Warbird Information Exchange

Hello,

Now if everyone can stop picking on me I have a serious question to ask. There is a good deal out on the Nikon D40 digital camera. It's within my price range and I am kinda interested in getting it. Can anyone give me some feedback about the D40. Is it something good or not?

All I am looking for is the ability to take descent up close shots of airplanes flying at airshows.

Thanks,
Nathan

I recently picked up the D40X myself. I have had fairly good results with it, but beware that you need to have AF-S lenses with the D40 series for the autofocus to work. It means that you get a decent camera for a decent price up front, but you have to pay more when it comes to getting lenses.

Most of the feedback that I got before buying the camera warned me of that, but I did not look at the cost of the lenses. If I had it to do it over again I would look more seriously at the D80. The reason is that then the $150-$200 55-300mm would work, instead of the $500 one that is needed for the D40. I have used the 18-55 that comes with the camera, and the 55-200 VR that I bought in addition and gotten decent results with both. The 200mm works as long as the aircraft is flying in pretty close to the crowd line, but for those further away shots, a 300mm or 400mm is pretty much a must.

I have found the camera pretty easy to use with a bit of practice. It was my first non point and shoot camera, so I had to do a little reading to figure out what was wrong with the shots from the first air show I used it at. Be prepared to take a lot of photos and delete a large percentage of them from the first time you take it out.

If you are looking for an online retailer that has really good prices, and has been very reliable for me, send me a PM. The site is pretty easy to find using google, and I have had very good results with them. I ordered my 200mm lense at noon on Thursday, and it arrived on Friday and that was with the free shipping option. They are in NJ, and I am in NH so that helps a bit with the shipping speed. I was able to get the D40X for much less than the local camera stores are selling the D40.

I'd get a Canon Rebel XTi, which is a better camera overall, Also as mentioned above, Canon lenses are NOT nearly as expensive as Nikon lenses. Nikon is still living on their name that they made 30+ years ago and charging everyone a 30% premium on equipment.

If you really want a great camera in a slightly higher bracket, then the Canon 40D is it. Then you get to a metal body, some dust sealing, etc.

Mark H

No Canon bias in that post. Either camera will give you good quality images, because after all, good glass and good camera body are only part of the equation when in comes to photo quality.

According to Ken Rockwell


Ken Rockwell has good writeups on his site about Nikons and Canons. Here is his writeup on the D40
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm

and the D40X:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40x.htm

He is quite knowledgeable on camera gear of many manufacturers and will give a good manufacturer-neutral point of view.

For me, I have a Nikon D50 and love it, so my opinion would obviously be Nikon biased, to be honest. For comparative purposes, I am upgrading to a D200 very soon.

I got the Cannon XTI a few months ago. I was looking at a Nikon D80 as well. For the price I thought the Cannon was a far better deal.

Nathan,
I was talking to a friend about the same type of question.

He said that if I had a concern, I really should just go to "Wolf Camera" http://www.wolfcamera.com/or somewhere and see if I can rent one for the day.
That way you can get a real good feel for what is out there.
It may cost a few dollars, but in the end it will be worth it. You don't want to get stuck with something.
And you really can't just take someone’s word about it.

Best Regards,
Bluedharma

It all depends on what you want, what you plan to do with it and plans down the road. Good glass isn't cheap either Canon or Nikon. The entry level lenses aren't very good. If you just want something better than a point and shoot with faster reaction time, it comes down to personal preference and price. The rebel generally gets low points on ergonomics in reviews, but if it feels good to you hands, that's all that matters. If you have big plans down the road to become a professional, its a different story.

I have the D-70, and though the good lenses are a little pricy, they are a good line of cameras...same with the Canon....I also have a 3.0 mega-pixel Fine-pix camera..an el-cheapo, point and shoot, that does extremely well...(some poster quality pics even) Read the manual a couple of times over with camera in hand...Nikon has a prettier strap than the Canon....Gary

If I did get the D40. What kinda lenses are good for aerial photography? The D40 I guess only takes AF-s and AF-I lenses.

Don't overlook the 30Ds that are on the net right now. They were around $400 for the body. Still need the good lenses but the 30D is a nice weapon for the money.

I just launched a 30D into the lake (it was a tragic accident-stop laughing!)and after some head scratching went right out and got a 40D replacement. It is better than the 30. I will have to challenge myself some to get the best out of it.

I just could not go back to the 30 knowing there was a slightly better one out there. Marketing! It gets us all sooner or later.

Last thought. keep the stinkin strap around yer neck and think hard about getting the camera on a rider on your homeowners ins. Turns out "camera skipping" isn't covered. go figure.

Dave

http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?ca ... uctNr=2166

Is the lens that I have on my D40x most of the time. It is a good all around lens that can focus on close objects. I plan on getting the 70-300 version of the lens as well.

If you need a high power lens once or twice a year there is a place that you can rent them. They are on the web at www.borrowlenses.com I have not used them yet, but they do have a selection of lenses for Nikons as well as a very large selection for Canon. The next time that I need anything more than a 300mm, I am going to give them a shot and get a 400mm or more.

Here are a few pictures that I have taken with my D40X. I have only gone to two shows with it, so I am still on the learning curve, but these couple turned out pretty decent with no correcting in photoshop.

You definitely have to consider the intangibles above and beyond just the price.

I decided on the D80 instead of the XTi based on taking both of them out for a test drive -- I preferred the Nikon's size, balance, and my ability to use the controls in a cramped cockpit and wearing nomex gloves. The price difference was more than worth it for the better functionality of the D80.

I spent a lot of time picking out my camera (couple of years ago), and this is by FAR the best site for comparing digital rigs:

http://dpreview.com/

BTW, I "picked" the Canon 20D as best fitting my purposes, and about 7,000 shots later (sounds like a lot of pictures, but I'm not out there every weekend, so mine's still a baby compared to some here who shoot all the time), I still love it. I definitely plan on getting the newest Canon XXD (60D? 80D?) when my 20D eventually dies - or I hit my design life (50,000 shutter cycles).

Like Randy says above, your particular needs may differ, so research it first.

Wade

_________________
Website: http://www.wademeyersart.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Wade.Meyers.Studios

I've used both Nikons and Canons, and Sonys and Kodaks too. I'd have to say that the Canon is the best out of all of those cameras, quality-wise.

I just bought a D40 and its really a nice camera, the lens that comes on it is perfect for what i do. it was 530 at Beach Camera, probably cheaper now.....I had a Nikon FM2 before this.....