Which Camera?

Jacob Wall

Jacob Wall

Well-Known Member
I am looking at picking up a camera and my budget is just about $600, including lenses. I'll be spending a lot of time out at the DFW Airport, and taking photos of the airplanes so do you have any recommendations for cameras? I've been looking at the D40 by Nikon, do any of you guys have experience with it?
 
I love my D60. It costs slightly more than the D40, but has a few extra features. If you can get it I use the Nikor 55-200mm lens for most things.
 
Go with the D3000, I dont think they sell the D40 or D30 anymore, they are now upgraded with the D3000 and D5000, I got the D5000. I love it alot.

Basically the D3000 has few features, aka no live view, or HD video. The D5000 is a little bit more, but has live view and HD, and I think it has a little better chip. But either way, both are great cameras. So whatever you decide, you'll be happy.
 
I've had my D40 for about a year now and love it. The only thing I wish it had was more autofocus points. Get a D40 if you wanna save about $140 and spend it on a lens instead.

Pictures I took with a D40 on auto mode, would've looked better if I did it manually): http://bit.ly/92qiVD
 
I'm in the market for a new camera too, I like the D40 a lot, I need something a bit smaller then most SLR. I can't walk around here with big cameras, I m gonna get robbed...

What about this other option: http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Cameras/Lumix-Digital-Cameras/model.DMC-LX3K_11002_7000000000000005702

I have a Canon and had an Oly before, lots of peoples told me to go with Nikon for my new one.

Price is not a problem, as long as I get what fits me best....
 
One thing to note. You got 600$...some folks may tell you to get one of the hybrid point and shoot with interchangeable lenses. Which are nice. But eventually you are going to want a digital SLR. They cost more, but gives you more options on the lenses and the things you can do with them.
My cousin has a very nice hybrid, and this week he played with mine, and its going to be his next big purchase, a d3000, which is in your price range compared the D5000 I got

One other thing. The camera itself is cheap compared to lenses down the road. I got two lenses for mine, 18mm - 55mm, and 55mm - 200mm. I love the 200mm, because it lets me get close without being close(I have a 9 month old, and turns out a lot of nice pictures). But I plan on buying an even bigger lens down the line so I can get some nice pictures of airplanes coming in on final, the 200mm does fine, especially since its 12mpixels, and you can just crop it, but right now I cannot afford another 1000$ in a bigger lens. Think of it all as a point to start, and the possibilities you can grow into down the line.
 
My first DSLR was the D40X which has served me very well. I still use it as a backup body when shooting as somehow its censor renders some brilliant shots.

That said, you can get one very cheap these days but its biggest drawback for me is the lack of an internal focusing motor. This limits you on the range of lenses you can use. It appears the D3000 also lacks an internal auto focus motor. You might want to step up to the D60 or D5000 if they have the internal motor.

Either way, I don't think you can go wrong. Just give some thought on how much you want to spend vs. the number of features you want the first time around.

B&H is having a sale though on the D3000...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/635660-REG/Nikon_25462_D3000_SLR_Digital_Camera.html
 
bike21 said:
That said, you can get one very cheap these days but its biggest drawback for me is the lack of an internal focusing motor. This limits you on the range of lenses you can use. It appears the D3000 also lacks an internal auto focus motor. You might want to step up to the D60 or D5000 if they have the internal motor.
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D-60 doesn't either. The D-90 is what you want if you have older Nikon AF lenses. Or just get the D40, which is fantastic and cheap. Adorama is running a deal on them now.
 
With the new Canon 7D, you may be able to find some sweet deals on 40D or 50D.

Don't fall into the Canon vs Nikon trap or get caught up in comparing specs. A camera is pretty much a camera; the person that's holding it is what matters most. Do yourself a favor and learn everything you can about whatever you invest in. You'd be wasting your money if you don't.
 
TFaudree_ERAU said:
With the new Canon 7D, you may be able to find some sweet deals on 40D or 50D.

Don't fall into the Canon vs Nikon trap or get caught up in comparing specs. A camera is pretty much a camera; the person that's holding it is what matters most. Do yourself a favor and learn everything you can about whatever you invest in. You'd be wasting your money if you don't.
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:yeahthat:

I have had both Canon and Nikon and some of my favorite shots thus far have been with my lower end models. For instance, this was with my D40X...

494797322_9cNFr-M.jpg


I happen to shoot Nikon these days by chance more than anything. Let me know if you need any more help.
 
I should also add that glass (lenses) have a LOT more impact on image quality than does the body. Buy an older/outdated body and get the best glass you can afford. Megapixels and focusing points mean nothing if you've got lousy glass.
 
TFaudree_ERAU said:
I should also add that glass (lenses) have a LOT more impact on image quality than does the body. Buy an older/outdated body and get the best glass you can afford. Megapixels and focusing points mean nothing if you've got lousy glass.
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THIS.

id gladly take a average body with nice glass than a cadillac body with garbage glass.

that said, the diff between nikon and canon is just some very nuanced "look" and color type issues... theyre both nice, ive shot both, and id gladly own both if i had the cash.

i do find the lower end canons feel a lot more "cheap" than the low end nikons. the canons feel pretty plasticky wheras the nikons felt a lot more solid in my hand.
 
TFaudree_ERAU said:
I should also add that glass (lenses) have a LOT more impact on image quality than does the body. Buy an older/outdated body and get the best glass you can afford. Megapixels and focusing points mean nothing if you've got lousy glass.
Click to expand...

:yeahthat: Bodies are replaceable, glass is where you want to invest your money. I have a D40x and I love it. Sure, you can't get all the higher end lenses, but if you're just starting off (like me), you'll have a great time with it. I got the D40 partly b/c it's got a faster shutter speed than the d60.

The 18-55mm that it usually comes with is a great kit lens. I also have a Tamron 28-300mm lens with vibration control that gives me excellent shots from the air, despite the fact that I'm in a shaky cessna.

If you like the idea of digital but you don't want to deal with the bulk of most DSLRs, you may wanna look at some rangefinders. With a little looking around, i bet you could find a nice used one in your price range. I like these b/c they use the same sensors w/out having to use the mirrors you find in most DSLRs. The light goes straight to the sensor. This is the one on my wishlist:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._DMC_GF1K_K_Lumix_DMC_GF1_Digital_Camera.html
 
Some photos my dad shot at Tall Pines on my D40
D40 w/ AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-VRII

PhotoBucket really messed up the image tho..
T_TP_8.jpg

T_TP_7.jpg


I currently use a D40 and have a few lenses for different uses...
AF-S DX 17-55MM F2.8G IF ED - Rig shots / Travel / Semi-wide angle
AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-VRII - Still Shots / General Shooting
AF-S DX 18-55MM F3.5-5.6 "Crappy Kit lens" - When i lend camera to people...

The Cheap Body + Good glass gets my vote!
 
swisspilot said:
I'm in the market for a new camera too, I like the D40 a lot, I need something a bit smaller then most SLR. I can't walk around here with big cameras, I m gonna get robbed...

What about this other option: http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Cameras/Lumix-Digital-Cameras/model.DMC-LX3K_11002_7000000000000005702

I have a Canon and had an Oly before, lots of peoples told me to go with Nikon for my new one.

Price is not a problem, as long as I get what fits me best....
Click to expand...

lol, same camera i want! that's what i get for not reading the whole thread. YES, GET IT! You will not be disappointed! They make some great lenses for these. Also, if you do end up getting a DSLR later on down the road, they make universal mounts for these rangefinders so you can attach your normal nikon or canon lens to it. I want one so bad!! I hate being a broke pilot!!:crazy:
 
gne in prog said:
at that price point, i'd go for a d3000 w/kit lens. far superior camera, many more lens options. d40 is going to limit your lens options.
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A D40 can use the same lenses that a D3000 can. Neither has an internal focus motor.

If you want the capability to use older autofocus lenses, I'd get the D90. Unless you need the speed or the capability of using older manual focus lenses a D300 is overkill for most.

I agree that most of your money should be spent on lenses and not the body. While some of the 3rd party super-zoom lenses are OK, the lenses made by the manufacturer of the camera are typically superior with some exceptions. Ultimately the quality of your photos depends on the guy behind the viewfinder.
 
Barty said:
I agree that most of your money should be spent on lenses and not the body. While some of the 3rd party super-zoom lenses are OK, the lenses made by the manufacturer of the camera are typically superior with some exceptions. Ultimately the quality of your photos depends on the guy behind the viewfinder.
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Sigma would be the only brand of glass that i'd replace my Nikkors (Nikon) with... But they're more expensive then the Nikkors for the most part.
 
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