Lazyweb: which entry-level Nikon setup to go for?

joe — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:26:10 +0000

I’ve been thinking about getting a DSLR for a number of years now, and I think the market and my reluctance to buy stuff have finally converged at a point where I’m ready to dive in. Some preliminary research has me settled on the entry-level Nikons, as they’re agreed on to have a better UI, and the d60 I held in a camera store felt better than the Canon XTi.

Remaining questions, then: d40 or d60? Is the kit zoom worth anything, given its lousy low-light performance, or should I just stick with the recommended Sigma prime lens? The D60 is a bit newer, and sports 10 megapixels rather than 6 — is that worth $115?

Nikon D40 w/ Nikon 18-55/3.5-5.6 lens: $399 from a reputable seller (you can’t get just the body for any less than that)
Nikon D60 w/ Nikon 18-55/3.5-5.6 lens: $575 from a reputable seller
Nikon D60 sans kit lens: $515 from a reputable seller
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras $375

So, the options range from $399 for the cheaper body & subpar zoom, up to $950 for the D60, kit zoom, and prime lens, with stops in between for D40 + prime at $775, and D60 - kit zoom + prime at $900.

Actually, there’s also the Nikon 50/1.8 lens for a measly $115. Good lens but a bit on the telephoto side for a DSLR to serve as an all-rounder. So forget I mentioned it.

How about it, photo fans? Any advice?

Update: Thanks for the comments! Also, I’m finding Ken Rockwell’s The Megapixel Myth to be a persuasive argument towards the d40 & the better lens.

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Lazyweb: which entry-level Nikon setup to go for?