Lenses

[D40]

I have the 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 I belive and would like something that will alow me to get much closer for say a concert, Play, Wedding, Graduation... things like that.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Niko...sem/rpsm/oid/130294/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Niko...45716/catOid/-13085/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Well I found something

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0703/07030601nikon55200vr.asp

Does anyone know a good online place to order one of these?

Also do you think it will be enough zoom or will it not make much difference compaired to the lense I had?

 

[smyth]

well, all of those lenses are going to get you closer, but none of them are going to do you much good in those low light conditions unless you have a decent flash unit. Also, I understand that the 55-200 has a fair bit of barrel distortion, however it is a decent general walk around lens as it covers such a wide variation of focal lengths.

 

[D40]

I will probably be getting the flash first since I have heard a lot of great things about this the Nikon SB-800. I will have to do my home work on the lenses

 

[Jestev]

well, all of those lenses are going to get you closer, but none of them are going to do you much good in those low light conditions unless you have a decent flash unit. Also, I understand that the 55-200 has a fair bit of barrel distortion, however it is a decent general walk around lens as it covers such a wide variation of focal lengths.

I think the 55-200 lens in question is the second generation... the VR one. I've read that it doesn't have too terrible distortion (Popular Photography, June 2007... there was an article where they adored it).

To the OP: I buy all of my equipment (lenses, bodies, etc.) on B&H. I'd go there to buy that lens if you want it. Good choice on using DPReview.com to compare things. I'd also recommend going to PBase.com and looking in there camera museum and see if you like the results from the Nikkor 55-200 VR. Just so you know, there are many places where using a flash isn't allowed. You may have to boost your ISO higher to use a slowish lens like the 55-200 there, but VR will help you out.