Sep 19 2009
Which Nikon camera would be best for me?
dasielady
I am an amateur photographer, presently using a Kodak DC5200 (I think)…
I would like to start taking more and better quality pictures and eventually build up to doing wedding photography as a side trade. I have heard wonderful things about Nikon cameras and I think* I am committed to that brand…. but I am unsure which camera to buy…
I want at least 8.5 mega pixels, I want to be able to aim and rotate a flash, I want to be able to change lenses, I want to be able to upload photos directly to my computer. My budget for a camera and lense is $1100.
Is there a certain camera you would recommend over the others, and why?
Comment please!
6 Responses to “Which Nikon camera would be best for me?”
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The D40x seems to be the hot ticket right now. The x version of the D40 has a larger pixel count 10mp vs.6mp
Ken Rockwell has a good article on the D40 that should give you some good insight.
BTW I use D200’s and an IR only D100
If you are planning on moving towards wedding photography I would recommend the Nikon D-80 over the D-40 and D-40x.
The reason for this as you advance, you’re going to see many advantages with the D-80. Like the 11-point AF. and the wider selection of ISO settings. Even the 2-rotary controllers are a huge advantage in more professional situations.
However don’t go cheap on the lens in return. The common outfit lens is an 18-135mm.
It might run about $200 more then you are thinking.
But is a good investment.
IF YOU WANT TO UPGRADE AND FOR THE BUDGET THE NIKON D80 IS A GOOD CHOICE ,YOU MIGHT HAVE TO GO OVER A LITTLE ON THE BUDGET.THE NIKON D40 AND 40DX WILL ONLY ALLOW YOU TO USE DX LENSES(DIGITAL LENSES).YOU WOULD BE MISSING OUT ON HUNDREDS OF GREAT LENSES(NIKON,TAMRON,TOKINA AND SIGMA)TO ATTACH TO YOUR CAMERA,AND BELEIVE ME YOU WILL GET THE ITCH TO BUY MORE LENSES ONCE YOU GET USE TO YOUR CAMERA,THE CAMERA IS IMPOTANT ,BUT YOUR LENSES IS WHERE YOU SHOULD SPEND YOUR MONEY…..I HAVE BEEN SHOOTING WITH NIKON FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND IM A AVID PHOTOGRAPHER I HAVE A D200 AND A D70S WITH MANY LENSES AND NIKON HAS NEVER DISAPPOINTED ME.
I wish people would state the truth about Nikon D40 lens compatible they will work with Nikkor AF-I or AF-S lens, some are DX and some are not.
Anyway if you can find a D80 for $800 then you will have a $300 to spend on a used lens.
I’ll throw in my vote for the D80. I own one but haven’t done wedding photography yet. While it’s a little bigger and heavier than the D40x it is more sophisticated and flexible in what it can do.
No matter which body you go with though (D40x or D80) The lens is most important. Caveat–with the D40x you are essentially limited to Nikon’s newest lenses made for digital cameras (DX series).. The D80 will use just about any Nikon lense made in the last 20 years so you have a wider variety to choose from. It’s not that the DX series lenses aren’t good–they are, but most tend to be consumer oriented lenses that aren’t built as well as the pro lenses. If you start doing wedding photography as a profession then you will want to have an assortment durable lenses.
Nikon makes an outstanding superzoom–the 18-200vr (vibration reduction) that will work on either camera-however it’s $700 and with the body (currently ~$850) you will be over your budget…but it is worth considering if you can spend the extra.
The most common lense sold for either camera is the 18-135. The reviews have not been that good on this lens so while it is at an attractive price point and zoom range I’d think twice before purchasing…you may be better going used (as someone else suggested) or ponying up for the 18-200vr.
I have a D80 with the 18-200vr and love it–I highly recommend it.
Here’s a good source for used lenses:
Nikon is a great brand to buy into. You will not regret your decision for a second. They have the best creative lighting systems period and their lenses are among the best in the SLR world. The user base is very knowledgable and helpfull too.
Check out the definitive Nikon owners site:
The best “affordable” value is the Pentax K100D 6.1 mp DSLR which comes with two Pentax lenses: a normal 18-55 mm lense and a 50-200 mm telephoto. The Pentax K Series has the best in-body “shake reduction” bar none. It also have “multiple” burst exposure capability. This camera kit sells for $600 [after Pentax mail-in rebate good until July 31, 2007] at samys.com. and comes with (1) case; (2) 1 gb SD memory card; (3) tripod; and (4) 200 free prints @samys.com Here’s a review link:
Good luck!