I will not replace my D40.

[rateeg]

I am not planning to upgrade soon so i will just buy lenses.
Which lens is a must have for nikon d40 users besides the kit lens and 50mm lenses?

 

[Dao]

It depends on what you need. I do not think there is a must have lens in general.

Find out what you like to shoot particularly and what is/are the limitation(s) of your current setup. If you are not able to do what you like to do with your setup, you may need to upgrade (lens, body, flash etc)

If you do not know what the limitation yet and do not know what to get, maybe it is not the time to upgrade. Spend more time on taking pictures and learn more about your gears and photography, that may give you a hint on what to get next later.



Let's take an example, I like taking photos of insects. So I may say "Hey, go get that macro lens, that is a must have for for your camera". But that doesn't mean you need it since you may even interested in macro photography.

 

[Destin]

It depends on what you shoot.

But one lens that just about every photographer has a use for is a fast telephoto zoom, generally a 70-200 f2.8. I have the sigma model, and it worked great on my D40 when I had it.

 

[point-&-shoot]

just go with something fast and sharp. you wont be disappointed.

 

[sobolik]

It depends on what you shoot.

But one lens that just about every photographer has a use for is a fast telephoto zoom, generally a 70-200 f2.8. I have the sigma model, and it worked great on my D40 when I had it.

I just roll laughing at every post that says a beginner needs a fast (and expensive) lens. I have 30 years of SLR's under my belt and have never "needed" a fast lens. The best I can figure is that it is the - if it is expensive then in must be better trap - that just gets repeated over and over. Think about it. All the books tell us that the wide open apertures are lousy choices for best photo quality. And that dark conditions are not good lighting choices. But to hear it told on forums it is as if all the forum posters are running around taking photos wide open or in the dark thus requiring a fast lens. (or backhandedly bragging about their expensive equipment is more likely. see the bragging lists following posts on forums)

Any way the most loved lens I have is a 12-24mm zoom. But it is not the most used. My 18-200mm is the most used. I'd look at the wide angle lenses for your D40

 

[Destin]

It depends on what you shoot.

But one lens that just about every photographer has a use for is a fast telephoto zoom, generally a 70-200 f2.8. I have the sigma model, and it worked great on my D40 when I had it.

I just roll laughing at every post that says a beginner needs a fast (and expensive) lens. I have 30 years of SLR's under my belt and have never "needed" a fast lens. The best I can figure is that it is the - if it is expensive then in must be better trap - that just gets repeated over and over. Think about it. All the books tell us that the wide open apertures are lousy choices for best photo quality. And that dark conditions are not good lighting choices. But to hear it told on forums it is as if all the forum posters are running around taking photos wide open or in the dark thus requiring a fast lens. (or backhandedly bragging about their expensive equipment is more likely. see the bragging lists following posts on forums)

Any way the most loved lens I have is a 12-24mm zoom. But it is not the most used. My 18-200mm is the most used. I'd look at the wide angle lenses for your D40

Unless you only shoot portraits, or you use a tripod to shoot non moving objects all the time, a fast lens will benefit you. No lens is at it's sharpest wide open. So maybe my 70-200 2.8 is sharpest stopped down to f4 or 5, but a lens that starts at f4 won't reach it's sharpest setting until around F6- f8.

I'm not saying that fast glass is needed for every photographer, but as a general rule fast glass is made better, and usually much sharper than slow glass.

Honestly, probably 85% of my shots are wide open because I'm usually shooting sports and therefore need the short DOF to throw the background out of focus. The only time I really ever shoot stopped down is if I'm in the studio to make sure my entire subject is in focus.

For me fast glass is a must. I even sold my 18-55 because it was more or less useless to me. My shortest lens is currently a 50mm. I'm going to be buying a 35mm 1.8, and a 17-55 2.8 soon. I'm not bragging about my equiptment. It's nothing special. They stopped making my camera almost 4 years ago now. I've only got 2 lenses, and 3 flashes. Compared to most guys on here my gear is prehistoric.

 

[orb9220]

It depends on what you shoot.

But one lens that just about every photographer has a use for is a fast telephoto zoom, generally a 70-200 f2.8. I have the sigma model, and it worked great on my D40 when I had it.

I just roll laughing at every post that says a beginner needs a fast (and expensive) lens. I have 30 years of SLR's under my belt and have never "needed" a fast lens. The best I can figure is that it is the - if it is expensive then in must be better trap - that just gets repeated over and over. Think about it. All the books tell us that the wide open apertures are lousy choices for best photo quality. And that dark conditions are not good lighting choices. But to hear it told on forums it is as if all the forum posters are running around taking photos wide open or in the dark thus requiring a fast lens. (or backhandedly bragging about their expensive equipment is more likely. see the bragging lists following posts on forums)

Any way the most loved lens I have is a 12-24mm zoom. But it is not the most used. My 18-200mm is the most used. I'd look at the wide angle lenses for your D40

Yep that is why all the other serious photographer's Pro or not. I guess they may be living in a delusional world? As pointed out faster glass usually means better glass. And usable in more situations where flash would be detrimental or not allowed.

My example is when I replaced my kit lens on my D40 a few years back with my Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and my usability in more lower light,indoors and Image IQ and sharpness took a giant step up.

I love the Black & White statements No Need for Me. So must be True for All! statements.

I found my ability to get the shot I intended much easier and with greater sharpness and better Image IQ with the faster f2.8 zooms or primes.

Sigma & Tamron put out some great f2.8 zoom glass in the 17-70 range.

3yrs later and I still think the best decision I have made to date. Is to replace the slower variable f-stop kit lenses with my Tammy 17-50 f2.8.

Yep guess it silly for all those Pro's that do it for a living out there. Must have it wrong going with more expensive fast glass and stick with the 18-200 so they don't need to change lens or a need to have different lenses designed for the needs & style of the job.

Well personally doesn't work for me. As I rather have a the right tool for my needs. Then rely on a All in One Leatherman tool for all. And know for a fact that the slower variable f-stop lenses hamstring the shooter in usability & sharpness. But I guess I must be wrong & delusional also.
.

 

[sobolik]

It depends on what you shoot.

But one lens that just about every photographer has a use for is a fast telephoto zoom, generally a 70-200 f2.8. I have the sigma model, and it worked great on my D40 when I had it.

I just roll laughing at every post that says a beginner needs a fast (and expensive) lens. I have 30 years of SLR's under my belt and have never "needed" a fast lens. The best I can figure is that it is the - if it is expensive then in must be better trap - that just gets repeated over and over. Think about it. All the books tell us that the wide open apertures are lousy choices for best photo quality. And that dark conditions are not good lighting choices. But to hear it told on forums it is as if all the forum posters are running around taking photos wide open or in the dark thus requiring a fast lens. (or backhandedly bragging about their expensive equipment is more likely. see the bragging lists following posts on forums)

Any way the most loved lens I have is a 12-24mm zoom. But it is not the most used. My 18-200mm is the most used. I'd look at the wide angle lenses for your D40

Yep that is why all the other serious photographer's Pro or not. I guess they may be living in a delusional world? As pointed out faster glass usually means better glass. And usable in more situations where flash would be detrimental or not allowed.

My example is when I replaced my kit lens on my D40 a few years back with my Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and my usability in more lower light,indoors and Image IQ and sharpness took a giant step up.

I love the Black & White statements No Need for Me. So must be True for All! statements.

I found my ability to get the shot I intended much easier and with greater sharpness and better Image IQ with the faster f2.8 zooms or primes.

Sigma & Tamron put out some great f2.8 zoom glass in the 17-70 range.

3yrs later and I still think the best decision I have made to date. Is to replace the slower variable f-stop kit lenses with my Tammy 17-50 f2.8.

Yep guess it silly for all those Pro's that do it for a living out there. Must have it wrong going with more expensive fast glass and stick with the 18-200 so they don't need to change lens or a need to have different lenses designed for the needs & style of the job.

Well personally doesn't work for me. As I rather have a the right tool for my needs. Then rely on a All in One Leatherman tool for all. And know for a fact that the slower variable f-stop lenses hamstring the shooter in usability & sharpness. But I guess I must be wrong & delusional also.
.

You and every other person on photo forums offer foolish advice to beginners when you declare that fast glass is what they need. It is some sort of knee jerk habit.

Such people on photo forums look just as foolish as a person insisting that a beginning violin student needs to sell their violin and get a Stradivarius.

But people like me can never convince you to stop making/insisting such foolish recommendations.

 

[nonamexx]

Such people on photo forums look just as foolish as a person insisting that a beginning violin student needs to sell their violin and get a Stradivarius.

But people like me can never convince you to stop making/insisting such foolish recommendations.

Absolutely. This is confusing me also and remember I'm a beginner in many aspects as well though I am usually very self-opinionated. People keep talking about not using kit lenses at all.

Why do camera manufacturers even bother making kit lenses one feels. :lmao:

Every time people say kit lens, I picturize a kitten.