Nikon D40x dSLR

last SG · 2007-06-24T19:56:41+00:00

Those lower-end DSLRs are all comparable to each other, so there isnt really such a thing as one being better than the other. Each has its own pros and cons,...

Croaking_Toad SG

Would like you get your opinions on the nikon D40x dSLR camera that been advertised lately? How is the camera's performance for its price range?

I have been an avid fan of Canon cameras, owning a A80. But I am getting really tired of having the AA batteries running out on me at the most crucial times.

Time to upgrade perhaps.

toyota-corolla SG

intend to get one. Laughing

Rejected SG

www.clubsnap.org

Cool-gal SG

i stil find Canon 400D more user friendly.

DarthBart SG

For performance, can read forum like clubsnap (as Rejected has pointed out) and also read online reviews at dpreview.com and steves-digicams.com

You'll also have to note the UI and handling of the camera. Since you've been using a Canon camera, you might be quite used to their user interface. Best is get down to a camera shop and have a look at the cameras. Have a hands on experience before making the decision

Also, you'll have to look at the offering of lenses for the different body mounts. Once you get a body, most likely you'll be using that mount for the rest of your life

*Proud owner of a Canon 20D Very Happy *

hloc SG

I own both a EOS 400D and a PowerShot A610.

Very hard to give u an anwers to the question which is better..... Canon or Nikon. Since everyone who ever uses a camera will have difference needs and liking. If u have a group of friends who mainly uses any of the brand above (Canon or Nikon)..... its a good idea to ask them try out the camera. Also u could 'share or borrow' lense or flash from each other.

Hope this helps.... Mr. Green

Gedanken SG

There's so little performance-wise between that it becomes a matter of personal preference. When I got my 400D, the deciding factor was that the grip was more comfortable than the D80's - that's how close it was.

As DarthBart has noted, once you go with one body, you're pretty much set on the track of sticking with the same set of mounts for a long time. The one thing that I'm really annoyed about is that while Nikon has come out with an 18-200mm lens, Canon has yet an equivalent lens (although there is an 18-200mm Canon-compatible lens by Sigma).

Gedanken SG

About the batteries, I’ve got an S1IS as a backup, and truth be told I’d rather have AA batteries that I can run to the nearest mama store to buy than some funky Li-ion battery that only fits that particular camera.

LazerLordz SG

Fuji S3 Pro then..

Twisted Evil

Gedanken SG

Is that an extra battery grip on that S3, Lordz? If so, no fair! Razz

Croaking_Toad SG

I was told, in the most general terms, that canon produces better shots, whereas nikon has far better body. I know the more professional or more experienced amateur photographers may disagress to the above statement.

So it's going to be a leap of faith if I were to migrate to a nikon.

DarthBart SG

Well...
The battery problem happens in every equipment, thats where backup batteries comes in. (Get from reputable 3rd party manufacturers if you're cash strapped) For example, I use AA rechargables for my compact, and I have another set of backups for it

And its true for the lenses range... Sometimes, the equipment manufacturer just don't make lenses in the sweet spot that you want. So you end up getting them from 3rd party manufacturers. Though some 3rd party make pretty good lenses too

Anyway, not too fond of those 'jack of all trade' lenses... Usually you get very bad barrel-distortion at the wide end and some pin-cushion at the telephoto end

saline SG

how about a sony alpha 100? Twisted Evil

DarthBart SG

There have been this argument since time immemorial... Canon camp vs Nikon camp. Some arguments are valid, while some are purely non-sensical

Image-wise, the Canon and Nikon uses different imaging sensors, the former using CMOS sensor and the latter, CCD... (I know one guy who can tell the body you're using just by the picture you take... Shocked ) So its best to look that photos taken from both bodies and then deciding which one you want. And I read somewhere that nature photographers tend to use Nikon and photojournalist tend towards Canon, for what reasons, I kinda remember its due to the sensors.

As for the build, it'll depend on how much you're willing to pay. You can't expect consumer level body to have the same build as a prosumer or professional body

LazerLordz SG

It's built in. Mr. Green

Gedanken SG

My understanding is that Nikon went down the CCD route because a few years ago manufacturing techniques allowed for higher-quality CCD sensors to be produced, compared to CMOS. Over the past few years, though, CMOS manufacturing has pretty much caught up and they're about on par. The CMOS camp would argue that using multiple sensor layers produces better results, but that's a matter of opinion IMHO.

Gedanken SG

Yeah, I hear what you're saying about the limitations of the zoom lenses, but the trade-off is that when you're travelling, switching lenses can be a real pain.

Here's my setup when I travel:

Pardon the quality of the shot - I took in fairly low light with my S1IS. Mr. Green

Canon 400D with a Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8-4 lens, with a Cullmann tripod/shoulder stock. I'll admit that even the kit Canon lens does provide sharper images close up, but when I'm out and about, this setup does the job just fine. I'm a fan of fast lenses, and good as image stabilisation is, it still won't make up for moving subjects.

Gedanken SG

Still, no fair - time for me to get a battery grip, I think. Mr. Green

LazerLordz SG

Interesting shoulder stock.

what's the weight like? and how much does it cost down under? Wink

Gedanken SG

Not sure about the exact weight - maybe about 700-800 grams. The stem is pretty sturdy and it look like aluminium.

I bought it second-hand off an eBay seller in the US for US$30. There were a few brand-new ones of another brand from a dealer in Hong Kong, but from the photos they looked flimsier.