D40 vs D60?

[ampguy]

I've read in detail, many reviews of the differences between the D40 and D60, and the only interesting thing to me, in the D60 is the electronic rangefinder when focusing manually.

Has anyone here used the D60 with non AI glass? How does the indicator work for focusing in real life?

 

[Ronald M]

The screen is made for slow autofocus lenses rather than being contrasty enough for manual focus at some loss of brightness. The green dot relies on the same AF sensors as used for 3.5 AF lenses and is not sensitive enough for 1.4 or 2.0 lenses. If you try 1.4 in DIM light, you will find the light stays on thru many degrees of rotation of the focus ring. This is not the case with a split image screen. Therefore only approximate focus is possible.

I am able to easily focus in bright sun for detailed flowers accurately using the stock provided screen without the green dot. Others will not be able to do it. I have done it with a 300 4.0 on flower stamens from 5 feet.

Final answer, if you want to use 1.4 to 2.8 in dim light, forget it. Or buy the Katz Eye screen. Bright sun works fine for manual focus .

Now I say forget it I mean for perfect accurate focus. You will probably be able to get close, just not perfect.

 

[BillBingham2]

Are you thinking D40 or D40X?

I'm a prime sort of guy to the sensor cleaning is important to me. I'd love to hear about what other folks have found with the focus assist in existing light.

B2 (;->

 

[ampguy]

Thanks Ronald and Bill - great info. I'm planning to use 1.8 and 2.0 lenses, but won't expect high focus accuracy close up, but hopefully at distances > 2m will work ok.

Bill, my personal pref. is D40, I'm a fan of bigger, even if less photo sensors with a given sensor size.

 

[BillBingham2]

Interesting approach, need to noodle on that one a bit. What lenses are you thinking about? My kit (still no camera) seems to be CV 20/3.5, 58/1.4 and Nikkor 28/2.8 AIS and 180/2.8 ED.

 

[Chris101]

I've never had an issue with focus accuracy - well, maybe I have, but that's not so important to me. What I don't like about the Nikon Green dot focus indicator is that it is way down in the bottom left of the viewfinder. With a split screen prism, like a rangefinder, the focus indicator is right there in the middle, probably superimposed on your subject. With the dot, you need to look away from the subject to find it. Then you need to watch it while you rack the focus back and forth, all the time without looking at the scene through the viewfinder.

 

[ampguy]

Those are good points Chris. Bill - plan to just use my non-AI lenses at first - 43-86 first version, 28/2.8, 80-200 f4.5 AI (this last one on a tripod).

 

[punkromance]

Well, the D40's just been discontinued.
Nikon are expected to release the replacement (D5000?) at PMA in a couple of days (not sure when it is exactly).
Worth waiting for as it will probably have far better noise handling at high isos, and will probably feature live view, which if you're manual focusing with, and using a tripod, is very useful, as the VF sucks.