D40 vs D70 vs S2Pro

[robinchee]

I had a S2Pro and D70. Sold the S2Pro and kept the D70. Just bought a D40 as I wanted something with less noise and lighter than D70.

I must say that the quality of the images from the D40 are indeed superior to the D70. Much less noise. For D70, ISO 640 also got visible noise. For D40, ISO 800 almost nothing. At ISO 1250 (via auto ISO), the noise looks as good as the D70 ISO 640. So the D40 is at least a stop better than the D70 noise level.

Sharpness with the 18-55 kit lens seems ok. Don't think its worse than my 18-200VR.

Focussing and shutter response seem about D70 level, no complains. Definitely better than S2Pro.

Overall, I'm happy with it.

[westwest1]

you pay how much for the d40 ya???

[robinchee]

Originally Posted by westwest1 you pay how much for the d40 ya???

S$985 from Cathay

[takethree]

Originally Posted by robinchee S$985 from Cathay

Do they have the SB400 flash? Wonder how much it'll cost.

[Artosoft]

Originally Posted by robinchee S$985 from Cathay

Body only or kit?

Regards,
Arto.

[knpan]

i heard non af-s lens cant work on the d40?

[Hobbesyeo]

wow... can you post a pic at the high iso's for us to have a look?

[SolBadGuy]

hmm.. but comparatively, the S2Pro should not fare too badly right? how does the D40 n D70's noise lvl compared to the same lvl on the S2Pro?

colour wise, does the S2 Pro churn out better results?

from wat i've read so far, the S2 Pro is slow in its burst mode (low fps) and buffer, card access response? but focusing? doesnt focusing depends on the lens as well?

im considering a 2nd hand S2 Pro or S3 Pro but i wanna check who it compares to some of the Nikon models, say, D50, D70 and D80? of cos, realistically i know D80 should be far more superior...

[SolBadGuy]

Originally Posted by knpan i heard non af-s lens cant work on the d40?

AFAIK, they can work, but u can't use the AF function, only MF.

[knpan]

i think i know why d40 noise is much leser than d70. As technology gets better everday..

[robinchee]

Originally Posted by Artosoft Body only or kit? Regards, Arto.

Kit ... no other freebies

[Star-flog]

Can the normal Nikkor manual lens use on D40 or D50?

[robinchee]

Ranking for image quality and noise, esp at ISO800 and 1600:
D40 - S2Pro - D70

S2Pro .. slow focusing and slow shutter response, long black out.

Given the expensive repair cost of sensors, I won't recommend a second hand S2Pro .. If the sensor goes, you are left with a dud. It won't be worth to repair at over S$1,000.

If you got time and money, wait for the S5Pro .. got D200 body with S3Pro imaging quality or better. But only due in Jan 07. Likely to cost more than D200.

If you don't use non AFS lens, then D40 is a good choice. Cheap and great performance for the price. Its kinda of frustrating to be spending so much on a expensive digicam, only to find a year or two down the road, there is something much cheaper and better quality. And the second hand value just drops like crazy. At this point, my philosophy is to buy cheap and good bodies and just dump then after 2 years for a better and cheaper model. That way, investment is low and yet keeps up with current quality.

I originally though I would dump the D40 kit lens and use my 18-200vr. But the kit lens seems pretty good enough and is really light. So its quite nice to carry around the whole day or for holidays.

Originally Posted by SolBadGuy hmm.. but comparatively, the S2Pro should not fare too badly right? how does the D40 n D70's noise lvl compared to the same lvl on the S2Pro? colour wise, does the S2 Pro churn out better results? from wat i've read so far, the S2 Pro is slow in its burst mode (low fps) and buffer, card access response? but focusing? doesnt focusing depends on the lens as well? im considering a 2nd hand S2 Pro or S3 Pro but i wanna check who it compares to some of the Nikon models, say, D50, D70 and D80? of cos, realistically i know D80 should be far more superior...

[dancemania]

Would you recommend it to a 1st timer of DSLR? Do you have any pictures to share? What is the exact weight?

[robinchee]

Originally Posted by dancemania Would you recommend it to a 1st timer of DSLR? Do you have any pictures to share? What is the exact weight?

As long as u don't think u need to use fixed focal prime lens (which are mainly non AFS) or third party lenses .. I think its a fine camera for a 1st timer. I've been playing with cameras for 20 years, with digital more than 4 years and even I like it. For the price, its definitely a good buy, with the quality to match.

For pictures, those were of my friends wedding and he may not like his photos all over the web. Once I get some photos of something more neutral, I'll try to post something.

Weight .. think its 522g with battery .. which is very light for a nikon .. D50 is 620g with battery.

[Culés]

Originally Posted by robinchee I had a S2Pro and D70. Sold the S2Pro and kept the D70. Just bought a D40 as I wanted something with less noise and lighter than D70. I must say that the quality of the images from the D40 are indeed superior to the D70. Much less noise. For D70, ISO 640 also got visible noise. For D40, ISO 800 almost nothing. At ISO 1250 (via auto ISO), the noise looks as good as the D70 ISO 640. So the D40 is at least a stop better than the D70 noise level. Sharpness with the 18-55 kit lens seems ok. Don't think its worse than my 18-200VR. Focussing and shutter response seem about D70 level, no complains. Definitely better than S2Pro. Overall, I'm happy with it.

Are the high ISO images from the D40 BETTER than the high ISO images from the D80, would you know? I already have a D80 and am thinking of buying a second body that way I can keep my beloved 18-200VR on one body and use the other one for changing lenses.

Other than the lesser noise at higher ISO (And the bigger LCD, ISO "priority" trick mode like D80) can you see any advantage for the D40 versus a used D70? I dont think there is any doubt who will perform better under low light/night time shooting, but as a general purpose second body to carry around, I am leaning towards the D70. The AF-S lens issue is a non issue for me as I can always use the D80 for non afs lenses.

[robinchee]

Color is better on D40. As a general purpose body to carry around, you will love the D40 for it size and weight. A camera that is heavy will only end up being carried around when absolutely necessary.

Also a used D70 may not have any warranty. Anything goes wrong, you are screwed. It can cost as much as a D40 to do a repair, which makes it a no win situation. Not worth to repair (might as well buy new camera) and can't get rid of it.

Whereas a D40 u spend very little and have a peace of mind for one year.

No idea about comparison with D80. But my guess it would be either same or slightly better, due to the lower resolution.

Originally Posted by Culés Are the high ISO images from the D40 BETTER than the high ISO images from the D80, would you know? I already have a D80 and am thinking of buying a second body that way I can keep my beloved 18-200VR on one body and use the other one for changing lenses. Other than the lesser noise at higher ISO (And the bigger LCD, ISO "priority" trick mode like D80) can you see any advantage for the D40 versus a used D70? I dont think there is any doubt who will perform better under low light/night time shooting, but as a general purpose second body to carry around, I am leaning towards the D70. The AF-S lens issue is a non issue for me as I can always use the D80 for non afs lenses.

[rodel]

Originally Posted by robinchee As long as u don't think u need to use fixed focal prime lens (which are mainly non AFS) or third party lenses .. I think its a fine camera for a 1st timer. I've been playing with cameras for 20 years, with digital more than 4 years and even I like it. For the price, its definitely a good buy, with the quality to match. For pictures, those were of my friends wedding and he may not like his photos all over the web. Once I get some photos of something more neutral, I'll try to post something. Weight .. think its 522g with battery .. which is very light for a nikon .. D50 is 620g with battery.

How the handling or grip?

[kcuf2]

for handling and grip, as long as its a nikon, u won't have any problems

[robinchee]

Originally Posted by rodel How the handling or grip?

Great .. unless u got super big hands. Feels small and solid, nice grip, just right for my hands. Being light is a big plus.