D40 noob lense question

[peteratworkinqld]

Hi Guys

Am looking at getting a couple of new lenses for my D40.

Am looking at the 50mm 1/4 and the 18-70

Anyone see any problems with these lenses, am wanting something for low light potrait shots, etc and another for walk about lense.

Also going to get myself a speed light so any recommendations there would be great.

thanks

[digitor]

Does the D40 have a focus motor? That might be a problem with the 50.

Oh, and by the way, it's "lens", not "lense".

Cheers

[aim54x]

No focus motor on the D40, so unless you want to focus the 50mm manually you may want to avoid this lens. I used to manually focus the 50mm f/1.8 on my D40x, it is possible but not the easiest thing to do. This is a great lens for low light portraiture. I used to use this coupled with a SB-400 (on a D80 when I could get my hands on one) when I shot parties for friends.

The 18-70 is a real gem of a lens, good range and really good optic for the money. Best of all there is no compatibility problems. Did you get the 18-55 with your D40? If so then maybe you do not really either of this lenses and are better off saving the money and waiting to buy a f/2.8 lens later on.

[peteratworkinqld]

Hey Guys

Thanks for the feedback oh and spelling lesson

Am happy to go to the 2.8, but which one would suit my needs?

I hear that there might be a Sigma lense coming out in 1/8 or 1/4 that might be what I'm looking for with auto focus, anyone know of this?

So the SB-400 is a good starting point for Speedlight?

[aim54x]

Am happy to go to the 2.8, but which one would suit my needs?

f/2.8 glass is more expensive but well worth looking for in the long run. The new version of the Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8, when it hits our shores will have a drive motor to make it compatible with the D40/40x/60 series bodies, this is a DX lens, so if you ever go to an FX body you will probably not want to use this. This will be the cheapest option, otherwise look to get the very expensive Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8, great walk around + portrait, but a DX lens that will present a problem if you ever go to a FX body, or the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8, good walk around + portrait but you may miss the wide end.

I hear that there might be a Sigma lenses coming out in 1/8 or 1/4 that might be what I'm looking for with auto focus, anyone know of this?

There are the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 and the 50mm f/1.4 that would be good for low light portraiture, both these lenses are HSM (AF-S equiv).

So the SB-400 is a good starting point for Speedlight?

Some will say no, some will say yes. I will say yes if your on a budget, but if you can stretch to a SB-600 or even a SB-800 you will have a much more flexible flash that will be useful in the long term if you decide to move to use off camera flash. You need to work out what you need the flash for, how much you will use it and how far you think you will take the photography.

The SB-400 is small, light, easy to use, recycles faster than the pop up flash, has more power (not a lot, but more) and can be bounced, so if your on a budget and will only use a speedlight once in a while then it may be a good option for you.

[peteratworkinqld]

Hi Aim

Thanks for the great piece of information.

Would this be the Sigma lens you are speaking about? http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses ... avigator=6 ?

Is this really my only option for a low light wide angle lense for close up/portrait work?

Am a bit confused about the walk about lenses though and which one to get, just want something I can attach to the Camera with a good range so that I don't have to keep changing lens.

[chrisk]

if you want a wide aperture lens,

sigma 18-50mm f2.8 HSM
tamron 17-50mm f2.8 (nikon built in AF motor mount)

AF primes:
sigma 30mm f1.4
sigma 50mm f1.4

if you dont need a fast aperture and want more range there are heaps of different options. generally speaking, the more focal range you get the more comprimises there are in IQ.

[aim54x]

if you want a wide aperture lens,

sigma 18-50mm f2.8 HSM
tamron 17-50mm f2.8 (nikon built in AF motor mount)

AF primes:
sigma 30mm f1.4
sigma 50mm f1.4

if you dont need a fast aperture and want more range there are heaps of different options. generally speaking, the more focal range you get the more comprimises there are in IQ.

Funny that Nikon have not released any AF-S primes, I hope they are on their way. I would really like an AF-S 85mm f/1.4

And yep, that is the Sigma we speak of.

[peteratworkinqld]

Well guys looks like it's between the Sigma 30mm and the Tamron 17-50.

[chrisk]

i agree aim. i think its more than just funny...i think its bloody outrageous. the fact that a $1000 lens like the 85/1.4 has not ben updated with af-s, swm and dare i say it...VR is annoying as all hell.

anyway...i think they're coming mate. within the next 12-18months i think a heck of alot of nikons lineup is going to get a serious makeover. the d3 in itself will start to show up lens flaws now. imagine with the flaws that a d3x at 20+ MP is going to show up ? so i really dont think nikon has much of a choice. if they want to aggresively attack the pro market there are some lens' like the 50/1.4 and 85/1.4 in particualr that need a makeover.

[aim54x]

i agree aim. i think its more than just funny...i think its bloody outrageous. the fact that a $1000 lens like the 85/1.4 has not ben updated with af-s, swm and dare i say it...VR is annoying as all hell.

anyway...i think they're coming mate. within the next 12-18months i think a heck of alot of nikons lineup is going to get a serious makeover. the d3 in itself will start to show up lens flaws now. imagine with the flaws that a d3x at 20+ MP is going to show up ? so i really dont think nikon has much of a choice. if they want to aggresively attack the pro market there are some lens' like the 50/1.4 and 85/1.4 in particualr that need a makeover.

Well I guess I should wait before I commit to the 85mm f/1.4, I am even thinking about holding out on the 70-200mm f/2.8, but that lens taunts me soo much.

[peteratworkinqld]

Well I'm back again still trying to decide on something, have read more and now have confused myself even more.

Basically I just want to a couple of lenses that will suit my needs when going away and for general use.

I've got my heart set on the Sigma 30mm but reading a little more also am thinking the Nikon 18-200 VR would be a good lense to have for the holiday as well.

What are everyone's thoughts, want to place my order tonight so I can get it next week.

Thanks guy for all your help so far.

[Pehpsi]

Going away + general use = 18-200VR!

[peteratworkinqld]

Yes that is what I thought, but at the same time it's my Dad's 60th Birthday which will be a night time so was wanting something that can shoot well in low light.

[Pehpsi]

That's what VRII is for And don't be scared to notch-up the ISO. Also, there's flash.

But in the end, just pick what you feel is right for you at this time.

[peteratworkinqld]

Ok cool so maybe the 18-200 is going to be my next step in the wonderful world of DSLR lens

thank you

[peteratworkinqld]

Then maybe I'll look at the 30mm for the wider angle low light work at a later stage.

[Pehpsi]

Here's some last minute reviews to look at if you haven't already:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

[peteratworkinqld]

thanks Pehpsi going to look now

[peteratworkinqld]

Pehpsi if I got the 18-200 lense which filter would you recommend, brand, etc?

[Pehpsi]

UV filter? Just jump on ebay and have a geeze to get an idea. Hoya seems to be quite popular. I believe you're after a 72mm.

[peteratworkinqld]

Thanks for that

[chrisk]

buy a flash for the low light.

[peteratworkinqld]

Hi Rooz

Thanks for the advise, yes have intentions of getting one, but only the SB400

Again thank you to everyone who has given me advise has helped a lot.

[peteratworkinqld]

would this filter be ok ?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/2 ... _Haze.html

[Pehpsi]

I like to use UVs on expensive glass just to protect the lens at all times. Haven't used the 18-200, but make sure the filter doesn't cause vignetting, which usually happens on lenses at the wide angle. I'm sure someone here will have first-hand experience and be able to tell you.

[aim54x]

would this filter be ok ?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/2 ... _Haze.html

that is the right size, and a UV and even a Super HMC. On the topic of lenses, go for the 18-200VR, I personally dont like it, but it is a GREAT travel lens. Hold off on the prime lens, VR will help you get some of those low light shots, and if your getting a flash, that will help, they are right dont worry about bumping up the ISO, I have shot my D40X (before I sold it) at 1600 ISO and it is still very acceptable, slightly grainy but very little mottling or hot pixels.

[peteratworkinqld]

Well guys got my 18-200 VR lenses today from BH Photo in the states amazing service am very impressed.

The lens is amazing and I can't wait to go out and start using it.

Thanks guys for the advise

[Pehpsi]

Congrats. Sounds like you made the right choice.. Now get out there and take some pics

[aim54x]

Congrats, remember to post those images and show us all what your doing with that new lens.