She just emailed saying that her P&S died. She wants to move up to an entry level DSLR to get good shots of her kids, and might someday take on photography as a serious hobby.

Now I know every reason why she should get an XTi, but I know nothing of the Nikon line. The numbers and designations are all confusing to me. What does the d40 do better?

I've told her to go to a camera shop and play around with both of them, but I think she's just looking for me to tell her which one to buy.

And GO!

umm Nikon? srsly..... I really dont care for the D40 at all. I would recommend an XT a thousand times over,IMO(ppl im not getting into a NvC debate, to each their own, mostly just joking around) however... It does take great photos, the colors are all there, its more comfortable to hold IMO and cheaper than the XTi. That being said, I dont like the limit of lenses and the AF motor outside of the body... just doesnt make sense. The menus are terrible IMO.(maybe bc im biased and im to used to Canon). Def. have her play with both, but if she goes Canon, you can be a great brother and let her borrow your nice glass! :P Aside from that im sure the nikon boys can chime in on this one... It really just comes down to preference... we've all been there. When everyone realizes that Canon makes a better camera, there will be no need for these silly debates





I kid.... Nikon is srsbsns.

Does she live near enough to you that she would borrow any of your lenses/gear from time to time? If so, then Canon. Otherwise, don't give her the easy answer--send her to a good camera shop and tell her to play with some cameras. It's like buying cars--there's so much personal preference involved.

She should get whatever will allow HER to take the best pictures.

I will ignore Subimatt's post.

M

Originally Posted by Markitos

Does she live near enough to you that she would borrow any of your lenses/gear from time to time? If so, then Canon. Otherwise, don't give her the easy answer--send her to a good camera shop and tell her to play with some cameras. It's like buying cars--there's so much personal preference involved.

She should get whatever will allow HER to take the best pictures.

I will ignore Subimatt's post.

M

Mostly was kidding Mark, I was trying to say the same thing, its really up to her. Both are good cameras and people have difference preferences. Im just in one of those funny moods. I like Nikons plenty and if I was starting fresh I most likely would head that route for a D3. Having shot Canon for so long everything on them seems off to me... Im sure youd prob feel the same with a Canon in your hand

Originally Posted by subimatt

but if she goes Canon, you can be a great brother and let her borrow your nice glass!

Hahahahhaha, um, no.

Originally Posted by Markitos

don't give her the easy answer--send her to a good camera shop and tell her to play with some cameras.
M

See, I told her that, but she wants me to tell her what to get.

I don't get it, how do n00bs keep coming at me with the d40? My cousin did it 2 months ago when she wanted a new camera and I sold her on the XTi. Now my sister is doing it. Is there some massive conspiracy to convert n00bs to Nikon when they google search "beginner dslr"? I'm not knocking the d40 in any way, I just can't figure out why everyone suggests it so readily. So I'm trying to learn what its advantages are.

I think I'll stick to my guns and recommend the XTi.

I think the D40 is popular as its the first DSLR really adverstised and marketed at the PnS crowd. Remember those Commercials where they gave a small town each a D40? For $500 its an awesome buy, no doubt about it. To most people unsure of how much they want to get into photography it could wind up being more than they will ever need, However there are limitations and if you plan on taking the hobby further, you should step up to an XTi or a D80.

Originally Posted by subimatt

Mostly was kidding Mark, I was trying to say the same thing, its really up to her. Both are good cameras and people have difference preferences. Im just in one of those funny moods. I like Nikons plenty and if I was starting fresh I most likely would head that route for a D3. Having shot Canon for so long everything on them seems off to me... Im sure youd prob feel the same with a Canon in your hand

I know you were kidding... but I'm still ignoring your post!

Originally Posted by Markitos

I know you were kidding... but I'm still ignoring your post!

I was kidding about ever wanting a Nikon! OOOOOHOHOOH Snap!

Originally Posted by subimatt

Remember those Commercials where they gave a small town each a D40? For $500 its an awesome buy, no doubt about it. To most people unsure of how much they want to get into photography it could wind up being more than they will ever need, However there are limitations and if you plan on taking the hobby further, you should step up to an XTi or a D80.

I don't remember those commercials, but that's because advertising is lost on me. I know that whatever camera I recommend will be more than she'll ever need, that's why I'm going to make things simple and just recommend what I want to.

Yeah, its really a toss up. I'd tell her XTi/400D but thats just because its what I know...

Originally Posted by Stime187

Yeah, its really a toss up. I'd tell her XTi/400D but thats just because its what I know...

Yep, that's what I'm going to do.

What happened to the d50?

You guys make me debate my future purchase of a D40. Blast!

Why not take the S5, G9, and any other brands' equivalent high-end P&S' into consideration anyways? They're not DSLR's, but with full manual controls, decent built-in glass, may prove to be a nicer transition for her; their output is nothing to scoff at.

Originally Posted by thechickencow

What happened to the d50?

Hell if I know. I didn't even know it existed. Tell me more.

Originally Posted by mkfotos

Why not take the S5, G9, and any other brands' equivalent high-end P&S' into consideration anyways? They're not DSLR's, but with full manual controls, decent built-in glass, may prove to be a nicer transition for her; their output is nothing to scoff at.

Good suggestion, but I want to get her into an SLR in the hopes that she'll take on photography seriously someday.

Here are 2 facts about the d50:

The d50 has 10 more than the d40.

I've shot with a friends and it takes pictures.

Good points.

Going from nikons website, it looks like the D50 is a replacement for the D40, where in my brief skimming of features, appears to be the same camera.

The extra 10 is a big difference.

I really have no clue other than functionally it seems pretty similar to a rebel series. It was intuitive in the same way as my cam, and seems to take good pics. My friend has shot waay a ton with hers as she does fashion stuff and shoots a lot, and its held up pretty well I think.

D50 is older than the D40. Old series was the D50 and D70, new series is the D40, D40x, and D80. D40x has the sensor of the D80 and the body of the D40.

Originally Posted by jjswee

D50 is older than the D40. Old series was the D50 and D70, new series is the D40, D40x, and D80. D40x has the sensor of the D80 and the body of the D40.

Cool, thanks for clearing that up. But I already recommended the XTi to her.

my $.02:
she came to you for help
she does not want to go try both in person
she will be asking you for help with said camera
you know Canons

so the XT/XTi then, no?

She just emailed me saying she was convinced. So I asked her was it because of my recommendation or because she went to a store and actually played with them in person. She replied that she talked to a friend of hers, who she thought had a d40 and loved it, actually had a Rebel and that was the straw.

Now I get to corrupt my sister in the world of photography. Too bad she's too internet-phobic to get the gist of this place.

Tell her to get a K100D

Originally Posted by Wyn

Tell her to get a K100D

I would if I had a clue what it was. Is that anything like a 70's Chevy Blazer?

close, its a Pentax