Beginner lens choice (Nikon D40x)

Ian W

Ian W

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I'm currently awaiting a D40x to be delivered and it's coming with the 18-55mm kit lens, however I'm struggling to make a choice on which larger lens to go for. I'm planning on using the camera for a mixture of scenic, portrait and occasionally motorsport shots.

My options are (so far anyway):

1. Tamron 70-300mm
2. Tamron 18-200mm
3. Nikon 55-200mm VR

Any suggestions?

I like the versatility of the Tamron 18-200mm, but will the 200mm be big enough? That said, Will the 70-300mm be overkill?

I've recently added the Nikkor 55-200mm into the equation due to the VR. Is it worth compromising the size of the lens purely for this function?

Thanks for reading and hopefully answering a question that has no doubt but asked before (I did search first, I promise :D)

Ian
 
I have the Tamron 70-300, I would`nt say it was overkill at all in fact I wish it had longer reach at times :lol: My main uses for mine are dog agility, and dog portraits plus horses both at distance and closer portraits of them, the lens does nicely for both. I haven`t tried shooting anything as fast moving as racing cars or bikes but got some decent quad bike shots and of course dogs moving at high speeds [ not as fast as racing cars obviously :lol: ].
I have found it to be a great lens to learn with, [ I am a beginner ], it was the only lens I could afford, and I`m glad of that really or I might have dismissed what has turned out to be a very nice all round lens :)
 
I use my 70-300 very rarely, i.e. Airshows and the like.

Tend to use my Tamron 55-200 the most, great lens and you can pick them up cheap on Ebay if you are willing to wait. I know it won't AF on a D40, does the D40X have a built in motor ?

Mine cost me about £45.
 
Well I recently got myself a nikkor 70-300 afs VR, and I love it!

I think the VR is well worth it especially if you shake like i do!!!!!!! and personally I don't think 300mm is overkill.
But then again, it all depends what you want to do with it I guess??!!
 
Thanks for all your feedback so far.

I'm certainly leaning towards the VR Nikkor lens/s. I didn't realise the Tamrons wouldn't AF either??
 
Ian W said:
Thanks for all your feedback so far.

I'm certainly leaning towards the VR Nikkor lens/s. I didn't realise the Tamrons wouldn't AF either??
Click to expand...

Mine does on my D40, the 70-300 Nikon D series Tamron`s has a built in motor for auto focus, many Nikon fit Tamron`s do as it goes, [ for the D series at least ], you would have to double check for compatibility for the D40X though just to be sure. Don`t know about the 200 Tamron having a motor or not, but why consider a 200 over a 300 when you would soon be wanting the extra 100 anyway :lol:
 
I used to have the Nikkor 55-200 AFs VR, it was great, but pretty big! I was in the camerashp the other day, and they had this small Nikon AFs 18-55 lens on(I thought), big closer and, heck, it was the 55-200 AFs NON VR! Its absolutely tiny! If you want something smaller and don't need VR have a look, you will be amazed at the size difference compared the the VR model. :)
 
Just googled the D40X and it does not have a built in motor, so you might as well discount the Tamron 55-200.
 
Thanks for the input guys.

Managed to pick up a 2nd hand Nikkor 55-200mm (non VR) which will hopefully do me for the forseeable :)

Still seems to be mixed opinions on whether the Tamron lenses will AF though?
 
Ian W said:
Thanks for the input guys.

Managed to pick up a 2nd hand Nikkor 55-200mm (non VR) which will hopefully do me for the forseeable :)

Still seems to be mixed opinions on whether the Tamron lenses will AF though?
Click to expand...

Good choice :)

I had one with a D40x and it was superb for the money :thumbs:
 
Ian W said:
Thanks for the input guys.

Managed to pick up a 2nd hand Nikkor 55-200mm (non VR) which will hopefully do me for the forseeable :)

Still seems to be mixed opinions on whether the Tamron lenses will AF though?
Click to expand...

From Tamron themselves :

"August, 2008
Compatibility with Nikon D40, D40X, D60
Please note that these new cameras do not provide mechanical linkage to the lens gearing for Auto Focus and require that the lens have its own motor to operate the auto focus system. Tamron is currently transitioning the focus system in our lens line to work with this new system. We designate these lenses as BIM (Built-In Motor) and the Nikon mount version has NII stated in the model number. The following Tamron lenses have the new motor and are readily available:
THESE LENSES ARE COMPATIBLE
SP AF17-50mm Di II (model A16NII)
AF18-200mm Di II (model A14NII)
AF18-250mm Di II (model A18NII)
AF18-270mm VC Di II (model B003NII)
SP AF28-75mm Di (model A09NII)
AF28-300mm VC Di (model A20Nii)
AF70-300mm Di (model A17NII)
SP AF70-200mm Di (model A001NII)
SP AF90mm Di (model 272NII)"

http://www.tamron.com/about/updates_nikon.asp

HTH :)
 
Don't forget the Sigma 70-300mm APO (with built-in motor). That will give you some nice results and is pretty cheap too...
 
Will bear those in mind should I require the extra length over the 200mm I'm getting.

Cheers

Ian
 
PickleB said:
I'd be tempted by this Nikon 70-300mm VR if I didn't already have one! Many of my photos in Africa (see SmugMug link) were taken with it.
Click to expand...

I did actually look at that a few times and in all honesty would have bought it if it weren't 3x the cost of the 55-200 non-VR I did buy.

:)
 
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