Lens advice for Nikon D40?

Pinkyposnapper

Pinkyposnapper

Suspended / Banned
Messages
46
Name
Samantha
Edit My Images
Yes
I have the standard lens (18-55mm) that came with this camera but need something with a better zoom....are you better to get a Nikon lens?

The 2 choices I have are:
Nikon 55-200 DX Lens £146.99
Sigma 70-300mm MACR Lens £169.99
(will they both auto focus on the Nikon D40?)

I cant really afford anything more expensive, I am wanting a zoom lens for our holiday to Maldives next month, and also for using in lots of animal/nature photography (travel to Florida a lot and visit the animal parks there) etc

Many Thanks :)
 
I actually took my 55-200VR with me to the Maldives earlier in the year and it did me proud, really pleased with the results. Get a polarising filter before you go.
 
Quaker said:
I actually took my 55-200VR with me to the Maldives earlier in the year and it did me proud, really pleased with the results. Get a polarising filter before you go.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for the quick reply! I think the VR is a lot more expensive but the 55-200mm is definitely within my budget, I have 2 filters (cir-polarizing and UV) but have never used them as not sure which to use for what?? (sorry, I am a complete beginner) x
 
I have both those lenses and the VR function on the nikon one is pretty good. You might be a bit disappointed with the amount of zoom you get from a 200mm though...
A 300 is definitely an improvement and the Sigma isn't bad...although I find the captures at 300mm a bit soft. The motor noise when focussing is a bit louder than the nikons too but it's not so bad that you can't live with it.
Make sure you get the motorised version;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002CWWPZC/ref=ox_ya_oh_product
Although you dont have to get it from Amazon!;)
 
Thank you for that, that seems a really good price too :) One day I plan on upgrading to the D90 (wish I had done my research first!) The Sigma sounds really good, just not sure whether it is viewed as "better" to stick to Nikon lenses....
 
I think the Nikon lens will probably hold its value a touch better when you decide you want to upgrade again
 
benp1 said:
I think the Nikon lens will probably hold its value a touch better when you decide you want to upgrade again
Click to expand...

:agree:

You'll get the majority of your money back when you come to upgrade from the 55-200 VR, but you might find you lose 50% on the Sigma.

Having said that, buy what you NEED, not what someone else will want to buy secondhand....
 
Ooohhh....I am still very confused :( I am not really interested in resale value, just to confirm - it is not the VR version either (too much money) just the standard Nikon 55-200mm or Sigma 55-300mm - all I want is to buy the best one for what I want to do with it now, which is mostly holiday snaps (Maldives trip coming up) and Animal snaps on holiday in Florida (the 18-55 just didnt have enough zoom for the safari attractions/animal shows etc) Anymore help? I really appreciate it xx
 
I'm in the same situation, i want a lens for zooming in too. Following the amazon link provided above and reading the reviews on that link - i'm swaying towards the sigma, plus it does auto-focus too :) I think i'll hunt for some pics on here taken using the sigma and check out the quality :)
 
benp1 said:
I think the Nikon lens will probably hold its value a touch better when you decide you want to upgrade again
Click to expand...

agree with that + the Nikon 55-200 vr has a reputation for punching far above its weight in terms of image quality
 
boyfalldown said:
agree with that + the Nikon 55-200 vr has a reputation for punching far above its weight in terms of image quality
Click to expand...

I have mentioned a couple of times, thats not the lens I am looking at - unless the one I mentioned is the same as the 55-200mm (sorry I am new to this!)
 
Pinkyposnapper said:
I have mentioned a couple of times, thats not the lens I am looking at - unless the one I mentioned is the same as the 55-200mm (sorry I am new to this!)
Click to expand...

there are VR and non VR versions of the lens - TBH you can pick up the VR version for £170 if you look and its well worth the extra few pounds

Hugh
 
My advice is the Nikon 55-200MM VR DX. I know you said not a VR, but if you shop around you can pick this up for pretty close to £170. You listed a Sigma 70-300mm for £169.99. That's why I say go for the Nikon VR one instead for about the same price. I have it and it's super and a very light lens.
 
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH everyone, sorry for my stupid questions-lol! I have had a hunt around and found the Nikon 55-200 VR for £180 which is just over what I have but worth a couple of weeks extra saving :)
 
I think im right in saying that anything with AF-S in the nikon lens range will auto-focus with the D40 as the motor is built in with the lens , anything else wont because the D40 body does not have the motor built in, hope this helps .
 
Thank you everyone, I have found a great offer of a mint cond 55-200mm len on here from a fellow forum member for a fantastic price which was even below my initial budget so might treat myself to a bag for my tripod too :)
 
scott170 said:
I think im right in saying that anything with AF-S in the nikon lens range will auto-focus with the D40 as the motor is built in with the lens , anything else wont because the D40 body does not have the motor built in, hope this helps .
Click to expand...

You are right - and if you are looking at Sigma the lens needs to be HSM to autofocus on a D40.

I've just recently got the Nikon 55-200 VR (£156 second hand from MPB) and so far I love it. I had the same dilema as the OP and decided that it is worth saving up for a Nikon 70-300 VR rather than get the cheaper offering from Sigma, so I got the 55-200 to be going on with.

HOWEVER - if you do decide to get the Sigma than people tell me that the APO version (red ring around the lens shows it is APO) is vastly better than the non APO, and not much more expensive.
 
Pinkyposnapper said:
Thank you everyone, I have found a great offer of a mint cond 55-200mm len on here from a fellow forum member for a fantastic price which was even below my initial budget so might treat myself to a bag for my tripod too :)
Click to expand...

:thumbs:
 
Here are all the AF-S Tele-lens with motor built-in.

Nikon
AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor ED 55-200mm F4-5.6G
AF-S DX VR Zoom Nikkor ED 55-200mm F4-5.6G IF
AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor ED 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF
AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor ED 70-200mm F/2.8G IF
Ai AF-S Zoom Nikkor ED 80-200mm F/2.8D IF
AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor ED 200-400mm f/4G IF

Sigma
50-150mm F2.8 EX DC APO HSM
50-150mm F2.8 II EX DC APO HSM
50-500mmF4-6.3 EX DG APO RF HSM
70-200mm F2.8 EX APO HSM
70-200mm F2.8 EX DG APO HSM
70-200mm F2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM
70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM
70-300mm F4-5.6 DG APO Macro
100-300mm F4 EX DG APO IF HSM
120-300mm F2.8 EX DG APO IF HSM
120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG APO OS HSM
150-500mm F5-6.3 DG APO OS HSM

Tamron
AF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro（A17N II）

----

I owned a Sigma 70-300 APO Macro no motor version before. It is great quality and more cover to long distrance items. But the body quality is so cheap.

I personally suggest you to choose Nikon 55-200 VR first, and Sigma 70-300 APO motorised can also be considered.
 
Hi guys,
Just thought i'd dig this thread back up, and dont suppose anyone will mind me hi jacking it as it seems dead...
I'm in the same situation at the moment, I have a trip to the maldives coming up in september, and I dont know if I should upgrade any kit before I go.....
I've got a D40 camera, 35mm lens, and a 16-85mm lens (I sold the kit lens)

Now I was considering upgrading the body to a D90, but will I see a noticeable gain from the D40? Or should I spend the money on a good glass?

I do read alot on the forum, and dont post that much as I search and find what i'm looking for most of the time.... but sometimes silly questions need to be asked!

I was talking to a photographer the other day at a wedding (I'm a magician) and he was saying that I should spend the cash on a good lens, a 2.8f one, that I will get better results even on the camera i'm using!

So would I be better off getting something like this...
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/24-70mm.htm
and sticking with the D40....

Or what about a fixed prime lens like the 35mm that i'm using! I really love the images from this, the DOF on the lens is really good... or even a wide angle one for the maldives?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated!

Jordan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top