Argh help please!

Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Posts: 689 Location: Swansea, UK

Hi everyone,

been away far to long what with med school exams (thankfully they're over for the time being) but hopefully will be contributing more in the future again.

I know this question is an old favourite but I have come into some money and would like to upgrade from my noisey Lumix FZ25 to a DSLR. At the moment I am looking at either a Pentax K100D or a Nikon D40. They are now both roughly the same price since Nikon are giving £60 cashback to celebrate 90 years.

Just wondering if people were particularly passionate about either and why?

I know there's an extensive range of pentax lenses, is this the same for the Nikon?

One deal I have seen is the Pentax K100D, 18-55mm kit lens plus a Tamron 70-300 Di LD Macro for £380.

Another I have seen is the D40 with 18-55mm kit lens plus Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6 AFS G for £480 (but also bag, hoya UV filter and memory card)

I like shooting landscapes mainly so the wide angle kit lenses will have to do for now, but also wildlife hence I'd like some sort of zoom...

Going to the shops to look at them today, just wondering if anyone has any thoughts?

cheers

Nick

Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 63

The D40 is awesome, but it does not accept all Nikon mount lenses like all former models. It only works with lenses that have the autofocus motor in the lens. But that is quite an entensive list which can be found here (. http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=16715&forum=DCForumID201.

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 4:10 am

The K100D has

better lens backwards compatibility (perfect with all A, F, FA and DA lenses, usable with K, and M series lenses or M42 and 645 lenses with adaptor)

a bigger viewfinder image

Shake Reduction built into the body. Don't underestimate this, you know how great the 50mm prime is in low light? imagine what it can do with SR. Want a Nikon mount stabilised Macro lens? sure you can get one, but it will cost you. I have a 90mm Tamron with matched 2x converter, £50 from ebay. Sharp as a tack and image stabilised thanks to Pentax

Runs on cheap and easily available AA batteries. Pick up a charger and 2 sets of high capacity NiMH's from 7dayshop.com and you're away. If you ever find yourself powerless at an awkward moment, any old newsagent can sell you some duracells.

also in the kits you mention it comes with longer glass, that Tamron is probably not the best long zoom in the world but it will get you started and the SR will make 300mm easily hand holdable.

Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Posts: 689 Location: Swansea, UK

thanks! think I'm going to go with the pentax if the money comes through.

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 3:00 pm

shane422 wrote:

The D40 is awesome, but it does not accept all Nikon mount lenses like all former models.

Nikon Never changes their mount in the last 5 decade or so
any F mount Lens will mount and fit the D40
you only lose the AF with a Non AF-S Lens since the D40 doesn't have an AF screw drive to drive the lens
so without SWM (Silent Wave Motor) or the "S" thing you have to do a Manual Focus otherwise all lens will mount and work (IX Lenses is not advisable since the back of this lens stick out)

it is advisable to go to AF-S lens if you go with the D40 because of a non existance of the AF Screw Drive but otherwise any F mount lens will fit and work

Best Regards
Ador