I’m Over My D40 . . . What’s Next? (Page 3): Whatever you ultimately choose, don't expect it to totally eclipse the quality of images you get from your D40. Improvements abound in...

Bayou

Whatever you ultimately choose, don't expect it to totally eclipse the quality of images you get from your D40. Improvements abound in newer gear, especially in low light performance, but the D40 does quite well overall. Basic skills are more important than more pixels.

That said, so much has changed since you got the D40, you'd do well to get yourself to a real camera store (if you're fortunate enough to live near one) that carries many models, and lay hands on the offerings. Hopefully you can develop a trusting relationship with a particular salesman who is willing to take the time to introduce you to the options. You could stay with DX Nikon DSLR and use your existing lenses, or go with something altogether new, such as mirrorless, lenses and all. There's a lot to look at.

photoman43

Here are some links to articles and reviews by Thom Hogan, who knows a lot about Nikon and Sony.

If you want to stick with Nikon, you have two paths to take. The one you have been on, with mirrors and then mirrorless. I much prefer (for now) the path with mirrors and viewfinders. My two bodies I use today are the D500 and D850. When Nikon comes out with their next mirrorless cameras, (in a few weeks) I might start down the mirrorless path.

https://www.dslrbodies.com/cameras/thoms-recommended-nikon.html

http://www.bythom.com/camera-lens-and-accessory/nikon-dslr-reviews.html

http://www.bythom.com/

https://www.sansmirror.com/

For good info on any camera and lens go to DP review:

https://www.dpreview.com/products/cameras

srt101fan

larryepage wrote:

Depending on what you want to accomplish, I will ... (show quote)

You mentioned the desirability of two command dials to avoid "having to be buried in the menus all the time". A common but misleading criticism of one-dial cameras. My Nikon D5300 only has one command dial but I rarely access the menus. The settings I can't change on my command dial can be easily changed on the Information Screen. Yes, not as easy as a second command dial but a lot easier than accessing menus.

(Download)

Flash Falasca Loc: Beverly Hills, Florida

Fujifilm X-e3

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

srt101fan wrote:

You mentioned the desirability of two command dials to avoid "having to be buried in the menus all the time". A common but misleading criticism of one-dial cameras. My Nikon D5300 only has one command dial but I rarely access the menus. The settings I can't change on my command dial can be easily changed on the Information Screen. Yes, not as easy as a second command dial but a lot easier than accessing menus.

Correction to your interpretation of my comments. There are two separate issues here, not one.

Two command dials allow quick, simultaneous adjustment of both aperture and shutter speed. This is a fundamental for manual mode photography.

The interface of the D500, in particular, allows direct adjustment of ISO, white balance, and (l believe) metering mode, all of which are basic adjustments that require menu access in the D40 as well as the other entry level cameras. This is a big deal to me and to most of the people that I shoot with. If it is not a big deal to the OP, he is free to ignore the comment.

jsfphotos Loc: New York, NY

I have similar background (Nikon F2 in the 70s, 80s, 90s then switched to Nikon D60 as I came into the digital age). I loved my D60 but a few years ago it was time for an upgrade. I thought to go full-frame and bought a Nikon D750 -- a really great camera!!! But it was just a little too big and heavy for my aging hands. B&H lets you return for a full refund if done in 30 days so that's what I did. I then bought the Nikon 7200 and it has been a wonderful camera for me. Also,, if you have lenses that worked on your D40, I don't see why you can't use them on a D7200. The lenses I had for my D60 worked fine on the 7200.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

gvarner wrote:

Jumping into a mirrorless could be quite a learning curve shock to you. They’re not easy to learn. Stick with a DSLR. A D7200 body would be a good upgrade that would allow you to use your current lens(s). Got mine from B&H for about $700. I went from a D40X and sold it, then to a D7000 and added a D7200 body.

There’s nothing hard about learning how to use a mirrorless camera. Unless you’re using some of the advanced features, which are nice, it’s not that different than using a DSLR. In some ways it’s even easier, like seeing your actual exposure through the viewfinder. The OP is excited at the newer capabilities of digital cameras. The newest capabilities are those that you get with mirrorless.

BebuLamar

SuperflyTNT wrote:

There’s nothing hard about learning how to use a mirrorless camera. Unless you’re using some of the advanced features, which are nice, it’s not that different than using a DSLR. In some ways it’s even easier, like seeing your actual exposure through the viewfinder. The OP is excited at the newer capabilities of digital cameras. The newest capabilities are those that you get with mirrorless.

Yup! And advanced mirrorless camera is easy to use unlike those P&S or the Cell Phone.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

photoman43 wrote:

Here are some links to articles and reviews by Tho... (show quote)

For info : Thom now has a separate website dedicated to the Nikon Z-mount mirrorless syastem ......

https://www.zsystemuser.com/

srt101fan

larryepage wrote:

Correction to your interpretation of my comments. ... (show quote)

I don't understand why my interpretation of your comments needs correction. You claimed (or at least implied) that you had to get a two-dial camera to avoid getting into the menus. That is false. Cameras like the D5300 allow you to change settings via the Information Screen (IS). That is very different from "having to be buried in the menus all the time". Maybe to you using the IS is the same as accessing the camera menus, but for those of us who use the IS it isn't.

RoswellAlien

Unless you’re ready to jump on the Great Mirrorless Bandwagon, a good, low shutter count 7200 is a great camera. Had one for quite a while. Not too heavy and easy to use. FWIW.

Bill_de Loc: US

gvarner wrote:

Jumping into a mirrorless could be quite a learning curve shock to you. They’re not easy to learn.

That may be true for some, but not for anyone I know who have switched. I shoot with mirrorless and DSLRs and can pick up either one and start shooting.

I don't think anyone should be afraid of the future even if, like me, they still keep one foot in the past.

---

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

srt101fan wrote:

I don't understand why my interpretation of your comments needs correction. You claimed (or at least implied) that you had to get a two-dial camera to avoid getting into the menus. That is false. Cameras like the D5300 allow you to change settings via the Information Screen (IS). That is very different from "having to be buried in the menus all the time". Maybe to you using the IS is the same as accessing the camera menus, but for those of us who use the IS it isn't.

My reference was to his D40. I did not make any reference to a D3xxx or D5xxx.

My preference is to be able to change aperture, shutter speed, or ISO without taking the camera away from my eye. I cannot do that if I an working with the rear screen, whether the menu or the touch screen. Others may have a secret skill to do that. I do not.

srt101fan

larryepage wrote:

My reference was to his D40. I did not make any reference to a D3xxx or D5xxx.

My preference is to be able to change aperture, shutter speed, or ISO without taking the camera away from my eye. I cannot do that if I an working with the rear screen, whether the menu or the touch screen. Others may have a secret skill to do that. I do not.

Your preference is not the issue. And you were not talking about the OP's D40, you were talking about the replacement for his D40. Your recommendations for that replacement implied that there are only two ways to change settings in a camera: you either have to access menus or you get a camera with two command dials. You ignored the third option built into some cameras - use of the Information Screen. The fact that you don't like it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Over and out.....

IDguy Loc: Idaho

srt101fan wrote:

You mentioned the desirability of two command dials to avoid "having to be buried in the menus all the time". A common but misleading criticism of one-dial cameras. My Nikon D5300 only has one command dial but I rarely access the menus. The settings I can't change on my command dial can be easily changed on the Information Screen. Yes, not as easy as a second command dial but a lot easier than accessing menus.

Yes, many users never figured out how to use the i button on D5xxxs. It got even better with the touch screens on D5500 and D5600.

On the Zs some of the data on the standard screen are also touch active. Less on the D5600.

All the Zs, including Z50, have both front and rear dials and the active i screen. The active i screen contents are programmable.

And the programmable buttons let you do whatever you think you need a button for.

Plus the Zs have two or three U modes.