zygh
Senior Member
First of all, I'll start with writing about the very best this camera has to offer, something that has been said over and over again about 'the little gem'. The D40 is the best bang for buck one can buy today. It has all the features one needs to take an exceptional photograph, all that packed into a small, lightweight and inexpensive body that is part of the greater system of Nikon, having access to some of the best photographic lenses in the history of photography.
The fact that this body has all the essential photographic features (and more) is doubled by its very intuitive user menu and layout. Now, pay in mind we're talking about a body that can be had for the lowly sum of ~400$. That is saying lots. If one is accustomed to the Nikon layout, it will take but a few moments to understand and be able to use all the command dials and buttons on the camera. Now, the tricky bit comes when looking for the secondary display. The D40 body has none but the main LCD makes up for that in a satisfactory fashion. The biggest problem is not to leave the camera ON, as that is very easy to do as there is no secondary display to indicate that at a glance.
The construction of the camera is in-line with the Nikon D80 body, that meaning, kind of a cheap or unprofessional feel to the plastics used in the camera's construction, as opposed to the D200 or the D2 bodies. Alas, that is to be expected for a body in this price range. To give the D40 some credit on this one, I think the construction is very good considering it's an entry-level body.
Entry-level does not, however, mean that the D40 is incapable of returning exceptional results. It is. Resolution-wise, though, it can't match the pro high megapixel bodies for usefulness in the fields of professional photography where the output from the camera needs to be able to print HUGE. It is however perfectly suitable for 99% of printing needs. As with all SLR bodies, it's more about the glass and the man behind it than it is about the body used.
UPDATE 22 March 08.
I have since got myself one of these little beauties. I've used it mainly with the 'kit' lens 18-200VR but also with the age old 50/1.2AI. Superb results from both. I have really tried and tried to pick faults with this one but that is proving very hard as there is not much that one does not get for the price for the D40. It is all there. Sure, my S5 Fuji blows the little Nikky away when it comes to skintones, DR and color but these are subtleties. The Nikon D40 is ALL YOU NEED in terms of camera. Don't need a super lens either, a crafty 18-55VR will do and lo' and behold, great things come to the one that knows.
I am very proud of my D40. Nikon did the dSLR of the decade! with this one. It CAN NOT be rivaled when all things are considered. It is THAT consistent.
Problems:
I gave it only 4.5 for both construction and features because I think these two can always be improved upon. The D40 is a darling when in hand but that does not mean its the most natural grip. A hand grip can solve much of that but the body itself CAN get better. Wouldnt you love it if the grip was personally emulated to your hand? That CAN happen and somewhere sometime someone will do it.
Anyway, details. ENjoY the DIGITAL SLR CAMERA OF THE DECADE!
The fact that this body has all the essential photographic features (and more) is doubled by its very intuitive user menu and layout. Now, pay in mind we're talking about a body that can be had for the lowly sum of ~400$. That is saying lots. If one is accustomed to the Nikon layout, it will take but a few moments to understand and be able to use all the command dials and buttons on the camera. Now, the tricky bit comes when looking for the secondary display. The D40 body has none but the main LCD makes up for that in a satisfactory fashion. The biggest problem is not to leave the camera ON, as that is very easy to do as there is no secondary display to indicate that at a glance.
The construction of the camera is in-line with the Nikon D80 body, that meaning, kind of a cheap or unprofessional feel to the plastics used in the camera's construction, as opposed to the D200 or the D2 bodies. Alas, that is to be expected for a body in this price range. To give the D40 some credit on this one, I think the construction is very good considering it's an entry-level body.
Entry-level does not, however, mean that the D40 is incapable of returning exceptional results. It is. Resolution-wise, though, it can't match the pro high megapixel bodies for usefulness in the fields of professional photography where the output from the camera needs to be able to print HUGE. It is however perfectly suitable for 99% of printing needs. As with all SLR bodies, it's more about the glass and the man behind it than it is about the body used.
UPDATE 22 March 08.
I have since got myself one of these little beauties. I've used it mainly with the 'kit' lens 18-200VR but also with the age old 50/1.2AI. Superb results from both. I have really tried and tried to pick faults with this one but that is proving very hard as there is not much that one does not get for the price for the D40. It is all there. Sure, my S5 Fuji blows the little Nikky away when it comes to skintones, DR and color but these are subtleties. The Nikon D40 is ALL YOU NEED in terms of camera. Don't need a super lens either, a crafty 18-55VR will do and lo' and behold, great things come to the one that knows.
I am very proud of my D40. Nikon did the dSLR of the decade! with this one. It CAN NOT be rivaled when all things are considered. It is THAT consistent.
Problems:
I gave it only 4.5 for both construction and features because I think these two can always be improved upon. The D40 is a darling when in hand but that does not mean its the most natural grip. A hand grip can solve much of that but the body itself CAN get better. Wouldnt you love it if the grip was personally emulated to your hand? That CAN happen and somewhere sometime someone will do it.
Anyway, details. ENjoY the DIGITAL SLR CAMERA OF THE DECADE!