Telephoto for My D40?

.:On The Rock:. · Sep 10, 2008

Hi there,
I'm relatively new to the photography world. I got my first SLR a couple of months back and since then I've bought the nikkor 50mm f/1.8. Now, along with the lagging kit lens, I want to expand my collection with a much needed telephoto. Trouble is, I don't know what I want, or what I need for that matter. I have under nine hundred bones to throw at it.

Now I know what macro means and what it achieves, but I don't know what it means to me, in a sense that I don't know what I need. I'm thinking I need a telephoto for nature, icebergs, a few concerts, an maybe the odd mtb race. So maybe I do need a macro for this.

I pulled these off another thread which losts all compatible lenses for D40's.

AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ~ $500

AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D ED-IF < can't find a price??? (I'm gussing this is a pricy one)

50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX DG ~ $1000

50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM ~ $650

70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro ~ $900

80-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro < can't find a price???

80-400mm f/4-5.6 EX OS ~ $1100

Also, the tamron sp af 70-200mm F/2.8 Di macro wouldn't by chance be left out of this list? It seems like a good lens for the price, but I doubt it would be compatible with my camera.

chrisburke · Sep 10, 2008

the 80-200 is about 1000 bucks...

to answer your question, we should probably know your price range... i notice that you did post the high priced lens... so does that mean that price isnt an issue?

.:On The Rock:. · Sep 10, 2008

I said around $900, sorry if I wasn't clear. You'll have to really convince me to spend any more for the $1000 or $1100 one. I seem to be having trouble even finding out if the AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D ED-IF even exists. I can only find the AF version, which is no good to me.

claytonchatham · Sep 10, 2008

If you're just starting out and not into serious photography you could save money by buying some sigma lenses, good quality and a little cheaper.

epp_b · Sep 10, 2008

Since you mentioned concert photography, I suggest you forget those variable aperture zooms. Anything slower than f/2.8 will be useless in concert lighting.

Also, the tamron sp af 70-200mm F/2.8 Di macro wouldn't by chance be left out of this list? It seems like a good lens for the price, but I doubt it would be compatible with my camera.

If Tamron says they make it with a Nikon mount, it will mount on your camera and probably meter. However, it will only autofocus on your camera if it has a built-in focus motor.

D40 · Sep 10, 2008

I used the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 HSM Macro on my D40 for a long time, worked great and loved it! I plan on always haveing a 70-200 f/2.8 hopefully one day I can upgrade to the Nikon

The range is perfect!

dhilberg · Sep 11, 2008

.:On The Rock:. said:
I said around $900, sorry if I wasn't clear. You'll have to really convince me to spend any more for the $1000 or $1100 one. I seem to be having trouble even finding out if the AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D ED-IF even exists. I can only find the AF version, which is no good to me.

Unfortunately the AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D is no longer made. It was replaced by the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR (about $1600 USD).

You might be able to find the 80-200mm AF-S used.

.:On The Rock:. · Sep 11, 2008

dhilberg said:
Unfortunately the AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D is no longer made. It was replaced by the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR (about $1600 USD).

You might be able to find the 80-200mm AF-S used.

Yeah, I was thinking that. it mustn't of been production for very long, cause I looked on ebay and no results.

Thanks for all the help!

.:On The Rock:. · Sep 11, 2008

D40 said:
I used the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 HSM Macro on my D40 for a long time, worked great and loved it! I plan on always haveing a 70-200 f/2.8 hopefully one day I can upgrade to the Nikon The range is perfect!

Yeah! After considering that lens for a while, I think I might get this one! I think I can get it as low as $800 according to google, (the site has an excellent rating).

dhilberg · Sep 11, 2008

.:On The Rock:. said:
Yeah, I was thinking that. it mustn't of been production for very long, cause I looked on ebay and no results.

Thanks for all the help!

That's not surprising you didn't find it on ebay. If I had that lens I sure wouldn't part with it!

TamiyaGuy · Sep 11, 2008

I would also recommend Sigma's 70-200 f/2.8. If its lower-end cousin, the 55-200 f/4-5.6 (I know, it's VERY low-end) is anything to go by, it's well worth getting. In my opinion, the price you save is worth the tiny bit of image quality lost & the fact that there is no Vibration Reduction. Also, Macro in Sigma's lenses does NOT mean a 1:1 reproduction ratio (apart from in their "official" macro prime lenses), I think the 70-200 has a repro ratio of 1:2 or even 1:3. Still, it's a great buy.

Have fun!

D40 · Sep 11, 2008

The build on Sigmas EX glass is excellent, may not be metal but it is a vary sturdy lens for sure! Store wise...Pay the extra and get it from B&H Photo!!!!!! I can't stress that enough, if you want the best service than there is no substitute!!!!

.:On The Rock:. · Sep 25, 2008

I went into my photo store yesterday and the sigme 70-200mm f/2.8 lens was sitting there for $1000. I had mentioned that I wanted a telephoto for my D40, and then she states that it wont autofocus with my D40... Then I was either thinking that she's an idiot, or those internet bastards! Seriously though, I was going under the impression that it will autofocus?

Chewbecca · Sep 25, 2008

.:On The Rock:. said:
I went into my photo store yesterday and the sigme 70-200mm f/2.8 lens was sitting there for $1000. I had mentioned that I wanted a telephoto for my D40, and then she states that it wont autofocus with my D40... Then I was either thinking that she's an idiot, or those internet bastards! Seriously though, I was going under the impression that it will autofocus?

What photo store? I called my local Ritz once wanting to know if they had a D200 and D300 in store for me to come in and hand hold. The lady seemed not to have much of an idea of what I was talking about...

If it's HSM, it SHOULD auto focus on the D40. My Sigma 10-20mm auto focused on my D60.

.:On The Rock:. · Sep 25, 2008

Chewbecca said:
What photo store? I called my local Ritz once wanting to know if they had a D200 and D300 in store for me to come in and hand hold. The lady seemed not to have much of an idea of what I was talking about...

If it's HSM, it SHOULD auto focus on the D40. My Sigma 10-20mm auto focused on my D60.

It is just a local store. Yeah, maybe she was clueless. I thought about it after and I should of asked to try it on a D40 anyways, "just to see how the manual focus fee - oh is does autofocus, look at that?!"