Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/ 3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

A decent DSLR for serious amateurs, but no longer the best pick for beginners.

9/7/2009

Summary: I've been shooting the Nikon d40 since 2007, as a somewhat "serious" amateur. It has proven to be a decent DSLR overall, and terrific for the price. I do mostly casual portraits, outdoor/landscape and vacation shots. I've taken thousands of d40 shots and learned a lot. As of 2009, experienced shooters should view the d40 as a good backup camera, while beginners should really be considering the new d3000 instead.

Where I'm coming from:
I was shooting a 35mm Nikon N2020 from 1986 into the early 2000's (I'm too lazy for film anymore, but I still believe I was getting my best pictures with film).
I then switched to digital point and shoot, but after a couple years I missed my old 35mm SLR -- the image quality and great colors that came from film and the feel of using a "real" camera. I finally sprung for the d40 based on low cost and good reviews. (If you've been to Ken Rockwell's site, you already know how much he likes his d40). After 2 years the d40 is still my trusty camera, and I've gotten *much* more than my money's worth (I paid $450 back in '07). But make no mistake, my best N2020 shots are better than my best d40 shots!

Pros:
(all well known)
1. Practical. Reliable. Easy to operate.
2. Small and Lightweight for a DSLR (ideal for long hikes, but still much bulkier than any point-and-shoot)
3. Inexpensive.

Cons:
1. (Well known) The d40's automatic exposure often works poorly. You really need to learn to adjust exposure (by some trial and error), or you'll probably be disappointed with many of your pictures. From what I have read about the d3000 (e.g. Rockwell's site), it is much better at autoexposure and also features a special guide mode for the first-time DSLR owner. If this is as good as it looks, it means the d3000 has dethroned the d40 for beginning photographers.
2. (Surprising) Small and Lightweight. Yes, I also listed this as a "pro", but honestly my hands are a little too big for the d40. The controls and buttons are close together, which many people love, but for me, the d40 (or other small Nikon DSLRS like the d40x / d60 / d3000) is just too compact! Also, while the near weightlessless is often a virtue, it's so light it tends to flop around as I carry it around on the strap.

... Now I'm looking at stepping up to the d90 (or its successor). But I'm sure my d40 will stay around as that trusty backup for a long time.

Good camera

9/3/2009

Overall, I think this camera is great. The only problem i have is that in all my pictures with the sky there is a black mark right in the middle of the picture. I tried to clean the lense and everything, but it is still there on only the blue sky part of the picture. It might be a scratch or something. All other pictures are fine. I think Amazon just sent me a defected one.

Nikon D40

9/1/2009

I am having some trouble with this camera. It seems like every time I think I have it figured out, I don't. The aperture and shutter speed is kind of tough to figure out and I can't do a normal depth of field photo where the background is blurred on purpose. I like the camera, but I have a long way to go before I master the features on it.

Low Quality, Cheap Plastic, Great Pictures!

9/1/2009

I finally broke down and decided to get a Digital SLR. I have used traditional SLR cameras for years and decided the digital point and shoot wasn't cutting it. After having the camera for less than a month the Zoom on the Nikkor lens broke. Amazon was kind enough to exchange the camera. A month later the camera strap broke and the camera fell 2 feet onto soft wet grass. The lens broke in the exact same manner. I had to take the lens apart and see what was up. I tiny piece of cheap plastic had broken off inside the lens and gotten into and broke the turning mechanism. Frustrating. At this point I picked up a third party lens. It was a bit slower but it did the trick and was built much better than the Nikkor lens. A few months later, the camera took another spill while in the bag. This time it was the flash that broke. It would open and continue to click and try to open itself. A quick google search showed this was a very common problem. I opened up the camera again to find the source of the problem and it was yet again a very cheap piece of plastic that had broken off.

The camera does take great pictures though. Way better than a point and shoot. We have young children and it's been great to capture memories. I will most likely pick-up a third party flash to resolve the current issue. I will never buy Nikon again though. This is not a well built camera. If you have children consider something else.

First DSLR

8/31/2009

I was reserching for atleast 3 to 5 months, trying to find out what was the DSLR that suited me best. Until about 1 month ago, I ended up with the Nikon D40, the Canon XSI, and the Sony a200. I used the Canon at Costco, and to be completly honest. I didn't like it all that much. I have a friend with the Sony a200, and its not half bad, its good looking as well. When I went to the local Wal-Mart, and saw the D40, it was perfect. good looking GREAT pictures, and very comfortable. DO NOT be fooled by Megapixels. it is just a way to fool buyers, and make them pay more. i've taken some 20 pics now, and I am satisfied with the croping. and quality is FLAWLESS. Even comparing the pictures of the canon xsi, to the d40's right here on amazon, you can tell, this one does look just as good or even BETTER. I am very very happy with this camara, and I recomend it to anyone on a budget, or starting of like me. Please don't be fooled by MP.