Lens Questions

[KrysLove]

I have a Nikon D40 with the kit lens. I love it and I really can't complain. My only issue that I have (which I know is an "easy" fix lol) is at times when I take indoor photos without the flash. There are times when I am not allowed to use a flash and times I would just prefer it. I know part of it is I need a better lens which would help greatly. I have went back and forth with my shutter speed and without going too high or too low I still get either a dark, semi-yellow color photo and when I correct it on the computer it is blurry or has the "spots" or grainy appearance to it. What I am essentially asking is for suggestions for a good lens for indoor photography without a flash.

Also I would like to know of a good zoom lens. A lot of the photos I want to take the objects can be anywhere from 50 to 100 yards away. Any suggestions on a good zoom lens for this range?

With income tax time coming up I want to buy a couple of lenses. If you have any other suggestions you would like to give please feel free.

Thank you in advance.

Krys

[kirbinster]

Well you have several things going on here. I assume you are shooting too slow in your quest for low light pictures which is causing the motion blur. The yellow tint is most likely caused by your white balance being set wrong. Try either custom white balance or set itfor flash or cloudy (I know no clouds inside). The grain is also caused by underexposure and then boosting the exposure in post processing.

A good fast zoom lens is going to cost you much more than your D40 body

The best two Nikon zoom lenses that are fast (low light capable) are the 24-70 f/2.8 AF-S and the 70-200 f/2.8 AF-S VR, they each will set you back between $1,600 and $2,400 - I know ouch! There are non-OEM lenses that cost less, but you typically pay for what you get. Used is a good option.

[flomaster]

I just bought myself a 35mm F/1.8 AF-S lens it will work on your D40 you should be able to open up your aperture a lot more then your kits lens allows. I know I have a 18-135 F/3.5-5.6 and this 1.8 smokes it.
For $199 and free shipping you CAN'T GO WRONG!
Nikon | AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G DX Lens | 2183 | B&H Photo Video

and for your Yellow color odds are its your White Balance

use the white Balance of "PRE" to dial it in.

Preset (PRE): You use this setting with a white or gray card to get perfect color matching.

I use this in bizarre artificial light that I wish no make look natural, or to get exact color with my studio strobes. An Expodisc makes this easier, but even without an Expodisc or white card I shoot off anything neutral, like a piece of paper or a T shirt.

Any light weird enough to need this setting won't care about small inaccuracies in the neutral reference.

To set this:

1.) Ensure your card or other neutral object is in the light representative of the light on the subject.

2.) Select PRE via the menu button (or the Fn button and spinning the dial).

3.) Press OK (or click to the right).

4.) Select Measure and click OK (or to the right). (The Use Photo option is a backwards bow to Canon's convoluted setting method. Canon Jihadists used to brag about this. It does the same thing, but requires twice as many steps. Ignore this option.)

5.) Select YES.

6.) Point your camera at the card or neutral colored thing and press the shutter.

7.) If the LCD says "data acquired or the viewfinder flashes "Gd," you're set. Shoot away!

8.) If the display flashes "unable to acquire" or the viewfinder flashes "no Gd" then repeat from step 2.).

-=Jason=-