zoom lens

[angeleyes216]

Ok i need some more help. I havent bought a zoom lens yet and dont want to spend a fortune as im a begginer in the dslr use. Whats the best, reasonably priced lens for taking distant photos such as graduations etc? I dont want to have the shake problem like ive been told you can get with zooming in. I have a nikone d40 camera.

[ELAY]

Hi Lori --

I'm assuming you already have the 18-55 kit lens.

If so, then Nikon has a decent quality 55-200mm f/4-5.6 AFS VR which will do you fine in most situations (AFS means it will autofocus with your D40, and VR means it is equipped with vibration reduction). I think they go around $250US, so the price is good too.

If you have more to spend, you can go in the direction of an increased range (there is a very nice 18-200), speed (ie lower f/stop, so better in low light), or go to more length. But for most day to day stuff, 55-200 will do you pretty well.

EL

[angeleyes216]

Thankyou for the help. I have done a couple of weddings previous to owning the d40 and zoom was always the problem and also flash. So i want to get something middle price range to start with.:)

[ELAY]

Does the 55-200 VR sound like it fits your middle range? It is a lens aimed at the same demographic buying the D40 (which I fit into also), and is pretty decent for the price.

I'm sure there are others around here with recommendations for lenses a bit higher up the quality chain if that is where you want to look.

EL

[uvsub]

I agree with ELAY, the 55-200 VR is a steal and highly rated by numerous photo sites. The VR is the older version but at the price it sells for you're lucky to have any VR at all. Nice lens.

[Saralonde]

There is also the Sigma 70-300mmf/4-5.6 Macro APO DG (under $200.00 US). Here is a review (http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Sigma-70-300mm-F4-56-APO-DG-Macro) and another (http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_70300_456/index.htm). Bonus: it has some macro capability.

[ELAY]

As a Canon afficionado, Saralonde probably doesn't lay awake at night reflecting on Nikon's decision to take the autofocus motor out of the D40, and to rely on in-lens motors instead.;)

Some Sigma lenses have an internal AF motor (I have trouble telling which ones; some are designated HSM, some not), but I don't think Saralonde's 70-300 is one of them. If I'm right, it would probably still work OK, but you would have to focus manually. It is certainly worth looking into third party lenses, especially in the price range we are discussing -- keep the AF issue in mind though.

Cheers,

EL

[Saralonde]

NaturesPixel may be able to answer that one better as she has a D80 and the Sigma lens.

[ELAY]

Here (http://nikond40.dpnotes.com/nikon-d40-and-sigma-lenses/) is a list that somebody assembled of the available Sigma lenses that will autofocus on the D40, with some short discussion.

I unfortunately don't really see a telephoto or long-zoom that fits into my personal definition of middle-range.

EL

[wulf]

With the Sigma lenses it has to be an HSM model to autofocus with the D40 (just like it has to be AF-S with Nikon lenses). Otherwise you will have to rely on manual focussing (although the green focus blob in the viewfinder should still light up if the subject under the selected focus point is sharp).

Whether that is good enough depends partly on your preferences and a lot on what kind of subjects you expect to be shooting (eg. far off subjects that are still or stay within a small area will be much easier than speeding objects moving toward or away from you).

Wulf