Reading mode: Light Dark

D50 to D40

Go to last post
J

Jniel

Forum Enthusiast
Messages
443
Reaction score
14
Location
US
Has anyone gone from a D50 to D40 and been happy. I think my D50 is starting to fail ( I am bringing it in to have it checked out). Since there are some good deals now on the D40 and I can't afford a D80 or D90 I thought it would be a good choice for a backup and I could always pass it on to my son later on.

I have all DX lenses right now, 18-105mm and 70-300mm vr, so the lack of the internal drive motor isn't a problem for me.

John
 
DX is not the same as AF-S which you'll need.

I'm a very avid D50 user, I'm now on 2.5 years and 24k on the shutter. I've handled D40 on occasions. While it is a capable little camera I really experience it as a step back largely because of the features and ergonomics.

If my D50 where to fail now and I was really low on cash I'd look all over the second hand resources for a low mileage D50. I've seen cameras with 7k on the shutter go as low as 225 euros wihich is still 60 euros below what a D40 goes for new.
--
Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/
 
That is the main thing I noticed when handling the D40 is that it was kind of small. It didn't feel comfortable. I will check out the used or refurbished market while I wait.

Thanks!
 
Ok, I've never handled a D50........ and feature wise I can't comment but...

I have handled a D40 and D90. I have decent sized hands and I do like the feel on the D40, with the kit lens...... it would have met my needs, actually was looking at the D60, but feeling it with the large lenses made me hesitate.

If you put a big lens on it, I think its unbalanced to the point its uncomfortable. I tried it out specifically with 18-200VR and the 18-105. The combination of weight in the front as well as girth of the lenses made it very tipsy and somewhat uncomfortable to hold.

I liked a bunch of the features of the D90 over the D60 mainly AF points, in body motor, CMOS sensor, but was convincing myself I wanted the smaller package and less weight. After feeling both with the bigger glass on it I was convinced the smaller size and weight weren't all they were cracked up to be and the extra weight was small and the size wasn't bad and helped balance the camera, so i got the D90.
 
I shoot a D300 and a D40 (even on paying jobs) and I love both for different reasons. I have big hands, as well, and either extreme is more comfortable for me. I find the D40 and the D300+MBD10 to be better than the mid-sized units (D80/90)

D40 usually lives with an 18-200 or a Sigma 30/1.4, depending on what I'm doing. The 18-200 is perfect size on the D40.
 
I went D50 to D40 and wasn't happy, I felt the D50 held onto hightlight detail much better then the d40, then I tried the d40x and it was much better plus you get the added resolution. Go d50 to d60/d40x and be happy! Just remember you'll lose the screw-drive motor and 1/500s x-sync of the d50 when you migrate to the d40/x/d60... later
Jniel said:
Has anyone gone from a D50 to D40 and been happy. I think my D50 is
starting to fail ( I am bringing it in to have it checked out).
Since there are some good deals now on the D40 and I can't afford a
D80 or D90 I thought it would be a good choice for a backup and I
could always pass it on to my son later on.

I have all DX lenses right now, 18-105mm and 70-300mm vr, so the
lack of the internal drive motor isn't a problem for me.

John
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for all the advise. I see there are some good deals on the D80 out there too.
That may be a viable option for me.

John
 
yes of course! the d40 has 1/500s X-sync which is cool

d40 is basically a d50 without the screw drive motor and no ev
bracketing, I just preferred the IQ of the d50 over the d40
because I found the d40 treated highlights a bit too harshly
and they were harder to recover in post when shooting RAW.
The d50 remains a really fine camera to this day!
 
If I were you, and your D50 body was really on it's last breaths, I would get a D80. You can get a refurb or demo body with warranty for $450 or so from Cameta, and other places may have similar prices. It's a real upgrade to a D50, whereas a D40 is a slight downgrade.
 
Have you looked into the price of the D80 lately? They can be had from reputable dealers for little more than $500 now that the D90 is out (body only). The D40 seems to be around $450 with the kit lens (seems like it almost always comes that way), which essentially duplicates the 18-55 that likely came with your D50.

I use a D50 and would find the D80 a more suitable replacement for me...

Just a thought...
 
I went from the D50 to a D200. (I out grew the 50 but I still keep it for the high iso IQ) I couldn't imagine going to a D40. I feels like a toy to me. I got my D200 off ebay from Shutterblade for less than 600. It had less than 900 shutter actuations and is/was dang near mint.

Bottom line: shop around; stick with a reputable dealer; and go to a camera store and handle them all and go with what feels best in your hands!

And I have seen D50 for sale on both shutterblade and cameta in their ebay stores for less than 400.

Oh and for the record... I still haunt this forum cause the people are cooler!!!!
 
wijnands wrote:
I've seen
wijnands said:
cameras with 7k on the shutter go as low as 225 euros wihich is still
60 euros below what a D40 goes for new.
Click to expand...
Wow! I don't think so. D40's are going for less than that, and I paid less for mine with the kit lens some time ago. And it wasn't on a super sale or anything like that.
 
QWERT750 wrote:
The D40 seems to be around $450 with the kit lens
QWERT750 said:
(seems like it almost always comes that way), which essentially
duplicates the 18-55 that likely came with your D50.
Click to expand...
The 18-55 w/D40 is a second generation lens. Having not used the first generation, though, I can't offer an opinion on how significant the difference is.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top