The Nikon D40 is a great camera. Why do I regret buying it? Lens limitation.

The D40 will only auto focus on the newer AF-S or AF-I lenses that have built in motors. Most dslr’s have a motor built onto the body so the camera itself will move the lens mechanism for focusing, but the D40 relies on the lens to do the work.

Fig.1 D40 has no manual focus pin Fig.2 D80 with Focus Pin on the body

The internal focusing lenses theoretically should actually give better performance. Focusing is smoother, quicker and more accurate than with external focusing.

The big drawback is that the lens set is limited and more expensive. I wish I could order some of those old auto focus lenses on ebay and have them work effectively on my camera. Some will work, but only in Manual program. I actually own an old 50mm prime lens I picked up on ebay.

Here’s the bad news, Nikon seems set on continuing the trend as the D40x and the new D60 both have the same feature. The good news is that other lens manufacturers are now producing more internal focusing glass.

In the meantime however I need to upgrade and am caught in a dilemma. Do I go back to my former love Canon and lose my 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor, Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6 and 50mm f/1.8 AF lenses or stay Nikon and get a D80? Hmm. Wish I could afford a D300.

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