I’m Over My D40 . . . What’s Next?
Sep 30, 2020 20:52:17 #
I started shooting back in the ‘70s with an Olympus OM-1 . . . great little camera. I graduated from that to Nikons (F2 and FM2) and spent years shooting those. I still have a couple boxes of slides/transparencies that I have yet to digitize.
Then in ‘06 I made the jump to digital with a real basic Nikon D40. I started using it, then work interfered with photography until last year when I “retired” and started looking for sanity. Photography seemed right but the D40 was just not doing it for me.
So the question I should have asked up front - What is a good next step for me. I am very comfortable shooting manual, but I realize from my use of the D40 that there is a whole new level of digital out there waiting for me.
Thanks “muchly”!
Then in ‘06 I made the jump to digital with a real basic Nikon D40. I started using it, then work interfered with photography until last year when I “retired” and started looking for sanity. Photography seemed right but the D40 was just not doing it for me.
So the question I should have asked up front - What is a good next step for me. I am very comfortable shooting manual, but I realize from my use of the D40 that there is a whole new level of digital out there waiting for me.
Thanks “muchly”!
Sep 30, 2020 20:55:13 #
Sep 30, 2020 20:56:57 #
Sep 30, 2020 21:06:08 #
Here is a questions for you then:
Do you want to stick with Nikon? What is your budget? DSLR - or would you like to go with Mirror less? (I would). Fact of the matter is whatever you choose your looking at a completely new system, body and a couple of lenses.
I'm a Canon guy. I have a relatively new Canon R mirrorless camera, which I love, but I'm going one more time for the "rest of my life camera" and that's going to be the Canon R5 just released and pairing that up with the RF 28-70 f2.0L IS. The specs are just to good to pass up and the R lenses are almost flawless. This will cost me a small fortune but I never plan to buy another camera...ever...I'm a pretty old dude already.
Do you want to stick with Nikon? What is your budget? DSLR - or would you like to go with Mirror less? (I would). Fact of the matter is whatever you choose your looking at a completely new system, body and a couple of lenses.
I'm a Canon guy. I have a relatively new Canon R mirrorless camera, which I love, but I'm going one more time for the "rest of my life camera" and that's going to be the Canon R5 just released and pairing that up with the RF 28-70 f2.0L IS. The specs are just to good to pass up and the R lenses are almost flawless. This will cost me a small fortune but I never plan to buy another camera...ever...I'm a pretty old dude already.
Sep 30, 2020 21:07:09 #
The relatively new Z50 is 21MP of cropped sensor mirrorless glory! Review: https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/z50.htm
Sep 30, 2020 21:35:50 #
Several questions need to be answered like how seriously do you plan on getting into photography? What are you interested in shooting? What is your budget. I started with the D40X, had a couple D80's, presently have two D7000's and one D7200. As an advanced amateur I'm happy with the cameras I presently have. I don't buy and see no need to buy the latest and more expensive if what I presently have is serving my needs. But I also will not tell others how to spend their money so if others suggest the latest and greatest and that's the route you want to take so be it.
Sep 30, 2020 22:26:53 #
You should look very carefully at the specs of the cameras now available. If you are going to shell out about $2000, you should consider if you want to go mirrorless. Do you want in-camera or in-lens stabilization? Do you want fast focussing or are you happy with slower response. Do you want to shoot in low light? How many lenses are available for the model you would like to buy? Do you want to use older (generally manual) lenses? Do you want "full-frame" (24x35mm) sensor?
There are more questions you should ask yourself about the type of photography you want to settle into, but once you have checked off all of the boxes, you should visit some camera stores and handle the cameras they have, and possibly rent one or two before making your decision. Ergonomics play a large part in the enjoyment you will get using a camera. If you are not comfortable with it , you will probably not carry it with you often.
Take your time and keep using your D40 until you have made your decision - practice will make you a better photographer, whatever you choose for hardware. Stay well.
There are more questions you should ask yourself about the type of photography you want to settle into, but once you have checked off all of the boxes, you should visit some camera stores and handle the cameras they have, and possibly rent one or two before making your decision. Ergonomics play a large part in the enjoyment you will get using a camera. If you are not comfortable with it , you will probably not carry it with you often.
Take your time and keep using your D40 until you have made your decision - practice will make you a better photographer, whatever you choose for hardware. Stay well.
Sep 30, 2020 22:30:26 #
Thanks to all who have contributed their thoughts here. My “thunk” on this is to sell my D40 and the few Nikon-mount lenses I’ve accumulated over the years (Nikon 50mm f:1.8, Sigma 28-70mm f:2.8, Tamron 80-210mm f1.3.8-1:4, and a Tamron 18-270mm f:3.5-6.3) and move on. Don’t know what I can get for that gear, but whatever would assist toward my budget of $800-1200. Having used Nikon for years doesn’t anchor me to that brand . . . but I do lean in that direction. My desire for my new camera is still hobby, the government has sent me around the world so travel is still a strong desire . . . Maybe I’ll post a few of my photos here to see if there is any appreciation of an old salt’s pics.
Sep 30, 2020 23:02:38 #
Scoot wrote:
Thanks to all who have contributed their thoughts ... (show quote)
There's no reason to start over with another brand. The progression of bodies on the same advanced tier as your D40 might now be the D5500 that will maintain compatibility with all your current lenses. Buying new will likely include the 18-55 kit lens, probably adding nothing useful to your kit if you keep the 28-70. Most new bodies will eat most / all your budget, leaving nothing for lens(es) if you don't retain your existing equipment. Used / refurbished bodies offer some saving.
You might scan / monitor the for-sale section here watching for models D5300 / D5500 / D7200. You can look to swap lenses over time after changing the body.
Sep 30, 2020 23:18:39 #
Scoot wrote:
I started shooting back in the ‘70s with an Olympu... (show quote)
If you were happy with your D40, the Z50 with the 2 kit lenses will put a big smile on your face for a reasonable price.
This is from the Z50 with 50-250mm kit lens.
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Sep 30, 2020 23:25:27 #
Sep 30, 2020 23:29:26 #
Bill_de wrote:
If you were happy with your D40, the Z50 with the 2 kit lenses will put a big smile on your face for a reasonable price.
This is from the Z50 with 50-250mm kit lens.
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This is from the Z50 with 50-250mm kit lens.
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And this is from the D7000. I don't know where you're at with post processing but nearly every image you view on this forum will be post processed including mine.
Oct 1, 2020 01:15:57 #
Oct 1, 2020 04:06:34 #
Scoot wrote:
I started shooting back in the ‘70s with an Olympu... (show quote)
What kinds of subjects? That may dictate lenses and even body.
Do you want full bore powerhouse or small and handy? (or in between?) New, used or refurbished? You do have an assortment of lenses, if a bit old, but they still work.
Oct 1, 2020 07:03:05 #
I graduated from a D50 to a D7000 some years back, and when the D7000 succumbed to salt air damage I replaced it with a D7100. I am quite satisfied with the performance of the D7100 and have no immediate plans for an upgrade. I am sure that the D7200 and D7500 models are at least as good as the D7100, so those would be good choices. OTOH, you might find good buys on D7100 or D7200 models, since they are not the latest. Any of those would be able to use the lenses you have for your D40. However, FWIW my camera wears only the Nikon 18-200VR2 lens and I use it for everything. I understand the newer 18-300 lens is also very good.
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