Upgrading from a D40

spav

I bought a D40 as my first SLR a few months ago, and very happy I am too.

However, I'm off on a big holiday next year, and I'm considering upgrading before then. It's a real once-in-a-lifetime trip, so I know I'll kick myself if i don't get the best photos that I can manage.

Can anyone recommend what body to go for next? I'd like to stay with Nikon, and want something that'll be a noticeable step up. That said, it'll never be anything more than a hobby so I don't think there's any point in going top of the range or anything..

padi89

Whats wrong with your D40 , how is it limiting you?

Thoie

I took my D40 on my "once in a lifetime" trip this year (which I'm hoping to repeat next year )and it was fine, though I'm not sure what you're looking for here. You said you're happy with your current D40, so what are you hoping for from a new camera? If you shoot RAW then you can convert to some pretty high quality prints when you're ready.

melekalikimaka

padi89 wrote: »

Whats wrong with your D40 , how is it limiting you?

no 50mm 1.8 would kill me tbh.

but the d40 is grand really

upgrade to a d300, wont really see a difference til then

Maximilian

Surely better off buying a better lens no?

I have a d40x. I think anything better than that would be wasted on me completely.

owlwink

Get a d60 if needs be.

mcdonnells

Also took D40 to Australia. Extremely capabable camera (Shame about the pilot driving it ;-)
I've been looking at the same dilema since the D60 with an eye to end of year turnaround.
From what I have seen and played with a few, you wont be getting a "Gain / Upgrade" will you hit the D300 in Nikon.
Tis heavier and Expensive, But hell of a camera.
Best of luck, and enjoy the trip

melekalikimaka

owlwink wrote: »

Get a d60 if needs be.

...not really an upgrade

spav

Thanks for the feedback chaps. I certainly don't feel limited by the D40 at the moment, and definitely plan on getting more out of it with new lenses and the likes.

I'll have a look around for D300s, though it's possible that something that good would be wasted on me too.

melekalikimaka

spav wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback chaps. I certainly don't feel limited by the D40 at the moment, and definitely plan on getting more out of it with new lenses and the likes.

I'll have a look around for D300s, though it's possible that something that good would be wasted on me too.

never be wasted, you'll merely grow into it

padi89

Well the only reason i changed from my D40 is because a couple of my lens wouldn't auto-focus, didn't mind too much initially but eventually when the 50mm arrived it had to go.
4 weeks of reading,handling etc and debating what to go for i just went for a D80 and got a new lens and flash off Kea for very little money.Is it a big upgrade....No..... a worthwhile upgrade? Certainly, the built in focus motor is what i needed and having all those extra function buttons is very handy.TBH if the D40 had the focus motor i would not have changed, just got better glass.

There is a gentleman that posts pictures on another forum that uses a D80.I have always been blown away buy what he does.If i were capable of what he can do id be happy, the camera in the right hands is seriously capable.

Climate Expert

A D40 will be better than any D300 for travelling. Its one of the smallest and lightest DSLRs going. If you can't take good photos with it and the kit lens then a better camera isn't going to do you much good.

melekalikimaka

Climate Expert wrote: »

A D40 will be better than any D300 for travelling. Its one of the smallest and lightest DSLRs going. If you can't take good photos with it and the kit lens then a better camera isn't going to do you much good.

its pretty woeful kit lens wise, i'd disagree

melekalikimaka

padi89 wrote: »

Well the only reason i changed from my D40 is because a couple of my lens wouldn't auto-focus, didn't mind too much initially but eventually when the 50mm arrived it had to go.
4 weeks of reading,handling etc and debating what to go for i just went for a D80 and got a new lens and flash off Kea for very little money.Is it a big upgrade....No..... a worthwhile upgrade? Certainly, the built in focus motor is what i needed and having all those extra function buttons is very handy.TBH if the D40 had the focus motor i would not have changed, just got better glass.

There is a gentleman that posts pictures on another forum that uses a D80.I have always been blown away buy what he does.If i were capable of what he can do id be happy, the camera in the right hands is seriously capable.

the d80.. i dont know what it is about it, i dont like it, it doesnt know what it is, its really such a middle of the road camera, it doesnt fall into any consumer bracket... its basically a d70 upgraded but miles away from a d300 or even d200

spav

Climate Expert wrote: »

A D40 will be better than any D300 for travelling. Its one of the smallest and lightest DSLRs going. If you can't take good photos with it and the kit lens then a better camera isn't going to do you much good.

It's not a matter of not being able to take good photos with it, I'd be just as good (well, bad ) with a D300 too.

I had a big holiday last year in Australia and Japan and took my pictures on a decent compact (Ixus 900ti). Since I got a SLR, I've always been a little regretful that I didn't have my D40 back then - the photos would have been immeasurably better. I suppose that's where I'm coming from with this, though having said that I'm more than aware that I can get a LOAD more out of my D40 than I'm currently getting. Maybe new glass is an answer, though the AF issue is a bit frustrating.

Thirdfox

I have a D40 and have been paid for photo jobs I've taken.

The D40 won't autofocus with AFD primes - but on the other hand you can mount pre-AI lens (so I got a 30 euro 50mm f2 prime from ebay (in Italy) that is superb - in image quality and construction, certainly much better than the new 50mm f1.8) So it is a budget camera...so what - the images you can get from it are good enough to be printed in any magazine.

Get a good flash/55-200vr - much better idea than to get a bigger camera (I'd like the D40 to be smaller for travel).

And if you want AF primes - the Sigma 30mm f1.4 has pretty good reviews.

Contrary to what other people say - I find the kit lens to be perfectly adequate for nearly any shot (even paid ones). Of course my f2 lens at f4 will out resolve it but it's small, light and easy to use - perfect for travel again.

Phototoxin

its pretty woeful kit lens wise, i'd disagree

kit lens is not TOO bad just some CR on the wide end in bright light.

spav

Thirdfox wrote: »

I have a D40 and have been paid for photo jobs I've taken.

The D40 won't autofocus with AFD primes - but on the other hand you can mount pre-AI lens (so I got a 30 euro 50mm f2 prime from ebay (in Italy) that is superb - in image quality and construction, certainly much better than the new 50mm f1.8) So it is a budget camera...so what - the images you can get from it are good enough to be printed in any magazine.

Get a good flash/55-200vr - much better idea than to get a bigger camera (I'd like the D40 to be smaller for travel).

And if you want AF primes - the Sigma 30mm f1.4 has pretty good reviews.

Contrary to what other people say - I find the kit lens to be perfectly adequate for nearly any shot (even paid ones). Of course my f2 lens at f4 will out resolve it but it's small, light and easy to use - perfect for travel again.

I got a 55-200vr a bit ago, and was really pleased with how better the images are versus the kit lens.

Thanks for the advice lads - you've saved me a lot of money!

Climate Expert

spav wrote: »

I got a 55-200vr a bit ago, and was really pleased with how better the images are versus the kit lens.

Thanks for the advice lads - you've saved me a lot of money!

Well its a whole different range so you can't really compare.

The reason I reccomended the kit lens is that its fairly good quality but also extremely small and light. Bigger lenses can spoil the D40 somewhat when you travel.

Maximilian

spav wrote: »

I got a 55-200vr a bit ago, and was really pleased with how better the images are versus the kit lens.

Thanks for the advice lads - you've saved me a lot of money!

I bought one of those as well. It's bloody great. I thought the kit lens was good at first though, so what do I know.

spav

Climate Expert wrote: »

Well its a whole different range so you can't really compare.

The reason I reccomended the kit lens is that its fairly good quality but also extremely small and light. Bigger lenses can spoil the D40 somewhat when you travel.

The kit lens is fine for most things in my experience, and as you say it makes the camera really portable. Images are often a little lacking in colour compared to the other lens, but that's easily corrected in post by upping the saturation I've found.

CabanSail

If you are going travelling, then rather than look at the body you may be better off looking at the rest of the kit you will take. On a trip it's always a compromise as it really has to fit into your carry on luggage.

What lens do you have?
Do you have a good travel Tripod?
How about CPL Filters?
Remote Shutter Trigger?

Lots of toys to buy.

spav

CabanSail wrote: »

If you are going travelling, then rather than look at the body you may be better off looking at the rest of the kit you will take. On a trip it's always a compromise as it really has to fit into your carry on luggage.

What lens do you have?
Do you have a good travel Tripod?
How about CPL Filters?
Remote Shutter Trigger?

Lots of toys to buy.

I only have the kit lens and a 55-200vr (plus a mini tripod from a €2 shop!), so yeah, I have a lot of toys to buy!

melekalikimaka

CabanSail wrote: »

Do you have a good travel Tripod?

with VR who needs a tipod :D

CabanSail

VR is good but not THAT good!

The point I was making is that there are a lot of things you can spend money on before you need a fancy new body. Maybe a good flash rather than the one in the camera would also be handy.

By the time you find the D40 to be limiting then there will be newer & better options to move up to for the same money as now.

Where are you travelling to? Many (most) places are cheaper than Ireland to buy gear.