Nikon D40 Replacement Lens

emmaf · Mar 1, 2008

I recieved the Nikon D40 camera kit in October, and had the lens jam on me, and consequently break last month. I have had the lens sent back to Nikon to repair (hopefully under warranty). I am a total beginner, so am looking for an afforable replacement lens in the meantime - but it would need to work with the autofocus. Ideally I would love something with a better zoom than the original, but I really can't spend too much - am I just dreaming or there are any recommendations out there?

Thanks so much...

kundalini · Mar 1, 2008

Have a look at this thread.
(If any Mods are looking, the above thread is a contender for a sticky)

Then you can read reviews for the lens that you're interested in at Photozone.de

JIP · Mar 1, 2008

How much is "too much"....

Antithesis · Mar 1, 2008

If your looking to spend about $600, I'd look into the 18-200 VR, it's fully compatible with your d40 and has an 11x zoom and vibration reduction. The picture quality suffers a little bit with that much focal range, but it still takes pretty good pictures and your able to hand hold it in pretty low light with the VR.

If your looking to go cheaper than that, tamron and sigma make super zooms too, and they are between $200-400 and take ok pictures as well. The build quality is going to be pretty bad though, particularly with the tamron (and I'm not even sure if it has a built in motor to work with your d40).

Mike_E · Mar 1, 2008

If I could only have one AF-S lens under $350 (I'm guessing that you don't really want to spend very much) I would go with the 18-70mm f3.5-4.5. You can find these used for $200 and up on e-bay.

This lens is one of the all time great consumer lenses, imho.

Coldow91 · Mar 1, 2008

yeah the 18-70 would be your best option

JIP · Mar 2, 2008

Antithesis said:
If your looking to spend about $600, I'd look into the 18-200 VR, it's fully compatible with your d40 and has an 11x zoom and vibration reduction. The picture quality suffers a little bit with that much focal range, but it still takes pretty good pictures and your able to hand hold it in pretty low light with the VR.

If your looking to go cheaper than that, tamron and sigma make super zooms too, and they are between $200-400 and take ok pictures as well. The build quality is going to be pretty bad though, particularly with the tamron (and I'm not even sure if it has a built in motor to work with your d40).

Dont waste you money on this lens......

Mike_E · Mar 2, 2008

See, even JIP owns one! :lmao:

Socrates · Mar 2, 2008

JIP said:
Dont waste you money on this lens......

Why do you say that?

JIP · Mar 2, 2008

Antithesis said:
If your looking to spend about $600, I'd look into the 18-200 VR, it's fully compatible with your d40 and has an 11x zoom and vibration reduction. The picture quality suffers a little bit with that much focal range, but it still takes pretty good pictures and your able to hand hold it in pretty low light with the VR.
).

Even the guy who recommended it said the picture quality is poor. I figure if you are going to spend $600+ on a lens why buy something with poor image quality.

Tasmaster · Mar 2, 2008

Just a note, the 18-55 lens that (i assume) came with your D40 is now available with Vibration Reduction. If you decide to stick with the same lens, have a look at the VR version. I haven't tried VR myself, but everyone says it is really great and worth it.

You can find a review of this lens, and also the 18-200, here: http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/

Since you are a beginner, look at the review conclusions and recommendations to see if they are what you need.

Antithesis · Mar 2, 2008

JIP said:
Even the guy who recommended it said the picture quality is poor. I figure if you are going to spend $600+ on a lens why buy something with poor image quality.

I'm not much of an advocate of the 18-200, the OP just said they wanted something with a large zoom range. I'll never buy this lens unless it's going to go on a travel camera, like a d40.

JerryPH · Mar 2, 2008

I own this lens, and discuss it often. It is without doubt the best and most versatile lens on the market for Nikons. Many here have PROVEN that it does come close to being the equal of the vaunted 70-200VR F/2.8(which I also own), under certain conditions.

Does it suffer from vignetting? Yes a VERY little. Does it suffer from CA? Yes as well, again just a little.

NONE of the issues that would impede a professional from using this less would impede a beginner or intermediate with a D40 from taking wonderful pictures and using it for many years and thousands of wonderful pictures.

Are there better lenses? Yes, but bring your wallet or credit card. NONE of them will be as versitile, thats a guarantee.

JIP's low opinion of that lens is legendary on this forum... but truth is that I think it is heavily biased and often unrealistic in realtion to the person asking's needs. A professional should not use this lens on the job... 99.9% of the people asking about this lens are NOT pros and it would be an excellent choice for their needs.

I love my 18-200. It is the most used of my 6 lenses, and the ULTIMATE vacation or daily walk-around lens.

Tasmaster · Mar 3, 2008

It's one of those cases where you can only offer information, can't give a definitive answer really. 99% of "total beginners" will not find any faults with that lens at all, but a keen eye might spot them, and you can never be sure what the OP will think. Chances are that you will take thousands of great photos before you even think that maybe you could use a better lens, which is piceless experience in itself - and not everyone advances beyond that point.

So if you can see yourself turning pro in the next six months, don't get the 18-200. If you want the single most versatile lens that you can get, for taking photos every day everywhere, get it.

Read a couple of reviews maybe, or why not check out the thousands of photos on Flickr that are taken with a Nikon 18-200mm VR and see how it performs for yourself: http://www.flickr.com/groups/72604026@N00/pool/

JIP · Mar 3, 2008

JerryPH said:
I own this lens, and discuss it often. It is without doubt the best and most versatile lens on the market for Nikons. Many here have PROVEN that it does come close to being the equal of the vaunted 70-200VR F/2.8(which I also own), under certain conditions.
.

I think this quote would fit better in the thread about doing drugs and wether it effects your creativity and in this case judgement.