Nikon Lense Question

[Kurt Hulst]

[FONT=arial,sans-serif]I have two lenses that I used with my N65 35mm Film camera. I know that these lenses will work with the Nikon D40x but is there any loss of image quality through lenses not originally manufactured for digital SLR?[/FONT]

 

[Michael P. Morris]

Not necessarily quality, but you could see some vignetting because the D40x is a 'DX' sensor (i.e. 1.6x crop factor), and is smaller than a piece of film. If you zoom in a little more than you need to, you can just crop out the corners and it's just the same.

 

[Robert Edmonds]

No there is no problem. A lense still focuses light onto a plane. Even if there was I would try the lenses you have first, before deciding if you want another. I still use lenses from my film camera on my digital and I'm perfectly happy with the images.

 

[Kurt Hulst]

Thanks for who responded. I was looking at the D60, but i feel that i would be happy with the D40x. I will be able to savea few hundred as well. So i hope to order this pretty soon.

 

[John Wetter]

As has been mentioned, depending on your lens, you will notice a difference going to a DSLR due to the image sensor size. The lenses will work great, but remember that there is a 1.5x multiplier, so a 24mm lens (the standard kit lens for cameras like the N65) is really a 36mm lens on a DSLR. That's why most DSLR's come with a lens starting down around 18mm, and many people go for a 12-24mm or similar lens.

If you're tight on money, you don't 'need' to buy any new lenses, but just be aware of that change as it can be difficult to get nice structure shots when you're shortest lens is effectively a 36mm lens.

-John

 

[Hank Baker]

Your lenses will not work on the D40x or the D60. You have to have AF-s lenses to work on those camera bodies. The d40, d40x and d60 do not have a focusing motor on the camera. Therefore it will only auto focus with AF-S lenses.
Personally, I would recomend a D70s or even a d50, that way you can use any nikon lense. Those cameras have focusing motors on the body. If you need some more help let me know.

 

[John Wetter]

A good compatibility chart can be found here:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm

-John

 

[Robert Edmonds]

I should have mentioned what others are saying. You do need to make sure the lense works with the body. There is no problem, in my opinion, optically.

 

[Kurt Hulst]

Well because of money and other recommendations I have decided to go with the D40x. I hardly use Auto Focus I am usually in Manual mode. I have a 15-55mm Lens and a 28-200mm. I have thought about the cropping factor that the sensors produce. The D40x is a nikon F mount and compatible G and D. Just not all uses of the camera lens are applicable with out the lenses with auto focus motors in them. I had looked at the D80 but to out of price range right now. How ever the 80 has a built in auto focus motor and still is 10.2 megapixel. I thought about the d70 and d50 but I want the 10.2 megapixel not the 6.1. Now to find the right price. I thought about possibly converting to the cannon XTi but i already have Nikon lenses.

Any recommendations to reputable but not overpriced online camera stores. I know about B&H. No longer carrying it because of the D60. Any other stores besides them?

 

[Hank Baker]

I would suggest getting the D70, d70s or D80 or D50. You will want auto focus. I noticed you said you had a 15-55 lens, I assume thats a typo... Do you have an 18-55 lens?

The difference between 6 and 10 megapixel is nothing, we have 24x36 images hanging in our store that our 4 megapixel and look fantastic.
Also the price difference between the d40 and d40x , the d40 is a better value. You paying extra for the megapixel. D70's are about 400.00 the d50's about 350-375.00 the d80 are about 700.00. If I was going to get the d40x, I would pony up the little bit a difference and get a D80. You can get refurbished D80;s for about 700.00. I would buy refurbed over new. They are gone through much closer than the bodies coming off the assemby line.

Having auto focus and the ability to use any Nikon AF D lens on a camera is priceless.

 

[Kurt Hulst]

Hank, Your correct it was a typo its a 15-30mm. I still went with the D40x from cametaauctions and was able to snag a 18-55 lens with it. So i will have the ability to use auto focus. My lenses now consist of a 28-200mm, 15-30mm, and a 18-55mm. May sell some and see if I can find a lens that encompasses a wide focal length than having three lenses.

Thanks again

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

Hank, Your correct it was a typo its a 15-30mm. I still went with the D40x from cametaauctions and was able to snag a 18-55 lens with it. So i will have the ability to use auto focus. My lenses now consist of a 28-200mm, 15-30mm, and a 18-55mm. May sell some and see if I can find a lens that encompasses a wide focal length than having three lenses.

Thanks again

It should be noted that, generally, the wider the range of the zoom, the lower the quality of the lense. The reason for this is that there are certain optical tradeoffs required for such a wide range. It may be a pain in the butt to switch lenses all the time, but you'll get better picture quality that way.

 

[Augie Rall]

I just ordered some camera cleaning supplies and an old used spiratone 20mm lens for my Nikon dslr from Adorama.com and had no problems at all. I would recommend them. Also, maybe a sleeper web site for any body else wanting to buy a camera, NewEgg.com sells dslr cameras. They mainly sell computer supplies, but their camera section seems to be growing. Right now they have refurbished Nikon D200's and D40's along with the brand new versions as well. I have bought many items from them and have never had a problem.

 

[David Drufke]

I said you were in manual mode most of the time. You might regret the D40x, as you need to go into the menus for almost everything. If it's not too late, go for the D70s or D80, as they have two thumb wheels for adjusting shutter speed and aperture.

As far as refurbished, my last refurb had a flaky battery and a loose screw inside the body. They don't go through them as well as on poster implied. I will buy a refurb when possible though.