Nikon d40x v d80

RoryW

Other than a point and shoot the last SLR I bought was 22 years ago ( a Nikon F301 - remember them ? Some of you probably werent even born then !)

Having opened the door to my home made darkroom for the first time in 20 years (things being as I left them back then !) it stirred the desire to "get back into" photography.

Anyway, I looked at the NIkon D40x and it seemed like a sensible entry level DSLR and is compact and light enough.

The D80 seems a more serious (and heavier) camera.

When in one shop though, the guy suggested I also consider the Nikon D80 which while a bit more expensive had better features, lens options etc.

Not knowing whether this was sales speel I thought I would post this thread for your help and comments on the D40x versus the D80 (or anything else I shoudl consider)

Also any thoughts on buying second hand ?

Thanks in advance

pete4130

I'd go for the D80. While a much more serious camera it is worth the extra money. The D40 is reall entry level and I'm sure you'd outgrow it fairly soon already having a knowledge of photogrpahy.

The big thing with the D40 is that there is no AF motor in the body so any which restricts the lens choice you can use fully on the body if they don't have an AF motor themselves.

thebaz

the d40x is a lot better than the standard d40, but i'd definitly go for the d 80 , even if it might cost extra bobs now, in a years time , trust me , you will be glad -- good luck anyway

bp_me

d80
- built in focus motor
- secondary lcd for settings (I consider this an essential.. most people dont seem to think so)
- more AF points
- dual command dials (more of a nicety than an essential, but still preferable)
- DOF preview

d40x
- smaller and lighter.
- nearly certain uses the same CCD as the d80.

Spyral

d40x isnt as good of value for money compared with the d80 in honestly

bp_me

What it sums up to is.. if you are going to want the features of a d80/d200/d300 in 6 months or a years time, dont bother with the d40x. If the d40x is more camera than you will ever need go for it, just beware of the limitations when choosing lenses.

disco girl

Hi Roryw, I was trying to make the exact same decision on Friday!! In the end after doing a lot of research into both camera's I opted for the D80, it's a couple of hundred euro more expensive but I felt that having to buy the motorised lenses for the D40x was a bit of a put off! The D80 is a beast and great to use, but it depends on what you want if for.

If you want to you should go to http://www.dpreview.com/ and you can compare both cameras.

RoryW

Hi DiscoGirl

The D80 is winning out at the moment I think

Out of interest did you buy in Ireland in a shop or order over the internet.

I see savings by buying over the internet but am torn between supporting the Irish shopkeeper where the follow up service etc would be available

How have you found the d80 since you got it ?

Spyral

if you just wnat a DLSR though then buy a d40 and spend the cash on an 18-200 VR lens..

disco girl

Hi Roryw, I bought it in Dublin, from a camera shop, it came with the 18-135mm lens, a 2gb card and a camera case for €1175. It's also in the argos catalogue for €1095.49!

I've found it so much easier to use than the camera I had got (fujifilm s6500)

janmc

I was wondering about this too, and went for the D80 a couple of weeks ago. I bought it from Kea Photo - the ebay store, and it worked out cheaper than what the poster above paid! Certainly worth checking out.

RoryW

Thanks for all the advice to date - keep it coming !

Re buying from Kea, I see on ebay they are based in HOng Kong. Is there a problem bring the stuff in - VAT, import duty etc ?

janmc

I didn't have any trouble with vat... but I did take it into account in advance so it still worked out cheaper if I did get stung

devildriver

roryw wrote:

Thanks for all the advice to date - keep it coming !

Re buying from Kea, I see on ebay they are based in HOng Kong. Is there a problem bring the stuff in - VAT, import duty etc ?

The seller will probably not charge you any duty or VAT but you may be caught by the shipping company. For example you can get a bill from FedEx a few weeks after you receive the product for the balance in import duty and VAT.

This happened to me with a portable hd I bought in from Singapore. But even with the duty and VAT it was still cheaper than buying in Europe!

I should add that I'm a d80 owner and it is indeed the cat's pajamas!!!

Zillah

D80 is a very nice camera. If you can afford it, its worth it.

RoryW

Hi Disco Girl, Can I ask where you bought yours in Dublin ?

Arciphel

a friend of mine has the d8 and i tried it out for a weeknd and found it great, however in the end i plumped for the d40x and have had no complaints. I bought it from ebay so got the d40x body, nikkor 18-135mm AF-S lens (same one that comes with the d80) and a 4GB SDHC card for €650 all together. since then i have bought a few bits & bobs for it like a circular polariser, nd filter, uv filter, tripod, remore shutter release etc and all in all i am very happy with it. will keep me going during my amateur days and maybe in 3 or 4 years time i will move up to a more expensive model, but for the moment it does everything i need and probably a lot that i don't even know about (yet)!

majiktripp

I bought a D40x this summer in B&H NYC, it ways holiday money at the time but I still thought long and hard about it....not long enough it seems though as I really regret not getting th D80.
The lens motor in its body is a great advantage over the D40x unless you like manually focusing lenses that aren't AF-S/AF-I.
My 2 cents are spring for the D80!

Spyral

the af-s 'only' isn't really a problem as all of the newer lenses are af-s anyway so it makes no difference imho.

disco girl

Hi Roryw, I got it in Camera Cabin in Swords.

RoryW

Thanks, thats another place to check out. I have looked at everyone in the city centre other than the place on Wexford Street which I must check out as well

Valentia

I'd highly recommend "the place on Wexford Street. Gunns. Lovely people and great prices.

Borderfox

I have received three seperate shipments from KEA and none stopped, excellent service and quick delivery...Personally I would go for the D80 if I had the choice

devildriver wrote:

The seller will probably not charge you any duty or VAT but you may be caught by the shipping company. For example you can get a bill from FedEx a few weeks after you receive the product for the balance in import duty and VAT.

This happened to me with a portable hd I bought in from Singapore. But even with the duty and VAT it was still cheaper than buying in Europe!

I should add that I'm a d80 owner and it is indeed the cat's pajamas!!!