Quick response requested: would it be a good deal to get a Nikon D40 camera for under $300?

[charlie and algernon]

I found a Nikon D40 Digital camera, 6.1 megapixel, 2.5 LCD screen with Nikkor 18-55mm lens available for under(so far) $300. The auction ends in about 17 minutes. Is it worth it or better to get a wait and get a better camera? I've always wanted a SLR camera.

[flvegan]

1. Considering even newegg.com is selling them for $470 with that lens

I'd say it sounds like a deal.

[joeybee12]

2. This is a decent price...

As long as it has interchangeable lens-es, you can upgrade this....18-55 gets you nowhere...I believe you can get zoom lenses for this.

Also, you might be able to get it cheaper...they're probably bringing out newer models.

[charlie and algernon]

4. I believe you can get other lenses for it

I have yet to find it anywhere else under $400. I'm in full snipe, mode, lol

[joeybee12]

5. You know, I just checked Target.com...they were selling a Nikon digital SLR and

55-200 zoom lens, in addition to the 18-55 standard lens for about 500...can't find it now...not sure if it was the D40.

That said, I like Nikon...usually can't go wrong.

[MajorChode]

3. The D40 is a nice camera

There are some lenses that won't work on the D40 since it doesn't have an internal focusing motor like the D70 and others, but this is not a big problem. Personally I prefer the D70 and you can probably get one for about the same price. Check the used section of Adorama and B&H and you might find a D40 or D70 for about the same price. They have a no questions asked return policy. I buy stuff from them and send it back fairly often.

[MajorChode]

6. Here's some other options...

$374 D70 with a better lens:
http://www.adorama.com/US%20%20%20%20361503.html

$344 D60 (much better camera) sans lens (you can pick up a 18-55 pretty cheaply)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800659174-USE/Nikon_25436_D60_SLR_Digital_Camera.html

[charlie and algernon]

7. yeah, you know what, I'm abandoning the auction

I'd love a to ahve a SLR camera, but I definitely need to do more research first. Considering lenses that I saw, cost about the same amount as I would pay for the camera itself, it makes more sense just to look for a better camera that comes with better lenses.

[MajorChode]

9. I think you're on the right track and here's a few tips

Even an older DSLR like the D40 and D70 (6 megapixel) will take awesome pictures, even compared to much higher pixel count compact cameras (although some of those are very good too). If you can afford it, I would look very seriously at that D70 or the D60 I posted. I bought an E grade camera from Adorama not long ago and it was like brand new. It would probably be better if the D70 had the 18-55 VR lens. The 18-70 is not bad, but it's not VR, and VR is nice.

Lenses are a complete world unto themselves. In general, you get what you pay for with lenses, but these days even the consumer grade entry level lenses are quite nice and many notches above the consumer grade lenses of days gone by. I actually own a Nikkor 18-55 myself. Look for the VR version which is worth it. The 18-55 is a nice little lens. I don't use it much because I have other options, but it's a great starter lens because you can do a lot with it. Later on you can add this lens:
http://www.adorama.com/NK55200VRR.html

It really depends on what subjects you want to photograph, but in general I recommend you start on the wide end (18-55) and then pick up the long end later (55-200). There's other options like the 18-70 and the 18-105, but the 18-55 definitely gets you in the door and is something you can build on. It's a good idea to plan on either one or two lenses that will do 95% of what you want to photograph. Lugging around a lot of lenses just isn't practical for most people. I have a 28-105 that almost never leaves my camera even though I have several other lenses. The nice thing about them is if you pick them up on the used market, you can sell them on flea-bay for about what you paid for them. So it doesn't cost you much to experiment.

[charlie and algernon]

14. I'm really interested in nature photography

I currently have a decent Olympus point and shoot camera and that works well enough, but I'd love to have a good DSLR camera that I can take on hiking trips and really play with the shots to get the best one possible. I also can't afford the high end cameras and lenses, so am looking for decent cameras in the $400-500 range.

[MajorChode]

15. Here's what the really expensive lenses get you

More expensive lenses gets you better performance in the one or two stops at the wide open end. In other words, they work better in low light conditions. The cost for that performance is very high. They are also much heavier and bulkier. The lower end lenses are actually pretty nice these days.

If you want to do nature photography, the 18-55 is not going to do you much good except for panoramic shots (and you can actually do those with a longer lens, a tripod, and photostitching software). The 18-55 isn't all that great for panoramic anyway and I actually prefer the 55-200 on a tripod for that because photostitching is awesome these days.

If you're only going to go with one lens for now, I suggest you go with this lens:
http://www.adorama.com/NK55200VRR.html

It's lightweight, reasonably compact, and VR means you can shoot in more situations without a tripod. It also takes the same filters as the 18-55, so if you add that one later on, it's a great companion to this lens. The two were designed to work together.

[Deep13]

8. Auction? No. It's not. ...

Not unless you know for a fact that everything works. It's not like a film camera where all you are really buying is a light-proof box with a shutter. All those electronic do-dads have to work. Besides, are you sure you know where the seller got it?

[MajorChode]

10. Actually I'd feel better buying a digital camera on flea-bay

Light proof box with a shutter or not, film cameras still have to work and they are very expensive to repair. Most of them have electronic components as well, even if they are 20 years old or more. Nikon, Canon, and a few others are highly reliable and practically bulletproof.

I've bought a lot of used camera stuff off flea-bay and never had a problem. You are taking a chance, but checking feedback ratings and past auctions increases your odds significantly.

[B3Nut]

11. That's a really good deal

The D40 is a great camera, and is excellent at high ISO sensitivities as well. It's cleaner at 1600 than most compacts are at 100. I'd take that over any-megapixel compact camera, the big sensor and huge photosites pay off. The 18-55 is a perfectly good standard starter lens. I have a D70s, which has more features, but the D40 has the last iteration of that Sony 6-megapixel CCD sensor and the noise levels are much lower. You'd need to stick to lenses with built-in focus motors to have autofocus. OTOH since there are no protruding tabs or levers on the lens mount you can mount vintage Nikkor lenses on it in non-metered manual mode and have all kinds of fun with it. The old 105mm f/2.5 is particularly good on this camera. You have to determine exposure yourself, but you do get a histogram on playback, so you can dial the exposure in by chimping with the histogram on.

[pscot]

12. I saw a D80 on Craigslist

for $400, but I don't think that included a lens.

[Schema Thing]

13. A truly quality camera will have the number, ie: "50" in FRONT of the letter "D"

You know, the way Canon does it B-)

[Blue_In_AK]

16. Exactly!

I have one. Love it.