I need new lenses

[keystervr6]

I got a Nikon D40 a couple months ago as a gift from my wife. She got the kit 18-55m lens, which is great for a kit lens, but I am looking to get a wide angle lens and a longer zoom something in the 55-200mm range lens...

what will work with the D40, because I know only certain lens will work with the autofocus...

what would you recommend i check out?

 

[hankejp]

I got a Nikon D40 a couple months ago as a gift from my wife. She got the kit 18-55m lens, which is great for a kit lens, but I am looking to get a wide angle lens and a longer zoom something in the 55-200mm range lens...

what will work with the D40, because I know only certain lens will work with the autofocus...

what would you recommend i check out?

Hey Keysterv

Check out this thread I posted a wekk or 2 ago.

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=139069


Hope this helps.


I was looking at the AF-S VR 70-300mm 4.5-5.6G IF-ED, but I think I'm going cheaper and smaller and looking at getting the 50mm 1.8

 

[Joves]

Whats you budget? That is the important question.

 

[JerryPH]

Whats you budget? That is the important question.

Beat me to it!

The Nikkor 70-200 VR F/2.8 is an incredible lens... but be ready to pay over $1500 for it!

 

[Crazydad]

The Nikkor 70-200 VR F/2.8 is an incredible lens... but be ready to pay over $1500 for it!

As badly as I want that lens, I went with the 70-300 f/4.5-5.6VR for $549 (because I can't afford $1500+) and I love it. It is fast enough for the outdoor sports I shoot (youth soccer) and the image quality is great.

Here are some examples of my first game with the 70-300 lens (still learning how to use it so the pics could be better)

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=139718

Any lens with AF-S will work with your D40. If they are just AF (like the current 50mm) then you have to manually focus, but the lens will work.

 

[keystervr6]

thanks guys...i guess my budget is pretty important to mention, it's around the $300 range...

that being said, i was looking at this lens online and thinking about going to check it out at the local store...what are you thoughts on this one..

Nikon 55-200 mm F/4 5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor Lens w/ Vibration Reduction

 

[PeteLanglois]

I had this lens before I returned it and got the 70-300mm VR. It just wasn't long enough for what I shoot. Even the 300 is short on the long end. It's a pretty sharp lens and it's light due to the plastic construction.

If you're looking for wider than 18mm on your D40 you're going to need to get either a Tokina 11-16 or 12-24 or the Sigma 10-20. I really like the push pull manual/auto focus clutch on the Tokinas and they don't have the same CA issues of the Sigma. You're looking in the 500-570 range for the Tokinas and 500 for the Sigma.

Pete

 

[keystervr6]

went to the local shop and tried out the 55-200mm VR and really liked it. It felt almost no different in weight than my 18-55 and the image quality was pretty good for the test shots I took in the store.

I could see the difference with the VR on and off at 200mm.

I think this should be enough reach for what i'm looking to shoot.

Now I just need to find a nice wide angle...

 

[hankejp]

Let me know what you think of the lens when you get it Keyster. I'd like to see some pics as well. PM me when you have some posted.

Thanks

 

[manaheim]

My mom has the 55-200 and she likes it. She's ripped off some nice shots with it, too. Can't say too much beyond that.

Obviously a 55-200 isn't going to get you much in the "wide" range, but...

 

[andrew99]

I have the sigma 10-20 on my D40, and I love it.. I would definitely recommend it.

Btw, any Nikon lens with AF-S, and any Sigma lens with HSM will autofocus on your D40. There are great lenses that are manual-only focus on this camera that you might consider, like the Nikon 50mm f1.8 prime (~$100).