looking to upgrade from kit nikon 18-55 - any advice?

[skipperdip]

Hi folks,

As a relative DSLR beginner, i've had my D40 for a while now (about a year) which has the kit 18-55. I've recently added the 50mm 1.8 (which takes stunningly sharp images - if not a bit of a faff with manual focus) for general portrait work.

I'm now finding the kit lens pretty limiting and obviously spoilt by the comparative super-sharpness of the 50mm, i'm looking for something suitable as an upgrade to the kit lens.

I don't necessarily need a super zoom (although i have looked at the 18-200) but am after a good and sharp lens suitable for landscape / general work. I'd rather spend the money on a good lens rather than skimp and wish i'd spent the little extra later on. After some landscape tuition recently, i want to try and start doing more landscape work using nd grad filters.

Does anyone have any constructive advice please?

Many thanks.

 

[redddraggon]

17-55 F/2.8 or 24-70 F/2.8 (although some people don't like the 24-70mm on crop, but the range would suit me.)

 

[mrgas]

the 24/70 is a great lens but might be a bit big for the D40 body , it might seem a bit unbalanced

 

[mjjiva]

If you want it for landscape and a general walk around lens then go for the 16-85mm nikon. Very sharp lens and plenty wide at 16mm

 

[allanm]

Nikon 16-85 VR is a really nice lens. Going from your kit lens, you get a bit more at the wide end and a bit extra reach. Its a little heavier than the kit lens but a lot smaller and lighter than the 17-55 f2.8, which is going to unbalance your D40 considerably. ( opening up a need for a new bigger body )
If you need f2.8, consider the 17-55 or look at a new Tamron 17-50. It is an f2.8 lens with a lot less weight and almost as good overall as the Nikon.

My choice would be the 16-85 VR

Allan

 

[mrgas]

I'd agree with the 16-85 being an excellent upgrade (nearly bought one myself , bought a D90 instead !) but for some reason they're very expensive