Been looking at buying a decent Digital SLR for taking wildlife and motorsport pictures.
Have seen the following deal and would like any advice from the experienced photo types please.

Nikon D40x
10 megapixels
AF-S DX 18-55mm Nikon lens
AF-s DX VR 55-200mm

£477

Price looks good from what i have seen searching on the internet. However, would anyone recommend this camera.
An alternative is the Canon 400D, however, we have always been happy with small Nikon cameras and would like to stay with the brand.

Opinions please...

 

It's a very good camera. Get yourself over to kenrockwell.com for some reviews.

 

i think if you look about you could buy a d60 with the same lens!
i just bought a d60 from these guys
http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/digigood



d60 with the 18-55mm VR lens
135-400mm f4.5-5.6 sigma
70-200mm f2.8 sigma

 

How is the D60 better than the new D40x ?

 

D60 with std lens and 200mm lens seems to be an extra £100ish.
I don't want to pay more than £500, with a 55-200 mm type lens included.

 

I have a D40 and it is a great camera.

Mike

 

ive had a d40x and i'd say its a great camera for the money

the only thing that pissed me off with it was no display on the screen until you have taken the pics, but i think this is a problem for most digital slr's excluding olympus ones.

 

What you got now Neil ?

 

Thats funny Topaz my D40 is the same, granted l have never read the manual but i do like that feature,

Mike

 

But with the Nikon is a 55-200mm lens as well for under £500

 

I'v Had my D40x and the same lenses for around a year now and I cant reccomend it enough.

Its so easy to get to grips with and if you cant work out how to use the manual controls its as easy as a point and shoot.

Beware though because I have found lots of uses on here use canon which also take very good pictures but holding the D40x in the shop swayed it for me.

some of my efforts

 

both nikon and canon now do "live view" camera!

 

Just bought a new d40x for 230 with 18-55 lense, was ex display but for 230 I thought it was a steal, check with Currys all the ones that are modernising there stores are getting rid of display stock. They had the d80 for 300 and summit!

Very very good camera!

Oh and i thought all SLRs didnt do live view, hence it being an SLR ( single lense reflex )

 

some new slrs do live view, but its like a digi cameras live view- not 100%

i love my new d60, awesome bit of kit...

 

If you want 'live view' then an SLR most likely isn't what you want..

 

it does say in some mags that live view is great if your trying to setup macro shots and stuff!

 

I always recommend against the D40/D40x & D60 to anyone who wants to get into photography for a few very good reasons. At that price range i say the Canon 400D/450D is better.

If you want to know why it's best to pm me as i might not check back here.

If you're just interested in getting nice pictures and not going any further i'd go in this order...

D60
450D
400D/D40/D40x

Don't think there is much difference between the D40/D40x unless you want to start printing at A3 size.

Matt.

 

D40 is a very good camera, I use a D50 which is still giving me fantastic images and I've not yet contemplated upgrading, only will when I have enough money for a D300!!!

Try going to Jessops in town and getting one in your hands, compare different bodies because at the endof the day you have to be comfortable with th camera, and some are better than others.

My Nikon felt alot mroe comfy compared to a Canon I sampled...

Good luck!

 

The thing that swayed me to the Nikon above the Canon was the way it felt in my hands. Lots of people have similar experiences. If you have small girl hands then Canon is for you

 

costco have em in stock 399plus vat

 

I currently have a Nikon F65 SLR and a Nikon Coolpix 5700i with quite a bit of kit with it. I was told the lenses were interchangeable between the SLR's and the digital SLRs, so was going to opt for a D60, however, if I want the auto focus lenses I have for my F65 to work.... I am going to have to buy the D80 which is a semi professional job.... Not too bothered, because I can get a D80 body only and a few extras for £510.

 

same for me!

 

Nikon gets my vote every time, far nicer ergonomics that equivalent Cannon throughout both ranges.

May as well get the D60 over the D40x, should be same price now anyway.

 

Although, I must say, the d40 (not sure if it was an 'x' or not) I held the other day was noticeably smaller than my D50..