D40X or 400D DSLR?

Gambler

I've been thinking about getting an entry level DSLR but having trouble figuring out which to go for..

I am probably going to go for either the D40X or the 400D but can't really weigh up the differences.. When I look at the tech specs side by side the Nikon certainly seems to have more but having not used either one..

Any suggestions\opinions?!?!

KillerBaboon

I got the D40 a few weeks back, and I love it. I wouldn't go for the D40X as the increased pixel count doesn't justify the price increase, the D40 is grand for anything smaller than a billboard. Didn't try out the 400D as I kinda fell in love with the D40 straight off. Probably should have tried both, but hey, when it's right it's right.

Paulw

Both would be very similar in spec.

Go hold both cameras. Look at them in a shop. See how they feel and look.

Specs will only give you a rough idea about the camera.

I'm a Canon user, and know the 400d is a great camera.

leohoju

Both are good cameras, but have you considered the offerings from Pentax/Samsung, Sony or Olympus/Panasonic as well?

All have similiar spec cameras for a similar price tag to the two you mentioned.

Gambler

Both are good cameras, but have you considered the offerings from Pentax/Samsung, Sony or Olympus/Panasonic as well?

All have similiar spec cameras for a similar price tag to the two you mentioned.

To be honest I haven't really considered them at all, there are so many options I just stuck with the two names I have seen mentioned the most.. Any particular model you'd recommend for a first time SLR?

quilmore

with the 400d you will be able to buy any second hand canon lens built in the past half decade and it will probably work in AF

with the d40x you'll have to use the latest generation of lenses to get them to autofocus (of the last 10 years)

but most likely you'll be using the kit lens, superb lenses in each case

I'm a nikon user
the only small difference in favour of nikon is in my opinion the flashes.
with an SB600 (€200) you can have wireless flash and please canon users let me know if for the same money you can get some flash gun for a canon that does that
or you can have full iTTL on the SB400 for half as much

Thirdfox

Unfortunately the D40 series does not support wireless flash from the built in flash (I'm a D40 owner). For that you'd need a SB800 as commander or SU800 or the cable.

However - with the D40 you'll be able to use pretty much all of the Nikon lenses that have the f-mount i.e. those 50+ year old lenses still work - manual everything though... Including some that will not fit on the higher end models (pre-AIS models).

But certainly the lack of an ultra cheap prime i.e. AFS nifty fifty is a tick against the D40 - who knows what PMA will bring though?

Check out my flickr page (in my signature) to see shots taken with the D40. I loved it as soon as I picked it up I wouldn't go for the x version either (spend the difference on a flash - you'll see such a greater difference to your images when compared to getting an extra 4 megapixels.)

duffarama

leohoju wrote: »

Both are good cameras, but have you considered the offerings from Pentax/Samsung, Sony or Olympus/Panasonic as well?

All have similiar spec cameras for a similar price tag to the two you mentioned.

Pentax/Samsung cameras are available for very little money (comparatively) at the moment and have a lot of decent lenses available at fixed focal lengths both new and second hand. They have zooms as well but primes are where they shine.

Sony have a new camera coming out soon, the a200 which may be in your price range.

Then Olympus, a 2 lens kit should be available on the E-410/E-510 for the same price as a single lens Nikon or Canon offering and both lenses are very sharp.

Try them all out, it's a fair wedge of coin to spend so you may as well gather as much information as possible and take your time.

leohoju

Gambler wrote: »

To be honest I haven't really considered them at all, there are so many options I just stuck with the two names I have seen mentioned the most.. Any particular model you'd recommend for a first time SLR?

As you've already discovered Nikon's D40/x (maybe try and find a second hand D50 or D70) and Canon's 400D (or a second hand 350D) are good for starting off with.

Sony offer a A100, which should come down in price a bit when the new A200 comes out soon. Pentax/Samsung offer the K100, while Olympus have either the E410 or E510.

All come with comparable kit lenses (quality wise) and are in and around the same price mark at this stage. I believe Pixels have some specials on the Olympus cameras at the moment, making them quite attractive price wise.

quilmore wrote: »

with the 400d you will be able to buy any second hand canon lens built in the past half decade and it will probably work in AF

with the d40x you'll have to use the latest generation of lenses to get them to autofocus (of the last 10 years)

but most likely you'll be using the kit lens, superb lenses in each case

I'm a nikon user
the only small difference in favour of nikon is in my opinion the flashes.
with an SB600 (€200) you can have wireless flash and please canon users let me know if for the same money you can get some flash gun for a canon that does that
or you can have full iTTL on the SB400 for half as much

I don't believe the SB-600 is wireless on it's own though. It needs a commander such as the D70/D80/D200 or a dedicated unit like the SU-800 to run it.

<edit>Gah! Beaten to it by both Duffarama and Thirdfox! </edit>

quilmore

leohoju wrote: »

I don't believe the SB-600 is wireless on it's own though. It needs a commander such as the D70/D80/D200 or a dedicated unit like the SU-800 to run it.

the SB600 is a wireless receiver on it's own
but I have to admit that I was wrong regarding the commander capabilities of the in-built flash of the D40/D40x

RoryW

try both, then buy Nikon

Thirdfox

quilmore wrote: »

the SB600 is a wireless receiver on it's own
but I have to admit that I was wrong regarding the commander capabilities of the in-built flash of the D40/D40x

I think only D70s and higher have commander ability (D50/D70 don't have it either).

isadub

The sb600 is wireless but the IR receiver is on the right hand side so it'll always be camera-left if you use it as an off-camera flash.

When I started, I chose a Nikon D50 because it felt more comfortable/ergonomical in my hand. At the beginner level, both brands are effectively the same (IMHO). If I was starting again, I'd probably go Canon because, in Ireland at least, there seems to be a larger user-base, a bigger 2nd-hand market, and better sales support from the shops.

Just my 2c

positron

Thirdfox wrote: »

..who knows what PMA will bring though?

Absolutely! Wait another two weeks and see whats coming - rumor mills are working overtime - Canon 450D, newer 40D, 5D Mark II, 7D... dpreview.com thinks 2008 is going to see at least 25 new SLRs out in the market..!!

Thirdfox

From the Nikon side it's the D60 and D90 rumours... I hope that either the D60 has a built in motor or that a cheap AFS 50mm f1.8 gets introduced (with a bloody aperture ring!!!)

What are the Canon lens rumours?

positron

No idea, some threads at POTN about new version of 17-40 with IS etc, but I think its just wishful thinking really. IMO, Canon might update a lens or two to their new four stop IS, the L series is seriously good as it is!

quilmore

Thirdfox wrote: »

I think only D70s and higher have commander ability (D50/D70 don't have it either).

I used to have a D70 and an SB600 and the D70 (not D70s) is capable of commander

even with the sensor on the side I've been able to use the wireless in any position and over 10 ft away from the camera in every direction

leohoju

quilmore wrote: »

I used to have a D70 and an SB600 and the D70 (not D70s) is capable of commander

The D70s is capable of being a commander for a wireless flash setup, just as the D70 is.

Flash: Built-in, i-TTL, GN 15/49 (m/ft @ ISO 200; 11/36 @ ISO 100). Same modes as D70. Also works as commander for remote flash, same as D70.

from http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d70s.htm (admittedly not always the best person to quote).

jellybean520

I'm a Nikon to Canon convert (approx 5 years ago) and I've not looked back since. I love Canon and will never change.

Not very objective I know - but just my 2c!

Gambler

Am I right in saying the Nifty Fifty is probably the best "low cost" option for taking pictures in lower light\gig conditions?

I do want to be able to take some pictures in these more awkward conditions so if one camera lends itself more to that than the other let me know

Gambler

Oh yeah, and has anyone ever ordered cameras from this place:
http://www.digicombos.com/category_s/44.htm

Thirdfox

Gambler wrote: »

Am I right in saying the Nifty Fifty is probably the best "low cost" option for taking pictures in lower light\gig conditions?

I do want to be able to take some pictures in these more awkward conditions so if one camera lends itself more to that than the other let me know

I really would advise waiting the extra 2 weeks and seeing what comes from PMA (there are rumours that the the 400D will be replaced and that a D60 will be introduced).

Answering your question - if you need a nifty fifty that autofocuses right away then Canon and not Nikon is what your looking for (unless you buy the older D50 second hand somewhere or anything above the D40(x) model).

But...why not wait just a bit more? Nikonites are anticipating the introduction of cheap AFS primes (cheaper than the 5000 dollar plus AFS telephoto primes )

Gambler

Oh I'm waiting either way, just investigating what's there at the moment, then I can compare whatever comes out new to whatever one I decide on

P.S. What is PMA?

Thirdfox

See this thread:
http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055209416&highlight=PMA&page=2

Thirdfox wrote: »

http://www.pma-show.com/digitalcameras/

PMA is one of the biggest trade shows for all things imagery - expect lots of announcements from all of the big manufacturers (I know the Canon crowd are very excited about the 5D replacement and the 450D rebel)

edit:
this was one of the lenses announced at last January's PMA the anti-aircraft missile like 200-500mm f2.8 Sigma

image taken from the PMA site: http://www.pma-show.com/slrlens/

might get one myself sometime soon