Nikon D40 w/ 18-55, 55-200 + 2xDVD - $549.99

[gheart008]

Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-3-5-5-6G-55-200mm-4-5-5-6G-Zoom-Nikkor/dp/B000SDPMEI/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1202250323&sr=8-2

Actually sold through J&R Music and Computer World:
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4175264

Retailer Review:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/seller/at-a-glance.html?ie=UTF8&seller=A3LJ5WMKNRFKQS

For $549.99 you get the following:

D40 body
18-55mm kit AF-S lens
55-200mm AF-S lens (not VR)
Two D40 learning/features DVDs


Seems like a good deal to me since the two DVDs alone are worth roughly $30. Even though the 55-200mm lens is not VR, still a really good deal since if you were to buy that lens separately it's roughly $180.

In comparison, Futureshop has the kit with only the 18-55mm lens and no DVDs for $589.99:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10082555&catid=22553

Shipping is cheap too. Shipping to WA was only $12.21. Total order cost came to $562.20.

Please take note though that because you're purchasing from the USA, Nikon USA does NOT transfer over to Nikon Canada, so if you need warranty done you need to bring it back to the USA (a little more of a hassle, but worth it for the price difference IMO).

[Genblue]

Nikon recently ran a promotion (expired in January) where you got $100 off (in the US) if you purchased a lens with a new camera.

Amazon sold the Nikon 55-200 lens with VR for $208 so with the camera it would have been $108 on top of the $479 that they wanted for the camera.

A few things to note, Nikon recently introduced a 18-55mm len with VR as well as a new D60 model.
The best price that I've seen the D40 in Canada is $519 but the 55-200 lens is about $299. We're getting ripped off in Canada. Some will argue that we get an extra year of warranty! :(

[neo1973]

We're getting ripped off in Canada. :(
As we have always been. :evil:

[Eyies]

Pretty nice price, but the 55-200 is obsoleted by the VR version, which doesn't really cost much more and VR on the telephoto ranges are much nicer =D

I'm a bit skeptical on how useful VR is on 15-55, assuming it won't be cheap either =s

[neo1973]

I'm a bit skeptical on how useful VR is on 15-55, assuming it won't be cheap either =s
I don't mind if it came as a kit.

[gheart008]

Pretty nice price, but the 55-200 is obsoleted by the VR version, which doesn't really cost much more and VR on the telephoto ranges are much nicer =D


True, but can you find the D40 body + 18-55 + 55-200VR + DVDs for 549 or anything even close to that price? The answer is no.

[robineke]

You might want to check whether they'll ship to Canada. I tried to order the Nikon D40 from B&H Photo in the US and I was told by them that they were prohibited from shipping Nikon products to Canada. I found this was true of a number of US retailers and Nikon products. I ended up buying a refurbished (ie. "used") D40 from them, which they were allowed to ship across the border.

btw, great camera. I just added the 55-200VR lens, and am glad I did. I can't compare it to the non-VR, since I've never used it, but you can find pretty good deals online - I got mine for about $150 after sale and rebates, etc.

[looniepincher]

This lens doesn't have VR, so you'd better hold the camera steady or use a tripod, especially when zoomed in.

Sure, people have been shooting without VR for years, but the fact is that VR lenses are widely available, and at not much of a price difference.

Personally, I'd only buy from places like B&H if I was buying from the US.

BTW, for Canon lovers, the Canon Xti should also be dropping in price soon since the Xsi has already been announced.

[Genblue]

The D60 (http://www.nikon.ca/en/Product.aspx?m=17042) will becoming soon.


It's pretty much the same as the D40x with some small improvements, most notably a dust removal system.

The biggest benefit will be that it will include a bundle that has the 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR lens.

MSRP should be $799 in Canada.

Personally, the D40 is still a better camera.

[Neb]

You might want to check whether they'll ship to Canada. I tried to order the Nikon D40 from B&H Photo in the US and I was told by them that they were prohibited from shipping Nikon products to Canada. I found this was true of a number of US retailers and Nikon products. I ended up buying a refurbished (ie. "used") D40 from them, which they were allowed to ship across the border.

btw, great camera. I just added the 55-200VR lens, and am glad I did. I can't compare it to the non-VR, since I've never used it, but you can find pretty good deals online - I got mine for about $150 after sale and rebates, etc.

That is a great price for a 55-200vr, where did you get it?

[gheart008]

The D60 (http://www.nikon.ca/en/Product.aspx?m=17042) will becoming soon.


It's pretty much the same as the D40x with some small improvements, most notably a dust removal system.

The biggest benefit will be that it will include a bundle that has the 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR lens.

MSRP should be $799 in Canada.

Personally, the D40 is still a better camera.

Na scrap the D60. Nothing really that special compared to the D40 except for the 10MP and adaptive range feature. But for huge price jump, not really worth it IMO.

http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d60.htm

[redjl]

That is a great price for a 55-200vr, where did you get it?


I got a similar deal. It was off Amazon.com. I had it shipped to a US address though and picked it up.

[Chipbug]

Na scrap the D60. Nothing really that special compared to the D40 except for the 10MP and adaptive range feature. But for huge price jump, not really worth it IMO.

http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d60.htm

I don't have an opinion of the D60 yet. But can you really trust the review you quoted here? That guy claimed that one of the reason he picked D40 over D40X or D60 is that "D40 ... double the light sensitivity in normal use (ISO 200 base vs. ISO 100 base)". That alone casts a big shadow to whether he knows what he is talking about.

[Neb]

I got a similar deal. It was off Amazon.com. I had it shipped to a US address though and picked it up.

It's listed for 202.50 on amazon right now.. Is there a rebate?

[gheart008]

I don't have an opinion of the D60 yet. But can you really trust the review you quoted here? That guy claimed that one of the reason he picked D40 over D40X or D60 is that "D40 ... double the light sensitivity in normal use (ISO 200 base vs. ISO 100 base)". That alone casts a big shadow to whether he knows what he is talking about.

That was just for a reference. The fact is the extra features that the D60 provides on paper doesn't seem to justify the bump in cost, at least not to me. I'm sure to others though it's worth it.

[MartinaC32]

I bought a package similar to this back before Christmas. I got it for roughly the same price but mine came with a bonus 2 gb card.

I love the camera. Good, easy to use beginner DSLR camera.

[redjl]

It's listed for 202.50 on amazon right now.. Is there a rebate?

It was before Christmas, when I got mine. Must have gone up in price since then.

I agreed. The D40 is a great beginner camera. Easy to learn.

[Bumbo Singh]

i ordered this camera from amazon.com in late november but i believe i got a very good deal. i got the following for $595.79 USD ~596.00 CDN

1. Nikon D40
2. 18-55mm Lens
3. 55-200mm VR Lens
4. Lowepro Camera Bag Mini (good for only camera and 18-55mm lens)
5. Lowepro Camera Strap (in addition to the nikon one)
6. 2 Tiffen UV filters (protection for your lens)

i got the dvds and they are ok. they don't really teach you how to use the camera. more of a promotional video.

The great thing about amazon.com is they price protect their products up to 30 days! so if you every see amazon reduce the price of a product you bought, you will get reinbursed no questions asked! i managed to save $60 USD that way. Since i bought this camera around black friday (day after usa thanksgiving) i got a great deal. And to top it off i got free shipping as well..

if you buy from the US make sure you sent in your warranty for the lens.

bumbo singh

[gheart008]

i ordered this camera from amazon.com in late november but i believe i got a very good deal. i got the following for $595.79 USD ~596.00 CDN

1. Nikon D40
2. 18-55mm Lens
3. 55-200mm VR Lens
4. Lowepro Camera Bag Mini (good for only camera and 18-55mm lens)
5. Lowepro Camera Strap (in addition to the nikon one)
6. 2 Tiffen UV filters (protection for your lens)

i got the dvds and they are ok. they don't really teach you how to use the camera. more of a promotional video.

The great thing about amazon.com is they price protect their products up to 30 days! so if you every see amazon reduce the price of a product you bought, you will get reinbursed no questions asked! i managed to save $60 USD that way. Since i bought this camera around black friday (day after usa thanksgiving) i got a great deal. And to top it off i got free shipping as well..

if you buy from the US make sure you sent in your warranty for the lens.

bumbo singh

Wow, if it really was the VR lens you got for the 55-200 that's a wicked deal, even though I probably wouldn't have wanted to pay extra for the other misc stuff.

[Bumbo Singh]

gheart008

i didn't pay for the strap, camera bag and 1 filter ( i bought 2 uv filters for each lens). amazon gave the camera bag and strap free when i bought the nikon d40 and gave 1 uv filter for free when i bought one additional lens (55-200mm VR lens).

the 55-200mm vr lens is a rip off here in canada. i pick it up for 192 after $100 instant rebate by nikon on lens.

i love the pictures it takes..with such clarity. i have a great "introduction to the nikon d80" by digital crane dvd which explains how to use the camera. i know this is for the d80 but a lot of the explanations like aperture, exposure, shutter speed all apply to the d40 as well..

[c5ho]

I wanted to get on that amazon.com deal too but I had no one to ship it to in the US. Sigh...now I'm looking for a decent Canadian deal.

[pangus]

I don't have an opinion of the D60 yet. But can you really trust the review you quoted here? That guy claimed that one of the reason he picked D40 over D40X or D60 is that "D40 ... double the light sensitivity in normal use (ISO 200 base vs. ISO 100 base)". That alone casts a big shadow to whether he knows what he is talking about.

Yeah, Ken Rockwell is biased and a well know self-proclaimed cheapskate, as he always weighted convenience and cost-effectiveness a lot more than features, so take it with a grain of salt. However, he does make a lot of sense that most (not all) people would felt the same.

The default ISO 100 really make you go through a list of menu and really make taking photo less fun. I can't remember if the camera remember your previous ISO settings... if yes, it is not a big deal. But the slower shutter speed in D60 is certainly downgrade and disgrace. The only shining things in D60 are the Adaptive Dynamic Range, the dust cleaning, the manual focus indicator and in less degree the more pixel count.... Not likely if that really warrant the extra $$.

[MrCheap]

......

Please take note though that because you're purchasing from the USA, Nikon USA does NOT transfer over to Nikon Canada, so if you need warranty done you need to bring it back to the USA (a little more of a hassle, but worth it for the price difference IMO).

Please Note: you might want to check and see if Nikon Canada will even repair the item whether under warranty or not. I know Canon states on their website that they won't even do any repair work and Nikon might be the same......

[Dr.G]

Pretty nice price, but the 55-200 is obsoleted by the VR version, which doesn't really cost much more and VR on the telephoto ranges are much nicer =D

I'm a bit skeptical on how useful VR is on 15-55, assuming it won't be cheap either =s

I've been shooting the D40 with the 18-55 kit lens and a 55-200 VR (which I bought but I am selling - upgraded to the 18-200 VR). You really want to get VR. Prior to getting my 18-200 VR, I would always shoot the 55-200 VR lens since you would be surprised how often the light just isn't enough. These lenses are not fast coming in at 3.5 or 4 at smallest focal length.

[xinix]

I've been shooting the D40 with the 18-55 kit lens and a 55-200 VR (which I bought but I am selling - upgraded to the 18-200 VR). You really want to get VR. Prior to getting my 18-200 VR, I would always shoot the 55-200 VR lens since you would be surprised how often the light just isn't enough. These lenses are not fast coming in at 3.5 or 4 at smallest focal length.

Heard a lot of good stuff about the 18-200mm vr. In your experience, what would you say that it is lacking? I want to get this as a 'do-all' lens but little concerened about 3.5-5.6 vs my current 35-70mm f2.8.

[Dimas]

I don't have an opinion of the D60 yet. But can you really trust the review you quoted here? That guy claimed that one of the reason he picked D40 over D40X or D60 is that "D40 ... double the light sensitivity in normal use (ISO 200 base vs. ISO 100 base)". That alone casts a big shadow to whether he knows what he is talking about.
What do you mean? Sensors of D40,D40X and D60 have the same size - 23.7 x 15.6 mm. So, in the same light conditon all sensors whould get the same "amount" of light. But D40X and D60 have 2 times more pixels. That means each pixel of D40X and D60 sensors would get 2 times less light! That is it, the sensitive of D40 2 times more then D40X and D60.

P.S. Sorry for my English.

[Ilovedeals]

Heard a lot of good stuff about the 18-200mm vr. In your experience, what would you say that it is lacking? I want to get this as a 'do-all' lens but little concerened about 3.5-5.6 vs my current 35-70mm f2.8.

www.dpreview.com just posted a review for the 18-200mm Nikon VR - found at this link (http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/nikon_18-200_3p5-5p6_vr_afs_n15/).