cheap options - D50 or D40

[postcardcv]

I was looking at these two cameras yesterday, both available secondhand fairly cheaply in my local camera shop and was wondering which others would recommend. I've read the spec on both and looked at a couple of comparisons (like this one - http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/ ) and can see advantages to both. So what do you Nikon users think, which is the better camera to go for?

[greypoint]

I had a D50 a couple of years ago which I passed on to my friend. At the time it seemed very nippy [although my other camera was a Fuji S3 and anything seems fast compared to that!]. I recently had a D40 for a while so had the chance to compare the handling etc. The D50 has the advantage of being able to AF all suitable Nikon fit lenses and feels a bit more solid. The D40 has a better lcd and obviously just seems that bit more modern. Given the choice, if I was being totally practical I'd go for the D50. I've got a load of old D50 photos on my work computer and the quality is surprisingly good for a 6mp camera.

[seaspirit]

The D50 was my first DSLR.

Pros over D40:
- AF drive in camera
- Status LCD in addition to LCD screen on the back (very handy!)

Never used a D40, but I expect that changes to AF-mode (s or c), exposure metering zone (spot area matrix) has to be done via the menue like in the D50 ("higher" Nikons have designated buttons for these settings to be able to change them on a fly).

I can recommend the D50 for what it offers. Great camera that wasn't in the line-up for long. My guess it was to good for the money and had to go when the D80 came to open a wider gap between the entry level D40 and the D80. When the price is right it would be my choice!

Ulli

[foto-harald]

I totally agree with Ulli. I worked with the D50 for nearly 2 years. About half of the pictures on my website are made with the D50.

Harald

[pe'rigin]

They're still selling the 2DX at a reduced cost.

Really good camera if you keep the ISO at 400 or under.

Duke leto (Steve), gave a website a while back to contact.

Slightly more than the others, but worth a look.

[postcardcv]

They're still selling the 2DX at a reduced cost.

Really good camera if you keep the ISO at 400 or under.

Duke leto (Steve), gave a website a while back to contact.

Slightly more than the others, but worth a look.

That was Mifsuds selling them at £599 which is hardly cheap and at ~3-4x more that a used D40 would cost is well beyond what I was looking at.

[Forkie]

I use a D40 and I love it. Is simple, light weight the LCD screen is excellent and the picture quality is superb.

The fact that it has no auto-focus lens built-in is slightly inconvenient, but you can still use any lens in it, you'll just have to manual focus the non-auto focus lenses. Which on certain types of photos, I actually find easier.

It's really cheap now that the D60 is around so it's excellent value for money.

[Duke Leto]

Bought the wife one and she's over the moon with it, I have had a play and it does take really nice photo's its very light so is a nice walk about camera.

[Gentoo]

The ISO performance is better on the D40. However if that's not a big deal to you, the D50 as mentioned before will at least AF on non AF-S lenses.

[redeyedvideo]

. So what do you Nikon users think, which is the better camera to go for?


I can't comment on the D50 as I've only recently returned to stills photography and use a D40 with a Sigma 70-300 APO lens.

The D40 produces excellent results for a beginner like me tho it has a few frustrating issues, like defaulting to left side focussing just at the wrong moment. I could do with more than 3 fps & more pixels but while my piggy bank remains empty it does me fine.

The first 2 pics were taken with the standard lens and the second 2 with the Sigma. Not quite up to the quality of your website pics but good enough to start with.

[postcardcv]

Thanks for all the feedback, I was aware of the AF issue and it does makes me sway slightly towards the D50... I'll get into the shop and have a play with them one day next week. I know that the D40 that they have comes with the standard kits lens but I'm not sure what the D50 has, that might well sway me one way or the other. Very nice photos Dave, clearly shows what the D40 is capable of.

[dave123]

i use the d50 have a look at my gallery

[RJM]

I don't know about the UK, but here in Japan the D60 lens kit is a cheaper than the D40. I started out with the D40 so am partial to it, but the D60 is a better birding camera on many levels. Comes with superior VR kit lens too.

Frankly though, I think the Canon SX1 superzoom is an even better value. I recently discovered that it can also do amazing Macro work.

cheers,
Rick