Well, getting a refurb will be what I do if I can't find myself a new one in box. I have a hangup about having a manufacturer warranty. :)

Gilmore, If you don't mind buying a refurbished mode, you can get a body only for around $270 or so. That's about as cheap as its going to get.

No, that feature I believe is only available on the D40, plus maybe a couple older cameras. The D40 is the newest camera with a 1/500th flash sync, and possibly the last.

Following the off topic line for a sec:
@heartyfisher: Could you perhaps explain how you can make a D40x flashsync at 1/500s?
I can only achieve 1/200 with my D40x and SB-600 combo. Is the culprit the flash or the material being holding the camera?

Makes sense. I was just hoping that it would drop even as low as $380, but if it stays around $410 or so, that's still fair. Just trying to make sure I get a good deal when I do buy it in the next couple weeks. :)

I am far from an expert, but ...

I would say "no," brand new D40s aren't going to drop in price dramatically, or maybe not at all.

Discontinued cameras drop in price if the replacement sells for about the same price and offers major (real or perceived) improvements.

In this case, there really is no replacement. The D5000 fills a new niche between the D60 and the D90.

The D40 has held its own against the next most expensive camera in the line, the D60, for some time. Feature for feature, there's no clear winner when you compare the two and far more similarities.

Also, for a new digital SLR, the D40 is dirt cheap already. So, it can only fall so much in price anyway.

Long-term, I think the D40 also has built up some cult status that will keep used prices higher than they should be compared to newer as-yet-unreleased models. So, if you hate it or need to upgrade, you should be able to sell it for a decent price within the next few years.

So, in summary: I know nothing but have an opinion anyway. :) I think the D40 is a decent and fun "investment" that you can't go wrong with.

Wow, that's really freakin awesome! I gotta figure this out when I get a flash too.

@NSXType-R : The D40 and my D70 and also the D50 has flash sync with nikon flashes upto 1/500 of a second. But you can use old manual flashes or tape up the "smart" contacts and it will be able to flash sync up to the max shutter speed. ie on my d70 I can flash sync up to 1/8000 of a second. not only that but the 1/8000 of a second is truly 1/8000 of a second across the whole frame!. while all new cameras actually take 1/250 second for the shutter to move from top to bottom of the frame. so you get slanted vertical lines if you are shooting a fast moving vertical object thats moving from left to right across the frame. Truly specialized requirements that only a few will appreciate. So most camera manufacturer have not pursued it, in fact none. :-( Below is one of my shots at 1/8000 of a second. { Err ... How do I create an image that links to a URL ? }

Full image here http://heartyfisher.deviantart.com/art/Runneth-Over-52330180

Alright... Well, being that Amazon still has it for $410, that looks to be my best option. Thanks, guys. :)

Isn't the D40 flash sync only up to 1/500th?

And for $270, I don't think you can buy a better point and shoot for that money. Sure you might be able to get a superzoom point and shoot, but it certainly won't be getting any hi ISO shots. Heck, some high end point and shoots are about the same size as a D40. And the zoom range is about the same as the kit lens anyway- 3x.

willis - You can turn off the thermal shutoff on SB-900, so I guess this was not the problem, but certainly the size was and still is, as SB-900 is enormous comparing to SB-800. I also agree with You that we are not going to see a price drop on d40 any time soon.

SB-800 went up so much because the SB-900 has a over-cautious thermal shutoff that causes it to shutdown during heavy use with NiMh batteries. Its also really big which irritates some photographers... anyway if you do weddings or something like that, you might have a preference for the discontinued SB800.

The D40 probably isn't going to drop much more than its current level... its just really cheap as is (especially if you buy a refurbished model.. Then your talking like $270 or so. There is a chance that the price could go up a bit as its Nikon's only camera with an electronic shutter, and thus a technically unlimited flash sync capability. This is important to a niche market of people who want to use fast shutter speeds to control ambient light in bright conditions.

So to answer your question: No, the D40 won't go down in price once its discontinued... at least not more than it naturally would if it stayed in production.

It may or may not happen. Not really sure. For some odd reason the SB800 flash rose in prices after it got discontinued. Go figure.

I think I can break the silence: I am firmly of the opinion that the D40 price either will or will not drop, once it is discontinued in the US. I am certain of that.

Nobody?

I don't know if this happened in the other countries in which the D40 has been discontinued already, but do you think that the D40 will drop in price when it's discontinued here in the US? I've been looking to buy one and I'm finally coming up on the money and a price drop would certainly help. :)