[HRC]

Any advice? I'm looking to get either camera soon. I'm a noob coming from a Canon SD400. I do understand that most people say to stay away from kits that offer lenses and just buy the camera body. For me, is this overkill?

If I go with the D60, I was thinking of getting this:

Nikon D60 10.2 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera w/ Nikkor AFS DX VR 18-55 & AFS DX 55-200 Lenses 9609

or maybe this for $230 less:

Nikon D60 10.2 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera w/ Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Lens 25438

I understand that the D60 offers a few new features not available on the D40x and the D60 is the replacement for for the D40x, but other than that, i do not know which is the better choice for me.

Thanks!
Danny

[HRC]

Can anyone point me to any similar topics? I tried searching to no avail.

Thanks,
Danny

[Big Windy]

how much you looking to spend?

[HRC]

I want to spend around 8 bills.

Danny

[BMW F22]

Hey Danny make sure to check out www.live.com. Sometimes they have cash back (25-30%) on cameras and such. I would personally go with the first one. The kit lens (18-55mm) is good but it doesn't have much zoom capability so you should get the 55-200mm one as well. Also, go with the D60.

[HRC]

Thanks Kenny! I'm now wondering if I'm better off just buying the camera body and the lenses separately...but I know I can't do that and get two lenses for $800 so I dunno...

Danny

[Big Windy]

If you are committed to photography I'd recommend the 18-200 VR instead of the 55-200. But that is almost 8 bills right there

[HRC]

For me, it's hard to say how far I will be committed as I'm new to this. I think first I have to decide which body, the D40x or the D60...

Danny

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by HRC

Thanks Kenny! I'm now wondering if I'm better off just buying the camera body and the lenses separately...but I know I can't do that and get two lenses for $800 so I dunno...

Danny

It usually more expensive that way. For example, Canon Rebel XTi is about $549 for body only and about $580 with the kit lens. If you were to buy it separately it would cost about $100-200. I say just buy the standard kit with 18-55mm lens and play around with it for a while. You will have a better understanding of what you want/need in terms of lenses.

Check out Dbuys.com or Amazon for good deals.

[HRC]

Alright, after reading more I think I'm leaning towards either the D40 or the D40x. The D60 doesn't seem to be as value oriented as the D40x. Is the D40x worth the extra money over the D40 for the extra 4MP?

Danny

[LOLrance]

I think in retrospect, most people who have a DSLR that bought it with a kit lens wishes they just bought the body alone and picked up a lens separately. But again, this is all in retrospect. When you first start shooting, you obviously wont know whats good and bad. Dont get me wrong, most kit lenses are more then fine for learning the basics of the camera and how shutter speed and aperture affects the photo, but they are just not great.

I dont know much about Nikon so i cant really help you with lenses etc etc. But my advice would be to find someone with a Nikon and see if they have a kit lens or any lens to let you borrow. Just buy the body and borrow the lens to learn the gist of how everything works. When you feel like its time to move on, you can spend your money on a lens you actually want, not just a lens that comes with the kit. A lot of socal guys have Canon XTI's and i always tell them to buy the body and i will lend them my kit lens for as long as they want.

Just a little thing to keep in mind. Most of the time, your lenses will cost more then the body of your camera. If you have any other questions, let me know and ill try to help.

[HRC]

Originally Posted by l4wr3nc3

I think in retrospect, most people who have a DSLR that bought it with a kit lens wishes they just bought the body alone and picked up a lens separately. But again, this is all in retrospect. When you first start shooting, you obviously wont know whats good and bad. Dont get me wrong, most kit lenses are more then fine for learning the basics of the camera and how shutter speed and aperture affects the photo, but they are just not great.

I dont know much about Nikon so i cant really help you with lenses etc etc. But my advice would be to find someone with a Nikon and see if they have a kit lens or any lens to let you borrow. Just buy the body and borrow the lens to learn the gist of how everything works. When you feel like its time to move on, you can spend your money on a lens you actually want, not just a lens that comes with the kit. A lot of socal guys have Canon XTI's and i always tell them to buy the body and i will lend them my kit lens for as long as they want.

Just a little thing to keep in mind. Most of the time, your lenses will cost more then the body of your camera. If you have any other questions, let me know and ill try to help.

I agree that kits in the long run are not as good. With that in mind, what is a good basic lens to have, an 18-55mm or the 18-70mm? I'm thinking about buying the D40 body and a Nikon 18-70mm lens, that should be better than buying a kit with a Nikkor 18-55mm right?

Danny

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by HRC

Alright, after reading more I think I'm leaning towards either the D40 or the D40x. The D60 doesn't seem to be as value oriented as the D40x. Is the D40x worth the extra money over the D40 for the extra 4MP?

Danny

The D40 is fine for beginners. But I think as time goes on you will want something more. I personally want at least 8mp in case I want to blow up pictures to poster size. If you're going with the D40, check out Ritz camera ( I think they have the body with 2 lenses for $600). If you're going with the D40x, you might as well go with the the D60 because from what I've seen, it costs as much, if not a little more, than the D60.

Like Lawrence said, the kit lens isn't that good and it's not supposed to be. It's only meant for you to get a feel for things and from there you can go and buy other lenses. For another $50-80 I would just get the kit lens and play around with it. I think it's worth it in case you borrow someone else's lens and then break it/or it breaks itself.

[LOLrance]

What is your primary objective and what do you plan on shooting?

Its always nice to have a walk around lens (generally in the range of 15-100) but its not always necessary. If you are into automotive photography or even landscape, you'll probably be better off buying a wide angle lens. If you are more into sports photography or shooting animals, you'll have more use for a zoom or even super zoom lens.

Its all subjective really. Just depends on how much zoom you think you really need. Also, keep in mind F stop is something very important to look for. The lower the f stop, the easier it is to shoot in low light conditions. Its also easier to create that Depth of Field look with low f stop lenses. Try to get a lens in a focal point you need (if you just want a walk around lens, you will not need something with like 200mm of zoom) and if it has a low stop, even better.

[HRC]

Camera is mainly for taking pictures of my 18 month old daughter. Flowers, cars, scenic shots on vacation, etc...

Actually, a D40 kit only cost $439 vs $418 for the body alone, so I may just get the kit that comes with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Autofocus Lens. I can still buy a wide angle lens that you are talking about.

Danny

[LOLrance]

Originally Posted by HRC

Camera is mainly for taking pictures of my 18 month old daughter. Flowers, cars, scenic shots on vacation, etc...

Actually, a D40 kit only cost $439 vs $418 for the body alone, so I may just get the kit that comes with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Autofocus Lens. I can still buy a wide angle lens that you are talking about.

Danny

If the kit only costs $21 more, it'd almost be stupid not to get it haha. Definitely play around with the kit lens and get a wide angle down the line. You will love it. No other ways to get shots like this unless its with a wide angle!

[HRC]

Thanks Lawrence! Yea, only $21 difference, but this is only for the D40. I think the D40 should be fine, I'm becoming convinced that 6.1 MP is more than enough for me and I don't need the 10.2 MP of the D40x. You agree?

Anyhow, the wide angle lens I'm looking at buying is this:

Nikon Zoom 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 G-Super Wide Angle AF ED-IF DX Autofocus Lens

What do you think?

Danny

[HRC]

Alright, after much more reading, I have come up with this,

D40 w/18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor Lens (kit) and I'm buying a 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR II Zoom Super Wide Angle Telephoto Nikkor Lens.

Good choice in lenses?

Danny

[HRC]

Anything additional I should know before I pull the trigger?

Thanks Again,
Danny

[Whostheboss]

- make sure you get warranty and a 2GB Compact flash card and tripods.

D40 w/18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor Lens (kit) and I'm buying a 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR II Zoom Super Wide Angle Telephoto Nikkor Lens.

Thats probably the best choice you can go with. Good luck on your new camera. Me, i am a Canon dude, but those Super Wide Angles lens are great.

[ichiban]

I got the d40 and it's plenty good for me. This was my first DSLR and it helped me learn the basics and progress. My plan is to upgrade my lens selection as i only have the 18-55mm kit lens. And then step it up to a d300. Have fun with your d40 mang.

[HRC]

Just ordered the D40 kit and I bought a glass UV filter for the 18-55mm lens as well as stronger 3-4 hour battery and a "quick charger".

Next week or so I will pull the trigger on the 18-200mm lens.

Thanks for all your help!

Danny