Good lens upgrade for Nikon D40?

Zach STI · 01-29-2008, 07:21 PM

I know there's a lot of camera junkies on this board so I might as well take use of it.

I'm looking to upgrade the lens on my D40 to something that takes wider, crisper and more detailed photos as well as clearer night shots. The only one so far that I have really read up on was the 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Autofocus Lens. With a pricetag of $214 it seems to be a great deal and the reviews were 5 star.

I honestly have no idea though what to look for in a lens which is why I ask you fellow members to help me out.

**Parker** · 01-29-2008, 08:03 PM

the 55-200 isn't a wide lens. crisp and detailed photos aren't necessarily the job of the lens, but the photographer behind the lens.

What it sounds like you need is a flash. Using a flash, even in sunny conditions, can improve photos greatly.

You are extremely limited to the lenses you can chose from with the D40 but the Nikon 18-70 is a great replacement lens and the 55-200 is a decent lens as well. Just pay attention to your lighting.

LSE · 01-30-2008, 04:37 PM

I actually dislike to use the flash. I feel it takes away the natural light. specially on sunsets and sunrise conditions where the flash just turns it all white.

For low light conditions I use a tripod and a low-mid ISO (200-400), high exposure setting (500ms - 2s). Normally it takes me a few times before I can capture things right. I just do trial an error. But the quality is awesome and the colors don't get lost in the flash. The low iso and longer exposure time keeps noise down too.

I'm not a pro photographer but this has worked for me anwyays.

Wolverine 250R · 01-30-2008, 05:06 PM

**Parker** · 01-30-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSE

I actually dislike to use the flash. I feel it takes away the natural light. specially on sunsets and sunrise conditions where the flash just turns it all white.

For low light conditions I use a tripod and a low-mid ISO (200-400), high exposure setting (500ms - 2s). Normally it takes me a few times before I can capture things right. I just do trial an error. But the quality is awesome and the colors don't get lost in the flash. The low iso and longer exposure time keeps noise down too.

I'm not a pro photographer but this has worked for me anwyays.

of course it takes away from natural light...but if you know how to use your flash, you can actually enhance the natural look of photos by minimizing shadows, controlling harshness of available light and bounce/diffuse it so the light from the flash isn't so harsh either.

A tripod can't be used in all situations either. I agree, use ambient light to your benefit but if it just isn't available or there isn't enough of it, you need to create some. Plus, if you want crisp, sharp pictures, you need light...and usually lots of it. Hence, a flash.

STinsane · 01-30-2008, 09:41 PM

I have always found the 18-70 to be a amazing lens, and it's pretty cheap too. If you want wide, you can get a Tokina 12-24 for about 500 and thats about as wide as it gets.

You must remember that you can have a hasslebad and still take bad pictures, just practice your skill and you will see the difference.

BluePearl04 · 01-31-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolverine 250R

The 50MM 1.8 is a GREAT lens.

trbolvr · 01-31-2008, 01:57 PM

i would recommend this lens...While its not the fastest, it is sharp and it can do it all!

Nikon | 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR II Autofocus | 2159

EvilEwok · 02-01-2008, 09:42 AM

Don't use the speed flash that is on top of the 40 unless you know how to use your finger to crowd the light around the flash and make it back flash around the item the you are photographing, instead of directly flashing on the item and making it look washed out. As the lense is concerned, for my Nikon's I've only ever bought the Nikkor series cheap or highend, and they always seem to come through the crispest, and clearest pictures out of any other Nikkor keyed lense (sigma, tamron, .etc). Read the reviews on Digital cameras, all other cameras and everything photographic from Adorama Camera people on there know what they are talking about.

**Ohh Seven** · 02-01-2008, 11:12 AM

Think I got the 55-200mm?

Anyways... Here are some of my piks...

**tyler_sti** · 02-01-2008, 11:19 AM

Nice pics man!

**Parker** · 02-01-2008, 12:53 PM

other than shooting resolution/color charts with specific criteria & equipment, no one should use a randomly posted picture as the basis for a lens' optical quality. some aspects can be assumed but even then, they're assumptions.

Word of mouth, shots of resolution charts, and personal bias should be the factors to consider when buying a lens. with that said, you're pretty limited to Nikon AF-S or Sigma HSM lenses.

**Alex** · 02-01-2008, 01:02 PM

Read up on kenrockwell.com

And yes, the 50mm f1.8 nikkor lens is great

Wrxified · 02-18-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Read up on kenrockwell.com

And yes, the 50mm f1.8 nikkor lens is great

Ken Rockwell's a dip$hit but I agree the 50mm f1.8 is extremely sharp.

I can't seem to pull my 85mm f1.4 off for long enough to try anything else which is funny because the only other lens I have is the 18-200mm VR which I really like also.

Wolverine 250R · 02-19-2008, 03:22 AM

I got the 50mm f1.8 over the weekend. Yes, it is very sharp. The maunal focus at 1.8 takes some getting used to though. The low DoF leaves no room for error. Here's one from it:

For more check out my member journal. The difference between this lens and the kit lens is pretty noticeable.

01-29-2008, 07:21 PM	#1
Zach STI Spec C Club Car: 2006 STi Fav Mod: Protune Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,094 Join Date: Jul 2006 Trader Rating: (3)	Good lens upgrade for Nikon D40? I know there's a lot of camera junkies on this board so I might as well take use of it. I'm looking to upgrade the lens on my D40 to something that takes wider, crisper and more detailed photos as well as clearer night shots. The only one so far that I have really read up on was the 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Autofocus Lens. With a pricetag of $214 it seems to be a great deal and the reviews were 5 star. I honestly have no idea though what to look for in a lens which is why I ask you fellow members to help me out. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

01-29-2008, 08:03 PM	#2
Parker Photography Mod Car: 06 SGM STI Location: San Diego Posts: 3,275 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (7)	Re: Good lens upgrade for Nikon D40? the 55-200 isn't a wide lens. crisp and detailed photos aren't necessarily the job of the lens, but the photographer behind the lens. What it sounds like you need is a flash. Using a flash, even in sunny conditions, can improve photos greatly. You are extremely limited to the lenses you can chose from with the D40 but the Nikon 18-70 is a great replacement lens and the 55-200 is a decent lens as well. Just pay attention to your lighting.

01-30-2008, 04:37 PM	#3
LSE Professional STI Racer Car: 06 STI WRB Fav Mod: Defi Gauges Location: Bethlehem PA Posts: 849 Join Date: Dec 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Good lens upgrade for Nikon D40? I actually dislike to use the flash. I feel it takes away the natural light. specially on sunsets and sunrise conditions where the flash just turns it all white. For low light conditions I use a tripod and a low-mid ISO (200-400), high exposure setting (500ms - 2s). Normally it takes me a few times before I can capture things right. I just do trial an error. But the quality is awesome and the colors don't get lost in the flash. The low iso and longer exposure time keeps noise down too. I'm not a pro photographer but this has worked for me anwyays.

01-30-2008, 05:06 PM	#4
Wolverine 250R Professional STI Driver Car: 05 WRB/Gold STi Fav Mod: Whiteline Sways Location: Northeast PA Posts: 443 Join Date: Aug 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Good lens upgrade for Nikon D40? One of these will be my next lens, I just haven't decided yet. Nikon \| Wide Angle AF Nikkor 35mm f/2.0D Autofocus Lens \| 1923 Nikon \| Normal AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Autofocus Lens \| 2137 \| B&H Neither of them will autofocus on the D40 though.

01-30-2008, 09:41 PM	#6
STinsane Grassroots STI Racer Car: 07 WRX STI OBP Fav Mod: KW Location: Reno,NV Posts: 527 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Good lens upgrade for Nikon D40? I have always found the 18-70 to be a amazing lens, and it's pretty cheap too. If you want wide, you can get a Tokina 12-24 for about 500 and thats about as wide as it gets. You must remember that you can have a hasslebad and still take bad pictures, just practice your skill and you will see the difference.

01-31-2008, 01:57 PM	#8
trbolvr STI Driver Car: UGM STi Limited #031 Fav Mod: Gram Lights Location: Middle of KS Posts: 233 Join Date: Dec 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Good lens upgrade for Nikon D40? i would recommend this lens...While its not the fastest, it is sharp and it can do it all! Nikon \| 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR II Autofocus \| 2159

02-01-2008, 09:42 AM	#9
EvilEwok Junior STI Driver Car: 01 Subaru WRX STi Sp Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 91 Join Date: Sep 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Good lens upgrade for Nikon D40? Don't use the speed flash that is on top of the 40 unless you know how to use your finger to crowd the light around the flash and make it back flash around the item the you are photographing, instead of directly flashing on the item and making it look washed out. As the lense is concerned, for my Nikon's I've only ever bought the Nikkor series cheap or highend, and they always seem to come through the crispest, and clearest pictures out of any other Nikkor keyed lense (sigma, tamron, .etc). Read the reviews on Digital cameras, all other cameras and everything photographic from Adorama Camera people on there know what they are talking about.

02-01-2008, 11:12 AM	#10
Ohh Seven Gold Member Car: STi STi STi STi STi Fav Mod: My BLUE rotas! =p Location: Goodyear, AZ Posts: 237 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Good lens upgrade for Nikon D40? Think I got the 55-200mm? Anyways... Here are some of my piks...

02-01-2008, 11:19 AM	#11
tyler_sti Gold Member Car: '07 CMG STI Fav Mod: Not knowing how to "spell" hah Location: los angeles Posts: 3,728 Join Date: Aug 2006 Trader Rating: (15)	Re: Good lens upgrade for Nikon D40? Nice pics man!

02-01-2008, 12:53 PM	#12
Parker Photography Mod Car: 06 SGM STI Location: San Diego Posts: 3,275 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (7)	Re: Good lens upgrade for Nikon D40? other than shooting resolution/color charts with specific criteria & equipment, no one should use a randomly posted picture as the basis for a lens' optical quality. some aspects can be assumed but even then, they're assumptions. Word of mouth, shots of resolution charts, and personal bias should be the factors to consider when buying a lens. with that said, you're pretty limited to Nikon AF-S or Sigma HSM lenses.

02-01-2008, 01:02 PM	#13
Alex Authorized Vendor Car: 2004.5 STi Fav Mod: alcantara...everything! Location: atlanta, ga Posts: 1,915 Join Date: Nov 2003 Trader Rating: (11)	Re: Good lens upgrade for Nikon D40? Read up on kenrockwell.com And yes, the 50mm f1.8 nikkor lens is great

02-19-2008, 03:22 AM	#15
Wolverine 250R Professional STI Driver Car: 05 WRB/Gold STi Fav Mod: Whiteline Sways Location: Northeast PA Posts: 443 Join Date: Aug 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Good lens upgrade for Nikon D40? I got the 50mm f1.8 over the weekend. Yes, it is very sharp. The maunal focus at 1.8 takes some getting used to though. The low DoF leaves no room for error. Here's one from it: For more check out my member journal. The difference between this lens and the kit lens is pretty noticeable. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.