OT Getting a used DSLR, advice?

[Al Patterson]

How about the K100D or the IST DS? Those are far closer to my price range.

If 6 megapixels are enough, they should be good choices as well. I was looking at the K100D Super when I bought the Samsung. Both are 6 megapixel cameras.

 

[jwhitley]

A possible drawback on the D40/D40x is the fact that there is no built-in focusing motor in the body, so they will not autofocus with many Nikkor AF lenses that use body-driven AF mechanism.

I've got a D40 and really like it for all of the reasons folks here mention. I fretted over the Nikkor AF issue for a bit, but I've since realized that there are so many fine manual focus Nikkor lenses going for a song that it's not big of a deal. I put a Katz Eye split-prism screen in mine and have been very pleased.

Of course, my F3's viewfinder is spoiling me on the focusing front w.r.t. the D40. I find it actually possible to focus at an arbitrary point on the ground glass, not just via the prisms...

 

[Warren T.]

I've got a D40 and really like it for all of the reasons folks here mention. I fretted over the Nikkor AF issue for a bit, but I've since realized that there are so many fine manual focus Nikkor lenses going for a song that it's not big of a deal. I put a Katz Eye split-prism screen in mine and have been very pleased.

Of course, my F3's viewfinder is spoiling me on the focusing front w.r.t. the D40. I find it actually possible to focus at an arbitrary point on the ground glass, not just via the prisms...

I use an "E" screen (grid) on my F3HP and I find it easy enough to focus using the ground glass. The E screen does not have any other focusing aids (split prism, microprism, etc.).

--Warren

 

[suzums]

How much are you willing to spend?

Are you planning on picking up any AF lenses with it?

And is there a specific sorta stuff you are planning on shooting? (e. sports?)

 

[Creagerj]

The DSLR I end up with will probably end up being a my camera for taking pics of friends bands, candids, and maybe graphic design projects. I think 6mp should do just fine. Besides I think that 6mp is all I can afford.

 

[Creagerj]

I like the idea of being able to use old M42 lenses and what not since the are so cheap. If I went with a D40 I would certainly use my Nikkor MFs. If I went with pentax I suppose I would end up getting some old M42 lenses. Will the K100D also take MF K mount lenses like the 40mm pancake lens?

 

[Andrew Howes]

D1x
it has less dr than the others but in softer light it has sweet rich colour, meters on manual focus lenses, has the strongest, fastest focus motor of anything (afs, who needs that) 1/500th flash sync and iso 125 if flash is your thing. iso 1600 is grainy but nice, in fact I find it more usable than the less grainy 20d often.

battery life is not the best but I used to do weddings on 1 and a half batteries, apparently there is a lithium conversion available now anyway.

I have a d100 also but I hardly ever use it, I have a d2x for my work but the d1x is my home and backup camera. for almost twice the price a d200 would be a better buy. D40 if you only want to use afs lenses or manual focus. Fuji s3 is a good buy too, would get that over a d100 or d70.

using a canon with nikon lenses is daft unless you only use wide open, yes they meter but the diaphram is manual stop down only, and you can get a nikon for around the same price anyway.

I use a helios 40 and a 55 1.2 S-C on my d1x.

 

[Andrew Howes]

I forgot, for manual focussing I put a fm3 k3 type screen in the d1x, just file off the tab and it drops right in. Theres also those yummy CZF lenses too.
my vote under $1000: the d200, under $650: the d1x

 

[M2user]

D1x

battery life is not the best but I used to do weddings on 1 and a half batteries, apparently there is a lithium conversion available now anyway.

Hello Andrew,
I have a D1x and like it alot.The build quality is superb and the results I have had using it are more than adequate for me especially using the Nikon Raw file output and the only downside that I find is battery life.
Can you give me any more details about the lithium conversion and where obtainable.I live in the UK.
Regards,
William

 

[ChrisN]

I like the idea of being able to use old M42 lenses and what not since the are so cheap. If I went with a D40 I would certainly use my Nikkor MFs. If I went with pentax I suppose I would end up getting some old M42 lenses. Will the K100D also take MF K mount lenses like the 40mm pancake lens?

Yes - Pentax have wonderful respect for their history, and all the dSLR models can use all the K-mount lenses, manual focus as well as auto-focus. You can also use any of the M42 screw-mount lenses with the right (preferably Pentax-made) adapter. 🙂

 

[peterc]

D40 says "can't be used", D40x says "Can't be used, will damage the camera" on page 98 of each. Must be a cut-and-paste type of error from earlier manuals.

I've been using pre-AI lenses on my D40 since I got it and haven't noticed any damage. The only lenses you can't use on the D40 are the ones that require mirror lockup.

 

[Michael Da Re]

If you don't win the D40 on ebay might I suggest that you check on KEH.com. I bought an Olympus E-500 with the two lens kit and all of the accessories for under $500.00. The build and quality of the camera are wonderful. The image quality is fantastic. And the lenses were rated as some of the best kit lenses made, although low light use isn't that great. Also they seem to make a lens adapter for almost any lens imaginable.

Mike D.

 

[jwhitley]

I've been using pre-AI lenses on my D40 since I got it and haven't noticed any damage. The only lenses you can't use on the D40 are the ones that require mirror lockup.

I've also been using pre-AI lenses on my D40; a 50/1.4 and a 105/2.5, both Nikon F era. No problems at all.

 

[Andrew Howes]

D1x

battery life is not the best but I used to do weddings on 1 and a half batteries, apparently there is a lithium conversion available now anyway.

Hello Andrew,
I have a D1x and like it alot.The build quality is superb and the results I have had using it are more than adequate for me especially using the Nikon Raw file output and the only downside that I find is battery life.
Can you give me any more details about the lithium conversion and where obtainable.I live in the UK.
Regards,
William

Hi William
I have not looked into that seriously yet as my nimh batteries are going ok for now, I just read about it somewhere on dpreview.com. If it is pricey I might just repack the nimh myself next time. I recently saw a d1x body with 4 batteries for about $400au, I nearly bought it for when I wear mine out.

 

[breathstealer]

I feel the best used deal in DSLRs today is a Canon 350D/Digital Rebel XT, or one of its successors. 8mp is enough for anything, the price is right, and it takes a massive line of reasonably priced AF lenses from multiple manufacturers as well as Nikon F (with stopped down metering!), K mount, and M42 lenses with cheap glassless adapters. It's also recent enough so that the user interface is not far removed from this generation's cameras.

Also the D40/D40x/D60 have the drawback of no in camera focus motor, making non AF-s (or equivalent) lenses lose AF. This is often a dealbreaker for many (no fast AF primes except for Sigma's!), though it may not be in your case.

 

[suzums]

Going with the consumer level of either Canon or Nikon would be a good choice!
Since you are not planning on shooting sporting events, they will be more than sufficient.
I bought mine in '06, and I still use it for sports and it works well for now.
You are able to find most adapter for third party lenses to either Canon or Nikon bodies.

 

[anandi]

There weren't enough Pentax votes (thanks Chris) so I'll add my endorsement. Why? A *istDS or DS2 goes for a pretty reasonable $250-$300 in great condition. Big, bright viewfinder, compatibility to lenses all the way back to M42 screw mount. MF SMC-A lenses that let you meter in most modes are plentiful and inexpensive. 6MP with excellent high ISO noise characteristics will suit most of your needs for years. Want a bit more? The K10D has all that plus a Nikon D200-rivalling weatherproof body, more options than you can shake a stick at and has amazing image quality at up to 800 ISO. Did I mention in camera Shake reduction on that $500 used K10D? I think Pentax is the best enthusiast's value out there today, especially for those liking old lenses.

Cheers,
-Amit

 

[Creagerj]

Ok, I finally got around to buying a DSLR. In the end I picked up a D40x as well as a AF-S 18-55mm lens. I plan to use my old MF Nikkors, but I still wanted at least one AF lens to use. I'm still feeling a bit uneasy about my purchasing decision, however given the price I paid, and the cash that I had to work with I feel that I did pretty well. So I'm hoping I won't be disappointed. My next question is; which flash? I'm not really wanting to spend a lot on a flash, but I would like one that bounces, zooms, and swivels. I mostly shoot bands and indoor candids. What do you recommend? Or do you feel that it will even be necessary?

 

[2XLX2]

congrats, joe 🙂

BTW, has anyone used konica-minoltas: 5D & 7D? any comment on them? also, how good are the AF 20/2.8 and 24/2.8?