Beginner DSLR Nikon D40/Canon XS

[surajapps]

My friend got a Nikon D40 and the 18-55 VR/55-200 VR from a local Ritz camera that was closing down. I was really impressed by the images and want to switch from a P&S to a DSLR.

I am looking for a Nikon D40 with 18-55/55-200 VR lenses or the Canon XS with the 18-55/ 55-250mm IS lens. The Canon kit deal just expired on July11 and I have not been able to find any better deals recently. The best I could find was

Nikon D40 with 18-55 (non-VR) + 55-200 VR for 596 at AbesofMaine

Any better deals that you experts are aware of?? Thanks.

[JustAnEngineer]

Are you really set on the ancient D40? Is there any chance that you would consider a D90 instead?

[surajapps]

Are you really set on the ancient D40? Is there any chance that you would consider a D90 instead?

I wanted to buy the cheapest decent DSLR available and see if my new interest carries over to more than 3 months. If I generate enough interest in photography, I will consider upgrading. But to start with, I have a limited budget :look: I have read some reviews and they say that the D40 is a great beginners camera. Thanks ...

[JustAnEngineer]

The D40 is rather limited. It is the cheapest entry into the Nikon family of DSLRs, though, and it certainly will let you learn about photography. If you've got access to borrow Nikon lenses and accessories from your friends and relatives, it may make up for the slightly higher cost of Nikon lenses compared to similar lenses from Canon.

The cheapest Canon EOS Rebel DSLRs are significantly more capable than the Nikon D40, especially in the area of auto-focus. The D90, however, is a very appealing camera from Nikon.

[surajapps]

The D40 is rather limited. It is the cheapest entry into the Nikon family of DSLRs, though, and it certainly will let you learn about photography. If you've got access to borrow Nikon lenses and accessories from your friends and relatives, it may make up for the slightly higher cost of Nikon lenses compared to similar lenses from Canon.

The cheapest Canon EOS Rebel DSLRs are significantly more capable than the Nikon D40, especially in the area of auto-focus. The D90, however, is a very appealing camera from Nikon.

Hmm Thanks. D90 gets a little expensive. I see these offers from my local Costco as of now:

D60 kit with 18-55 VR and 55-200VR lens + case + SD card = $699 + tax
D5000 kit with 18-55 VR and 55-200VR lens + case + SD card = $999 + tax

D5000 would be pushing the limits of my budget, but I have read that it is pretty close to the D90. Do any of these 2 look like good offers?

[kyzen]

D5000 would be pushing the limits of my budget, but I have read that it is pretty close to the D90. Do any of these 2 look like good offers?

The D90 is a significantly better camera than the D5000; at the prices you've listed I'd say you're better off with the D60, and use the money you save for a better lens, a nice tripod, or a good case. Unless you have a desperate need for the video functionality, or the articulating screen, there's little, if any, incentive to spend so much more on a D5000 than a D60.

That said, I'd pick a Canon XS over a Nikon D60 any day :)

[DownLikeOPP]

Get a D40 first, and learn how to use the camera and the principles of photography.

People may say that the technology is older, but you know what? I have used a D50 (even older than the D40) for over three years, and have produced amazing images with it. I have also used the D40 a bit, and it has more than enough features to last you a good amount of years.

Use the money you saved from the body, to purchase lenses, because that will have a much more significant impact than upgrading your body. The 18-55 + 55-200 is a great starter set-up and will definitely allow you to explore different types of photography until you're set on a particular type you would like to shoot.

Remember, camera's are not like computers. They are only as good as the person behind them. There are many gearheads out there who think that if they buy the latest and greatest camera's, they'll become the next Ansel Adams, which to their disappointment, they don't. As Thom Hogan would say, if there's anything you should upgrade, it's the photographer.

[JustAnEngineer]

If cost is an over-riding concern, and you're willing to consider obsolete cameras like the D40, you might consider buying used.
Canon (http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=itemlist&cat1=Used&cat2=Canon%20Digital&cat3=Cameras&sf=Price)
Nikon (http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=itemlist&cat1=Used&cat2=Nikon%20Digital&cat3=Cameras)
Sony (http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=itemlist&cat1=Used&cat2=Sony%20Digital&cat3=Cameras)
Several of the older Canon Rebels that have already been discontinued are still more capable than the Nikon D40.

[dac2800]

Hmm Thanks. D90 gets a little expensive. I see these offers from my local Costco as of now:

D60 kit with 18-55 VR and 55-200VR lens + case + SD card = $699 + tax
D5000 kit with 18-55 VR and 55-200VR lens + case + SD card = $999 + tax

D5000 would be pushing the limits of my budget, but I have read that it is pretty close to the D90. Do any of these 2 look like good offers?

You should be aware that authorized Nikon dealers who are in the know (ie, not Costco, Best Buy, Target) keep track of a continuously on-and-off, unadvertised Nikon rebate whereby if you get a DSLR, you get the 55-200 lens for $150. With the D60 available as low as $450 with the 18-55 if you really hunt and PM to a local camera store, you can get it with 2 lenses for $600.

[chupud]

If you dont mind refrubished... you can get the Canon XS KIT for $419 (http://www.ecost.com/Detail.aspx?edp=49953902&navid=155441519)

[surajapps]

Thanks guys for all your inputs. I decided to get the D60 deal from amazon with the 2 VR lenses for 657$ (online saves 9.25% tax for me as well). :-)

[inspecality]

Check eBay often, I just bought a new Canon XS (US) + 4gb SD for $420 after bing cashback.

[JustAnEngineer]

I have posted before why I like the D90 so much better than the D60 or D40.
There's a question of which camera differences are significant to you. If a feature isn't important to you, it's probably not worth paying for. I see two things that the Nikon D90 (and D300) can do that cheaper Nikon cameras cannot do that would be significant to my purchase decision. You may have other criteria.

The Nikon D50/D70/D80/D90/D200/D300 cameras can auto-focus with AF lenses that lack built-in motors, but the D40/D60/D3000/D5000 cameras cannot. Eventually, this distinction will matter less as Nikon continues to very slowly convert its lens lineup to AF-S (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nikon_compatible_lenses_with_integrated_au tofocus-motor). Nikon has been working on the transition to internal motors since 1992. They now have 30 AF-S lenses available with 21 currently-produced (http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Camera-Lenses/index.page) AF lenses left to replace. The old AF lenses will remain in the used market for a few decades after that. With this year's availability of 35mm and 50mm AF-S prime lenses, you can now buy most of the lenses that you might want in AF-S. The AF lenses are mostly just a less expensive alternative.

The CMOS sensors in the Nikon D90 (and D300) have much better high ISO performance than the CCD sensors in the D80 (and D200) models that they replaced. The just-announced D5000 also uses a CMOS sensor with good high ISO performance, while the new D3000 uses the same old CCD sensor as the D60. Eventually, improved sensor technology will make its way down to Nikon's low-end camera models.

In the Canon line, those two sharp distinctions don't exist between camera models. The differences in high-ISO performance between different generations of Canon CMOS sensors aren't as dramatic. All Canon EF and EF-S lenses (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=111) produced since 1987 are fully-functional with even the cheapest Canon EOS DSLR. You will be looking more at other items like the size of the camera body, the top display, wheels and knobs, auto-focus system, viewfinder, resolution, video capability, shooting speed, etc. to determine which Canon EOS camera model might suit your needs.

[anishkabob]

Check eBay often, I just bought a new Canon XS (US) + 4gb SD for $420 after bing cashback.

is there a way to tell how much cashback you'll be able to get through ebay?

[inspecality]

is there a way to tell how much cashback you'll be able to get through ebay?

It's 8%, just multiply the BIN price (excluding shipping) by .92

[jlwiner]

D40 is good - but the VR lens with a D60 is worth the $. I'd consider an XSi over both. Can be found with 18-55 IS lens for < $600 otd.