Bit the bullet and bought the D40

[hts]

So I finally got fed up with my Pany FZ-18 (had it for about 3 weeks and probably took close beween 1,500-2k pix with it) and returned it to Costco today (love their liberal return policy). Would've bought the Nikon from them as well, except they only sell the D40x kit, which is overkill for me ($1k and 10m pixels), so I got the D40 with the 18-55 AF-S and the 55-200 AF-S VR for $700 on-line (US, not gray market). With next day air, it should be here on Tue, giving me several days to play around with it before our 6 year old's 7th birthday party this weekend.

I was really hoping to avoid going the DSLR route, but now that I've bitten the bullet, I suspect I'll really enjoy it.

:thumbup:

[SRFast]

Why were you avoidding the purchase of a DSLR? With the purchase of the D40, it will probably be the last camera you'll ever need to buy. Enjoy your new Nikon.

Regards...JL

[Jon S.]

Yeah, when I first bought my dslr a year and a half ago, that's what I thought too. Now I have a pro body, 3 pro lenses, monopod, tripod, flash gun, 2x TC, 1.4x TC, and a 50mm f/1.8.

Goodkarma: you've only just begun...

:)

[HW]

Why were you avoidding the purchase of a DSLR? With the purchase of the D40, it will probably be the last camera you'll ever need to buy. Enjoy your new Nikon.

Regards...JL

:dunno: i think digi cams are different from film cams. you won't end up keeping it as long. for one thing, newer innovations, and that the user will take more pictures than a film user thus wearing out the mechanical shutter and mirror mech.

[HW]

Yeah, when I first bought my dslr a year and a half ago, that's what I thought too. Now I have a pro body, 3 pro lenses, monopod, tripod, flash gun, 2x TC, 1.4x TC, and a 50mm f/1.8.

Goodkarma: you've only just begun...

:)

what's the stuff you got?

canon rebel xti with kit lens
battery grip,
tripod (el cheapo one) looking for a good quality travel one
50mm f1.8 to be on order
thinking about flash and better walk-around lens

[hts]

I was really hoping to find that one of the super-zooms (I've been using an S3IS, but recently bought the new Panny FZ-18) would allow me to take good pictures so that I:

1. didn't have to tote around a bunch of inter-changeable lenses;
2. didn't have to worry about dust on the sensor;
3. didn't have to worry about dropping/damaging a $500 lens (or camera body);
4. didn't have an opportunity to catch the photography bug and let it turn into an expensive, obsessive hobby.

but noooooooo...

[Jon S.]

what's the stuff you got?

canon rebel xti with kit lens
battery grip,
tripod (el cheapo one) looking for a good quality travel one
50mm f1.8 to be on order
thinking about flash and better walk-around lens


Canon 1D Mk II
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS
Canon 400mm f/5.6L
Canon 50mm f/1.8 II

Canon 430 EX flash
Canon 1.4x Tele-converter
Kenko Pro 2x Tele-converter

You know what is a great walk-around lens?

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8.

[hts]

i don't know canon pricing (heck, i don't know nikon pricing either), but that get-up *looks* expensive. i'm guessing $8-$10k...

[Jon S.]

i don't know canon pricing (heck, i don't know nikon pricing either), but that get-up *looks* expensive. i'm guessing $8-$10k...

The trick is to find near-new pre-owned equipment and save about 50% over new...

If you are like me (a perfectionist) you will not be satisfied with a consumer grade camera.

It's a good, clean hobby too - much cheaper than high-performance European cars!

:p

[HW]

Canon 1D Mk II
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS
Canon 400mm f/5.6L
Canon 50mm f/1.8 II

Canon 430 EX flash
Canon 1.4x Tele-converter
Kenko Pro 2x Tele-converter

You know what is a great walk-around lens?

Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8.

nice lenses. nice shots w/ the 400+1.4x on the other thread. and with no IS. :eek:

[Jon S.]

nice lenses. nice shots w/ the 400+1.4x on the other thread. and with no IS. :eek:

Thanks.

I am reasonably convinced that there is not much benefit to IS other than shooting in very low light situations. Since the majority of my work is outdoors, it's sort of unnecessary imo...

[dinanm3atl]

My next big purchase is definitely a nice DSLR