A 70-300mm lens for a Nikon D40 ?

benlonghair · 12-21-2009, 09:10 AM

I have the Nikon 70-300VR. I love it, it's the lens that's most likely on my camera when I open my bag. Here's some examples (all fairly large files):

Late season honey bee.
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Praying Mantis
Wet Grass

It takes a little manual focus adjustment, but it's pretty sharp at f/8.

puyjapin · 12-21-2009, 02:45 PM

dont get the f1.8, i have a d 40 with the 50m 1.4g, it autofocusses. in my opinion quite havdy when using it wide open or anywhere near that

Vicelord John · 12-21-2009, 06:07 PM

The 1.4 is also quite expensive.

~myStical~ · 12-21-2009, 06:58 PM

oh no , I don't know which one to get anymore , mix responses. Are there any other lenses u guys know of that would come close to what I am looking for? As long as I can get a full body with the background out of focus, I am good. so please any other suggestions???

**KmH** · 12-21-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ~myStical~

oh no , I don't know which one to get anymore , mix responses. Are there any other lenses u guys know of that would come close to what I am looking for? As long as I can get a full body with the background out of focus, I am good. so please any other suggestions???

Before you go spending money on glass, it's a good idea to have a passing understanding of how Depth-Of-Field (DOF) works since thats what your hoping to control with a lens purchase.

That way you can maximize your equipment budget.

PatrickCheung hit the nail on the head in mentioning the distance your subject is from the background has a lot to do with how blurry you can get the background.

Spend some time playing with a DOF calculator: Online Depth of Field Calculator to get a feel for how aperture, subject to lens distance, and subject to background distance effect DOF.

GFreg · 12-22-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ~myStical~

I want to be able to shoot a full body from a distance, WITHOUT the need to be really really close to my subjects and get a nice depth of field.

Quote: Originally Posted by ~myStical~

Quote: Originally Posted by Vicelord John

Not necessarily. I don't use my tele much for portraits.

The 50mm will have the same effect.

This one ?
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF Nikkor

Quote: Originally Posted by Vicelord John

yup that will work for what you described. They are very inexpensive and are awesome. Everyone should have one.

Mixed messages going on here. Yes, while I agree with Vicelord John that the 50mm f/1.8 is an awesome portrait lens, it will not meet the criteria that you specified. You said that you don't want to get really close to your subject. You will need to be within a few feet of your subject with the 50mm. At f/1.8 you will get a good DOF. Since you are loking for more range you might want to consider the 85mm f/1.8.

Edit: Ok, I guess it really depends on what you consider to be really close. Let me put it this way, you won't be stepping on your models toes with a 50mm but if the extra reach is a big concern for you then know that you can still achieve a f/1.8 lens.

Vicelord John · 12-22-2009, 03:04 PM

I dont consider 6-8 feet to be that close.

Dominantly · 12-22-2009, 04:03 PM

If what you want is to be able to control the DOF in such a way as to make your subject just melt into a creamy blur (or Bokeh), then a 50mm 1.4 or 50mm 1.8 (cheaper but wont autofocus) would do that. OR you could pick up the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens that will auto focus on your DX body and will only run you $200 new..

manicmike · 12-22-2009, 04:16 PM

Another vote for the 50mm or 35mm.

~myStical~ · 12-25-2009, 01:09 PM

THANK YOU GUYS SOOO MUCH !

After reading through all the posts , I have come down to the popular votes on Nikkor 50mm f1.8 , and 50mm f1.4 ( auto-focuses with my nikon d40) , and the 35mm lens.

Between the two 50mm lens , are there any other big differences besides the auto-focus?

50mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4 and 35mm .....
Just a comparison between these three would really help.

Vicelord John · 12-25-2009, 01:19 PM

well yeah, there is a huge difference. The 1.4 lets in a LOT more light due to being 1.4. Also, it costs almost three times as much.

~myStical~ · 12-25-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Vicelord John

well yeah, there is a huge difference. The 1.4 lets in a LOT more light due to being 1.4. Also, it costs almost three times as much.

Yes there is definitely a big difference in pricing, I had just checked. But not too expensive. Which is good

~myStical~ · 12-25-2009, 06:46 PM

Thanks again everyone.

12-21-2009, 09:10 AM	#16
benlonghair I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Woodstock, CT Posts: 536 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I have the Nikon 70-300VR. I love it, it's the lens that's most likely on my camera when I open my bag. Here's some examples (all fairly large files): Late season honey bee. Great Blue Heron Green Heron Praying Mantis Wet Grass It takes a little manual focus adjustment, but it's pretty sharp at f/8. __________________ Nikon D60 / 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR / Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR / Nikon SB-600 My Flickr Page Your life is historically meaningful / And spans a significant time. -Bad Religion

12-21-2009, 02:45 PM	#17
puyjapin I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Warwickshire UK Posts: 669 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post My Gallery: (0)	dont get the f1.8, i have a d 40 with the 50m 1.4g, it autofocusses. in my opinion quite havdy when using it wide open or anywhere near that __________________ Rob Nikon D40 Kit Lens 18-55mm AF 3.5/5.6 Nikon 70-300mm AFS 4.5/5.6 VR Nikon 50mm 1.4 ASF G Giottos MTL9251B Pro Aluminium Tripod With MH5001 head Some Cokin ND filters CP Filters and a few other bits! PSE7 Elements http://www.redbubble.com/people/puyjapin

12-21-2009, 06:07 PM	#18
Vicelord John I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 317 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts My Gallery: (0)	The 1.4 is also quite expensive. __________________ D90 SB-600 50mm f1.8 18-55mm f3.5 70-300mm f4.0 055XDB + 804RC2

12-21-2009, 07:18 PM	#20
KmH Image Maker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 4,939 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 218 Times in 209 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by ~myStical~ oh no , I don't know which one to get anymore , mix responses. Are there any other lenses u guys know of that would come close to what I am looking for? As long as I can get a full body with the background out of focus, I am good. so please any other suggestions??? Before you go spending money on glass, it's a good idea to have a passing understanding of how Depth-Of-Field (DOF) works since thats what your hoping to control with a lens purchase. That way you can maximize your equipment budget. PatrickCheung hit the nail on the head in mentioning the distance your subject is *from the background* has a lot to do with how blurry you can get the background. Spend some time playing with a DOF calculator: Online Depth of Field Calculator to get a feel for how aperture, subject to lens distance, and subject to background distance effect DOF. __________________ » » » » » » » » » » Price Update 3/14/10: Nikon D60 w/grip « « « « « « « « « « « « « Sale ends 3/21/10 - price updated 3/14/10: Nikon AF-S 70-300 mm VR G » » » Keith. . . .NAPP member - referral link: https://www.photoshopuser.com/signup/?aid=luhgxq&code=friend

12-22-2009, 01:31 PM	#21
GFreg Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Derwood, MD Posts: 219 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by ~myStical~ I want to be able to shoot a full body from a distance, WITHOUT the need to be really really close to my subjects and get a nice depth of field. Quote: Originally Posted by ~myStical~ Quote: Originally Posted by Vicelord John Not necessarily. I don't use my tele much for portraits. The 50mm will have the same effect. This one ? Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF Nikkor Quote: Originally Posted by Vicelord John yup that will work for what you described. They are very inexpensive and are awesome. Everyone should have one. Mixed messages going on here. Yes, while I agree with Vicelord John that the 50mm f/1.8 is an awesome portrait lens, it will not meet the criteria that you specified. You said that you don't want to get really close to your subject. You will need to be within a few feet of your subject with the 50mm. At f/1.8 you will get a good DOF. Since you are loking for more range you might want to consider the 85mm f/1.8. Edit: Ok, I guess it really depends on what you consider to be really close. Let me put it this way, you won't be stepping on your models toes with a 50mm but if the extra reach is a big concern for you then know that you can still achieve a f/1.8 lens. __________________ -Greg Nikon D40 Take one part critique. Add salt to taste. Voilà! Flickr Last edited by GFreg; 12-22-2009 at 01:46 PM.

12-21-2009, 06:58 PM	#19
~myStical~ No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 40 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	oh no , I don't know which one to get anymore , mix responses. Are there any other lenses u guys know of that would come close to what I am looking for? As long as I can get a full body with the background out of focus, I am good. so please any other suggestions???

12-22-2009, 03:04 PM	#22
Vicelord John I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 317 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I dont consider 6-8 feet to be that close. __________________ D90 SB-600 50mm f1.8 18-55mm f3.5 70-300mm f4.0 055XDB + 804RC2

12-22-2009, 04:03 PM	#23
Dominantly TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Diego, CA (RB) Posts: 1,494 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 85 Times in 51 Posts My Gallery: (0)	If what you want is to be able to control the DOF in such a way as to make your subject just melt into a creamy blur (or Bokeh), then a 50mm 1.4 or 50mm 1.8 (cheaper but wont autofocus) would do that. OR you could pick up the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens that will auto focus on your DX body and will only run you $200 new.. __________________ Dominant Photography - San Diego, CA My Project 365 Photo Blog Topic #1, Exposure & Your Photographic Triangle Topic #2, Light Metering, White Balance, JPEG vs RAW formats Topic #3, Layers & Post Processing

12-22-2009, 04:16 PM	#24
manicmike Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 152 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Another vote for the 50mm or 35mm.

12-25-2009, 01:09 PM	#25
~myStical~ No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 40 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	THANK YOU GUYS SOOO MUCH ! After reading through all the posts , I have come down to the popular votes on Nikkor 50mm f1.8 , and 50mm f1.4 ( auto-focuses with my nikon d40) , and the 35mm lens. Between the two 50mm lens , are there any other big differences besides the auto-focus? 50mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4 and 35mm ..... Just a comparison between these three would really help.

12-25-2009, 01:19 PM	#26
Vicelord John I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 317 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts My Gallery: (0)	well yeah, there is a huge difference. The 1.4 lets in a LOT more light due to being 1.4. Also, it costs almost three times as much. __________________ D90 SB-600 50mm f1.8 18-55mm f3.5 70-300mm f4.0 055XDB + 804RC2

12-25-2009, 06:45 PM	#27
~myStical~ No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 40 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Vicelord John well yeah, there is a huge difference. The 1.4 lets in a LOT more light due to being 1.4. Also, it costs almost three times as much. Yes there is definitely a big difference in pricing, I had just checked. But not too expensive. Which is good

12-25-2009, 06:46 PM	#28
~myStical~ No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 40 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Thanks again everyone. Last edited by ~myStical~; 01-09-2010 at 03:16 PM.

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