D40

[dyce]

Hi everyone. I have the Nikon D40. Pretty much a beginner SLR, which is fine for what I use it for . I was thinking of upgrading my camera to the D90 or D300. But I think I'd rather get a new lens for this year. I'd like a better
Portrait lens. Currently I have the kit lens/35mm/55-200.

Question, which lens for portrait. Macro or another. Thanks in advance. I appreciate the help


D

 

[JustAnEngineer]

Have you considered any of these lenses?

$440 Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G
$475 Tamron AF Di-II 60mm f/2 LD Macro
$500 Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM

http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/60mm.asp

 

[dyce]

Justanengineer

Thank you for the response. I will look at those .

D

 

[dyce]

I'm still not shooting , much, in manual. My goal is to just take better over all pics of my family. I appreciate your advice. I think the tamron may be a good option. I still get a bit confused when I look at another lens , non nikon. I need that auto focus...

D

 

[robitussin217]

I'm kinda in the same boat. I mostly just try to take decent snaps of my family and friends.

I'm assuming the 35mm is the 1.8 lens? What makes you dissatisfied with that?

 

[JustAnEngineer]

All three of those lenses will auto-focus with the D40. Your Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G should, too.

If you upgraded to a D90 or better camera, there are less expensive portrait lenses without built-in focus motors that would auto-focus, like the $124 Nikon AF 50mm f/1.8D or the $320 Nikon AF 50mm f/1.4D.

If you upgraded to the D300 or better camera and you were comfortable with manual focus, there are quality AI-S type manual focus lenses available that would work in aperture priority mode.

 

[Dominantly]

AF NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8D from Nikon

AF DC-NIKKOR 105mm f/2D from Nikon

 

[JustAnEngineer]

If you upgraded to a D90 or better camera, there are less expensive portrait lenses without built-in focus motors that would auto-focus, like the $124 Nikon AF 50mm f/1.8D or the $320 Nikon AF 50mm f/1.4D.

$450 AF NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8D
$1080 AF DC-NIKKOR 105mm f/2D

Those, too, although the 1.5x field of view crop factor gives those a 127mm or 157mm equivalent, which is rather long for indoor portraits.

 

[dyce]

Thank you for your responses.

I have a difficult time getting a sharp image with this lens. Maybe I need to avoid a prime? I've been thinking of putting it on craigs list. Hard to let a lens go when you saved up for it for six mos...lol.

I'm learning a lot, thank you!!

BTW, I"m female and my real name is Kelly.

D

 

[dyce]

Such an expensive hobby But I love it. As far as upgrading.....I know the D40 suits my needs. I have to just tell myself that bigger camera's are just eye candy for me. I wouldn't get much out of them.

Kelly

 

[Atlas77]

Hi everyone. I have the Nikon D40. Pretty much a beginner SLR, which is fine for what I use it for . I was thinking of upgrading my camera to the D90 or D300. But I think I'd rather get a new lens for this year. I'd like a better
Portrait lens. Currently I have the kit lens/35mm/55-200.

Question, which lens for portrait. Macro or another. Thanks in advance. I appreciate the help


D

I know this has been said already but the 35mm should suit your portrait needs, as far as ive heard the 35mm is a sharp lens.

Try playing around with it on your D40 and take some portrait shots.

 

[heli-junkie-jp]

Hi everyone. I have the Nikon D40. Pretty much a beginner SLR, which is fine for what I use it for . I was thinking of upgrading my camera to the D90 or D300. But I think I'd rather get a new lens for this year. I'd like a better
Portrait lens. Currently I have the kit lens/35mm/55-200.

Question, which lens for portrait. Macro or another. Thanks in advance. I appreciate the help


D

I know this has been said already but the 35mm should suit your portrait needs, as far as ive heard the 35mm is a sharp lens.

Try playing around with it on your D40 and take some portrait shots.

The 35mm is a fantastic lens. Tack sharp and if you want to get creative you can get some decent bokeh with it wide open.

Stopped down to 2.8 ~4 is sharp.