Lens options for Nikon D40 with Autofocus.

[TheDrake]

I am pretty much new to the game still, but I have had the Nikon D40 for a couple of months so far and have learned a great deal. I have the kit lens and the 70-300mm VR lens as well. I was really wanting to get the 50mm 1.8 lens but it would be manual focus on the D40 of course. What lens options would I have to replace the kit lens that is better quality for a decent price? I really want to stay cheap so nothing more than $400-600 just depending on the quality. Or is the kit lens the best option at this point for the D40?

 

[ElFenix]

the sigma 17-70 HSM and 18-50 HSM would both be a step up.

(hey sigma, bring out the 18-50 HSM for canon! and fix the corner performance!)

 

[jpeyton]

D40/D40x/D60 Compatible Autofocus Lenses (From DPReview.com)

Wide angle lenses
Nikkor
? 12-24 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S DX
? 14-24 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S
Sigma
? 10-20 mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM
? 12-24 mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM

Standard zooms
Nikkor
? 16-85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
? 17-35 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S
? 17-55 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX
? 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX
? 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX
? 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6G VR AF-S DX
? 18-70 mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX
? 18-135 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX
? 18-200 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR
? 24-70 mm f/2.8G ED AF-S
? 24-120 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR
? 28-70 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S
Sigma
? 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM
? 18-50 mm f/3.5-5.6 DC HSM
? 18-50 mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro HSM
? 18-125 mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM
? 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 DC
? 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM
Tamron
? 17-50 mm f/2.8 XR Di II (Model A16)
? 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II (Model A14)
? 18-250 mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II (Model A18)

Telephoto zooms
Nikkor
? 55-200 mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX
? 55-200 mm f/4-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR
? 70-300 mm f/4-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR
? 70-200 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR
? 200-400 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
Sigma
? 50-150 mm f/2.8 EX DC APO HSM
? 50-500 mm f/4-6.3 EX DG APO HSM
? 55-200 mm f/4-5.6 DC HSM
? 70-200 mm f/2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM II
? 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro
? 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro
? 80-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG OS APO
? 100-300 mm f/4 EX DG HSM
? 120-300 mm f/2.8 EX IF DG HSM APO
? 120-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO
? 150-500 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO
? 300-800 mm f/5.6 EX DG HSM
Tamron
? 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 Di (model A17)

Prime lenses
Nikkor
? 200 mm f/2G ED-IF AF-S VR
? 300 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR
? 300 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S
? 400 mm f/2.8G ED-IF VR AF-S
? 400 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S II
? 500 mm f/4G ED-IF VR AF-S
? 500 mm f/4G ED-IF II AF-S
? 600 mm f/4G ED-IF VR AF-S
? 600 mm f/4G ED-IF II AF-S
Sigma
? 4.5 mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Fisheye
? 10 mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Diagnonal fisheye
? 30 mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM
? 50 mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM
? 300 mm f/2.8 EX DG APO HSM
? 500 mm f/4.5 EX DG APO HSM
? 800 mm f/5.6 EX DG APO HSM

Macro lenses
Nikkor
? 60 mm f/2.8G ED AF-S
? 105 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR
Sigma
? 150mm f/2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM
? 180mm f/2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM

 

[xanis]

Wow thanks for that... I've been looking for a list like that for a while now.

 

[TheDrake]

Thanks for the list JP, I seen that on dpreview, I was just curious on what would be a logical step up from the kit lens for the D40 in the price range I specified. Seems like what Elfenix said would be best. there any good reviews on those particular ones? I checked a few sites and they only have the non-HSM ones tested/reviewed.

 

[jpeyton]

The 16-85mm VR is a good walkaround option, as is the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: TheDrake
Thanks for the list JP, I seen that on dpreview, I was just curious on what would be a logical step up from the kit lens for the D40 in the price range I specified. Seems like what Elfenix said would be best. there any good reviews on those particular ones? I checked a few sites and they only have the non-HSM ones tested/reviewed.

i doubt the optical formula has been changed between the non HSM and the HSM models of those lenses. the HSM has been stuck in there specifically for the D40. (hey sigma get off your ass and bring it out for canon!)

the tamron 17-50 is regarded as a better lens than the sigmas are. i wasn't aware it was available with an internal motor for nikon, however.

i'd like tamron to come out with a sonic motor of some sort. they make some good kit otherwise.

 

[TheDrake]

ok well after looking at reviews and everything I am on the fence between the nikon 16-85 VR and the tamron 17-50 2.8.

Its pretty much a $200 difference in price on them and I am afraid of the noisy af on the tamron.... is it really more of a toss up on picking either of these?

Also another question if I can add is I prolly wont purchase a longer telephoto lens other than the 70-300 VR that I have so I was looking at the 2x converters, I know they all degrade the quality, but which one would be recommended? Or would one be recommended at all? I dont do much at all wildlife or sky photography but it would be nice if I see a shot that I could take it even if its not the best quality. Thanks again in advance!

 

[TheDrake]

Also I do plan to upgrade to the D300 prolly in a years time so would I have any issues with the tamron 17-50 2.8 on the D300?

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: TheDrake
Also I do plan to upgrade to the D300 prolly in a years time so would I have any issues with the tamron 17-50 2.8 on the D300?

No.

 

[JDub02]

Anyone have any idea when Sigma is going to release their 50mm f/1.4 HSM? I'm VERY interested in this lens.