Nikon D40 vs Nikon D80

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SeanNW6

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Hello there

Am a new to the forum and looking to seek some advice.
About to purchase my first digital SLR and would value some advice. Going by recommendations from my friend, am looking to purchase a Nikon.
I want the new camera to help my knowledge of photography and to improve my skills. I love taking pics of my family and living in London, am looking forward to explore the city, taking pics of part of the city I have not visited before, such as markets, historical buildings and generally the people of London.
Would like to buy the Nikon D80, but is this so much better than the D40?? There is a big difference in price, but is there a big difference in quality (bearing in mind, I do not really need a camera for professional purposes).
Guess it is not an easy answer to my question, as there are so many imponderables, but I would value some advice.
Many thanks
Sean
 
Welcome aboard,
Price diffrence and justified, if you can afford the D80 get it, i wanted the D80 but could only possible get the body only, seriously considered the D70 but could not get a second user one at the time.
I got second user D50 with bag and a couple of basic lenses.
Made myself promise of only getting the camera with what i made from ebay sales.
I had considered a D40 but as this had less focus points than the D50 it replaced and no internal focus motor so all lenses have to have there own motor to work on the D40 i went for the D50 and if funds permit in a year or so i wish to go for a D300.
Remember that lenses are the best part of the picture process so consider this in your purchase a great camera body is not so good with poorer lenses whearas a reasonable camera with good glass will get far better shots.
Welcome again and all the best plenty of help and advice on here.
 
D80, D80, D80.

I don't think it's a difficult question at all unless you have budget concerns.

2nd prices are tumbling for the D80 as its replacement is due to be announced any day now, so there are some used bargains to be had.
 
Hi Sean, im not a Nikon user :shrug: but for me there doesn't to be a great difference between these two models with photos taken on both cameras with same lenses www.BuyItGadget.net of course the resolution is different but depending on what photos you wish to take and at what size ? postcard pics or even up to 10" x 18" with a 6mp will do the job, and with the extra $'s saved with D40 could afford maybe a fast lens f2.8 ? that's my two bobs worth anyway :shrug: good luck which ever way you go :thumbs:
 
hiya. I have had a D40 for a few months now. It has seved me very well and I havnt felt limited at all...........until recently when I've started considering lens options and will have t manual focus if I get lenses without the motor e.g. the 50mm 1.8 which sounds like it would be a great lens for your interests.

when I bought my camera, I had no ideas that I would get into photography as much as I have. If I could go back in time I might get the D80 instead, but that said, Im not going to lose much on my d40 on resale so I can upgrade when I feel I need to.
 
Hi,

If you are serious about your hobby and want something to grow in to then the D80 is a stunning camera that offers excellent results even with a basic kit lens.

My GF bought the D40 soon after it came out and within a couple of weeks sold it to get a D50 for various reasons.

The D40(x) is a good camera, but hold the D80 and the D40 in your hands and you'll soon see which looks and feels like a serious bit of kit. The D40 is akin to the Canon 350/400D in size and this is something that puts me off.

The lack of internal motor on the D40 is something that limits the lenses you can use and still auto focus (manual will still work fine), and this is one thing my GF really found restrictive.

The D80 has the command and sub-command dials which makes manual photography far quicker than hunting through the menus to make tweaks to your settings. Additionally, the D80 has far more 'on camera' functions, as opposed to the D40 which is more basic as far as buttons go, with many of the same options hidden in the menu system.

Also, the lack of LCD on the top means you have to rely on either the viewfinder or the back screen to take readings, check exposure, etc.

All of these may sound unimportant until you start to get more comfortable with using the camera in a very manual fashion and then it all gets very slow and long winded.

I've now upgraded the the D300 and felt at home with it very quickly due to the experience with the D80 (which incidentally is up for sale as a full starter kit).

So, for me I would recommend the D80 over the D40 for the above and many other reasons, if the budget stretches to it. :)

HTH

Paul C
 
:agree:

I had the same questions about a year ago, i went for the D80 mainly because it felt better in my hand and had the lens motor in the body so not restricting my choice of lenses
 
Yep, if you can afford it get the D80. I upgraded to one from the D50 and the difference is immense.
 
i have a d40 and i found the lack of internal focus motor was a pain as it resitricted lens choice other than that its a great camera, i ended up getting a d70 body to widen my lens choice but i do use both bodies.

my advice would be to get a second hand d70s its a cracking camera
 
No contest here, D80 every time.
 
Many thanks for all your replies....will have to sleep on it and decide tomorrow.....

.....but all the sound money is on me buying the D80.....:)
 
Well SeanNW6, if you're looking for an immaculate D80 I have one that I'm looking to sell.

If you're interested let me know.

Mods: if this is not allowed, please delete the post. :)

Paul C
 
The D80 is has been my 1st dslr and have been realy pleased with it. Only had it 2 months and still learning new things with it. Can see myself having this for ages yet.
 
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