What is needed to go with Nikon D40?

[athompson]

I am thinking of buying a Nikon D40 SLR body 10.2 mp. I will order online probably. I have Signa lenses that already fit Nikon film camera. I am told these will work on Nikon SLR. I have heard 'rumors' that I may need memory card: How much memory for how much $ is suggested? Also battery cost? Maybe I should ask seller... I need to know what to order. Any tips needed and appreciated. designvine@charter.net

[rpk717]

First and most important, don't order from the cheapest NYC store. You need to order from one of the established stores, B&H, Adorama, Hunt's are among the best. Their prices may be slightly higher but you will be much better off in the long run.

Most if not all of your film lens will work so no need to order a lens at this point.

You will need some memory cards, I shoot Canon so I'm not sure but it probably uses Compact Flash cards [maybe some Nikon shooters will chip in]. You can get cards from any local WalMart or Staples, etc. They are fairly cheap, you should be able to get a 2 gig card for $35 or less. One card will probably hold over 140 images [a 2 gig card on my Canon holds 170, 8 megabyte images].

Don't let the salesman talk you into anything you have not decided you want to buy before you call. Most DSLRs come with a special battery pack, so no need to order another right now.

If they tell you the battery is extra or that the battery charger is extra, hang up. You have call the wrong place.

I'm sure others have a lot of other suggestions. Talk to someone in your region for advice.

[Photobiologist]

Go talk with someone that shoots similar to the way you do & see what they have...

I'm with Gary, I wouldn't buy a "bunch" of stuff up front. And if the people you are looking at buying from say that all the batteries, chargers, etc. don't come with it, you need to look somewhere else...

Yes, you will probably want one or more memory cards... I'd go with 2 gig cards...

Check out your local CompUSA store as they go out of business...

You may eventually want some sensor cleaning supplies, but as long as you are careful changing lenses, you can out that off a while.

Other than that, your standard SLR stuff will be fine.

Now on the computer side... You'll want some kind of image software. Start out with Adobe Photoshop Elements?

You'll want some way to get images from your camera to the computer (the cable will work, but a card reader (<$20.00) is MUCH faster & more efficient.

And you may want to get some sort of external hard drive?

Best of luck. If you have any specific questions, I'm sure that we will be glad to try to answer them...

[Jim_Hasapis]

I believe the D40 series SLR's only work with G series compatible lenses, i.e. the ones without the aperature ring. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but that is one question you MUST find the answer to if you intend on using your old lenses. As previously stated, the 3 online retailers mentioned are sure to give you great help. Those are the only 3 that I have used, never had a problem.

[rpk717]

I believe the D40 series SLR's only work with G series compatible lenses, i.e. the ones without the aperature ring. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but that is one question you MUST find the answer to if you intend on using your old lenses.

I got this off the Nikon website in the spec section of the D40.

Compatible Lenses*: Nikon F mount with AF coupling and AF contacts Type G or D AF Nikkor:
1) AF-S, AF-I: All functions supported;
2) Other Type G or D AF Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus
3) PC Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D: Can only be used in mode M; all other functions supported except autofocus
4) Other AF Nikkor*¹/AI-P Nikkor: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D Color Matrix Metering II
5) Non-CPU: Can be used in mode M, but exposure meter does not function; electronic range finder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster
6) IX Nikkor lenses cannot be used
*¹ Excluding lenses for F3AF

[rpk717]

Oh yea, one other thing I noticed.

Storage Media: SD memory card

So I was wrong about the Compact Flash card, the D40 uses a SD card.

[athompson]

Thanks guys. I did find out that lenses I use with Nikon
film camera won't work with a D40, but should work with D80
or D50. That makes a huge difference in what I will buy. I will study
these replies you sent. Thanks.