In the market for a cheap used lens, but a little confused..help please

[PhysPhoto]

Hello all. I have a D40X, an 18-55mm lens, and a 55-200 mm VR.
I would like to get a macro lens or a larger zoom lens (for shooting skiddish critters).

I'm looking at Goodwill's website, but I have no idea how to tell if the lenses will fit my Nikon camera. I am not concerned about AF, since I shoot MF 99% of the time.

I'm looking at this one, and I see it linked to Nikon in Ken Rockwell's site. shopgoodwill.com - #7208595 - Vivitar Macro Focusing Zoom 70-210mm Camera Lens - 12/29/2010 12:00:00 PM ; Vivitar 70-210mm Series 1

Is this a bad route to go, looking at lenses that have minimal information, even if they are cheap?

 

[Bram]

First off I would never buy from that website. I would go to www.B&H.com or www.adorama.com also try www.amazon.com . That's where you get the stuff you can depend on. Now remember you always get what you pay for. Always! Go from there. Decide what you want to shoot, what focal lenght you need.

 

[orb9220]

Well it's from my neck of the woods Portland,Or.
But unfortunately they don't say for what mount as their are Canon mount Vivitar series 1 lenses also.


Camera/Lens Compatibility


The general characteristics of the lens versions are the same across all lens mount versions, but new photographers should be aware of backwards compatibility issues with new, digital cameras and older lenses like these. Keep in mind these general guidelines:

• Pentax: All digital SLR's compatible with all these lenses. Older lenses will require the semi-automated "green button" stop-down metering.
• Nikon: All cameras will permit these lenses to be mounted, but some will not meter at all with them. Generally, it's the high-end, pro (expensive) Nikons that do permit metering. Check your owner's manual for details.
• Canon: Canon changed their lens mount completely in the 1980's — None of these lenses will work on any digital SLR.
• Minolta/Sony: Minolta (now Sony) changed their lens mount completely in the 1980's — None of these lenses will work on any digital SLR.
• Olympus: Olympus changed their lens mount completely for their digital SLR's — None of these lenses will work on any digital SLR.

So unless I'm missing something don't see for what camera it is for.

For macro on the D40x would recommend a $40-$50 Nikon 55mm f3.5 micro pre-Ai and your camera can take them all whether they are pre-Ai, Ai or Ais. They won't meter and you have to guessimate which isn't that big of a deal. The Ai or Ais versions tho will cost twice as much as a pre-Ai version. And will give you 1:2 macro with the Pk-13 extension tube will give you 1:1.

Without PK-13 for a 1:2 on D40


New Beginning by orb9220, on Flickr


Water Weight Gain by orb9220, on Flickr
.

 

[PhysPhoto]

Ah, okay. I also found this one, which I'm going to watch- shopgoodwill.com - #7171112 - Nikon 135 mm 1:2.8 Auto Aubell Lens - 12/30/2010 5:15:00 PM .

I figure that I will try getting one cheap lens (provided I can be assured it will fit) just to see if I will try more in the future. Being a college student is fun. ^_^


Thanks for the info about mounts. I'll have to look more into it. I've used some 30+ year old nikon lenses (macro) on my camera, and they work beautifully. I'd love to get my own macro lens, even if it is that old.

 

[Bram]

Man stay away from that site, it just looks like bad news bears.

 

[PhysPhoto]

^ I kind of figured such. I'll stick with B&H and Adorama. I got my camera refurbished from Adorama, and they were great about getting it repaired under warranty.

 

[Bram]

There you go. Anythign that looks cheap always is. In quality as well.

 

[Derrel]

Old 135mm f/2.8 manual focus lenses, even cheapies like the Aubell, Sears, Asanuma, etc,etc, are usually simple,proven designs that are optically pretty decent. If one is going to buy from Goodwill's auction site, one needs to learn how to recognize one's lens mount visually...'cause they often have no clue what they're selling...

 

[PhysPhoto]

Orb9220, pardon me for asking what you probably just answered, but am I right in saying that any Nikon lens will work with my camera, but the pre-AI (such as the one I posted a link for) will not meter? If so, then there should be no harm in getting one of these lenses for my cheap college budget, correct? Nice pictures, by the way.

Bram, sometimes Goodwill has good stuff for incredibly cheap, for clothes at least ($200 jeans with tags for $6)...not too sure about electronics though.

 

[orb9220]

Yep the only thing that can damage your camera that I know of. Is an old 8mm? fish-eye lens that nikon made.

Pre-AI | AI,AI-S,E series
- mounts,no meter use as Full manual set aperture on lens and shutter on camera. And guessimate the exposure as no metering.

AI-P | AF AF-D | AF-G
- mounts and meters,no AF so you set/lock aperture at f22 and manually have to focus and will meter scene.
.

 

[PhysPhoto]

^Thank you very much for all of your help! I will try my luck at an older macro lens.

 

[Dao]

The first lens seems to be a Pentax k-mount lens ... (I could be wrong). So don't bother with it.