My D40 review/thoughts

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My D40 review/thoughts

Postby Oz_Beachside on Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:01 pm

Thought I might share some pics, and feedback on my use of the new D40.

When I opened the box, my first thought was, "this is a perfect gift for a new SLR user." Its light, very light, simple, less dials and buttons to scare away newbies, it has a big friendly screen (2.5"), the screen has a friendly looking interface, and "online help".

On the touch a feel side, it feels plastic, because it is. Its not a heavy composite, it feel nice and light, balanced by the very light 18-55 lens. It feels very light too, with plastic rear mounts, its the kind of thing you wouldnt want to take on and off too often.

In my hands, refer pics (I have a 25cm handspan), its far too small. And I was cramped up around the shutter release button. I also missed the front dial, to adjust aperture. On this camera, its shutter or aperture on rear dial, then second function button to adjust the other. Which annoyed me, but I think this would be great for someone who needs less dials to complicate the learning process.

Battery door was weak, flimsy, and not somehting I would like to open and shut while balancing my kit, and in a hurry. Same goes for SD card door. However, I think for its target market, they are fine.

WHat I like the most, is the large bright screen, as a user, appears similar to my D200. If I ignore the small size, as I know my hands are large, the negative side for me may be that I understand it can only run new lenses, not old ones like the beast I have pictured.

In conclusion, I think its nice, and perfect for a beginner pack. Or as a partners camera, or a point and shoot carry with you lightweight camera.

I hope some find this useful. Please note, this was only a 30 minute review, so I know its brief, but thought it might be a starting point, to introduce the D40 from our point of view...

Back of D70s vs D40
Image

Front of D200 vs D40
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In the hand, note my little finger slips off, compared to the D70s

D40
Image

D70s
Image
The SD card door
Image

It is dwarfed by the 28-70 "Beast"
Image

And the user interface
Image
More pics at my pbase...
http://www.pbase.com/oz_beachside/d40_review
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Postby Kyle on Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:05 pm

Holy shit that thing really is tiny compared to the d200 and the 28-70 :o :o
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Postby Oz_Beachside on Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:07 pm

Kyle wrote:Holy shit that thing really is tiny compared to the d200 and the 28-70 :o :o


I just had to put that one in, and the beast is sooo big with the hood on... :D
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Postby Kyle on Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:09 pm

I want to see it hanging off the back of a 70-200 vr... better yet, a 200-400vr (poon :wink: ) or even a 300 2.8 :D
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Postby Oz_Beachside on Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:20 pm

Kyle wrote:I want to see it hanging off the back of a 70-200 vr... better yet, a 200-400vr (poon :wink: ) or even a 300 2.8 :D


My VR is in transit, but here is one with my 80-200 AF ED... :shock:

Image
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Postby Oz_Beachside on Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:21 pm

whoops, you can see me in the shutter release button... :oops:
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Postby moggy on Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:24 pm

That is one tiny DSLR! :lol:

8)
Bob.

I used to be indecisive..but now I'm not so sure.


Nikon D300 + Glass + Stuff
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Postby Yi-P on Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:59 pm

Kyle wrote:I want to see it hanging off the back of a 70-200 vr... better yet, a 200-400vr (poon :wink: ) or even a 300 2.8 :D


The 200-400 is BIGGER than the 300 f/2.8 :P


But yeah, as it shows here, you can't mount pro lenses on top, looks so ridiculous, and probably they will rip the lens mount apart from the weight... :lol:
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Postby radar on Wed Dec 06, 2006 7:45 am

Thanks for the review Oz,

Very useful,

cheers,

André
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Postby gstark on Wed Dec 06, 2006 7:49 am

This is really what the CP5700/8700 should have been.

I presume that the response times are similar to the D70?

Compined with Yip's comments in the other thread, it's easy to understand just how small this camera seems to be: the screen on the back seems to be a major component here, and there is virtually nothing at all to the left of the screen, which is very different from most DSLRs thus far.


Holy Olympus!
g.
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Postby losfp on Wed Dec 06, 2006 8:12 am

Holy hell - when I pick up my D70s now, it feels too small after getting used to the D200 + grip!! :)

But this thing is in a whole other size level altogether.. It would be interesting to pick one up and compare with the 350D/400D - I can't get used to the grip on those.
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Postby Oz_Beachside on Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:52 am

my 10.5 fisheye just arrived, I think its a better size for the D40 :D
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