Another help with camera choise thread............

Howski · 16 Jan 2007 at 01:11

Another help with camera choice thread............

Right ok here goes.......

I've been going over this for ages and ages, and basically have given up on choosing so I'm looking for help. I've basically narrowed it down to 2 cameras but then again if you think that there is a better option please tell. With my budget I'm aiming at the entry level DSLR cameras, which means that I'm looking at the Nikon D40 and the Canon 400D both with the Lens kits.

The Mega Pixel question I suppose is first up which the Canon wins but then again 6MP DSLR will print out fine @ A3 and that is fine for my needs. I have read that the Lens is really poor on the Canon and that it has exposure problems. That coupled with the price difference is it worth forking out the extra for 10MP but a poorer lens?
Cheers
-How.

Raymond Lin · 16 Jan 2007 at 01:28

Usually I would say you need to go to a shop and try it out, but in this case the 400D is much superior to the D40.

Howski · 16 Jan 2007 at 01:35

But is it £130 better? Esp with the lens, I wont be able to buy a new lens for a good few years after.
-How.

Pho · 16 Jan 2007 at 01:58

From what I understand the D40 requires special lenses (it doesn't have an AF motor built into the camera like most do) however with the Canon you have access to all of Canon's EF and EF-S lenses, as well as ones from other manufactures which are compatible (Sigma, Tamron, etc).

Plus, the Canon has 9 autofocus points whereas the D40 has 3 - I find them very handy so I can focus without moving the camera.

The kit lens isn't meant to be brilliant, but it's not meant to be. I'm sure most people will recommend you get Canon's 50mm f1.8 for ~£60

.

robertgilbert86 · 16 Jan 2007 at 07:42

...

Why not save yourself a ton of cash and get a second hand D50? They are superior to the D40 and cheap now. You could spend the leftover money on a lens, filter, bag, memory or tripod.

Whatever you do though, avoid the D40.

Regarding the megapixel issue, I've found that 6 is fine. I just think about the extra memory and disk space people shooting in 8 or 10MP need!

Howski · 16 Jan 2007 at 14:58

From what I understand the D40 requires special lenses (it doesn't have an AF motor built into the camera like most do) however with the Canon you have access to all of Canon's EF and EF-S lenses, as well as ones from other manufactures which are compatible (Sigma, Tamron, etc).

That is true however I thought it was only the older types of lenses that needed that?

Why not save yourself a ton of cash and get a second hand D50? They are superior to the D40 and cheap now. You could spend the leftover money on a lens, filter, bag, memory or tripod.

How much cheaper? Most I've seen are about the same price as a D40.

Whatever you do though, avoid the D40.

Whys that? Most of the reviews I've seen are positive. I'm not saying that I'm gonna get one but I'd like a list of why this model beats that model if you get what I mean.

Oh yea I did'nt notice the spelling...... thats what late night (or early morning) posting gets you

Cheers
-How.

robertgilbert86 · 16 Jan 2007 at 16:24

The D50 benefits hugely from a top LCD and is probably much more comfortable to hold (unlike the 350D/400D I'm-ho). Sorry I don't have any more reasons to hand, I'm just reiterating what I've heard on here. A google of 'D40 vs D50' brings up lots though. Remember the D40 is a cut down D50, even if it does have a few new features.

Check the bay out, body only D50s are like £230ish, that's a £200 saving at least on a 400D body. I may be a Nikon fanboy though, so judge my opinion carefully. Go into a shop and try both, I bet the Nikon is comfier!

BUFF · 17 Jan 2007 at 02:14

mxv have a s/h (but with 12 month warranty) Sony A100 plus the kit 18-70mm for £389.
10.2Mp
In-body image stabilisation
lots of Minolta AF mount lenses available

Nice camera, I borrowed one for a while.

Wile E. Coyote · 17 Jan 2007 at 07:12

robertgilbert86 said:
Go into a shop and try both, I bet the Nikon is comfier!

Very good advice, you will get lots of opinions here however how the camera feels in your hand is ultimately the deciding factor. To shot my 2 pence in I wouldn't get the D40, the features they have removed, ie. the lcd screen, lack of auto focus on quiet a lot of lenses, only a 3 point focus take a lot away from the camrea