D40/D80 still good to go? - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - D40/D80 still good to go?

Posted: 5/18/2017 9:10:13 PM EDT

Need to get a DSLR for my work, mainly for wider angle shots than a point and shoot.

No need for anything over 10 MP as most of the time my software compresses the photos down. Been looking at older D40/D40X/D80 bodies on eBay. Think they're still GTG for the age?

Going to run with a 12-24 lens (I need to photograph interior rooms and entire exterior walls)

Posted: 5/18/2017 9:18:25 PM EDT

[#1]

The biggest thing you might notice is ISO capability will suck.

You can get a D200 body cheap, like $150-ish cheap.

It won't have the ISO performance of something newer, but it will be better than a D40/D80.

Posted: 5/18/2017 9:29:07 PM EDT

[#2]

Just keep in mind that a crop-sensor body will have the effect of lessening the wide-angle performance of your 12-24 lens so that it is more like a 19-38mm lens on a 35mm camera - the low end will still be plenty wide in many situations, but perhaps not quite as wide as you were expecting for photographing smallish indoor rooms.

Posted: 5/18/2017 9:47:36 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
Just keep in mind that a crop-sensor body will have the effect of lessening the wide-angle performance of your 12-24 lens so that it is more like a 19-38mm lens on a 35mm camera - the low end will still be plenty wide in many situations, but perhaps not quite as wide as you were expecting for photographing smallish indoor rooms.

View Quote

The issue I have with point and shoot is say my room is 12x12 (pretty normal size room) I can't get one entire wall in one photo. Id like to be able to get at least that and maybe some of the other walls. If its larger, I can shoot it an angle and do ok.

Posted: 5/18/2017 9:54:05 PM EDT

[#4]

And if you haven't caught on, I know ZERO about photography.

I'm looking at a Nikon D80/D40/D200 with a 12-24 lens (used Nikon or Sigma)

More of a work rig than a hobby rig

Posted: 5/19/2017 12:48:06 AM EDT

[#5]

I don't have anything wider than 24, but gimme a bit and I'll post a DX picture from that and my D500. Might give you some idea if wider like you're talking about will work for you.

There is about 12 feet of wall visible in this picture, shot from about 12 feet away. This is on a DX sensor at 24mm. Seems a 12-24 or even a 18-55 kit lens should manage what you're wanting to do.

Posted: 5/19/2017 8:36:34 AM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
I don't have anything wider than 24, but gimme a bit and I'll post a DX picture from that and my D500. Might give you some idea if wider like you're talking about will work for you.

There is about 12 feet of wall visible in this picture, shot from about 12 feet away. This is on a DX sensor at 24mm. Seems a 12-24 or even a 18-55 kit lens should manage what you're wanting to do.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/56693/-DSC0700-211494.jpg

View Quote

Good to know, thanks for that.

Look like I'm on the hunt for a D200 with the standard 18-55 lens to see how it works first.

Posted: 5/19/2017 9:23:58 AM EDT

[#7]

D200 body
18-55mm lens

Posted: 5/19/2017 9:59:20 AM EDT

[#8]

As an average guy who just wants to take decent quality photos of stuff, my D40 still suits my needs.

Posted: 5/19/2017 3:04:33 PM EDT

[#9]

For me, one of the main advantage of the D80 over the D40/D40X is the D80 has a built in AF motor which will AF with all AF lens.

Posted: 5/19/2017 5:39:17 PM EDT

[#10]

Here's a series of 11mm, 16mm, 24mm, and 35mm; all taken from the exact same spot with a tripod. Crop sensor (D500). No post work, just resized on export.

11mm by FredMan, on Flickr

16mm by FredMan, on Flickr

24mm by FredMan, on Flickr

35mm by FredMan, on Flickr

Posted: 5/19/2017 8:36:37 PM EDT

[#11]

D80 remains a solid piece of legacy kit.

HOWEVER

If you're not using this as an excuse to jump into DSLR, you know they make clip-on wide angle lenses for most point-n-shoot cameras, right?

Pros and cons to each, but thought I'd throw that out there...

Posted: 5/19/2017 8:37:57 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
I don't have anything wider than 24, but gimme a bit and I'll post a DX picture from that and my D500. Might give you some idea if wider like you're talking about will work for you.

There is about 12 feet of wall visible in this picture, shot from about 12 feet away. This is on a DX sensor at 24mm. Seems a 12-24 or even a 18-55 kit lens should manage what you're wanting to do.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/56693/-DSC0700-211494.jpg

View Quote

*cough*humblebrag*cough*

LOL

Unless, that's the agitator out of your washer spray painted nikon black (hey, most canon is white, right?) lol

Posted: 5/19/2017 8:40:50 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
D80 remains a solid piece of legacy kit.

HOWEVER

If you're not using this as an excuse to jump into DSLR, you know they make clip-on wide angle lenses for most point-n-shoot cameras, right?

Pros and cons to each, but thought I'd throw that out there...

View Quote

Actually tried one, really need the versatility of a DSLR.

Posted: 6/9/2017 3:31:29 AM EDT

[#14]

I recently sold my D50 but not because or performance issues. I had bills to pay.

It was still a decent performer at 12 years old.

Now my oldest camera is a 9 year old Pentax K20D and it kicks ass.

My daily go to camera is my Nikon D3200. I paid $110 for it after taxes with the kit lens.

I paid $182 for the Pentax K20D with the FA 50mm f1.4, kit lens, 3 batteries, charger, case.

I won't need to buy a new body for at least 5 years. Even then, I might get a used Pentax K1 Full Frame.

Posted: 6/10/2017 12:17:27 PM EDT

[#15]

My D80 just died last week...

it was a great camera right up to the point of <click> <wirrrrrr> <ERR>

not too much in the way of shutter counts either.. I was so bummed, still am actually

my quick replacement D5000 is an improvement
shopping for a higher end model D7000/D600 (~)

all that to say, you may not 'need' the higher resolution, but it's fairly inexpensive to go better than the 10.2 of the D80's.

Posted: 6/21/2017 3:51:15 PM EDT

[#16]

I would go newer than the D80 for low-light performance alone. The D90 was a tiny bit better, the 7100 or 7200 is going to be significantly better - and still reasonable.

-shooter

Posted: 6/21/2017 6:16:27 PM EDT

[#17]

I bought a D600 (Fx) and a D7100 (APS-C) to replace my D80.
silly me didn't realize the D5000 wouldn't support my screwdrive AF lenses. (only the 7000 series and higher)
so now I have 3

might keep the D5000 just to put an AF-S lens on it and for it to be handy when out shooting

the D7100 might take up permanent residence on my 300mm f/2.8 (+1.4 TC) to take advantage of the increased FL.
Having both sized sensor bodies gives me a bit of flexibility.

but I digress... the D7000 is one I looked at as well, for a slight price increase, I got the 7100 with 24.1 mp vs the 7000's 16.2

Posted: 6/22/2017 1:00:26 AM EDT

[#18]

I have my old D80 but something on the mirror is broken or I'd send it to you. I don't think it's the way to go indoors without a lot of extra lighting. I would go for a D7000 if I wanted something cheapish and low megapixel (16mp).

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - D40/D80 still good to go?

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