Nikon D40 ?

[NewSchool04]

I came across this deal and was wondering what everyone thought. This would be my first step into a SLR camera and wanted to make sure that the lenses offered were something that I can use shooting the reef tank.
I've read a ton about the Nikon D40 and the great reviews the camera gets, I just don't know squat about the lenses yet.

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=NKD40kt2

 

[stdreb27]

Yeah, they aren't super high quality lenses. But they will be fine.

 

[Imzadi]

The deal on the body is good. THAT is the start. The Body is actually the cheap part of it. Some lenses of average quality are 500-600, and 1500 for elevated quality.

I have a D70, and I love it. The D40 is very close, and you will love it too. It is the start, only to be improved upon.

 

[Aggie05]

I have a D40 with both of those lenses, although my 55-200 has VR (vibration reduction) and I can't tell if that one does or not. I bought this as my first DSLR and have to say that I am very pleased with it thus far. After reading countless info on www.dpreview.com I got it down to the D40 or the Oly E510. Once I found that I could get the D40 for such a cheap price I jumped at it. I have been surprised by the macro ability of the 18-55 lens. While its not as good as a real macro lens, I have been able to take some pretty nice closeups with it. I haven't really had the oppurtunity to use the 55-200 yet so I can't really comment on it, although I can say that the VR does make a difference. So, if you can get it with VR do it.

I posted some shots I have taken with it on webshots, here is the link. Some shots have had some PP done but only cropping, color adjustment (as tank lights are hard to white balance against), and maybe some sharpening on a few.

http://community.webshots.com/album/562458644VbnYQl

 

[NewSchool04]

Those are beautiful shots Aggie. Are the 57 Chevy pics yours also? Love that truck!

 

[Aggie05]

Thanks for the compliment, i hope they help you make up your mind.

The truck is my Dads. Its actually just getting finished with its frame off rebuild. I should post some updated pics I guess. Its taken a long long time to get it done, but I am excited about being able to drive it again.

here is what it looks like now, with a little bit of bodywork left and all the interior yet to be put in.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2575665220031106924DyTlxF

 

[icenine2005]

The thing to keep in mind about the D40 is that it has no AF motor. This can limit the lens selection for you, if you want AF you have to buy lenses with the motors built in making them a little spendy for what they are.
Stepping up to the D80 and such (the new D60 too IIRC)... those have the AF motor included in the camera body.

That may or may not be a big deal for you down the road at some point. The two lenses in that package are nice and in general it looks like a really good deal IMO, so long as the shop is on the up and up. ...those two lenses would be all that most people ever need.

 

[NewSchool04]

I was looking into the AF motor problem but there really isn't anything out there that gives an in-depth "Without the AF motor, this is going to be your problem . . " Does that mean that you can only use certain lenses or you can use all lenses, you just have to manually adjust?

 

[Aggie05]

You can use any lense, but if it doesn't auto focus, you will only be able to manual focus with it. the D40 does not have an auto focus motor in its body (part of the reason it is so cheap) I honestly do mostly manual focus anyways, when shotting stuff in my tank.

 

[maxalmon]

I would agree, I do 95% of my macro work in manual focus. I have the 18-55lens and it's not a bad lens, I've managed to capture some decent shots. Look at it this way, It's a good, inexpensive starter lens.

I also have the 55-200 VR and it's totally useless when trying to use on aquarium shots, you have to be about 4-5' away inorder to get anything into focus

I also have the 105mm AF/VR, should have spent more time researching the lens before buying this lens, as I spent a good chunk of money on an autofocus lens that I always use in manual mode...

Here's one to show the quality of the 105mm lens