nikon 18-135mm lens and d40

[fancyfish]

i recently purchased this lens and am having trouble with sharpness and focus. I have an 18-55 and a 55-200 which I think is much better. any suggestions, tips etc are much appreciated.
Thanks
Pam

 

[Nikon_Guy]

Is that lens a AF-S or an AF-I lens?

The auto-focus feature on that camera will only work with one of the two types of aforementioned lenses.

 

[fancyfish]

AF-S lens. same as the 2 kit lens that came with it. the 18-155mm and 55-200. I could not locate the 18-200 and was looking for a one lens do all for vacation etc. I do not mind changing out lens but do not always want to drag around more than one.

 

[Maxxumless]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10328270#post10328270 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fancyfish
I could not locate the 18-200 and was looking for a one lens do all for vacation etc. I do not mind changing out lens but do not always want to drag around more than one.

I'm using the 18-200 VR and can honestly say it is far superior to either the kit or 55-200mm f4-5.6 AF-S DX. Where you just looking locally? I found it on line really quick and probably for less than you would find it locally. It won't do macro well or be razor sharp at the short or long ends, but with the version 2 of VR and better optics it covers just about every situation I'm in pretty well.

Edit: Oops... forgot to add...

Did a search on the 55-200 and it didn't do well in the sharpness area. The kit lens however isn't a bad lens. Here's a few tips:

When hand holding make sure your shutter speed is higher than your focal length; including crop. That means, if you are zoomed in at 50mm you are at 50mm X 1.5 = 75mm so you should not have a shutter speed slower than 1/70. If you are at 200mm you should not have a shutter speed of less than 1/300. Its a rule of thumb, not really a 'rule' but its a good one. (The VR lens I have would allow me to hand hold however around 1/5 and 1/100 respectively w/o too much of a problem â€"œ that is the VR II working!)

Support your camera well by brining your arms in and using both hands on the camera.

Hold your breath as you push straight down on the button â€"œ do not jerk or yank at the button.

Hope that helps.

 

[fancyfish]

thanks for the tip. where did you find the 18-200 and how much did you spend. I know supply vs. demand is driving the price a bit high. I have heard very good things about that lens. I think the VR is a big plus. I will continue to play with the 18-135 and see what I can do. Thanks

 

[Maxxumless]

I got mine from my father-in-law but he got it for around $700 through a private Nikon buyers club.

Did a quick search and found these:

http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/541530721.htm
http://www.digitalfotoclub.com/product-features.asp?id=964672013

I have done business with Ritz Camera via Amazon and Google Checkout and they came through both times. Digital foto club I have not done business with but it is a registered member of the BBB so you can check them out. My two favorite online dealers each have it for 100 more â€"œ Adorama and B&H Photo.

 

[VoidRaven]

I hate to say from my own research several months back, the 18-135mm did NOT rate well at all with most folks. You might be better off with the 24-120mm VR or the 18-200mm VR lens.

I would consider returning the 18-135mm and putting that money towards another lens.

If money is tight you could consider the 28-105mm. It's not a bad all-around lens but it's not pro glass either. I have one and it pretty much sits on my camera all the time as my "walk around" and macro lens (has a 1:2 macro feature....not as good as 1:1 but not too shabby).

 

[fancyfish]

I think I will return and buy the 18-200. Thanks everyone