Help needed to choose a lens!!

Alison-lee

Alison-lee

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I've got a new Nikon D40 with an 18-55mm lens on it.

I would like to purchase a zoom lens, but not sure at all what I should be looking at.

I need the lens as when we are out on our walks I like to take pictures of things in the distance but also take alot of portrait and pet pictures.

Any help whatsoever would be great, bearing in mind that I don't have alot of money to fork out for a very expensive lens.
 
You really need to narrow it down a bit, there's a huge range of lenses available. What is your top price and what would you rather spend?
 
I had exactly the same problem. i started looking at the 55-200mm VR lens (between £200-£250), then considered the 70-300mm VR lens (£350 approx). i then started thinking about getting the 18-200mm VR lens (approx £550), and finally considered the 18-135mm (£220 approx).

I can tell you i was in quite a tizz about it, as i seemed to chop and change every minute. I wanted a decent focal length at both ends, so i wouldnt have to keep changing my lens. this then narrowed it down to the 18-200mm VR lens and the 18-135mm lens. Eventhough the reviews were quite favourable for the 200mm VR lens, i could justify paying £550 on a new lens, especially as i was quite happy with the 18-135mm focal length. so i got the 18-135mm for £200.

good luck with whatever you decide
 
I was hoping to get something for under £200.00 if possible and like mummygina considered a 18-200mm but think this is out of my price range at the moment. Will go and search for a 18-135mm.
 
Alison-lee said:
I've got a new Nikon D40 with an 18-55mm lens on it.

I would like to purchase a zoom lens, but not sure at all what I should be looking at.

I need the lens as when we are out on our walks I like to take pictures of things in the distance but also take alot of portrait and pet pictures.

Any help whatsoever would be great, bearing in mind that I don't have alot of money to fork out for a very expensive lens.
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As mummygina mentioned, probably the 18-135 would be your best bet in terms of size/weight for a walk, reach (focal length) and, of course, price! The 18-200 would be ideal, but is expensive.

Other lenses are 24-120 VR or 24-85, but these may not be wide enough to give good options, which really leaves the 18-135 or the 18-200.

There is a tendency to go for things "now", but I've found to my cost that "the poor man always pays twice". I'll buy something now, then realise in a few months that I really should have gone for the one I really wanted. So my one suggestion would be to go for what you really want, waiting if necessary. For what you describe though, the 18-135 sounds ideal.
 
Alison-lee said:
I've got a new Nikon D40 with an 18-55mm lens on it.

I would like to purchase a zoom lens, but not sure at all what I should be looking at.

I need the lens as when we are out on our walks I like to take pictures of things in the distance but also take alot of portrait and pet pictures.

Any help whatsoever would be great, bearing in mind that I don't have alot of money to fork out for a very expensive lens.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure that 135mm is enough reach for "things in the distance" - For a trip to the zoo or ducks on a pond eg I find 300mm lacking at times - On a tight budget (just over £100) the Sigma 70-300mm is the choice of most (make sure you get the APO version) - With more budget (£300+) the Nikon 70-300mmVR is the canines wedding tackle - I too the photo below with mine ... HTH ... Paul ;)

eagle_head_800.jpg
 
Thanks for all the replies everyone. Will look into some of them and see what some of the prices are. Anyone recommend a good place to buy?
 
Joe T said:
Paul, she has a D40 so the Sigma 70-300 APO is not able to AF on this body and so is probably not a strong contender.

Nikkor 55-200 VR is a very good choice for the money. The 70-300 VR is also a good choice, but is more money.
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Correct Joe (bit of a senior moment there!)
If you're not in a rush get a price from Kerso here (via PM to Kerso) Ian is a member here who supplies kit from the US via his home in Scotland
4 Best UK prices check www.camerapricebuster.co.uk
If happy to import from HK try www.onestop-digital.com or DigitalRev on Ebay
HTH ... Paul ;)
 
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