D40x + 50mm = yay or nay?

SoapSurgeon

SoapSurgeon

SoapSurgeon

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Hi,

I have a D40x body and have been toying with the idea of getting the nifty fifty. I really want a nice sharp lens but am concerned about the need to manual focus.

Realistically - is it possible to get good results from the nifty fifty on this body, I have never tried to manual focus before so have no idea what to expect.

any opinions are welcome.
 
I didn't bother. I only really manually focus in dark conditions, in macro work or for creative purposes. I went with the Sigma 30mm instead, which does auto-focus on the D40(x) and D60, is a bit faster, a bit sharper, very nicely made and predictably more expensive. Still I thought it was worth it overall though, and 30mm suits me much more than 50mm ever would.
 
No, especially not at the massive apertures you're presumably buying the lens to use. Manually focusing at f/1.8 on the D40's tiny viewfinder = nightmare.
 
this_is_gav said:
I didn't bother. I only really manually focus in dark conditions, in macro work or for creative purposes. I went with the Sigma 30mm instead, which does auto-focus on the D40(x) and D60, is a bit faster, a bit sharper, very nicely made and predictably more expensive. Still I thought it was worth it overall though, and 30mm suits me much more than 50mm ever would.
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The 30mm also gives a better match to the 35mm film based 50mm lenses (1.5 crop factor * 30 + 45mm).
 
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 isn't anything like as sharp as the Nikon 50mm f/1.8—not even the same ballpark.

Still, it's by far my most-used lens (probably twice as many shots as my next most-used) and that's coming from the owner of a 50mm f/1.8 too. Sharpness isn't everything.
 
robmiller said:
No, especially not at the massive apertures you're presumably buying the lens to use. Manually focusing at f/1.8 on the D40's tiny viewfinder = nightmare.
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D40(x) viewfinder is actually brighter than D70 or D50 and I have tried 50mm on D40x, it was great but only for casual use though.
 
I am too in the same boat. At this stage I do not want to replace the body of my camera just yet.

What would be the recommendation (as far as lens' go?), some have said the 50mm is great even with the manual focus? the viewfinder on the D40 is pretty good tbh when it comes to manual focusing. Or would you say the 30mm would be the better choice? I am still compelled to go with the 50mm and manual focus until I upgrade at a much later date.

Lastly is it worth buying the 1.4 over the 1.8?

(sorry to hijack OP ;))
 
So it seems that the 50mm is not the way forward. I don't want to upgrade my body just yet, I don't think I am a good enough photographer to warrant it at the moment. I only asked about the 50mm because of its price, I think my next lens will be a wide angle (Sigma 10-20 by the sounds of it).

Thanks for your advice.
 
martinturner said:
I am too in the same boat. At this stage I do not want to replace the body of my camera just yet.

What would be the recommendation (as far as lens' go?), some have said the 50mm is great even with the manual focus? the viewfinder on the D40 is pretty good tbh when it comes to manual focusing. Or would you say the 30mm would be the better choice? I am still compelled to go with the 50mm and manual focus until I upgrade at a much later date.

Lastly is it worth buying the 1.4 over the 1.8?

(sorry to hijack OP ;))
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The viewfinder was bright on D40x with the 18-70mm but when I attached 50mm lens to it, it is much brighter because of lens' low f1.8 as compared to the minimum f3.5 on 18-70mm.

So 1.4 would be even brighter but I won't pay that amount for a very small improvement plus no auto-focus. Go for the f1.8 and it will still a must-have, no matter which body you're using with plus it's cheap.

It has a very good re-sale value if you're buying it from HK and I have even sold it for a bit more than I have paid for it a year earlier. (Selling whole kit)
 
barnettgs said:
So 1.4 would be even brighter but I won't pay that amount for a very small improvement plus no auto-focus. Go for the f1.8 and it will still a must-have, no matter which body you're using with plus it's cheap.
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What are you saying here? If he's debating between the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (which will AF on the D40) and the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 (which won't) then it's wrong, if he's debating between the 50mm f/1.4 and 50mm f/1.8 then neither will AF.
 
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robmiller said:
Because f/2.8 just isn't fast enough brah
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Really? I've found if you don't have enough light for f2.8 you won't have enough for f1.8. You'll still be on a high ISO when it really matters.

I'd personally only be buying a 50mm 1.4 now I have the 17-50.

Thing is, the 50mm prime can be your best friend or worst enemy depending on the situation. A zoom will be a loyal friend doing their best whatever the situation :)
 
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