Why didn't Nikon company put AF motor in the body of D40x ?

Question

it's a big negative effect on users

Answer 1

To lower costs and offer a more affordable DSLR to the general public.

After using nothing but manual focus lenses for 36 years your complaint seems rather trivial to me. I can imagine your horror if you actually had to set the f-stop and shutter speed yourself.

Answer 2

1) To save costs, because adding an AF motor adds to the overall price.

2) To set the stage for having all their lenses AF-S equipped. The more the camera sells, the more likely Nikon will be to equip all their lenses with Silent Wave motors.

It's hardly a big negative effect, because both Nikon and Sigma are putting out lenses with motors in them. Professional quality zooms now all seem to have Silent Wave motors. The notable exceptions are the prime lenses, like the 35mm f/2.0, 50mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.4, none of which are AF-S lenses....yet. However, all these lenses will meter and manually focus with your D40x.

Nikon's logic is that if a user wants those prime lenses, they're likely to be a professional who will use one of their more expensive camera bodies. For the more casual user, the AF-S equipped zooms should suffice. I think it's a good decision, because it brings digital SLRs down in price for casual users.

This is why it's important to do the research before you buy, not after.

Answer 3

the AF motors are in the lenses..... you have a choice of using the AM or M feature with the AF Lenses.. .or you can use Nikon Mount manual lenses...

Answer 4

Another reason, the camera body can be made smaller. The D40 is targeting the new high-end consumer camera owner who doesn't have older lenses.