Advice on Lens choice... yes a D40 owner...

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Iiyama

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Hi folks. I have read, searched and read again. Each time I read something another lens pops into the equation!

I take a variety of photographs from landscapes to candid and seated portraits. After going from a FZ5 super zoom I miss the ability to get closer to the subject without them always noticing. I'm also going on holiday to Thailand so prefer the single lens solution.

I have narrowed it down to:

Tamron 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 AF Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro (Nikon Motorised Fit for £295

Tamron 18-200mm f/3.8-5.6 XR DI II LD Aspherical (IF) AF Nikon at £289

Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG MACRO Lens (Nikon Motorised Fit) £100

Nikon 55-200mm F4-5.6G VR AF-S DX IF-ED at £125

I prefer to save money and spend under £200. But if the difference in the lens is significant I would take the plunge.

Help appreciated. Sample shots with these lenses at different lengths also appreciated.
 
The Tamron 18-200 is exceptionally good, I've used one as a backup on occasion on a D50, which has the same sensor as the D40.

Sample shot from the 18-200? Sure...



378231724_1c98baa30c_o.jpg

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And a landscape (on my S5 Pro, also 6 megapixels)


556771262_3229e9d0be_o.jpg

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The 55-200 VR is also really really good as well.


2440653735_5a30c5c2af_o.jpg

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While the Tamron 18-200 is excellent, nowadays for a D40 I would recommend the Nikkor 18-55 VR kit lens, and the 55-200 VR. Superb combo, cheap, light, and under £200.
 
Here are some shots using the Nikon 55-200 VR at different focal lengths.Taken mainly under very gloomy weather conditions, by way of contrast to the above puddleduck photos.

At 50mm focal length. Part of photo.
lanc_ready.jpg


At 145mm focal length
hurricane_YBW.jpg


At 200mm focal length. The only sunny interval....
vamp_t11_loop.jpg
 
Thank you for the replies so far. There appears to be "noise" on Edward Bancrofts samples. I presume that's not the lens at that focal length causing that?
 
Iiyama said:
Thank you for the replies so far. There appears to be "noise" on Edward Bancrofts samples. I presume that's not the lens at that focal length causing that?
Click to expand...

You presume correctly ;)


In general if you're faced with the choice between a Nikon lens and a third party one at the same sort of money then go Nikon every time.

The 55-200 VR was specifically designed for the D40/x and D60- at around £125, it's really a no-brainer ;)
 
That should be 55mm on the first picture.....

The third picture was set at 400ASA, so some quantisation noise on the image, exaggerated a little after Photoshop processing.

Edward.
 
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