 side by side with the Canon Rebel XTi (EOS 400D in Europe) at a photo store. The XTi was slightly bigger. The XTi beat the D40 in features (it had more pixels, and more features, including the self-cleaning sensor and was a little faster) although it was more expensive. But in the end, I chose the D40 because it just felt better in my hand. My hands are medium sized and it fit very well. The Canon just wasn't as comfortable. Plus the overall build quality seemed better than the Canon and the sound of the shutter and flash pop-up was softer, more subdued, more quality sounding (and important for photographing wildlife or a sleeping baby). And the final selling point for me with the Nikon D40 was the view-finder was noticeably brighter than the XTi.
  
  If you are stepping up to an SLR from a point-and-shoot, this is the camera to do it with at about the same price-point as a good non-SLR digital. You can finally get away from that annoying lag between button push and picture capture. It's not the fastest SLR out there but I have been very happy with it, finally actually capturing those shots within a split-second of pushing the button, though it slows down somewhat in low-light situations. It takes continuous shots at 2.5 frames per second in good light, which though again not stellar, is adequate for most situations. The 2.5 inch LCD screen is incredible - bright and clear. It has an excellent menu with built-in context sensitive help screens at the touch of a button.
  
  Though it doesn't have as many features as it's much more expensive big brothers, and the 6mp max capability is a limitation, it is adequate for all but professional users, and there will be plenty of professionals buying one as a small back-up. It's not the megapixels that matter as much as the quality of the picture and the D40 doesn't disappoint there either - clear, sharp, excellent colors (it has the same image processor as the D80 and D200). There are a number of pre-set auto modes easily selected by the main dial that also work well. The built in flash does a fine job and I have seen no red-eye. One feature I like is the auto-ISO that you can set to only kick in at a certain shutter speed or slower. It also has a D-light feature which allows you to enhance an already-taken back-lit or shadowy picture in-camera to even out the shadows and highlights; it works very well. Two features that it doesn't have that I wish it did are f-stop bracketing and depth of field preview. I have been satisfied with the battery life so far, though it does use a different Li-ion battery than the other Nikons so you can't cross-use your batteries if you already have a different model Nikon DSLR.
  
  The 18-55 kit lens is nice - light and small but quality construction (version II - nicer than the first one that came with the D50 that seemed lower quality). If you read technical reviews on the lens it is a solid performer for the price. You won't be able to use most older Nikon auto-focus lenses in auto-focus mode since this has no built-in auto-focus motor (not at this size and weight!). It requires AF-S and AF-I lenses, so most of the prime lenses will be manual focus only. This is a small price to pay I think for a small light-weight camera.
  
  If you already are into digital SLR, the D40 is still a great camera, making for an excellent travel camera since it's small, light-weight and you aren't carrying around a two thousand dollar hunk of expensive hardware.
  
  I am very satisfied with it; it is an excellent value - and offers something for the novice and pro alike. It makes me really want to carry this with me all the time and get out and take pictures again.

• 7) Don't get a D50 or D80 over a D40

  by Donald Miles on June 18 2007
    60+ helpful votes

  Don't follow the advice in some of these reviews that you have to get a Nikon D50 or D80 instead of the wonderful Nikon D40 (which I've had for almost a year and taken thousands of pix on):
  The D40 is barely half the price of a D80 and has better controls, is lighter/smaller, and takes photos the equal of any you can get on the D80.
  The D50 is virtually off the market and has nothing substantial that the D40 hasn't (except the ability to use autofocus with AF/non-AF-S older lenses).
  The inability to use autofocus with older AF lenses is no big deal: they still auto-expose and you can still focus them manually. Besides, with the great 18-55mm kit lens that comes with the D40 (all the lens most casual photographers will need) or the wonderful 18-200mm VR (expensive, but able to replace virtually every lens you'll ever want), you really wouldn't want to use those old AF lenses anyway, for almost any shot.
  If you really need the few things that the D40 lacks (better metering, better color, better Auto ISO, faster sequential shots), spend more for the D200, a professional camera (the D200 is only a little more than the D80 -- which is no better than the D40 -- so why get a D80?).
  Ignore reviews that try to put down the D40 as an "entry level DSLR" or a somehow lacking in what's necessary to take 99% of the photos you'll ever take: it's a great, inexpensive, wonderful to use tool for taking great photographs. It's the real deal.

• 8) A Keeper

  by Gadget Man on January 16 2007
    50+ helpful votes

  I go through lots of cameras. This was my third DSLR, and about 15th to 20th digital camera. THe D40 takes superb pictures. Don't let the reviewers mislead you into thinking this is just for newbies. It works great for newbies, and for serious advanced photo-enthusiasts. I fall in the latter category and like the camera for the following reasons:
  
  1. Size and weight - easy to travel with.
  2. Great image quality right out of the camera. It's nice to enhance photos in software like Photoshop. But it's even better to have a camera that doesn't require you to do that for every shot. I recommend setting the photos to Vivid or More Vivid. Contrary to popular perception, I found these settings actually give you a more accurate color portrayal of the scene.
  3. I use the D40 with the 18-200mm Nikon VR lens. They work great in combination.
  4. Changing settings is quick and easy even though many are not set with dedicated buttons.
  5. I like the way you can review a series of photos zoomed in, and the camera keeps the same zoomed in setting for each photo -- just turn the rear wheel.
  6. Camera has a high quality feel.
  7. LCD screen is bright
  8. Viewfinder is bright.
  
  One thing I wish Nikon had included is grids in the viewfinder -- but can't have everything.

• 9) A real winner and a wonderful introductory digital SLR

  by Roger J. Buffington on February 23 2007
    50+ helpful votes

  Good job, Nikon! The D40 is an ideal entry level DSLR. It is aimed at persons who want better quality images than a point-and-shoot pocket camera can deliver, who are willing to put up with the somewhat extra bulk of a true SLR, but who do not want to spend a lot more money. The D40 is an outrageous bargain at its price point. Only a tad bit more money than the high-end point-and-shoots, the D40 will produce better images with the kit lens, and more importantly, enables the user to expand the capacity of the camera at will, by buying other Nikon and compatible lenses. Or by equipping the D40 with one of Nikon's superb outboard flash units, such as the SB400, SB600, or SB800. You cannot do that with point-and-shoots.
  
  Thus, it is a mistake, in my opinion, to spend a lot of time comparing the D40 to other DSLRs, because its real competition is the top-end point-and-shoot cameras, which are pretty good these days. Nevertheless, I will point out some of the advantages and disadvantages of the D40 vis'a'vis other low-end digital SLR cameras.
  
  First-price. The D40 gives a lot of bang for the buck compared to any other DSLR on the market. Particularly for folks for whom its price is a bit of a stretch, the D40 is a howling bargain, in my estimation.
  
  Second-ergonomics. Nikon got the D40 just right. It fits in one's hand in a solid and agreeable way. This is a camera most people will not mind carrying around all day. It is small, but has a wonderful "quality" feel that Nikon seems to get right more often than other manufacturers. The menus are pretty good. Yes, I miss the top LCD display (the D40 uses the big rear LCD for this information, to cut costs) but once you get used to it, it is OK. The control layout on this camera will appeal to most users.
  
  Downsides: the focusing system is less advanced than either the D70s or D50, with three focus points. This may annoy some purists, but the user group to whom the D40 is aimed will mostly not mind this. The other downside is that the D40 does not have the built-in bayonet mount motor, which means that it can only autofocus with the newer Nikon lenses which have the motor in the lens. The older lenses will be autofocus only. In reality I doubt that many will mind this, as the targeted user group for the D40 will likely not own any older Nikon lenses, and will simply confine their subsequent purchases to the newer lenses. Lastly, the D40 is 6 megapixels (in common with the D50 and D70s) rather than the 10MP of the superb D80 and D200. This is probably not going to be a big deal to many D40 owners. You can take awesome pictures at 6MP, the differences as between 6 and 10MP are subtle, and not likely to make a difference to most users.
  
  The D40 is a wonderful choice for someone who wants to be able to take high-quality digital photographs and take advantage of the Nikon system of lenses and flashes, but does not want to spend the kind of money involved in the higher-end cameras. And the wonderful thing is, that if you buy a D40 and get hooked on photography, the D40 can grow with you for quite a ways, since it can use the high-end Nikon equipment. And if you do upgrade the camera body, all the extra lenses and flashes will work with the higher-end model. This makes the D40 an excellent choice for many.
  
  Nikon put a lot of thought in the design of the D40, and by doing so they produced an excellent product for a bargain price.

• 10) FAR MORE CAMERA THAN YOU WILL EVER REALLY COMPREHEND AT A QUICKLY DROPPING COST

  by C. Scanlon on April 16 2007
    40+ helpful votes

  I began as a child with brownies and graduated to instamatics, wondering at the wonderful new technology and the convenience of a contained drop in roll of film and a cool flash. In high school I progressed to dark room processing (whose magic and science later served me in a sweltering subtropical environment), but still with the most basic of cameras unless a friend lent me his Mamiya Seikor and hand held light meter. I have an old soviet all mechanical KGB 35 mm SLR camera laying around somewhere, but my main camera which became like a part of me, another organ of my body, was my Canon AL-1, with the wonders of a rudimentary Focus assist system and aperture priority photography. That Canon saw me across thousands of miles through Nicaragua and the heights of Machu Picchu, and finally gave up the ghost when twenty years came and went and duct tape couldn't hold it together anymore and the long lens fused to the body.
  
  Being known as a photographer, or one who has taken pictures, has its draw backs, as people ask you about the latest technology. In the mountains of NIcaragua in the eighties new tourists asked me how their latest point and shoot knew which ISO to set to. I had no idea. More recently people handed me their digital point and shoots, tiny as cellphones, and I had no idea and a lingering commitment to a roll of film as true photography, and a full sized SLR as the only way to go. I cannot grasp the concept of parallax which point and shoots require, but must compose in the viewfinder as I cannot control the darkroom with commercial and color film processing.
  
  Then I met this D-40
  
  Being obliged to buy a digital as the price of film processing soared, I searched desperately here on the amazon, feeling unfaithful, comparing product details, etc. which are so generously given here on the amazon, and I discovered: This D-40 is all of the camera you will ever need forever, case closed (Of course I felt the same about my Canon).
  
  I now once again sleep with my SLR literally, and its manual I commit to memory. This camera is really more than you will ever need, and since it is behind the latest wave its price is very reasonable and generous. The number of megapixels is more than sufficient for enlargement, and for cropping to details while recomposing. In fact, the camera is its own darkroom, as it allows you to crop and otherwise alter and adjust all aspects of images, including going sepia tones, and dump them to a printer or your computer, without the need for further graphics programs. The full functions of the camera quickly become intuitive, with its easily accessible and ergonomic buttons and switches and menu screens, and as one who used no more than a mainly mechanical SLR for years and loved it, this D-40 is truly magical and well beyond my needs, desires and imaginings. It can do everything and more.
  
  I strongly suggest you get the very inexpensive 55-200 mm long lens designed for this camera series. Watch for the full description of the lens to be sure it is fully compatible with all of this camera's features. And before going outside, as you learned in your first photogrpahy class, be sure to get the UV lens filter, or other filter, mainly to protect the lens from scratches and the world and your fingertip oils. Be sure to get the semi-soft camera case which is ample enough to cover the surprisingly short long lens. Also hunt around for the best price on SD memory cards, of which you will want several, and which are very inexpensive here on the amazon. If you can afford it get an extra rechargeable battery to carry in your case, and get the plug in transformer for use where plug in is available and long service is required. Pick up the remote control device and all the rest of the bells and whistles while available, but essentially get the long lens, lens filters, SD cards, and semi soft case. Also get a great all around technique refresher book like Understanding Exposure (see my review there please).
  
  One surprisingly expensive accessory is the Speedlight flash attachment. I got sticker shock at seeing the price on these nowadays, for one that angles, etc. We used to get these used for next to nothing, but now I'd get another lens instead! In any case the built in pop-up flash on the D-40 serves for most any flash situations without being annoying and with a red eye assist, etc., even at a good distance (ever seen those folks at a football game stand up and try to fill the stadium with their disposable flash or their CELLPHONE? Or stand more than twelve feet away?).
  
  I normally go with ambient light no matter how long the exposure, for the suffused effect, and so rarely use a flash. So I was glad to learn the flash can be suppressed in the "fully automatic no flash" mode, as well as other modes, but having it there to pop up whenever people require you to "take my picture" under unfavorable conditions is very comforting. This is a great all around camera with also wonderfully implemented specific skills.
  
  The only con mentioned elsewhere that I can agree with is regarding the three point automatic focus system which focusses on the nearest object. I lean on the law of thirds myself and so have to lock focus and recompose in the viewfinder, or think of cropping later. Obviously the focussing points were set up to favor the exact center, which is death to any photograph. But hey, work around this already!
  
  You cannot go wrong with this camera. Did I mention the ample rear screen, full color, which permits zooming in very closely to check your focus, etc., and which scrolls through several functional menu screens? It has everything and more, including settings for aperture priority (and even if you do not have a manual aperture ring on your lens, you can do it through the camera itself), shutter priority, etc. etc. etc. If you feel there is something this camera CANNOT do, as mentioned in other reviews, just READ THE MANUAL (we used to have an interesting acronym for that in the early days of PC's) and you will discover this camera in fact can do it all and more.
  
  You can set this up so that every iota of information regarding focal length, shutter speed, aperture, etc., etc., gets saved with the photo instead of jotting it down in a pad, and thus you can even see that the ISO is altered automatically to fit conditions. No more blowing off a roll of 100 ISO before nightfall just to take low light pictures by oil lamp with ISO 800 and using it up before daybreak. You can also set the ISO instead of automatically switching it from shot to shot as the camera wills.
  
  I have not yet tried setting the ISO to 1600 to see if it comes out as ethereally grainy as that film did when first marketted twenty years ago. Got some great shots of people and places that way. I suppose in the DSLR it simply grants greater latitude in low light situations without flash. But I see no pressing need to have a button dedicated directly and only to adjusting ISO as mentioned in another review. I trust the D-40's processor to make the decision. That's what I pay it for. Me, I am too concerned with keeping those kids in focus and in frame, or that wild bird from spooking to soon, or that flower from getting lost in too great a depth of field, or holding my breath while soaking in that altar lit by candles and wishing I had brought my tripod, or at least a monopod.
  
  Truly this is the camera to get, especially at this falling price, but be sure to protect it with lens filters and case, and READ THE MANUAL!!

• 11) Great first digital SLR

  by fiveforefun on December 28 2006
    30+ helpful votes

  I love this camera!
  
  Frequently I carried two cameras: an old Nikon FG (SLR) and a Lumix digital point-and-shoot. I loved the quality and the fast response time of my SLR camera, but also liked the "instant gratification" of the digital. After years of juggling film and learning to use all the manual settings on the Lumix I finally decided it was time to look at DSLR cameras.
  
  I decided on the D40 for several reasons. First and foremost was budget. I only have one lens for the FG (the basic one) so lens compatibility really wasn't an issue. The body style and weight was also important, as was the type of memory card (my laptop has a built-in SD card reader.
  
  On a trip to a local camera shop, I tried out several makes and models. Some of them I picked up, and set back down before even taking a test shot. (A couple of models use AA batteries and are REALLY heavy!) After comparing them, and considering the pros and cons I settled on the D40. I understand that the D40 takes a special lens in order to use autofocus, and the type of add on flash is limited as well. But I am an "advanced hobbyist" photographer with no intention of going pro. This camera suits my needs NOW... and probably will for a long time.
  
  I took over 200 pictures on Christmas Day with this camera. It was extremely satisfying to NOT have to worry about the shutter lag I experienced with the point-and-shoot... and still get the instant gratification I love about digital photography. All of the pictures came out beautifully. I am really looking forward to using this camera for many years to come!

• 12) Great & Affordable First Digital SLR Camera.

  by Brandon Hoffman on December 19 2006
    30+ helpful votes

  I bought the Nikon D40 over the weekend and so far so good. The first time I saw it was at Best Buy. It felt nice, looked nice and had a fantastic LCD. From there I knew I wanted to buy it. The camera is one of the most affordably priced Digital SLR's on the market today. The one caveat to that statement is its only very affordable if the kit lens suits your needs. I personally take a lot of pictures of small items so the kit lens does not do the trick. I had to upgrade to a Nikon Macro lens which is very good but added $400 to the price of the camera for me. The cameras picture quality is fantastic and being able to switch back and forth from manual to automatic focusing is a great feature. The screen is big and bright and the camera is very responsive. There are tons of settings on the camera so that you can really get any type of photo you are looking for. One accessory I really recommend buying with the camera is the wireless remote. Its only $17 and can prove to be very useful in a wide array of situations. The sole downside to this camera (and every single other digital SLR in its class) is that there is no live preview on the LCD. You must use the viewfinder to set up a picture.
  
  I would recommend this camera to any current point and shoot owner that wants way more control over their pictures at a very decent price. Enjoy.

• 13) A Backpackers dream

  by Just a photog on January 24 2007
    20+ helpful votes

  Back in the day I used to pack a 4x5 view camera out into the woods. Now my 57 year old back says whoa! Are you nuts?
  A D40 with the kit lens and say a 10-20 Sigma is a knockout combination for someone more photographer than pack mule.
  6.1 megapixels is plenty to do flawless 13x19 prints and if you don't need bracketing or wireless flash then why pay for them?
  This is a great dual purpose camera. A lot of pros will be taking these on vacation and hanging on to them as backups at work.
  This is now the camera I recommend to friends who want more than a point and shoot but don't want to mortgage the house for a camera.
  $600 for a camera that shoots like a D70 (maybe even a little bit better) with a good lens is amazing. NEF's off this are perfectly fine for 90% of the photography going on out there.
  Nikon has hung the moon.

• 14) More than enough camera for most people.

  by Platofish on May 20 2007
    20+ helpful votes

  I gave the D40 5 stars for solid build quality, outstanding images and bargin price tag.
  
  ---
  
  In the dim and distant past I owned a number of film SLRs, but for the past 5 or 6 years I've only used point and shoot digital cameras. Lately, the shutter lag in these cameras became increasingly annoying, and the slow startup resulted in missing some priceless moments. A new, point 'n shoot would have been faster, but given the drop in price, a digital SLR was a much better option, plus I wanted to get back into taking photography a bit more seriously. So, here is how I came to buy a Nikon D40.....
  
  I now completely agree with the advice given in many of the reviews in almost all 'camera review' web sites. You really need get an SLR camera in your hands before you know if it is `right' for you. A camera with awesome specifications is useless if you are going to leave it at home because its too heavy, or if it feels so fragile you are afraid you might damage it. When I picked up the Canon D30 and similar mid-range cameras I immediately came to the conclusion I'd probably only use them on `special occasions', like a wedding, or when I was specifically going going some where to take photos. They are pretty heavy, probably more at home in a studio than being taken hiking! So, that left the `cheaper' end of the range (since cheaper SLRs generally means smaller and lighter). Some were immediately out of the running because of their small, dark viewfinders. The olympus range for example, was notable for the claustrophobic tunnel of a viewfinder. I did consider the Pentax range, but if I were to really get into photography, and decided I needed a camera with more 'professional' features, it would likely be a Nikon or a Canon. Consequently, I decided to limit my choice to one of these manufacturers, since I want to be able to use accessories and lenses that I buy now on future camera bodies. That really only left the Canon XTi and the Nikon D40. The Canon undoubtedly has the higher spec, but the camera doesn't quite fit my hand. Its too small to be comfortable. The Nikon however, fits perfectly. This left the choice between the 10M pixel D40x at $800 or the 6M pixel D40 at $550. Almost all of the photos I take are for display on a computer - either on the web, or on my own monitor. When I do print photos I never print anything bigger than a 10 x 8. So, realistically, I wouldn't gain anything from the extra pixels (other than some vague notion that I'd done the `right thing' by purchasing the `better' model). I decided to go with the lower end model, especially since I've never been pixel limited with my current 5 M pixel point `n shoot, and spend the difference on a Nikon 55-200mm VR zoom (at $230 this is also a bargin).
  
  Bottom line. The D40 is a great deal. The D40x is less so. At $800, the D40x is lacking in features - such as being able to use any Nikon lens and have autofocus capability, no depth of field preview, etc.
  
  I feel like I got an incredible deal on this camera, and couldn't be happier with the images it produces.
  
  -----
  
  Update: I've now taken about 3,000 photos with this camera. And, I'm even happier than I was when I first bought it. Its light enough that I carry it with me every day. And, as a result, I've taken many photos that I'd otherwise missed.
  
  November 2007. I dropped the camera onto tarmac. It was in it's bag, so it didn't hit the ground particularly hard. But, it was hard enough to damage the kit lens. It still works, but the zoom movement is now very stiff in one direction. I'd been thinking about buying a 55-200VR lens to supplement the kit lens that came with the camera. Instead, I've just ordered an 18-200 VR lens from amazon. I'd been in two minds about buying this, and always having the right lens on the camera when the opportunity arose. Seems the decision was made for me!

• 15) A fantastic camera at a price no one can come close to!

  by Yossi's Mom on March 13 2007
    20+ helpful votes

  I did a lot of research for some time before I picked this one. (I looked into a DSLR camera for a full year.) I knew going into this that there were several "down" sides to the D40. I know about the limited choice of lenses. I know that I can't have a bunch of flashes set up like a studio. I know that it is small. But those were not downs for me at all. First of all, I was moving up from a point and shoot. I have never owned an SLR camera before. I have no old lenses to worry about. In fact, when I first got this, my only goal was to get a great camera that takes fantastic pictures with no shutter lag. And the D40 did not disappointment.
  
  Right out of the box, it took the most awesome pictures. The manual is great, and very easy to follow and understand. The LCD monitor is large, and the menus are well organized. I had originally not planned on getting any other lenses. I changed my mind, and was saddened at how expensive the AF-S lenses are. I am thrilled the Nikon came out with a 55-200 AF-S VR zoom. I was going to wait for them to make a prime 50mm lens, but went ahead and got it now anyway. It was not that difficult to learn, although I can see it will take time to master. Yes, I have to manually focus the lens. But you know what? I can do it! A total newbie who is taking awesome pictures!!! What more can you ask for in a camera?
  
  I am also a woman, and I have smaller hands than the average guy. (Hey, even my teen age son has bigger hands than me.) The camera feels great in my hands. In fact, that is what sold me on it. I held the Nikon D50, the Pentax camera, and the Sony camera. I really wanted image stabilization. In the end, I held them all in my hand, and the Nikon was the smallest. It did not feel heavy, and the grip was more comfortable. My hand does get a little cramped after taking a lot of pictures when I have my big lens and flash on. (I am talking about the 18-200mm VR lens. It feels heavy to me, although I am told that it is not that heavy.)
  
  If you have a P & S camera, and are looking to move up to a digital SLR camera, this is the one for you. It would also be perfect for someone who already owns a "big" dSLR and wants something smaller. Not only is the price fantastic, it continues to drop. I had a chance to change this one in for the newer D40x, but decided I didn't need 4 more megapixels. In fact, I got a code for a free 16 x 20 poster from Shutterfly for buying my camera from Amazon. I took a picture of my kids, and cropped it by about 40%, and the poster was FANTASTIC. Sharp, clear, and I lost nothing in the process. This is truly an amazing camera; I love mine and I am thrilled to finally be getting the kind of results I have wanted. Sharp pictures, bright, vivid colors, and no shutter lag! Who could ask for more?

• 16) This camera will hook me on photography

  by gammoner on February 26 2007
    20+ helpful votes

  Many reviews of the D40 state that Nikon targetted the camera at first time buyers of DSLR. I fall into this category...exactly! I owned several point and shoot digital cameras, including a high end Cannon Power Shot. After a while I felt I was not fully satisfied with the point and shoot. I was especially annoyed by red-eye problems and with the relatively poor workmanship of the cameras despite their high price. But, I was not ready to spend money for an expensive DSLR.
  
  The moment I learned about the D40, prior to its availability in the marketplace, I knew that I would wait until I could get one. The price was right. Now, after few months of owning the camera, I'll say it is a bargain. I am very pleased with the camera. It feels good in my hand and the workmanship is superb. The quality of the camera is immediately apparent.
  
  The first photos I took with the camera were taken in Auto mode, no different than with a point and shoot camera. Results were much superior. No red-eye whatsoever! Magnificant landscapes and even some daring close ups of flowers. Of course these photos may not meet the standards of a real photography pro, but they were extremely gratifying to me. Moreover, I knew the camera would allow me to take better photos with time.
  
  The D40 compelled me to learn more about digital photography, and photo editing on the PC. Ergonomics of the camera made it relatively easy to discover its rich feature set. Menus are organized in a logical manner. The innovative on-camera Help is very useful. Right there I can see how one setting differs from another and what effect it will have on the photo. On camera, granted limited photo editing is very nice and a good initial step for more advanced editing on the PC.
  
  I am sure that Nikon will be glad to know that I am already thinking of purchasing another lense for the camera at some point in the not too distant future.

• 17) Great first SLR, with a couple of lessons learned

  by C. Goochee on July 16 2007
    20+ helpful votes

  Thanks to all of the earlier reviewers who guided me to this camera as my first SLR camera !!! I received the camera with the standard 18-55 lense, and also purchased the 55-200 lense, less than a week in advance of one of those once-in-a-lifetime vacations -- 10 days in Peru.
  
  The camera and its controls are very intuitive. The camera with the standard lense is very easy to handle. I took about 800 photos in 10 days (with just one battery re-charge !!). The quality of the photos is amazing. The 18-55 lense was the lense of choice for 95% of my photos -- indoor shots, photos of family members, and vistas. The 55-200 lense (which has a potential for up to about 3.6X zoom) was useful when I wanted to get closeups of people and animals without being physically close to them -- e.g., taking pictures of indigenous people at a respectful distance, or photographing a distant llama.) On this vacation, I didn't ever feel that I needed more than the 3.6X zoon capability of the 55-200 lense.
  
  The full Automatic (point-and-shoot) mode on the camera makes EXCELLENT decisions for photos that require the flash. The Aperature-control mode results in amazing portrait photos at low aperature settings.
  
  The problems I had with the camera were relatively minor. In the full Automatic mode with the camera's default settings, the camera has a lot of trouble getting the correct light exposure for outside shots -- photos tend to be overexposed and lose bright highlights -- for example, clouds and other white highlights are saturated -- that is, are presented as pure white, with no potential for later correction via computer. This was correctable by operating in the "P" mode, and correcting the exposure using an "EV" setting of -1/3 to -1.7.
  
  Another small problem: On a bright sunny day, it is hard to see the photos on the rear-camera display -- e.g., to know whether the exposure is correct for the shot you've just taken. But, the camera has an excellent "histogram" feature that permits you to quickly judge whether you have the correct EV setting, even if you can't make out the details of the picture on the display.
  
  Another small problem: In the full Automatic mode on a cloudy day (with the camera's default settings), the camera seemed to have trouble with the color brown. Thus, brown adobe huts and the brown grown came out as grey. This was fully correctable by setting the "lighting" compensation setting on the camera to "shade".
  
  Perhaps as I get more familiar with the camera, I will learn other ways to get around these problems, as the camera has many settings and and controls that I haven't explored yet. Or, perhaps I will learn that I created these problems for myself !! The main point is that it was very easy to figure out fixes to each problem I encountered, and obtain the best photos I every taken.
  
  So, not to lose sight of the main message, this is a great first SLR camera for a person who has only used point-and-shoot cameras previously. My two daughters were using new $250-$350 Sony and Cannon point-and-shoot cameras on the trip, and they also had outstanding indoor photos and outdoor family closeup photos. However, their cameras were no match for the Nikon D40 in terms of the full range of photo opportunities, including vistas, portraits, and action photographs of people/animals, etc.
  
  The Nikon D40 can do everything a point-and-shoot camera can do, but then provide the flexibility to get great photos in situations where the limitations of point-and-shoot become evident.
  
  
  
  
  

• 18) D40 Perfect for the Amateur Looking to Move Up from non-SLR Digitals

  by M. MCMILLAN on February 11 2007
    20+ helpful votes

  I've had a couple of Sony digital cameras, and I've always said nice things about them to friends and family. The small digitals are convenient to take most anywhere, and my most recent Sony is truly pocket sized. But I was often disappointed with the picture. And frankly, the Sony's (videocams and digital cameras) often broke well before I would have expected.
  
  So, I bought the D40 because of the Nikon name and the relatively good reviews that Amazon and other sites publish. I recognize that it's only 6 MP, but for nonprofessionals, that's more than enough. (You can find plenty of articles that challenge ordinary and professional folks from distinguishing 5 MP from 8 MP from 13 MP; they said the quality of the camera and lens is far more important.)
  
  The Nikon hasn't disappointed one bit. I'm happy with the pictures, and I'm floored that I truly can take 300-400 photos (half or more with flash) on a single battery charge. I mostly use the auto settings on the camera, but I hope to begin experimenting with the wide variety of settings available to the user. I even purchased the 55-200 zoom lens -- it was only $180.
  
  I couldn't be more pleased with my selection, and in comparison to everything else, it seems like a great deal. Given the Nikon name and reputation, I feel like I got a Porsche for the price of a Honda.

• 19) Nikon D40

  by Thomas G. Bachman on May 14 2007
    20+ helpful votes

  I did quite a bit of photography back when I was younger, then it just got to be a pain to have the film developed. I put all my old Nikon equipment away for many years. Now it became apparent that I needed to be taking pictures of the grandkids, so I sold all of my film Nikons and bought this D40. Wow, I must admit that I am overwhelmed by what this camera will do. It's very easy to "point and shoot", but that's not the reason I bought it. I want to be creative with my equipment and this camera will allow for that....once I learn how to control it. This camera does so much more than my old Nikon F's that learning it is going to take me a while.
  
  I will say this much, the optics are sharp. Just like my Nikons of old, the photos are sharp as tacks. It is quiet, light-weight and all the controls are easy to access (as soon as I learn how/what to do with them). The big thing I like about digital photography is the immediate feedback with the large 2.5" LCD screen. Another thing I like with the SLR is the lack of "lag-time" you get with the cheap point and shoot cameras. I tried some others but I could not get the expressions of the grandkids that I was used to with my film cameras. With this D40 I'm back in business.
  
  So far it has been everything I was hoping for.

• 20) Perfect for me

  by Pgh, PA on March 26 2007
    20+ helpful votes

  I am the D40 demographic. I came from a Canon point and shoot, I previously owned no SLR lenses, and mainly wanted to take high quality photos of my family. The D40 has fit the bill perfectly, allowing me to easily take beautiful photographs. Here are some points that prospective buyers may want to consider:
  
  1. 6MP resolution. 10.1 MP is the current rage, but examine your needs before you buy these cameras. File size, especially if you shoot in RAW, for 10.1 MP is huge and the increase in print size allowed with the higher resolution is not that significant in a real world way. For me, the D40 provides plenty of real world resolution without getting caught up in the Megapixel war.
  
  2. Auto-ISO. This is key. See the review below.
  
  3. ISO 1600 shooting. If you are not into looking at every photo with a magnifying glass (and who does that?), the high quality of these photos will allow you to get great pictures that you otherwise would miss.
  
  4.Before buying the camera, I owned no SLR lenses. If you own a buch of lenses already, this camera is probably not for you (unless the happen to be of the correct type).
  
  5. Easy adjustability. Shooting with aperature or speed priority is very, very easy.
  
  6. Lack of second information LCD. I looked at the D80 and thought I would miss that second display on the D40. Well, the D80 info display is pretty poor anyway and on the D40 all that info is a push of the button away. Maybe a bit of a negative, but not as much as I thought it would be.
  
  7. No depth of field preview. A common complaint about this camera. If you don't know what this is, then don't worry about it. If you have to have this feature, look elsewhere.
  
  In summary, this is a real world camera for the every day photographer that wants great photos and the speed and adjustability of an SLR. If you are deciding between this camera and the D80, get out a sheet of paper and write down all the ways the D80 will help you get a better photograph. Then make the decision and see if the extra cost is worth the price difference. For me, this list was empty, so I bought the D40 and could not be happier.
  
  
  
  

• 21) D40 vs Canon Digital Rebel XTi

  by C. Lou on March 19 2007
    10+ helpful votes

  My wife keeps complaining the poor indoor picture quality of our Canon SD200 and SD600 - BTW these are great cameras but our subjects (3 kids here) keep moving around so it's quite challenging to get a good indoor pictures. I tried a Canon S3 IS and I love the 12x zoom lens (SD200 and 600 are only 3x). However the lens is as slow as SD200/600 even the high ISO performance is a *little* better. Another thing is the color tune of that particular S3 IS is way too cold.
  
  (The following is mainly a comparison of Canon Rebel XTi and Nikon D40)
  
  Then I tried a Canon Rebel XTi (EOS 400) - a good step up from point&shoot cameras. However the big hassle is that in P mode (which I believe most of people use with DSLR cameras), you have to choose ISO for each shooting situation. This is not very practical when you just want to quickly catch a moment. D40 (and D70/80) has the very very useful "AUTO ISO" here - it allows you set a Max ISO # (I'm using 1600) and shutter sheep and the camera will adjust the ISO accordingly in this preset range - in P mode. I found the pictures in 1600 are quite satisfactory - even though everyone else is saying Canon EOS has better high ISO performance. Also D40 is lighter and more compact than Canon EOS. I like the command dial of Nikon better - Canon's is too tight and locates at the front - means you have to life up your finger from the shutter button each time you want to use it. D40's at the back so is very accessible with your thumb. Yes Canon has more hardware buttons. But D40 has enough - I use the Fn button for white balance. ISO is not longer needed thanks to the Auto ISO. Then pretty much that's what I need in 90% of shoot situation. Of course more buttons are better - but hey - D40 is $540 and Canon XTi is $780!
  
  I have had my Canon for almost 3 months but still can't decide to keep it. D40 was received just a few days ago and now I love it! I like how it feels in my hand and the picture quality. Besides, there are better lens options for Nikon. The good lens for Canons are too expensive. The kits lens of D40 is the second generation of its 18-55 and is said better than Canon's kit lens. Nikon's 55-200 is only $170. The legendary 18-200 f/3.5-5 (with image stabilization) is only $750 (if you can get hold of one).
  
  The only down side of D40 for me is it only takes AF-S/I lens so the famous 50MM F/1.8 prime lens won't auto focus on it. I wish I could get one of those really fast lens to use indoors. I believe/hope Nikon will make a compatible cheap prime for D40 in the future.
  
  D40 is 6MP but Canon is 10 MP. I'm OK with it because most of the pictures are viewed at computer. 6 MP is more then enough already.

• 22) What it does

  by Carlgo on November 30 2007
    10+ helpful votes

  This won't be a list of all the technical statistics as many reviewers have done this very well already. Instead, let's concentrate on how it actually works.
  
  First, I wanted a DSLR because they are easier for me to use than point and shoots and of course there are choices with lenses, flashes, etc. I chose Nikon because I have had good luck durability-wise with that brand and Nikon is obviously a premier company. I also have a couple of interesting old Nikon lenses that are usable. Amazon's price with free shipping and all was quite a bit less than I found locally. It arrived quickly and in good shape, as did the extra stuff I got for it.
  
  One of these items was the 55-200 VR zoom. If you go this route BEWARE: there are cheap zoom packages that ship the NON-VR version. You want VR.
  
  Surely the standard kit lens, which does get excellent reviews, will itself someday be offered in VR form. In fact, since I bought this, you can be sure this will be soon!
  
  Some reviewers have advised the use of those impressive bigger, heavier, wider aperture and more costly lenses. Or prime lenses. My take is that the standard DX lenses that were designed for this camera just make it so much more pleasurable to use, work just fine and are appropriate for the use this camera will get. If there are any differences in quality, they are really hard to see, if at all.
  
  VR makes low-light photos sharp and in many cases negates the need for wide aperture lenses, and this also means a better depth of field. However, nothing beats big expensive lenses, or big expensive most anything else, actually. It just isn't really necessary for most of the photography people will use this camera for.
  
  Cameras like the D40 are best for candid, quick shots and for capturing moments in time that are not repeatable. Bulky equipment just gets in the way and makes it more likely that the camera will be in the closet and not with you.
  
  Some people just like the photog life and live to carry around the biggest and heaviest stuff. My thinking is that the $5000 and more DSLRs with their bigger sensors and all would be more appropriate for that use, or spend $35000 and really go for it with a digital Hasselblad.
  
  Why not the D40x? I read a zillion reviews that said, in essence, that you can't tell the difference, so why spend the extra? There is a lot of debate about this, but I went with the D40.
  
  Some experts, including those that I admire, suggest using special settings, especially those that have to do with how vivid the colors will be. And there are plenty of these settings. I spent a lot of time trying the various manual modes and other shooting options. Just delete them when you are done experimenting. Go to the menu on that big bright and sharp screen and reset when you are done. I messed up some promising shots because I assumed I was in Auto mode and I wasn't. My bad; automatic or not, you still have to pay attention.
  
  This is all fun to play with, and, speaking of auto mode, it is pretty darn good. Just set the top dial to auto, leave it there, press half-way down on the shutter button to focus and then fire away. Make sure the lens buttons are set on VR and auto focus. All good.
  
  And there are other settings for landscapes, portraits, kids, etc. Again, it is easy to turn the dial to those settings and it is all automatic. The camera's little computer changes things in subtle ways to complement those shots.
  
  Nikon has vast technical resources and I figure they have this stuff figured out better than me. If you want special effects, you can do that, but the auto modes are really very good and hard to beat.
  
  Flash is fun. The pop-up flash works very well for most any normal use. I also bought the little 400 series add-on flash. This is a nice device that has a bounce feature. The D40 handles all this flash stuff perfectly. Very nice, and automatic.
  
  What about the plastic construction of the camera and the DX lenses? Sure, nothing better than those precise old metal beauties, but the DX cameras are all about size and weight. They are molded to be easy to hold and use and I really have no complaints. The camera and lenses are well-built and solid. I keep my old FM-2 around to fondle.
  
  What about the complaints that many of the old Nikon lenses will not work on the D40? This won't be a problem for new users because they will just buy DX lenses. If you do have a collection of fabulous old lenses, then it would be best to go up to D80s or the 300. Check on what actually works. The extra cost of the camera will be offset by the "free" lenses. This will be especially important if you have specialty lenses like perspective control, medical, etc.
  
  Again, the whole idea of the D40 is that it is light, small and affordable. Sticking a multi-pound lens on it sort of defeats the purpose.
  
  I do have two old lenses, a 55mm micro-nikkor macro and a 100-300 with a macro setting. I just set the aperture on a guess, check out the results on the screen and adjust again. These old lenses were made to be manually set, so it is easy to do. Not for fast shots, no VR, but fun to play with.
  
  And the results, the actual prints? First, let me say that I am a fan of big contact prints. Nothing else looks sharp to me. A Leica sales guy showed me a big print, around 24" wide, printed to show how good a cost is no object Leica could be. Ahh, sharp for what it was, but just sort of ok for me.
  
  I have had a lot of 35mm printed and was always disappointed. Even paid extra at expensive camera stores. All in the 4X6 to 8X10 size. Not that good, to me. Slides were better, but what a pain to view.
  
  Frankly, despite 35mm supposedly being equivalent to 25 mp digital, my 6mp photos printed out on my Canon Pixma are just a lot nicer. Nicer colors, sharper, better. Maybe if I sent my 35mm shot out to be printed on ultra exotic media with processing to match... too much for me.
  
  If you can, I suggest getting your digital files out to a service that prints them out on actual photo paper on mega-expensive machines. This is very inexpensive and provides ultimate results (reasonably speaking).
  
  I download into iPhoto on my old iBook. When I connect the included usb cable, the program recognizes the camera and the download begins when I push "import". Then, if I want to play with the photo, I just drag it into Adobe Elements, do my best, then save it back to iPhoto for storage. I do not use Nikon's software because I don't need to.
  
  The D40 does do some processing in the camera, but I am just used to using the computer. It is easier to see on a big screen and of course the photo editing programs give you many more options. There are all sorts of very capable programs to sort and manipulate your photos if you want to go that way.
  
  Suggested options: I went with the kit lens and the 55-200 VR (see my review on that lens) and that is not a bad combination. A better one would be the wide zoom and the 18-200 VR. That, however, is $2K worth of lenses. I got the little remote. I am a fan of polarizing filters, but I already had one.
  
  Digital cameras are especially good at macro work and Nikon offers a new macro lens and a neat special flash system to go with it. Not cheap, but super capable and the results are great.
  
  I do not like the D40's limitations on remote triggering and remote flash. To fire off the camera you can use that nifty little remote, but the sensor for it is on the front of the camera. Fine for most uses where you are in front of the camera, but heck, a timer works for that. These cameras do not accept cable releases. I will try to make a reflector out of aluminum foil and see if that works.
  
  The old Nikon D70 had the capability of triggering remote flashes. That was a neat feature. With the D40 you have to buy one of Nikon's more expensive flashes, or a triggering device. I would like to try some creative flash photography, but the cost is pretty high. Too bad.
  
  Note that UPS will call you the day before because they want you to be there for delivery. Too small and expensive to just leave on the porch. You might want it delivered to your work.
  
  Also, be aware that it does not come with the little flash memory card, so order one at the same time. I got the Sandisk Ultra II 2.0 gb. It seems to work just fine. It is a brand that Nikon recommends, so...
  
  The D40 is easy to use, light and capable for any normal situation. It downloads easily and the photos are as good as current technology allows in this price range. Highly recommended.
  

• 23) Perfect first digital SLR

  by EPA316 on August 21 2007
    10+ helpful votes

  When I bought this camera, I had pretty high expectations. This is not my first SLR; I started with a Minolta X370 in the 80's, then got a Minolta X700, then a Maxxum 7000. I still have all these film SLR's. My first digital camera was a Minolta Dimage Z1, a point-and-shoot that tried to look like an SLR. Then, Minolta got bought out and no longer makes cameras. So, I decided to step up to Nikon. Since I already had a lot of experience in cameras, I expected a lot, and this camera has surpassed all my expectations. I have not yet found anything I don't like about it, and that's unusual for a complainer like me. Sure, I could have bought a Sony and re-used my autofocus Maxxum lenses, but I liked the Nikon so much better than the Sony models I saw that I decided to start from scratch with a new brand. It's easy to operate as a beginner, but if you want to stretch your photographic wings someday, this camera will be ready. In fact, this is easier and faster to quickly take a shot than my Dimage Z1, which is supposed to be a point-and-shoot. I looked carefully at the D40X, but did not feel that it was worth $200 extra just to pick up a few megapixels of resolution. This D40 package is a screaming bargain. When you pick up the camera, you can feel how solid it is; that's the feel of quality. Even on their cheapest SLR. Getting a Nikon at this price is like getting a Lincoln discounted to the price of a Ford. If you are a first time SLR buyer, I suggest getting the 2 hour D40 DVD along with it. Any good camera shop should have it.

• 24) Nikon D40 with Kit Lens - an excellent value

  by Warren Kahn on May 12 2007
    10+ helpful votes

  As a retired professional photographer who also has considerable experience with various digital cameras, I was somewhat reluctant to purchase a digital SLR that was meant to be used by 'First Time Digital SLR Users'. While it certainly can be easily used by novices in automatic mode, I soon realized that the camera has almost all the capabilities of higher-end Nikons, such as the D50, D70 and D80, but in a smaller and lighter version and even with some features the more expensive cameras are lacking.
  Although light and relatively small, the D40 seems solidly built and the shape and controls are well thought out. The rear viewing screen is large and bright and the (through the lens) viewfinder is bright as well. When pressing the shutter button half way down you can clearly see when the subject is in focus. There is an extensive and well designed menu system
  with which you can customize your camera and there is a "Help Button" that
  brings up clear explanations as to what each menu item is for and what it does.
  The camera takes excellent photos in all modes. What impresses me most is the lack of noise at high ISO settings. You get excellent results indoors without using flash at ISO 1600 and with very little noise. When using the pop-up flash, results are consistently good in macro and fill-in modes. Like all pop-up flashes, the range is limited and my next purchase will be a more powerful external flash. (Actually the range of the built-in flash is higher than most because of the high ISO usability.)
  The kit lens is quite decent for most situations. A professional or serious photographer may want to invest in a more expensive lens, preferably one with 'Image Stabilization'. Unfortunately older Nikon lenses and even newer ones not designed for this camera cannot be used except possibly in complete manual mode, and that can be awkward at best. At under $600.- The Nikon D40 is a great value. While the camera sports only 6 megapixels, that is more than adequate for most photographers. Nikon just came out with the D40X camera that has 10 Megapixels which otherwise is almost identical to the D40. I personally wouldn't want to pay several hundred dollars more for it, however that is something you will have to decide.