Lens recommendation for Nikon D40

[hslayer]

Hey guys, I just purchased my first slr camera and i am so excited! Now I need to look for lenses since I purchased the body only. My budget is 200 - 250 but cheaper the better! I am just looking for best bang for buck lens that I can use for walk around lens which will provide me with excellent quality pictures! Thank you. :bounce:

[penguin821]

It usually comes with a 18-55mm lens so i would suggest you buying a 55-200mm VR if you're on a tight budget.. Just got my D40 3 months ago and bought that lens.. So far so good...

*Oops, i forgot that you only bought the body...

[hslayer]

It usually comes with a 18-55mm lens so i would suggest you buying a 55-200mm VR if you're on a tight budget.. Just got my D40 3 months ago and bought that lens.. So far so good...

*Oops, i forgot that you only bought the body...
yeah, i only have the body and if i was going to spend money on a lens i want to get something else beside the kit lens. but thanks for your input. can anyone else help me out? :wave:

[Sacrin]

I am also looking at getting my first dslr, and it will probably be the Nikon D40x as well. Not sure on a lens recommendation, but after doing some reading, be careful that you get one that will auto focus (seems like most wont for this camera). Let me know what you decide, as I will face the same decision. There is some talk about it here, if you haven't already seen the thread: http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=1215933&page=2

[Sacrin]

Just found this in an Amazon review (http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D40X-10-2MP-Digital-Camera/dp/B000O19JF2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1236085474&sr=1-2):

Lens compatibility: Notice that with D40/D40x, autofocus function will not work for non AF-S/AF-I lens. If you already have non AF-S/AF-I Nikon lenses and want a backup or replacement camera, you will be better off buying D50, D70s or D80. If you buy the D40, it will be convenient to stick with AF-S and AF-I type lenses. I'm not sure why Nikon choose this route for the D40/D40x (whether to enable smaller size camera or from now on Nikon will only make AF-S lens compatible camera). There are a lot of good Nikon AF-S lenses (price range added: low, medium, high) that are fully compatible with the D40/D40x such as:

- Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S DX VR (M)
- Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR (L)
- Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR (M)
- Nikon 12-24mm f/4G ED IF AF-S DX (M)
- Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H)
- Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX (H)
- Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H)
- Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR (H)
- Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro (M)
- And several other expensive prime tele/zoom lens like 200-400mm, 300m, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm.

[lovin2rip]

Just found this in an Amazon review (http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-D40X-10-2MP-Digital-Camera/dp/B000O19JF2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1236085474&sr=1-2):

Lens compatibility: Notice that with D40/D40x, autofocus function will not work for non AF-S/AF-I lens. If you already have non AF-S/AF-I Nikon lenses and want a backup or replacement camera, you will be better off buying D50, D70s or D80. If you buy the D40, it will be convenient to stick with AF-S and AF-I type lenses. I'm not sure why Nikon choose this route for the D40/D40x (whether to enable smaller size camera or from now on Nikon will only make AF-S lens compatible camera). There are a lot of good Nikon AF-S lenses (price range added: low, medium, high) that are fully compatible with the D40/D40x such as:

- Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S DX VR (M)
- Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX (L)
- Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR (L)
- Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR (M)
- Nikon 12-24mm f/4G ED IF AF-S DX (M)
- Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H)
- Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX (H)
- Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H)
- Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR (H)
- Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro (M)
- And several other expensive prime tele/zoom lens like 200-400mm, 300m, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm. thanks for info, looking to get slr too..

[kyzen]

Don't limit yourself to just Nikon lenses; Sigma and Tamron offer some superb options - look into one of their 17-50mm f/2.8 lenses. I'll post links when I get to work.

[gromitspapa]

My recommendation would be this 18-105VR from Abe's of Maine. It's a "white box," which means brand new, but separated from a kit. Still gets the 5 year warranty. More range than the 18-55, and has the valuable VR. A bargain at $280 minus $10 for LOYALTY10 or FRIEND10 or with a $100 card from restaurant.com with DINE200.

http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=NK18105VROB&id=NK18105VROB
http://www.bythom.com/Nikkor18-105lensreview.htm

[kyzen]

or with a $100 card from restaurant.com with DINE200.

Could you go into more detail about this part?

Also, anybody who does elect to take this deal (however it works), be careful with restaurant.com. (http://consumerist.com/5141188/buy-a-gift-certificate-from-restaurantcom-sign-up-for-a-recurring-1495-monthly-service)

[dynamite]

Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S. Available here sometime in March:

http://www.adorama.com/NK3518U.html

Easily your best bang for the buck in terms of quality for your price range.
No zoom so you will be using your feet. Perfect walk around lens.

[platinumnikka21]

Hey guys, I just purchased my first slr camera and i am so excited! Now I need to look for lenses since I purchased the body only. My budget is 200 - 250 but cheaper the better! I am just looking for best bang for buck lens that I can use for walk around lens which will provide me with excellent quality pictures! Thank you. :bounce:

I have a brand new 55-200mm vr lens on ebay for $173. They are selling like hotcakes though...

Since you don't already have the kit 18-55 lens though, it makes it tough to tell you what lens would be best for the price range you are looking at... I guess it boils down to whether or not you will be taking more pictures of things right next to you, or things in the distance. I would def. go with either the 18-55 vr lens or the 55-200 vr lens. If its not to far of a stretch for your budget, you could probably pick up both of the lenses for around $250. I recently bought both of them and only paid $240... You just have to keep your eyes open for deals.

^^ I paid $100 for my 18-55mm vr lens through Cameta camera refurbished with a one year warranty, and was lucky enough to get my 55-200mm vr lens at Circuit City for $95, although more than likely you don't stand a chance at getting the 55-200mm vr lens at that price now...

[platinumnikka21]

I am also looking at getting my first dslr, and it will probably be the Nikon D40x as well. Not sure on a lens recommendation, but after doing some reading, be careful that you get one that will auto focus (seems like most wont for this camera). Let me know what you decide, as I will face the same decision. There is some talk about it here, if you haven't already seen the thread: http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=1215933&page=2

for the same price you could pick up a D60... I bought my D60 for $300 from Cameta Camera refurbished with a 1 year parts/labor warranty, and I could have gotten the D40x for around 275 - 285... For the extra couple dollars, I'd get the D60.

Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S. Available here sometime in March:

http://www.adorama.com/NK3518U.html

Easily your best bang for the buck in terms of quality for your price range.
No zoom so you will be using your feet. Perfect walk around lens.

wow... never seen this lens. that really is a great lens for under $200. I will definitely be picking up one of these in march!

[dishdudes]

Anyone recommend a lens to shoot some indoor bball? Currently have stock lens as well as the 55-100VR. Neither perform well indoors and are able to "stop" motion. Is there anything for the D40 or am I out of luck.. Chuck

[johnts97]

form the list above

- Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S (H) - $1,786
- Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR (H) - $1,899

those would work for what you need depending on how much zoom you need. its a nice face lense. Happy shooting

[dishdudes]

Holy... Any non nikons any cheaper?

[platinumnikka21]

Anyone recommend a lens to shoot some indoor bball? Currently have stock lens as well as the 55-100VR. Neither perform well indoors and are able to "stop" motion. Is there anything for the D40 or am I out of luck.. Chuck

Someone PLEASE toss him a good idea for a VERY GOOD lens for indoor motion shots. I own the 18-55 vr and 55-200 vr lens and neither one will shoot even decent shots. They are ALL blurry!

[obisbo99]

For the OP I would recommend the kit 18-55. It is actually a very good lens and can be found for very cheap. I don't think the bang for the buck can be beaten. Any additional recommendations would require more info on what you want to do. If you are just planning on family photos and such buy the kit lens and a Nikon SB-400 flash. You will be very pleased with the results.

[dishdudes]

Someone PLEASE toss him a good idea for a VERY GOOD lens for indoor motion shots. I own the 18-55 vr and 55-200 vr lens and neither one will shoot even decent shots. They are ALL blurry!

I agree.. I tried to shoot with those lenses and it looks like cr@p.. Sports mode, auto etc.. Even bought an SB-600 flash.. no help..

[phlllpy]

Holy... Any non nikons any cheaper?

The Sigma EX HSM (you need the HSM lenses for autofocus on D40/D60) version of the 24-70mm 2.8 is about $850 and is hitting websites shortly. I have the non-HSM version on my D90 and I have no regrets.

You need a constant 2.8 max aperture (minimum) to even think about action indoor shots. That is one thing that people always promoting Nikon VR lenses seem to not understand (VR allows slower shutter speed - but this creates blur for anything in motion...).

As for longer zooms, there is a Sigma EX HSM 2.8 50-200 for about $700 I have been eyeing for some time. I rarely touch my current longer telephoto lenses, so spending $700 may not be worth it for me, but would be well worth it for someone needing a good range indoor/low-light telephoto.

[mkoyle]

If you were looking for a kit-range lens with a lower f-stop, Sigma and Tamron both make some of those. There is a fairly complete list of lenses at dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond60/page3.asp). The 35mm listed above isn't on there but pretty much everything else you can order right now is there. There are some Tokina lenses that have great reviews, but nobody seems to have them and they are really hard to find.

I really like taking pictures with my 17-50mm Tamron f/2.8... not really sure that most people would find 50mm adequate for basketball shots. I have seen lots of good things about the Sigma 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM but 2.8 goes away really fast.

If you want still shots indoors and don't have a massive flash, your best bet is probably something like the Sigma 50-150 mm f/2.8 EX DC APO HSM or the 70-200 mm f/2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM II... those will both probably set you back $600 or more, though.

[spacepunk]

Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S. Available here sometime in March:

http://www.adorama.com/NK3518U.html

Easily your best bang for the buck in terms of quality for your price range.
No zoom so you will be using your feet. Perfect walk around lens.

This is the one I was going to recommend. The specs are good and the price isn't out of this world. It stops down to 1.8 which is great for close ups and some macro-like shots.

Have fun with your camera! :)

[model6]

You can always get the 50mm 1.8 prime for $100-125. The lens has amazing bokeh and is very fast.... in fact it will make you realize why people pay big money for fast lenses. The downside is the D40, D40x and D60 lack the internal motor to focus the lens. You have to manually focus, but the results are worth it.

Sometime at the end of the month the 35mm will debut for $199 and it can autofocus on the D40. Just wait it out if you're willing to pay an extra $100. FYI, it's a prime, so you can't zoom - but you'll learn more using that lens than the kit.

[panda-may]

Someone PLEASE toss him a good idea for a VERY GOOD lens for indoor motion shots. I own the 18-55 vr and 55-200 vr lens and neither one will shoot even decent shots. They are ALL blurry!

Get the prime lens! They are best for indoor shot!

[orangeju1ce]

Prime lenses are the best.

If you don't mind manually focusing and metering, you can always buy pre-ai nikon prime lenses. They are at least 10x cheaper than the AF-S zoom lenses..

I bought a pre-ai Nikon 50mm f/1.4S for $42 a couple of months ago.. and it preforms beautifully. :) You get used to manually focusing and metering after a while.

The sigma 30mm f/1.4 is also a nice prime lens to own for indoor shots.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=sigma+30mm+f%2F1.4&s=int