New Nikon D40 user ...

martinturner

martinturner

martinturner

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Joined
27 Jun 2007
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Finally bit the bullet and am now the proud owner of a Nikon D40. Decided that I wanted to take the plunge away from my bridge camera (Fuji S5600) and enter the world of DSLR.

I bought the kit package, so D40 plus 18-55 kit lens.

What I would like to purchase next would be a really good macro lens and also a telescopic lens?, not sure what the technical jargon is? Zoom or Telescopic? Lastly a wide angle lens.

Would appreciate some advice on the future additional purchases that would be very beneficial.

My current photos can be found here www.flickr.com/photos/martinturner just to give you an idea.

Thanks all :)
 
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Glad your happy with your purchase! Welcome to the illustrious brotherhood of DSLR owners! Shame you bought the Nikon (I've got a Canon, you'll understand the rivalry as you post more and more! :p)

I bought my Canon with the kit lens and I've now (I think) come to the limitations of the lens, so I'm looking to change that. I've had the camera nearly a year. I'd recommend just getting used to the setup you have at the moment; see what you can do with what you've got, learn how to use it properly as its quite a steep learning curve even from a bridge camera.

First thing to buy yourself is a good cleaning kit. Rocket blower and some filters! (just some cheap ones to start with, so you can get used to playing about.)

Hope that helps, I'd look at your photos, but sites like Flickr are banned on our system at work.

Ta.

GReg
 
If you know you like photography, don't get into the habit of minor, regular upgrades: you end up spending far more money overall. Buy some decent kit now that'll last you.
 
robmiller said:
If you know you like photography, don't get into the habit of minor, regular upgrades: you end up spending far more money overall. Buy some decent kit now that'll last you.
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Thanks for the comment.

Have had a couple of recommendations from a couple of mates. Just want to get a feel for what is most popular lens wise for this camera?

Anyone?
 
robmiller said:
If you know you like photography, don't get into the habit of minor, regular upgrades: you end up spending far more money overall. Buy some decent kit now that'll last you.
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Agreed!

Plus, that method makes you think more about exactly what type of photography you'd like to do.

My first 'pricey lens' was the 300mm f/4L IS. It took me a while to decide on but was more than worth it! :)

gt
 
OK, general consensus on this board and others would almost certainly look something like -

Macro - Sigma 105mm, Sigma 150m, Tamron 90mm, Nikon 105mm

All are proven to be good lenses and sharp (the Nikon is probably sharpest but also rather more expensive). I would say choose whichever is within your budget, but be aware that the extra length on the Sigma 150mm is very useful if you plan on bug-hunting.

Telephoto zoom - Nikon 55-200VR, Nikon 70-300VR, Sigma 70-300 APO DG

The Nikons are superior lenses by far, but if you're on a tight budget then the sigma isn't as bad as it's meagre price-tag would suggest! If you're planning wildlife/bird/sports phtography then you'll almost certainly need 300mm rather than 200. The VR is very useful in situations with poor light as it allows you to use a slower shutter speed than normal (1 or 2 stops difference).

Wide-angle - Sigma 10-20, Sigma 12-24, Nikon 12-24

Buy the 10-20! Not the sharpest lens in the world, but incredibly wide and a hell of a lot of fun to use. If you're feeling loaded then look at the other 2.


For what it's worth, I own the Sigma 150 macro, Nikon 70-300VR and Sigma 10-20, and I'm very happy with all of them.
Also, definitely fork out on a decent tripod and head.
 
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No worries... having looked at your gallery you have some very good shots already, so forking out on decent glass is probably a worthy investment :)
 
Dont forget being a D40, you need the AF-S or HSM version of the lens, due to no internal focusing motor.
If your after some thing around 50mm focal length, then the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is worth considering, gives you 45mm equivalent after you take into account the Field of View crop factor.
 
enjoy - got one myself about 2 months ago and have already purchased the 70-300APO DG lense. It's manual focus so takes a good bit more attention to detail but 2nd hand was a bargin.
 
My personal recommendations:

1. Ultrawide: Sigma 10-20mm
2. Walkabout: Nikon 18-70mm
3. Tele: Nikon 70-300mm VR
4. Fast prime: Sigma 30mm f/1.4

Those are my first choices for the D40, since they'll all AF on it. The only one I'd consider swapping for a non-AF-S/HSM would be the 30mm f/1.4, since it's pretty overpriced for what it is; if you can stand MF then get the 50mm f/1.8.

The order in which you purchase them will obviously depend on what you shoot, but it's probably worth replacing the kit with the 18-70 earliest IMO.
 
A personal vote for the Nikon 18-200VR

It's £500 but means you have a significant focal range without needing to change lenses. It's sharp but obviously the huge length means it isn't the sharpest. The VR means it's got image stabilisation as well which helps. It really is a fantastic lens.

I intend to complement it with a Sigma 10-20 and a 2x teleconverter before going travelling next year. I think that will be all the glass I need unless I want a macro lens as well, but I don't do much of that.

Panzer
 
I'd rather have an 18-70 and a 10-20 and a 50mm f/1.8 than an 18-200—without actually checking prices I believe you can get the first three for the price of the 18-200.
 
Fair enough, different courses for horses etc.

I like having the extended range of 70-200mm which your selection would lack, but you would be gaining a fast low light lens in the 50mm f/1.8 and the super-wide of the 10-20.

Because of the year travelling I'm planning I don't want to be changing lenses all that often, it's not worth the risk when I'm a long way from home. It also means less accessories to carry such as various sized filters etc not to mention carrying less lenses! It's just a case of building up the best set of equipment for your personal needs and requirements.

Have you used the 18-200? It really is a quality lens. :)

Panzer
 
Panzerbjorn said:
Fair enough, different courses for horses etc.

I like having the extended range of 70-200mm which your selection would lack, but you would be gaining a fast low light lens in the 50mm f/1.8 and the super-wide of the 10-20.

Because of the year travelling I'm planning I don't want to be changing lenses all that often, it's not worth the risk when I'm a long way from home. It also means less accessories to carry such as various sized filters etc not to mention carrying less lenses! It's just a case of building up the best set of equipment for your personal needs and requirements.

Have you used the 18-200? It really is a quality lens. :)

Panzer
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Robmiller owns a 18-200 :p
 
Panzerbjorn said:
Fair enough, different courses for horses etc.

I like having the extended range of 70-200mm which your selection would lack, but you would be gaining a fast low light lens in the 50mm f/1.8 and the super-wide of the 10-20.

Because of the year travelling I'm planning I don't want to be changing lenses all that often, it's not worth the risk when I'm a long way from home. It also means less accessories to carry such as various sized filters etc not to mention carrying less lenses! It's just a case of building up the best set of equipment for your personal needs and requirements.

Have you used the 18-200? It really is a quality lens. :)

Panzer
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Yeah, I own one :) I like it lots, but for the price I think I'd rather have the 10-20 18-70 and 50.
 
Excellent thread as I have had my D40 for a few weeks now & looking to purchase a new lense. Is the 18-70 IQ much better then the Kit lens?
 
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