Step up from a D40

G

GoJohnnyGo

Suspended / Banned
Messages
21
Name
John
Edit My Images
Yes
Guys - I've been using my D40 for around 18 months now, just wondered what the next step up the ladder was - new or used - for somebody who doesn't have a massive budget. Only things I'd like are the facility to drop to 100ISO and a built in focus motor. I have a couple of Nikon fit lenses that both have built in motors - will these be compatible with a camera with a built-in motor?

TIA
 
D80 or a D90. I upgraded from a D40 to a D80, next on my list would be a D700 :)
 
Last edited:
GoJohnnyGo said:
Guys - I've been using my D40 for around 18 months now, just wondered what the next step up the ladder was - new or used - for somebody who doesn't have a massive budget. Only things I'd like are the facility to drop to 100ISO and a built in focus motor. I have a couple of Nikon fit lenses that both have built in motors - will these be compatible with a camera with a built-in motor?

TIA
Click to expand...

If you've the funds, go for a D90. Exact upgrade path I followed from a D40 and you will be very pleased.

Regarding the lens, they will work with the D90.
 
I went from D60 to D300, then picked up a Fuji S5pro(basically a D200). Depending on budget you are looking at D200 used from about £350, D300 used from about £650 and a D90 from about £450. All prices depend on age condition etc.....Try MPB for a guide as their used prices are pretty god.
 
Basically, yes.

If the lens has it's own focus motor, It'll work on any Nikon (D)SLR since the F5 (or perhaps the F4?... not sure if that's when AF was introduced?) Either way, lenses that have their own AF motors actively disengage the camera body focus motor because they lack the screw terminal that is associated with the mechanical focusing linkage required for lenses that do not have their own focus motor. Therefore, any lens that has it's own focus motor is controlled via the electronic terminals on the mount.

HTH :)

As for camera advice, see above. Depending on budget of course. Personally I went from a D50 to a D700! Quite the step up! That said, the D90 is an outstanding camera.
 
Last edited:
I went from a D40 to a D300 - big step but i knew what I wanted from the camera and what the limitations were of my D40 for what I wanted to do, both short and medium term. I did consider the D90 but in the end I went with my gut feel and have not had a moments doubt since. It also helped that I got a bargain on a d300.
 
Thanks guys, that's useful information. I appreciate there will be a cost involved in upgrading, but as I am not a pro I doubt I will need a second body so would probably offset the cost by selling my D40.
 
A D90 would be the sensible step up, the D80 and D200 are actually older models than the D40 you have, so not really worth considering unless you're on a tight budget. Used D300s (that's D300 plural, not the D300s) are coming down all the time and one of those would be my choice if you want to skip a level, but the D90 would give you most of the features of the D300 for less money.
 
Good to know. I see the D90 is sub £500 body only (no point in me buying a kit lens that does no more than the lens I have does) and I'm sure I can offset part of the cost by selling my D40 when I finally get around to doing so as I'm not a pro and won't need a second body.
 
D90 bottoms out at ISO200 so might not be suitable if thats a feature you really want.


Yes you have the LO ISO options but its all made up.

Nick.
 
Grumpy_Git said:
D90 bottoms out at ISO200 so might not be suitable if thats a feature you really want.


Yes you have the LO ISO options but its all made up.

Nick.
Click to expand...

as does the D40 (and the D40 has no LO option). I too am a D40 - D90'er and couldn't be happier, you will be shocked at the difference in size of the viewfinder
 
I would also say go for the D90 as a step up to either the D300/D300s would be a massive jump in £'s if your on a budget...

Have a look in the classifieds as there is usually a few knocking around there..
 
Thanks for the info guys - yes one of the reasons I want to upgrade the D40 is because it only goes down to ISO200 - I'd like to get down to ISO100 at least.
 
double post :$
 
Last edited:
GoJohnnyGo said:
Thanks for the info guys - yes one of the reasons I want to upgrade the D40 is because it only goes down to ISO200 - I'd like to get down to ISO100 at least.
Click to expand...

for what reason? if its for noise, the D90 is excellent at handling noise and ISO200 exhibits no noise at all unless the real pixel peepers get in there.
If its for less sensitivity coz things are always being over exposed..buy an ND filter :lol:
 
The easier way would be for you to have a look throu the list of Nikon consumer bodies cameras that Nikon do...

Then have a look in the classifieds to see if any are going within your budget
 
Last edited:
D90 is great value at the moment £540 from HDEW. You'll get a great price for the D40 if it's xlnt cond boxed as well. Sold ours for more than we paid for it 18 months on then bought D3000 which was a dumb move on my part.
 
I went from a D40x to a D200 to a D300. Once you've handled a D300 you won't want to hold a D90 ;)

(But if money's tight, then the D90 seems to be your best option...)
 
GoJohnnyGo said:
Thanks for the info guys - yes one of the reasons I want to upgrade the D40 is because it only goes down to ISO200 - I'd like to get down to ISO100 at least.
Click to expand...

Why do you want to go that low? If it's noise a new body like a D90 should be better even if using higher ISOs.

If you're after long shutter times what you need is some ND filters.
 
timmygcsc2308 said:
for what reason? if its for noise, the D90 is excellent at handling noise and ISO200 exhibits no noise at all unless the real pixel peepers get in there.
If its for less sensitivity coz things are always being over exposed..buy an ND filter :lol:
Click to expand...

KC Leblanc said:
Why do you want to go that low? If it's noise a new body like a D90 should be better even if using higher ISOs.

If you're after long shutter times what you need is some ND filters.
Click to expand...

Would just be nice to have the option and something I would like to understand more/learn about/whatever - and besides, why not?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top