Lens for a D40

[LadyThao]

I have a Nikon D40 for a couple of years now. I've been wanting to upgrade but im still a beginner. i thought i'd stay with my D40 to get some better knowledge and well was wondering what kind of lens would fit my D40 and should I ever decide to upgrade to a D300 or something, what kind would go with it? any suggestions would be great. Thanks in advance.


Forgot to mention, i'm more into landscape, portrait photography and a little bit of macro.

[scootermcq]

Here is a list of some from another forum:

AF-S DX 12-24mm f/4.0G ED-IF

AF-S 14-24 mm f/2,8G ED

AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF

AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF

AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G

AF-S VR DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G

AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF

AF-S DX 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED-IF

AF-S VR DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED

AF-S 24-70 mm f/2,8G ED

AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

AF-S VR 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF

AF-S 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED

AF-S VR 55–200mm f/4–5.6G IF-ED

AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF

AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G

AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D ED-IF

AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G

AF-S VR 200mm f/2.0G ED-IF

AF-S VR 200-400mm f/4.0G ED-IF

AF-I 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED

AF-S 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED

AF-S 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF

AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8 ED-IF

AF-I 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED

AF-S 400mm f/2.8D ED-IF

AF-S VR 400mm f/2,8G ED

AF-I 500mm f/4.0D IF-ED

AF-S 500mm f/4.0D ED-IF

AF-S VR 500mm f/4G ED

AF-I 600mm f/4.0D IF-ED

AF-S 600mm f/4.0D ED-IF

AF-S VR 600mm f/4G ED



Sigma:

10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM

12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM

14mm f/2.8 EX

17-35mm f/2.8-4.0 EX DG

17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM

18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC HSM

18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro HSM

18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS

30mm f/1.4 DC

50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX DG

50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM

55-200mm f/4-5.6 DC HSM

70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Makro

80-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Makro

80-400mm f/4-5.6 EX OS

100-300mm f/4.0 EX DG

120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG

150mm f/2.8 EX DG MAKRO

180mm f/3.5 EX DG MAKRO

300mm f/2.8 EX DG APO HSM

300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO

500mm f/4.5 EX DG HSM APO

800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO


Tamron:

17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II

18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II

70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro

All of these will work fine on the D3000 - D300 if you upgrade in the future

[inkista]

Basically, you're just looking for a lens that has the Nikon F or G mount on it. The older manual-focus lenses will have varying amounts of function (i.e., obviously, you don't get any autofocus and you may lose accurate metering), but they can still be used. The only lenses you may want to avoid are what are called "pre-AI" lenses (made before 1977), as these might physically damage the camera. As long as the lens is at least designated AI or AI-S, you should be fine. As nuts as Ken Rockwell can be, he's got a pretty good page on lens compatibility.

For the basics on which lenses are good for what, I'd recommend this lens primer.