Best value 2nd hand

Ziggy

Ziggy

Messages
969
Name
Mike
Edit My Images
Yes
Hoping for some help and guidance.

I have a Nikon D40, have owned it for a year and it has brought my photo skills on a fair bit. Have always been happy with the camera but feel I am missing something now and looking to take better pictures.

I feel it is now time to move on to a better camera and some better lenses.

I know a lot of people say that you should get better glass and keep the old body, is this really good advice?

I was looking for what people would recommend as a decent 2nd hand buy, I am happy to buy 2nd hand as you can always get a good bargain I feel. I have been looking around and it seems like you can get a really good camera for a decent price, maybe a few years old in technology but I believe that you do not always have to buy the latest things, clever marketing makes you think that you do.

I do not really have any budget in mind, I have money to spend but I need to justify it.

Things like the Canon 40d look to be a superb camera in my eyes and a great price surely. Nikon D2x looks like a lot of camera for the money. Maybe something more modern is a better buy, I really have no idea and looking for guidance.

Any help or guidance greatly appreicated.

Thanks

Michael.
 
If a camera was excellent back in the day, it is still excellent now.

40d is a wicked camera, as is a Nikon D2x.

You'll love using a new camera, but if you're keeping the same lenses, you won't notice a difference and you'll have just wasted a whole heap of money.

Seriously, get some top quality lenses and your pictures will just shine.

Glass first, camera second.
 
A D2x is a fair old jump up from a D40 - a much newer D300 would give you far better high iso images for the same sort of money
 
Buy new glass and get a D300 next year

They are bringing out a D300s and the prices on D300 in a year will be a lot better.

But if spending on good glass you are tying yourself into a system and will have to stick with it or loose hard earned dosh.:(
 
So I guess from the comments that good glass will work pretty much just as well on my D40 than on a better camera, I realise there will be a difference but the vibe I am getting is that lenses make far more of a difference than the body?
 
I suppose what you need to ask yourself right now is do you want to tie yourself down to Nikon? If you do, then upgrade your glass and not the camera. If you would prefer to move to Canon then do that and get the best glass you can afford in your budget.
 
My main problem I think is that I got a nice 50mm lens but it will not autofocus on my D40 and I keep missing nice pictures of my son because he moves about so quickly and I am not fast enough.

I could buy a AF-S 50mm 1.4 , or just keep my 50mm AF 1.8 and get a new body.

I will mainly be using it for portrait work, not much else really so was looking at the likes of D70, D80 etc today, not sure what to do to be honest.

I do like Nikon though so will probably stay with them...
 
Ziggy said:
My main problem I think is that I got a nice 50mm lens but it will not autofocus on my D40 and I keep missing nice pictures of my son because he moves about so quickly and I am not fast enough.
Click to expand...

that's the only limiting factor with the D40, I think i'd be tempted to get something like a 17-55mm f/2.8 afs and stick with the D40 then when you get a bit more cash you could upgrade to a D300 and have a top lens in your bag already.
 
I went from a D40x to a D200 less than a year ago and haven't looked back since. Loads more options lens wise...

The plan is to upgrade to a D300, but only when they come down in price (what a difference a year makes :shake:). Maybe the D300s will help?

The D200 has really helped me progress, and if & when I receive my D300, it will be a natural progression...
 
foodpoison said:
If a camera was excellent back in the day, it is still excellent now.

40d is a wicked camera, as is a Nikon D2x.

You'll love using a new camera, but if you're keeping the same lenses, you won't notice a difference and you'll have just wasted a whole heap of money.

Seriously, get some top quality lenses and your pictures will just shine.

Glass first, camera second.
Click to expand...

I'd agree with this, however what I'd add is that when i went from a 400d to a 40d, I was much more comfortable with 'feel' of the camera in my hands due to it's increased size and better ergonomics. I find it much easier to change settings quickly, and without looking at the camera.

I don't think the pictures are that much better optically, the whole experience just feels better, which you can't quantify but does make a difference, for me anyway.

I also find I get less camera shake, not sure if this was because of poor technique previously though, or bacuase the 40d is heavier and the lenses I have balance better on it.

Good luck
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top