Nikon D40x or D80?

NightShadow · 1 Jan 2008 at 13:18

Hiya People,

Currently looking at gettign a DSLR and was originally looking at the 400d and D40X however after having a play with them and also the D80 yesterday I found the Nikon range to be waaay more comfortable to use.

I know the D80 is an older model than the D40X but what benefits does it have over it? I like the idea of the shortcut button on the front for checking whats in focus, and I take it it has AF built in the body unlike the D40X. So what else is there that I should consider with these 2? Will be looking to purchase in late Jan as a friend will be getting it from America for me and bringing it back in his luggage.

NS

robertgilbert86 · 1 Jan 2008 at 13:42

If you can afford it the D80.
This is a non-debate really.

GeX · 1 Jan 2008 at 13:51

yeah, its a no brainer. D80.

ricky1981 · 1 Jan 2008 at 14:18

Go all out and get a D300

this_is_gav · 1 Jan 2008 at 16:20

Going back I'd have got the D80 just so the onboard flash can control remote flashes. The lenses thing hasn't limited any choices I've had to make yet.

robmiller · 1 Jan 2008 at 18:36

D80, because CLS lighting and the ability to use a truckload of cheap sharp primes (amongst the other bonuses) is more than worth the price increase.

NightShadow · 2 Jan 2008 at 07:24

Hiya chaps,

It may have sounded a silly question but it was just that I had held the 400D and not liked it then liked the D40x and then the D80 was even better to hold (that and the fact i'm a noob when it comes to DSLRs..plan on changing that though!). I just wondered what the major benefits were, why will I be able to use more cheap prime lenses with it? Would I be right in thinking that the "nifty fifty" would have autofocus when on the D80?

NS

Messiah Khan · 2 Jan 2008 at 09:51

NightShadow said:
Hiya chaps,

It may have sounded a silly question but it was just that I had held the 400D and not liked it then liked the D40x and then the D80 was even better to hold (that and the fact i'm a noob when it comes to DSLRs..plan on changing that though!). I just wondered what the major benefits were, why will I be able to use more cheap prime lenses with it? Would I be right in thinking that the "nifty fifty" would have autofocus when on the D80?

NS

If you are deciding between the D40X and the D80... go for the D80. Its a no brainer. The D80 is better built, has an internal focus motor (So as you say the Ninfty Fifty will AF) and has more buttons on the camera body. So if you can afford it, go for the D80.

ricky1981 · 2 Jan 2008 at 10:50

have to agree with that, d80 really is worth the extra if you can afford it. With the d300 just being released you might find a good d80 second hand. I'd have sold mine when I upgraded but the missus made me keep it cos she wants it!!

Bes · 2 Jan 2008 at 13:38

I just bought a D80 and love it- very glad I went for it over the D40/D40x and certainly better than the 400D

robmiller · 2 Jan 2008 at 16:46

ricky1981 said:
have to agree with that, d80 really is worth the extra if you can afford it. With the d300 just being released you might find a good d80 second hand. I'd have sold mine when I upgraded but the missus made me keep it cos she wants it!!

Doubt it

The price of D200s doesn't even seem to have fallen from what I've seen, and the D300 is obviously a direct replacement of that.

ricky1981 · 2 Jan 2008 at 18:19

The D300 is a replacement for the D200 but for anyone upgrading then D80 to D300 is a logical step, that's what i was suggesting

(I have done exactly this recently)

Shoei · 3 Jan 2008 at 09:01

robmiller said:
Doubt it The price of D200s doesn't even seem to have fallen from what I've seen, and the D300 is obviously a direct replacement of that.

looking round some of the nikon forums, you can pick up D200's with the MB-D200 grip for $1000, which is a bargin with current exchange rate.

Fancy a D2Xs next, but will have to wait a while.