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14-11-07, 12:58 PM
#1

Nikon D40 new lens advice, please

Hi guys, as some of you may already know, I'm going to get a new lens for Christmas, but which one the more I read up on which one the more confused I get

Ok this is what I want from my new lens, I love taking pics of wildlife and would love to be able to get a close up pic without being close up, if that makes sense, wild birds tend not to sit still for you to get up close and personal, but also would like to take landscape pics and my fav. macro although my camera does have a macro setting and (so far) I'm happy with the results.

Having read up a bit there are several makes of lens, Nikkor, Tamron, Sigma, all with varying prices, which is best, do you pay your money and take your change or is it the more expensive the better quality, I realize a lot of it's down to me as well, but I'd rather get better quality so I can only blame me if the photo is bad I know Kanikula explained about the difference with or with out zoom, but (sorry K) that has just confused me more as you can get a lens say 55-200mm without zoom as well as with zoom, so you can vary the distance on both , or have I got that complety wrong, you can see I'm being very thick here Is it the higher the number the further away the thing is you can take a pic of, my p&s is 4x opitical zoom and 4x digital zoom, which they say = 16 times zoom, I could understand that, but all these mm are just adding to my confusion.

Sorry about this guys, this post is very much a blonde/senior post please help if you can
Christine
Kit 1
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
Nikon 55-200mm
My Compact/P&S: Canon Powershot A630


     
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14-11-07, 01:16 PM
#2

Re: Nikon D40 new lens advice, please

Ok to confuse you further, the d40 can be problematic with zoom lenses, unless they are Nikkor (i think)

From what i can gather the D40/D40x series can only autofocus with lenses that are Nikon AF-S series or some of the Sigma lines They dont have an autofocus motor in the camera body. So on that basis i cant really recommend the best lens, as i dont fully understand the compatabiity issues???

You really need to go into a cam shop where they can explain the relationship between the body and the lens for this model. They will also help you make a more informed choice on what is best for your needs

Sorry i couldnt be more help im shooting off out now. I will look into more when i get back later and hopefully have a few suggestions, unless you get one between now and then


     
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14-11-07, 02:14 PM
#3

Re: Nikon D40 new lens advice, please

Hi Christine, we are in the same boat.. so the choice is simple Here's what I'm gonna do...

Either get a:

Nikon AF-S 55-200mm f4-5.6 VR DX £153

or a

Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR Zoom £299

Whichever you go for make sure that it has VR in the name/on the box - as the VR versions are the ones that include image stabalisation

They have amazing write-ups and recommendations all over the web, and are very affordable when you think about the quality you get.

I guess an easy way to look at the differences and to associate with your current lens is:

The 55-200 starts at 55 (ie where your current lens stops) and zooms up all the way to 200.

The 70-300 starts at 70 (so as your current one stops at 55 and there will be a small jump to 70, although not that noticable) but zooms further, up to 300.

Does that make more sense? Basically one zooms further, so you can get closer to a subject, but it should be noted that the 70-300 is also heavier, larger and has better image quality (but you'd expect that given the price).

Here are some pics taken with both lenses (the camera body will vary, but should still give you an idea).

55-200
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/a...00_4_56g_if_ed

70-300
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/a...0_45_56g_if_ed

If you have any more questions just ask... and keep us updated on what you get

(ps you can still use your current lens for macros, although you'd be able to use the new lens too but would have to be further away from the subject - to get in really close, you'd need a dedicated macro lens).

(pps, if I'm wrong anywhere I hope K, Phil or any of the other Nikonians will let us know )
Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7


     
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14-11-07, 02:43 PM
#4

Re: Nikon D40 new lens advice, please

Quote:
Originally Posted by Azz View Post
Hi Christine, we are in the same boat..
Exiting isant it

Thanks K and Azz narrowing it down to just the nikon lenses helps a great deal, from the links you put Azz, it looks like the 70-300mm is more what I'm after and in my price range (saw one lens over £6000 ) I'm going to make sure they have AF and VR, the VR will come in very handy on those freezing cold days when you're sat in a hide somewhere like Dymchurch RSPB shivering like mad
As far as macro goes, I'll probably think about a special lens next spring, unless I win the lotto in the mean time

Quote:
Originally Posted by Azz View Post

If you have any more questions just ask...
Thought you were going to say...........someone else
Kit 1
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
Nikon 55-200mm
My Compact/P&S: Canon Powershot A630


     
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14-11-07, 02:47 PM
#5

Re: Nikon D40 new lens advice, please

glad you mention these christine coz im very blonde too lol!! they just seems to be just numbers to me lol cheers azz the 70-300 looks the right one for me
Kit 1
nikon D80
nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-s IF-ED
50mm nifty fifty
Kit 2
nikon F55
AF nikon 28-80mm F/3.3-5.6
Other Kit
View my profile to see my other kit!
My Compact/P&S: Canon PowerShot A590IS


     
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14-11-07, 03:02 PM
#6

Re: Nikon D40 new lens advice, please

Super stuff guys! I'm excited for the both of you now!!! Can't wait for you to get em and start showing off your pics

Please come back and update the thread when either of you take the plunge!
Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7


     
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14-11-07, 03:05 PM
#7

Re: Nikon D40 new lens advice, please

Will do Azz, but it'll be Christmas/New year before I get mine
Kit 1
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
Nikon 55-200mm
My Compact/P&S: Canon Powershot A630


     
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14-11-07, 03:08 PM
#8

Re: Nikon D40 new lens advice, please

Lol don't worry... that's a lot sooner than I'll be getting mine

Prob when the weather starts getting better, as it won't get much use in the winter/cold
Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7


     
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14-11-07, 05:03 PM
#9

Re: Nikon D40 new lens advice, please

oh no i should`ve kept my mouth shut lol !! think it be a while yet for me to save as i already been asking for load of stuff lol
Kit 1
nikon D80
nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-s IF-ED
50mm nifty fifty
Kit 2
nikon F55
AF nikon 28-80mm F/3.3-5.6
Other Kit
View my profile to see my other kit!
My Compact/P&S: Canon PowerShot A590IS


     
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14-11-07, 05:13 PM
#10

Re: Nikon D40 new lens advice, please

We can both look forward to Christine's pics then
Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7


     
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