[Malibu Stacey]

hey there, i was dead set this morning on the Nikon D80 but i'm starting to get worried about my choice! is the D40 really just as good at a cheaper price? i'm new to digital but not 35mm, so i do want something i can grow with and not something too entry level! Your help would be much appreciated!

[Dabhand16]

The D80 is ultimately a more capable camera - it will go with you further on your journey than the D40

[Malibu Stacey]

i'm definitely leaning that way! i just thought i'd better get some opinions before i part with almost all of my money!

[frostbear]

Hi Malibu, I bought a D40 recently and find it a very capable camera but now wish I'd bought a D80, or even a D300 as I have become so immersed in my new hobby!

[tim0306blue]

I read a thread recently about less flexibility when buying lenses for the D40. I think that the D80 is worth the extra money for this reason alone.

[Charlotte]

I think it depends on how far you want to go with your photography If you're a serious amateur, then I definitely think it's worth spending the extra on the D80, otherwise you are likely to outgrow a D40 before too long, which is not going to benefit you financially.

[JMitchell]

I think you'll find the D40 restricting in terms of lenses, and in terms of control, especially if you're used to full manual 35mm. The D80 will 'last' you a lot longer, because there's more to learn...

[mikesmigaj]

I say hold out and see what will replace the D80, if you can wait. Currently, I have the D50. I have the 50mm f 1.8, 35mm f 2, and the 20mm f 2.8. It is so much fun using them! The 35mm f 2 is my favorite. Later on, if you get hooked on taking pictures, you'll wish you had at the least bought the D80. The D40 can only use these 3 lenses in the manual focus mode. The D40 doesn't have the autofocus drive motor which is necessary for some lenes. I am not good at manual focusing. My D50 does a much better job than I could ever do!

[VinnyP]

In terms of image quality the outgoing D40x (now replaced by the D60) has the same sensor as the D80 and even the D200. What you gain as you move up the range are better metering options, easier handling, improved focusing, speed and build quality.
As has been said the lack of a focusing motor means your choice of lenses is limited not just in respect of the older short Nikon Primes but also at the other end of the scale with cheaper third party zooms but many are hoping this will change.
Nikon seem to have nailed themselves to losing focusing motors at least on their consumer models. This has already benefited all Nikon users as the independents have retro fitted a lot of their lenses with focusing motors. Sigma have even released a 50mm 1.4 USM to go with their excellent 30mm 1.4.
The older full frame short Nikon Primes although still optically very good have been around for a long time. A lot of people hope that the release of the FX D3 means that Nikon will review the non AFS lenses.
But as things stand the focusing motor and improved metering and handling of the D80 mean it has the edge over the D40 D60 BUT with the market flooded with 2nd hand D200s they may rate consideration. There is no guarantee that the D80 replacement will have a focusing motor.

[lifethrualens]

d80 no question

[towershot]

Another vote for the D80, had one .
They are great......

[photoshopmad]

I'm very happy with my D40x it takes excellent photos, and the only minor criticism is that it does not do bracketing, which would be useful if I wanted to take photos of different exposures for HDR without using a tripod. I chose it mainly because it was much lighter than some of the other cameras, and I needed to lug it up mountains.

[Chilliman]

Can't comment on the Nikon cos I'm from the other camp, Canon. A mate of mine has just recently got the D80 he has delighted with it.

[Dutchie]

Certainly would go for the D80. No surprice I've got one aswell

[Steffyboy]

I bought my D40 second hand and loved it But.......... after 6 months I bought a second hand D80 body so ultimately I wished I had bought the D80 in the first instance and saved myself some money also you are limited to lenses as the d40 has no internal motor drive it is a fantastic starter camera tho.

Go on you know it makes sense D80 LOL

Stef

[HannahSuffolk]

Even my vote goes to the D80. I recently bought one from Checkcost and I am more than happy with it.And also I saved a few pounds as I got a great deal there.