Moshi mosh, minasan! need sum advice on this offer

D40 kit + 2g card + bag + tripod = RM1899, Nikon promo. offer ends this month.

Im kinda still collecting the cash to buy a d40kit. Well, the ques ;

a) is this a good offer? (prolly would make some loan from cousins if it is)
b) how frequent is this type of offer? or i could get a better deal the next 3/4 months?

p/s : if take the offer would most prolly b 100% broke. lol.

What's the main reason that you're getting a D40?

If you're serious about DSLR, you might want to reconsider a Canon 350D if brand is not too much of a preference. Better features, more MP, AF motor, yada-yada.

Or if it's just for the sake of having a DSLR, the D40 promo kit is definitely a good offer.

where is that offer from?

i'm a beginner so thaat's why D40kit ( for me that is)

RM1899, I would rather get myself a

NEW Canon 350D + Kit + 2gb + bag + Tripod @ LYP

OR

USED Canon 350D Body + Kitlens = RM15xx
- USED 50mm f1.8 = RM2xx
- NEW 2gb CF = RM100
- NEW Branded bag e.g. Lowepro etc = RM2xx
- NEW Tripod = RM3x

D40 sark sark to the max, , Reason? Comparing to Canon 350D
1. NO autofocus in the body. Have to rely on AF-S lenses which are costly.
2. Miserable 6 megapixel, 350D (8Megapixel), at least you are not left too far behind.
3. Built like a toy, so small, doesn't gives you a DSLR feel.
4. 2.5frame per second compared to 350D 3fps.

However D40 is slightly lighter compared to 350D, LCD is bigger(D40 = 2.5", 350D = 1.8"), other than that, nothing much that's significantly better than 350D

beginner or not, it's not the issue. it's about how serious you are.

yeah... you know my friend uses a P&S and can shoot amazing photos...

I want to be like that. is that serious enough?

Might as well get a P&S and shoot amazing photos like your friend? before changing to DSLR. You gave us the feeling that you are getting one DSLR just for the sake of getting one

i know right... it feel like it.. but i want to learn the techniques of photography... it would be nice to learn about those things,.... i guess one can learn with a P&S too?

Yes, but you have limited things to play with. You cant manually control the Shutter Speed , ISO, Aperture on mostly basic P&C cameras. You may only improve on your composition, and certain basic stuff. If you are serious into photography and don't mind forking out extra bucks for superb quality pics. Get yourself a DSLR, beginner is not an excuse for not getting DSLR

zomg. i sense some heat. @@ thx for the reply vikingw2k & soulfly.

"What's the main reason that you're getting a D40?"

well, most of my frens and an uncle of mine are using nikon (filems and digital). i thought it may easier for them to teach me since its the same brand. borrowing lenses can b considered too also i guess. but i do realize the limitation of d40. d80 seems way out of the budget. what u guys think? collect more for d80?.. or learn the basic from d40?..

Alternatively, get yourself a D50(at least) and save up for D80
Else just migrate to Canon.
Even if you get D40, you have to remember, you ONLY can use Nikon AF-S lens

not to forget u can add a batt grip for 350D while u have none for D40..

ahh, good point there, forgot about this brilliant point

Some one here too underestimate the value of D40. Let's me explain again:

- 6 Mpx vs 8 Mpx: isn't it necessary ? My S3 IS got 6 Mpx but usually i use 3-4 Mpx
- D40 only auto focus with AFS ( & AIS ? ). OK but consider, you'll need VR to get steady shot, that's only offer from AFS rite ? So why not D40. And you also can do manual focus with 50mm f/1.8
- Is it too much different between 2.5 vs 3 bps ?
- In term of handing feel, D40 IS A WAY BETTER THAN BOTH 400D OR 350D
- 350D kit lens is suck!!! no USM, even poorer than 400D kit lens while D40 kit lens deliver very good quality
- D40 provide better colour, LCD screen
- D40 provide easier way to study for 1st time you go for DSLR
etc.
----------------

This is just something can say, don't blame any brand because it has own strength. If not, why D40 is one of the best selling DSLR in the market and win many prize ?

Any of Pentax K100D, 400D, D40, Sony A100, Olympus E-510 DSLR is ok, can choose whatever brand

replies are in bold

Ouch, what a pity that you are using 3-4Megapixel when you can use 6. Most probably you under-utilize your S3 IS or you are trying your very best to save up more space so that you don't need to buy a bigger memory card. Yes you might be one of the weirdos who don't use the best out of your dgcam, but MOSTLY everybody will use the best out of their cam. Bigger megapixel is crucial when you are doing editing especially when you wanna crop something. If your DSLR has less megapixels, you definitely feel the difference. Also, nowadays most of the cameras are equipped with 8mp and above, it'll be a little bit far behind if you are still stuck with a 6Mp DSLR when you can get 8Mp at the same price, don't you think so?



Considering our TS is just a beginner, and his budget, I'm recommending him a cheaper way to get the best stuff. You don't start your DSLR with L + IS lens don't ya? Also, nowadays you still wanna use manual focus when you can use Autofocus which is much easier?



Of course, same question, why you still wanna stuck in 2.5fps when you can get 3fps at same price? When you are trying something new, at least get something which is average and don't fall too far behind so that you don't need to upgrade so fast. 3fps is standard nowadays in entry level DSLR.



You definitely creating a joke here dude, D40 cant use battery grip, and it's so small like a toy. Do you know, when it's small, you are forced to buy battery grip especially when you are shooting with a 70-200mm f2.8 lens? At least you can get a grip for 350D but not D40.



Another big joke here. Do you know that 350D and 400D's kitlens are the same? Get your facts right dude.



Now this isn't a good reason to get D40, it's kinda subjective to say something is easy to "study". Canon and Nikon both provide informative manuals for us to learn ourself. You don't say Nikon's manual is much easier to understand than Canon's. It's just like saying Colgate is easier to use than Darlie. No, I don't "blame any brand". I'm just pointing out the facts and comparison between 350D and D40. I did mentioned 2 miserable advantages of having D40(cause I hardly find any better points to add) so I'm not being biased or trying to promote Canon instead of Nikon.



Dude, before you start blabla-ing around, do survey around the market prices. We are here to guide TS to buy something which is cheap and within his budget. You cant get A100 / 400D at RM1899 with 2gb + bag + tripod can you? When you recommend something, do include your reasons why you said so. Not trying to be general.

p/s: ahh, kevin613 you are faster than me

But d40 without it's autofocus can be easily ignored by some, considering a good number of rather affordable afs lens & great quality at that as well (55-200, 70-300 and 18-200).... a pity for the 50mm f/1.8 though. but a lot of d40 users still manage on manual however...

Both are good bodies, no doubt about it. I's really dependant on the user, because in the end you will most probably adapt to whatever shortfalls you face. Go down to a shop and test both... lahhhhh!!!

I'd do the same as you only if I use a compact digicam, be it prosumer or PnS. Why? small image sensor...so higher resolution is not sharp enough. But different story with DSLR.


Why divert topic to VR when the subject is about AF motor?


I have no argument with this, I agree it's less significant.


D40 is small and light, I think that is what you mean by better handling feel. To me, handling feel is about how comfortable the camera is in your hand. To me, my A100 has much much better handling feel than D40/D50/350D/400D (all which I have tried before), it has large hand grip which is very convenient for portrait shooting (vertical position), no need battery grip. It is also heavy, less shaky compare to holding a lighter camera. D40 feels like a toy in my hands. I'm not promoting A100, just trying to describe how subjective 'feel' is to different people. To me 350D has better feel compare to D40.


350D kit lens is the same as 400D. There is no need for USM since the body already have AF mechanism. Besides, it's just a kit lens.


Most of the time, what you see on the LCD screen is different than the actual result. So, you're more impressed with nice LCD screen that actual shooting performance?

This is a weak excuse. Define your 'easier way'. Limited function? If too much option is a problem, what is the camera manual for?

although sometimes i wished i was lugging around a smaller body (thus lighter) instead.

But maybe Vichio was referring to the accessible controls/dials that he seems to prefer (although i think the d40 is kind of limited in this aspect... too simplified. no idea about the 350/400d)... or maybe the menu interface.... but that again is a subjective matter. There's just no perfect system that suits everyone. To each their own!

err.. soulfly, i think all canon lens have the AF motor in the lens, not body, there's just a few contact pins on the camera mount, no moving parts, nothing like the screw-like AF motor on nikon. So, the USM motor does indeed focus a little faster and quieter than non USM version.

For smaller body, I rather get myself a 400D

1st off, u should look at my post again, see the last sentence to see what i mean for the whole reply is every camera got its advantages (D40, 400D, A100, E-510) and i want to show some advantages of D40 over 350D and be gentleman the rule of this forum is no fan boy for any brand right ? I'm stick with Canon but never underestimate other brand

The reason i want to use 3-4 megapixel is because i personally post it in some webpages, print 4R etc. so it's enough. If my word not weight enough, you can look at the article from pro Ken Rockwell, what he say about the Mpx of D40 The more capability to crop is better, rite, but crop too much make you lazy to make the right faming before the shoot

Of course if the same ability, 8 Mpx is better than 6 Mpx, but this is not the same camera which are many things different, Mpx is not everything, rite ?

If you just recommend, it's very good, i wont say nothing but some of your sentence has underestimated D40, that's why i have to show the truth. All 350D/400D/A100/E-510/K100D are good

Manual focus, in some case, is better accuracy, don't you know ?

2.5 vs 3 as mention like Mpx above

AFS VR lens, u also dont know some quite cheap, not as L lens, such as 55-200 VR, 70-300 VR

You said he don't have budget for AFS VR lens, but you recommend 70-200 f/2.8 lens ? Have i mentioned 2 devices have to attach with battery grip ? And while D40 battery life last longer and feel better handling I also didn't see any article relate to DSLR comparison which including battery grip in build or handling comparison

You're the only one don't know the different, one has USM, one no One of Canon's strength is USM USM provide faster and smoother focus than most of other brands. You try Nikkor 70-300, Tamron 70-300 and Canon 70-300 IS USM, you'll see the different

------------

that's all something you don't know but quite harsh to talk about some situation.

whatever brand is great, 35oD/400D/D40/K100D/E-510/A100 ( i said many times again ). So when recommend one camera to another person, you all should be give it strength but pls don't underestimate other

---

Added on November 20, 2007, 2:43 amAbout the reason of Nikon stop produce D50 to bring the new D40. You guys and me isn't their CEO so we can not say it's their fault or not. Because he smarter than me

I agree D50 is great but why Nikon stop to bring the new D40 and why D40 is one of the best selling DSLR in the market, not D50 before ? And why Nikon even bring D40x that isn't much different from D40 ?

I know one person selling D80 to UPGRADE (his word) to D40x because D40x can manual metering with AI-S lens

Oh gawd, perhaps you just don't understand what I'm trying to say in the previous post. I'm telling you that, having a bigger megapixel has an advantage for those who wanted to do cropping. Did I mention that you should always crop? The thing we are discussing here is, for the same price you are paying, 8Mp is always better than 6Mp. Personally, I doubt you really understand what your Ken xxx is trying to mention there. He's saying that having more capability to crop is better, which means, having higher Mps is better, BUT frequently relying on cropping is not advisable. The point we are talking here is, is it good by having bigger Mps? We are not talking about is it good to crop or not. Read and read again. Hope you'll understand his quotes properly before start using his name around.



I thought I've listed out the pros and cons between a 350D and D40? Do you know what is recommendation? The statement "ALL xxx xxx xx are good" is nonsense. If you were to buy a car, does the sales person tells you ALL cars are good? and you get yourself a toy car? NO right? The point that I want to highlight here is IF you were to recommend a person something, you should state out the facts on pros and cons and not by giving out your personal assumptions such as "350D and 400D's kitlens is different?" rofl. Get my point? Oh ya, I don't need "your 350D's kitlens is pooooorer than 400D's kitlens kind of truth", I rather rely on true facts.



Again, for the same price you paid, for gods sake, why don't get an Autofocus and Manual focus + 3fps instead of staying with 2.5fps and just Manual focus. I rather equipped myself with Autofocus and then only do some Manual tuning rather than just rely on Manual focus. You don't shoot all your pics with S3 IS Manual Focus do you? Manual focus comes in handy when Autofocus starts to hunt around in dim area. But if you were to ask a bunch of normal photographers to compare Manual Focus and Autofocus, definitely they'll perform better via Autofocus + Manual Focus rather than just Manual Focus alone.



LOL, personal assumptions again. Perhaps you never had a chance to try a battery grip and feel the grip. Also, wear your specs, I'm saying that, IF you are using a 70-200mm f2.8, definitely you gonna need a battery grip, I didn't ask TS to buy a 70-200mm f2.8 did I? Also, I'm saying shooting with battery grip gives you better grip especially when you are shooting potraits. Thus 350D has an advantage over D40 since D40 cant use battery grip. Understand? So the main point here is, d40 has a disadvantage cause it can't use battery grip, unlike 350D, get it? We don't give a crap whether you "feel" nice or not.



I hardly understand what you are trying to say



You really made my day. Never thought that your assumptions came from what your friends around doing. They sell their d80 and say d40x good, and you'll be going around saying "hey, my friend sell his d80 man, getting d40x, cause hor, you know hor, d40x can manual metering with AI-S lens!!!" So, since d50 phased out, and d40 sales is selling quite ok(base on your assumption), you must be thinking, "fuiyor, their CEO stop selling d50, d40 must be damn good la".

Let me ask you something, have you ever own a d40 or a 350D before? or you are just commenting base on what your aunty,uncle,neighbours,whoever told you about their DSLR? I doubt that, since you said "350D pooorer than 400D kitlens ya?".

p/s: Best selling doesn't mean that they are good. Acer laptops are quite popular in malaysia, BUT can they compete with brands like Fujitsu / Toshiba / IBM? Take sometime to digest all these.

so... USM is a better version of the lens AF motor? i'm not very aware of that.

: O .. thx for the recommendations guys.. seems like 400D/350D > D40

But considering the facts that most of my frens are using nikon, D200, D80, D50 would it b easier for them to guide me or borrowing their lenses?..
still kinda confused abit with the lenses compatibility of D40.. but from above, appears to me that my frens lenses might not b able to autofocus with the D40, true? and ill b able to use them with manual focus only?.. or their lenses might not even fit into the d40?..

ya, it will be advantage for you to be able to borrow lens from your friends,
especially when u are tight of budget and wont be able to feel the different types of lens in short time..

about the manual focus or autofocus, unless u need to focus on something that is moving very fast, or u need to refocus instantly between each shots,
I dun see why manual focus is hard to use in DSLR..
Manual focusing in DSLR is one of the fun experience in DSLR compare to pro-summer and etc.

Btw, going abit off topic, i did something stupid yesterday.

while unmounting the kit-lens from the body, i accidentally touch a spring hinge on the kit-lens that the camera used it to adjust the lens aperture..i didnt know it was for aperture adjusting until i touch it and notice the lens aperture opened wider..

is there any after effect to my kit-lens ? feeling damn paranoid now..

the lenses will fit, but yeah, u have to do it manually..

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Added on November 20, 2007, 5:34 pm

yeah.. and there's a few version of USM as well, but it'll not be shown on the lens label.. u can only read about what USM motor/non-USM motor a lens used in the canon lens guide.

Get the fact vikingw2k, you can love Canon system but pls try to open mind and estimate the right value of other system
1. I said 3 or 4, 6 etc. Mpx is nothing while i post it on the web page or print 4R, have you see the different ? Do you often print the biggest size ? Crop talk above
2. In the 1st post you said D40 like a toy, but in fact D40 more solid than 350D, all the comparison articles agree with it, you're the one dont see the different? I tried all D40, 350D, 400D, E-510, A100, Pentax K100D before so i can say 350D/400D is the worse build compare to other system while A100 is the best.
3. You never use manual focus before? No taking macro, firework, landscape etc. ? And if you see D40x taking macro with AI-S lens If want auto focus, AFS 55-200 or 70-300 VR also can do.
4. for starter, get D40 will deliver better Image Quality due to better kit lens
5. Acer price is 2 or 3 times cheaper than Fujitsu, Toshiba, IBM, that's why it's best selling Because their quality is not as good as others so their price is cheaper That's one of the reason can tell why 350D is cheaper than D40 ( almost )

gosh, this is unhealthy

Gosh!! MODS need to close this down... quick!

i hope kick function available within forum
but seem impossible

they are about the same..

it is the person behind the camera that makes the dramatic differences..

i strongly suggest TS go for nikon system if his gang of friends really willing to borrow and share the lenses with him, that will be great..

too bad i dun have friends using DSLR and with expensive lens..

mindkiller
even your job is to kill ppl's mind, i second you

replies are in bold.

No war here, just the argument, y have to close

for kevil63
2. 1st off, you see the 1st post by viking again, he said D40 like a toy, but i feel a way different, and not only me say D40 is better built and A100 is the best among those K100D/E-510/400D/D40 built If you see it again, it answer for your comment that's the story
3. You AGAIN read my post, have you check the price of 55-200 and 70-300 ? Is it expensive ? be open mind, pls
4. Focus on my sentence, im talking about kit lens You mean 350D deliver better IQ ? And if you like 3rd party lens, why you force other to buy it whether if he just like Nikon lens?
5. You check the price of Canon 5D, 40D, D200 vs D300, K100D vs K100D Super, D40 vs D50 etc. that's can answer for you I'm also have the awareness of business to tell you the time and model is not just factor to reduce price And, of course, is D40 second hand cheap also ? Get the fact

aiyoh. what's with you with the build part. it's subjective. some find it nicer, some don't. no big deal here.




what kev said - if u can afford to spend on the 55-200 or 70-300VR, why dont just save up a little more for a better body?

mind, you a used unit of 55-200 and 70-300VR comes to around RM 600 - 700 range. now with that additional $$$, might as well get a better body. get it?

anyway, IMO the lacking of battery grip expansion part is good enough a reason to avoid D40.

a used 70-300VR easily goes around RM1500..

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Added on November 21, 2007, 8:01 am

2. u see.. u kept on repeating "not only me say...", so what? no only me say D40 is not solid lah.. u really never do understand the meaning of subjective..

3. ok, a used 70-300VR costs around RM1500.. not expensive huh?

4. show me the price of nikon lenses that cover the range of the kit lens, that opens at F2.8... i'm saying 3rd party is more economical.. u can choose a tamron 1750 f2.8 or a sigma 1850 f2.8, but u cant do so on the D40, go survey around for the price of nikon f2.8 lens..

5. how long is 5D in the market? have it got any replacement model yet? how long is 40D in the market? is there a 50D launched?? how long is D200 or D300 in the market??? are u aware of the initial selling price of D70s and the selling price today? u're really a joke cracker.. D40 2nd hand not cheap huh? ok.. a used D40 around RM1500 is not cheap, a 70-300VR on the other hand, is cheap..
ok.. u win..

nah, we are not swearing to each other. Let it be a healthy debate, provided with facts and not personal assumptions.



I don't do estimation, I speak facts instead of personal assumption / estimation.



Till now you still cant understand what we are discussing earlier on. Again, the point is having bigger megapixel is always better than smaller ones. Nobody gives a crap on whether "you" use small or big.



Till now you still cant understand what we are discussing earlier on. Again, Having the ability to use a battery grip is always better than not having it at all. Nobody gives a crap on whether "you" feel it's nice to hold D40 or whatever DSLR.



Till now you still cant understand what we are discussing earlier on. Again, the point is having Autofocus + Manual Focus is always better than having just Manual Focus alone Nobody gives a crap on whether "you" just use Manual Focus.



You are just firing yourself in the face.

Another question,

There is this 2nd hand offer by a user in a forum in Singapore, and my friend is very sure whether it's a good deal or not
price is quoted in SGD



taken from http://clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=327506

So, is this a good deal? or the one that kanz1986 has is a better one?

- Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED(D80 Kit Lens) - worth RM6xx-700
- 1 extra Nikon original battery EN-EL9 - worth RM80+-
- 1 Kingston 2GB SD card - worth RM40-50
- 1 Sakure FT-362 4 section tripod - worth RM20
Total RM650 + RM80 + RM40 + RM20 = RM790

- D40 Body + Fullset with box - worth RM?

$950 = RM2,193.55 - RM790 = RM1403.55 for d40 kit.

The deal is just so so
Not a dirt cheap deal.

p/s: If you plan to bring it back to Malaysia for quite sometime, bear in mind IINM Nikon doesn't give international warranty. So the d40 considered no warranty, and you are paying RM1400 for a no warranty unit.

If I were TS, I would only get the D40 if:
- my circle of friends use Nikon and they don't mind borrowing their lens to me
- autofocus is not a priority
- have a lot of money and can upgrade body anytime (if i were serious into it)
- prefer small and light body

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Added on November 21, 2007, 10:50 am
no need for that. we have hot-but-healthy discussion here, not like some idiot fanboys in FnF forum.

---

Added on November 21, 2007, 10:52 amamong the 3 of us (me and my friends), i'm the only one using sony alpha... the other 2 guys using 400d and 30d

wow... thanks for the maths done there cause wasn't too sure bout the market prices in Malaysia.

Nothing wrong with that, I used to be an alpha + 2x 300D user too. kinda miss the built in IS but too bad I sold everything to a dude who offered me quite a hefty sum 6 months ago.

p/s: if only alpha has a good noise reduction control system



You're welcome. So choose ya destiny!!!

yeah, my frens wouldnt mind borrowing their lenses to me and autofocus isnt a priority although it would b really b advantage if hav it. Well, dont really have that a lot of money and doubt could upgrade the body anytime. Isnt a wise choice to choose d40?.. how fast do users upgrade their d40?.. it is really that limited in terms of its functions and features? ive tried holding my fren's d80, boy.. it does feel heavy after some time.. lol.. will the small and light body b an issue since ppl are debating about the handling, batt grip, etc etc?..

Im really new in this thing but v interested. sory if my ques are kinda general. I guess the main ques is d40 a good first dslr for begginer who are interested in the photography field? or should they save up more cash for d80? (which prolly gonna take me half a year more) Basically my plan is to get a d40, learn all there is of it, trying out fren lenses and gaining knowledge and skills from them. upgrade the body once ive got a hang of it?

try look into your friend's lens
what type is it and is it expensive?

I changed my D40 after 6 months of usage

Reason(s)?

when i was reconsidering my first DSLR, D40 was totally out of my list. it features didn't attract me at all. my options at the time was:

- C 350D
- C 400D
- N D50
- O E-510
- S A100

at that point, my 2 other photog friends were already using C. but in the end I chose S because of its ergonomics, double CCD cleaning system, built in CCD-based IS, 9-point AF plus 10.2Mp. although ppl say S is a bit noisy at higher ISO (800+), it still retain the highest detail compare to other systems.

if noisy just convert to B&W picture...

Lolololol

i checked out FTZ before posting that but i guess i saw wrong. thanks for correcting.

anyway TS - you MIGHT think that autofocus is not important, I got the a DSLR because I want to manual focus nicely. Now using DSLR, I find I'm on autofocus more than ever.

if you want really cheap, a used 350D is nice. if you're in doubt of what a 350D can do then you can always view my gallery.

yeah, that is quite true
very tension if he gets d40 then tension

but you know men, d40 is a good camera
have too many nice feature

but i have been brainwashed by 3 pro (i would say pro) for not buying d40, buy d50 instead
i photojurnalism at surat khabar, one taking photojurnalism at arab country, one more is intermediate photographer with a bundle of nice photographs in d50. they didnt want to "perkecilkan" the ability of the camera, but the just can

i think it is not just us to be fair to everybody, the feature of the camera should be fair with us too

i think they know la this amateur intended to do

oi canon/nikon, ko sorang je yg susah2, biar aku susah2 plak
then bile dah penat, aku saje yg susah2, bila ko nak susah plak

hehe