Lens dilemma! (assistance required)

[martinturner]

Have got bugger all money (child on the way!) and want to upgrade from the 18-55 kit lens which came with my D40.

Really want something to be able to give me a better zoom/macro.

Basically, I have seen a Sigma 55-300 lens (telephoto and Macro), although no AF-S so is this really a pain?!? I think mainly I would be using it for Macro work tbh. There is also a Tamron one, both of which I have seen for under £100.

Alternatively, I have seen a 55-200 Nikkor lens VR AF-S for ~£140 (not retail, but auction site).

Having bugger all money, what would be most fun on such a tight budget, or would you recommend something else. Financially, I am not going to have the several hundred pounds to play with for lens for quite some time so was wondering what others have done with really tight budgets. Had to really rally around to get the D40 in the first place.

Thanks (as always)

 

[martinturner]

Sorry, my bad, I meant 70-300.

Is manual focus a real pain for zoom shots? What is the main problem with manually focussing? Shakey shots? or a case of knowing what is in focus and whats not? Not got a lens to fully understand limitations.

Filters, I already have

Thank you!

 

[martinturner]

Yeah, ideally is going to be for Macro stuff. I think the manual mode is perfect so I can control DOF.

Telezoom ... just a case of how awkward it would be to use. Would I have to use a tripod in every instance? or am I missing the point?

Thanks for all the help