Need some help choosing a lens for the D40

babyapplejack · Jul 20, 2008

I have had my Nikon D40 with the 18-55mm lens for about a year and I absolutely love it!!! But I am now in the market for a new lens.

Things that I enjoy taking pics of are my 2 children, animals, thunder storms, fireworks, my son's soccer games (he's only 3) and nature. What would you guys suggest for a lens?

TIA :smile:

Here is some pics with my 18-55...

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FotoPhocus · Jul 20, 2008

babyapplejack said:
I have had my Nikon D40 with the 18-55mm lens for about a year and I absolutely love it!!! But I am now in the market for a new lens.

Things that I enjoy taking pics of are my 2 children, animals, thunder storms, fireworks, my son's soccer games (he's only 3) and nature. What would you guys suggest for a lens?

TIA :smile:

I just bought an 18-135 from a fellow NikonCafe member. He's shipping it tomorrow, so I'll have it at the end of this week. Not only do you get sharper images overall, but now you have a bit more focal length covered - which really might come in handy snagging some candids of your 2 kids.

grt_napa · Jul 20, 2008

The 18-135 is an excellent suggestion. For "sports action" the 70-300 VR is a great performer. Best of luck!

PWPhoto · Jul 20, 2008

another vote for the Nikon 70-300vr or the sigma 30 1.4

nykonian · Jul 20, 2008

Why would you need another lens when you took such beautiful pics with 18-55VR?

dengar · Jul 20, 2008

Depends on what you want. Higher image quality or more reach. If IQ is what you want I would suggest upgrading your kit lens to something like a Tamron 17-50. Its the same range but you get f2.8 which means more isolation shots like the ones you posted.

CraigH · Jul 21, 2008

You already have the 18-55 range covered. I'd get either the 55-200 vr or the 70-300vr as my second lens. It will give you a new perspective to explore. You might consider a nice macro in the 100mm range. You have to make sure that you get it with a built in motor like the Nikkor 105 or Sigma with HSM. The Sigma 150 f2.8 macro is a wonderful lens, but might be a little expensive at $600. Macro lenses make excellent portrait lenses as well as for macro use.

babyapplejack · Jul 21, 2008

Thanks guys for all your suggestions! What can I do to get closer pics from a distance?

KG72 · Jul 21, 2008

babyapplejack said:
Thanks guys for all your suggestions! What can I do to get closer pics from a distance?

You'll need a telephoto for that. Go with the 70-300mm VR. You'll have the mid-range covered at 70mm and the long end covered at 300mm. I wouldn't worry about not having the 55-70mm range covered... you probably won't miss it and can always "foot zoom" if need be.

Marcona · Jul 21, 2008

babyapplejack said:
Thanks guys for all your suggestions! What can I do to get closer pics from a distance?

Get something with a longer reach (a higher mm). For instance, there have been suggestions for the 55-200mm or 70-300mm. I don't have experience with either - but if you want to stay in the same price-range of the lens you currently use, then that's probably your best bet.

amcoelho · Jul 21, 2008

I would recommend the 70-300vr.
I do have the 55-200vr, and at the time was not sure I was going to get into this (EXPENSIVE!) hobby.
I should have spent the extra $100-$150 for the 70-300vr over the 55-200vr, as, 200 is never enough length!

The other concern is of course your budget.

If you are willing to spend some time manual focusing, and metering, (Understanding aperture and shutter speed, iso settings etc.) for about $30-$40 USD, you could get a vivitar series 1 70-210 / f.35.

http://www.robertstech.com/vivitar.htm

The first version does macro 1:2 too.
This would at least give you a taste for what 210mm gets you. (Then you will find out that, you need more reach

)
Here are some examples: (Don't recall the fstops on them, as it does not meter)