Stuck between two choices

[mivecdohc]

Hi guys,

I am stuck between having a nikon d40 with 18-70mm lens (totalled will be around $1000) and a nikon d60 kit ($840). Any opinions on which to get? would the higher price of the d60 make up for the technology improvement from the d40 to d60? What a headache! Thanks!!

Regards,
Joel

[dzignous]

Just saw a D40 kit set with freebies in Challenger Tiong bahru selling at only $749.

[mivecdohc]

really puzzled and confused with kenrockwell's review, is it really all true? he just cannot seem to move away from the 3 year old d40..

[dzignous]

Haa, you will always have to take KRW's comments with a pinch of salt. Anyway, I would prefer to get a 2nd hand D80 body with your budget.

[blackdrakes]

Check this out.
http://www.nikon.com.sg/compareprodu...976-3f08245016

[asdfg]

Well the D40 is a small and nice camera to carry around though, same goes for the D60. But if you want to get more lenses in the future a 2nd hand body is better. Like said above a D80 would be a great 1st dslr.

[mivecdohc]

Originally Posted by asdfg Well the D40 is a small and nice camera to carry around though, same goes for the D60. But if you want to get more lenses in the future a 2nd hand body is better. Like said above a D80 would be a great 1st dslr.

Hmm i think the d80 is out of my budget haha. what i am thinking is that perhaps the money saved on getting just the d40 body instead of the d60 kit, i could use my money to get lens instead, like a good walkabout lens 18-70mm and 18-138mm. Any idea these lens, accompanied with a d40, would it be a good enough reason to not get the d60 kit? Looking for value for money here But of course, they must all be within my financial reach too hehe... I am still a student.

Cheers,
Joel

[Pikaboo]

get a 2nd hand D80. it's quite affordable & a few offering at the B&S. I juz got mine yesterday & happily shooting now

[huggable]

Would recommend the D80 over the D40/60 previously, but if you don't current own any AF or AF-D lenses, it doesn't matter that much. Nikon has stopped introducing new AF-D lenses since the announcement of D40. Looks like all new lenses will be AF-S.

[mivecdohc]

Originally Posted by huggable Would recommend the D80 over the D40/60 previously, but if you don't current own any AF or AF-D lenses, it doesn't matter that much. Nikon has stopped introducing new AF-D lenses since the announcement of D40. Looks like all new lenses will be AF-S.

Yup i dont own any AF or AF-D lens now. So a 2nd hand D80 is the way to go? Or a new D40 with 18-70mm lens or a new D60 kit?

I believe those AF-S lens are gonna be more expensive in the long run right? But i dont really intend on getting too many lens any time soon.
Rather invest in one that i will use mostly for the genre that i like to shoot at one go, or perhaps i will just stick with the VR 18-55 kit lens that comes along with the d60 kit

[dzignous]

Originally Posted by mivecdohc Yup i dont own any AF or AF-D lens now. So a 2nd hand D80 is the way to go? Or a new D40 with 18-70mm lens or a new D60 kit? I believe those AF-S lens are gonna be more expensive in the long run right? But i dont really intend on getting too many lens any time soon. Rather invest in one that i will use mostly for the genre that i like to shoot at one go, or perhaps i will just stick with the VR 18-55 kit lens that comes along with the d60 kit

Nope not necessary AFS lenses will be more expensive. In order for Nikon/Canon to "fight" with built-in stablisation camera bodies from other camps, they are incorporating VR in more consumer lenses. Like the 55-200VR, 18-55VR and the latest 16-85VR.

The 18-55VR is good and the other more popular one will be the 18-70.

[mivecdohc]

Originally Posted by dzignous Nope not necessary AFS lenses will be more expensive. In order for Nikon/Canon to "fight" with built-in stablisation camera bodies from other camps, they are incorporating VR in more consumer lenses. Like the 55-200VR, 18-55VR and the latest 16-85VR. The 18-55VR is good and the other more popular one will be the 18-70.

would the 18-70mm suit travel photography, walkabout len well?

[dzignous]

Originally Posted by mivecdohc would the 18-70mm suit travel photography, walkabout len well?

Yes of course it will be. Fast (max f4.5 at tele) Light, sharp, tough (rubber gasket, metal mount) and covers the most use range (27mm - 105mm).

[Six-GHz]

Originally Posted by mivecdohc would the 18-70mm suit travel photography, walkabout len well?

It's one of the best (read affordable) Nikon walkabout lens. It may not have the reach but under normal usage, it's perfectly adequate. And yes, it's pretty sharp too.

[mivecdohc]

Originally Posted by Six-GHz It's one of the best (read affordable) Nikon walkabout lens. It may not have the reach but under normal usage, it's perfectly adequate. And yes, it's pretty sharp too.

So safe enough, would you advise me to go ahead with getting a d40 body with the af-s 18-70mm lens instead of a new basic d60 kit? d40 with 18-70mm = deadly combo ? Thanks!

Joel

[Six-GHz]

Originally Posted by mivecdohc So safe enough, would you advise me to go ahead with getting a d40 body with the af-s 18-70mm lens instead of a new basic d60 kit? d40 with 18-70mm = deadly combo ? Thanks! Joel

That used to be my combo too! Deadly? No lah, not so garang lah, but to me it was adequate then for almost all types of applications (tour, walkabout, street and snapshots etc). A word of caution, very soon you'll start thinking of VR, faster lens, longer reach etc!

[swiftee]

I will rather have a better lens like the 18-70mm with the D40X body if im on a tight buget.

[mivecdohc]

Originally Posted by swiftee I will rather have a better lens like the 18-70mm with the D40X body if im on a tight buget.

Hmm its so hard to find a D40X body now
Was just looking around at sim lim yesterday, even if you find one, it will be with the kit lens, dont think you will be able to get the body itself only..

Joel

[mivecdohc]

Originally Posted by Six-GHz That used to be my combo too! Deadly? No lah, not so garang lah, but to me it was adequate then for almost all types of applications (tour, walkabout, street and snapshots etc). A word of caution, very soon you'll start thinking of VR, faster lens, longer reach etc!

I play with bicycles too.. didnt know cameras also have so much poison too! haha.

But would you have gone with a D40X or maybe D60 body instead, as what swiftee said?

Joel

[asdfg]

Well to be honest the D80 would serve you well for a few more years because lenses for the D40 and D60 are pretty expensive other than the kit lenses and the 55-200mm VR and Nikon isn't producing cheaper or more affordable lenses compatible with the D40/D60 THAT often (but still). But now even tamron has a 17-50mm f2.8 for the D40, Sigma has its fair share of lenses too. A D80 would give you a wider variety of lenses to choose from later on when you get more, but the D40's choices aren't that limited as compared to 2 years before. Its up to you really and it can also depend on whether you want a smaller body as its lighter or something of slightly better build quality and rugged-ness.

The 18-70mm over the 18-55mm VR anyday for me.