Lense opinions

[Phisher]

Hey guys,

We are proud new owners of a Nikon D40, our first "real" digital camera. I can already see lenses and accessories can get costly very quickly. Looking for some opinions of where we should invest first when it comes to lenses. The camera included the standard 18-55, I am of course going to want a lense to take some macro shots and also one to "make far stuff closer."

I saw this package with a nice price tag. Am I likely to out grow these pretty quickly and invest in something better? Any "must haves" you guys can recommend?

Thanks

Joe

 

[jeffbrig]

It really depends on the user and how serious you are into photography. For an average person who intends to use a DSLR as a point&shoot replacement, these would probably be a great choice. If you are serious about photography as a hobby, you will probably outgrow them at some point. How fast, again, depends on the user.

I know my one "cheap" lens is the 18-55 kit lens that came with my Canon, and I nit-pick every picture that comes out of it. My first weekend out shooting after I got the camera, I could tell a difference in back-to-back shots taken with the 18-55 compared to the 70-200L. Either not as sharp, or colors were not as vibrant, etc. And the focus was SOOOO slow and noisy....

Be warned, it's VERY easy to get spoiled by nice glass.

 

[Ebn]

Jeff's advice is right on.

Personally I don't like that kit at all. It covers a lot of range, but the quality of those lenses are marginal (in terms of build quality and optics).

For about $50 more I would take a look at the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di lens. It is superb for macros and you can also use it for a portrait lens.

 

[ahuxman58]

Nice glass is a must for an avid photographer ,thats definitely something that you dont want to skimp on. Just my humble opinion

 

[GoLowDrew]

Do not buy these lens as they will NOT work with your D40. Nikon D40 can only use AF-S, not AF. In short, AF-S lens have the focusing motor built in, so the camera focusing motor does not have the chore of focusing. The Sigma version is call HSM. That's what you need to look for. The use of non-AF-S lens on A D40 would mean you can only do manual focus. D40 is the first Nikon that does this and it point to a new Nikon direction.

I recommend this instead.

http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/541535233.htm
Nikon 55-200 mm F/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Lens

I'm 99% correct. Again, do a websearch on D40 reviews to confirm. Don't let sales guys tell you they are 100% compatiable.

edit: P.S. Even the ritz camera description is wrong.

"proves to be a formidable companion to the instant responsiveness and impressive speed of the new D50 digital SLR camera."

It's D40, not D50.

 

[Ebn]

The D40 will work with both AFS and AFI lenses, not just AFS.