Nikon D40 Lens - Ready to Buy

[TheAviator]

So I came up with about 250 dollars to spend on a lens, I had to sell some old stuff on ebay...lol, lame, I know.

Anyway, Any suggestions as to what lens to get? What were the ones that could ONLY work with the Nikon D40 again?

I have a link here, and I was wondering what you guys thought of the lens, it was a good price.

http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=TM75300LDNA&tab=acc

The 75 - 300 lens for 129.00USD, is that a good buy? Or not really.

I'll be going to Europe and looking at alot of small little towns, and some big scenery landscapes. Any suggestions as to what lens I should look into purchasing?

Again, I have 250 dollars to spend on a lens at the moment.

Thanks guys.

[TheAviator]

Or should I purchase this one -

http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=NK55200G&tab=acc

Because that has the AF-S, which correct me if I am wrong, but the Nikon D40 can only Auto Focus with AF-S lens's?

[TheAviator]

Also, if I have 6 months to learn the camera and lens, I dont mind if I have to manually focus at times..

[timmciglobal]

You need AF-S to focus automatically.

You may want to consider a D50 instead since the lack of in-body motor really is a hurt when looking at nikon (since nikon primes almost ALL in-body motor required)

Tim

[TheAviator]

I already purchased the Nikon D40..

[coldrain]

I'm sure you can still exchange it for a D50, but oh well. There are no lenses that only work on a D40, there are lots of lenses though that do not work on a D40.

I do not want to click on links to actually find out what lenses you are looking at, so typing in your posts which ones you want opinions about can be handy.

The only 70-300 that is under $250 that is worth considering is the 70-300 APO DG from Sigma, but that one will not work on the D40 (will work on any other camera though, including Canon XT, Pentax K100D and Nikon D50).

The only one that will work on the D40 is the Nikon 70-300 G, which is one of the worst lenses on the market.. totally soft and lack of contrast/colour at the 200-300mm range due to inferior glass and internal reflections.

If you want a 70-300 lens that is worth anything and is under $250, chance your camera. The only 70-300 that is actually worth buying that works on the D40 is the new Nikon 70-300 ED VR which has more decent optics, but it costs around $700.

[timmciglobal]

Not quite 700, 539 online but yea the 70-300 VR is only option.

Good choice though because VR helps a ton in longer shots.

Tim

[swgod98]

I can't believe you guys are still trying to get him to return the D40...wtf?!?!

Ya, he's got some restrictions when it comes to lens options. He knows that and has accepted it. Can you not help him with his choices anyways? He doesn't know half of what you guys do and wants input on his options (short of returning a camera he already happily purchased).

My personal choice (if you don't return the camera) is to save up for the 70-300VR. It is a GREAT lens. It's going for about $529 (unless prices were hiked up since my purchase...?).

If you can't afford that, you're only option is to get one of the cheaper lenses. But, keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Those cheaper lenses may very well give you quality lower than a $500 ultrazoom digicam (which completely defeats the purpose of a dSLR, IMO).

[mattdm]

This may help you decide. Clearly, you're not going to get a great lens for that price, but on the other hand, something that lets you take pictures you wouldn't have otherwise may trump that.

Check this out for pictures taken with that lens:

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/tamron/af_75300_456_ld_macro

And some comments:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=255

[timmciglobal]

...

obviously the previous poster doesn't understand that the tamron WILL NOT AUTOFOCUS with the nikon D40 because it lacks a motor to AF the lens.

It's a serious flaw if you ask me in D40 that cripples it considering the heavy reliance on in-body motors of nikon lens linup and third party support.

Galidin

[mattdm]

Um, yes, I am guilty as charged on this one. Sorry.

So, yeah, coldrain is absolutely right in this case -- the D40 does lock you out of many cheaper lens options.

[TheAviator]

Ya I realize that, that's fine. Hopefully they begin to produce more lens's for the camera.

Anyway, I was looking at the 55 - 200 lens at Ritz, which has Auto Focus, its a Nikkor Lens, and the price is good. The zoom is good, much larger than the 18 - 55, so I like the lens.


Anyone have anything BAD to say bout this lens? Lol, I realize I could get a even better zoom but again money is limited. This may be the last thing I purchase for Europe, rest of the checks go to the actual "Europe" fund...So ya, again I have 250 to spend.

[coldrain]

The 55-200 Nikkor is chealy built (so are the other 55-200's too, it is a cheap lens class) but it performs quite a bit better than the 70-300G. At 55mm it is very sharp and contrasty, losing somewhat towards 200mm, but all in all it is a good lens for the money.

[SpecialK]

In the dark ages we all focused manually. It is still preferable in some instances.

For the trade off in portability and economy that you opted for, you may just have to (gasp) twist that lens yourself.

You mention "small little towns, and some big scenery landscapes". Those are more of wide angle subjects than the telephoto range you mention, and autofocus is not really imperative to shoot a building :-).

Because auto focus seems to be the standard, and manual lenses are seen as less desirable by some, you might be able to get a used one at a reasonable price.

www.keh.com has odds and ends, from what they categorzes as "ugly" (a step below "bargain") to "new" or "like new".

[TheAviator]

Thanks alot guys. I ended up getting the 55 - 200 lens for now, it was a good price. I figured the 18mm on the 18 - 55 lens will do me fine with landscape shots, I mean I'm not goin out for National Geographic or anything...just taking pictures of the places I go and see.

But again, thanks everyone for the help.