Hi guys, I'm relatively new to photography but I am in the middle of a college coursework project and i'm finding the D40 18-55 stock to be a bit limiting. I will be using the lens mostly for night photography with long exposures. I also need something I can take with me to New York in February and on my various trips.
I was looking at the 18-200vr but have heard it's not the sharpest of lenses.
I also saw the 70-300 but I don't think it's what I need right now.
I also know there is a 55-200 but I heard (amazon reviews) that it's not very good.
Can someone who has experience or knows about any of these lenses ( or any others) give me some advice please? Thanks.
Finally something on this forum I can actually answer and be sure about what I am talking about (I am a photographer and do indeed use Nikon
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First off you are right the 18-200 VR really isnt the sharpest of lenses and it has been marred by a series of problems most noteable the AF-S motor packing up and tbh any lens which tries to cover such a massive range is going to have flaws and allthough Nikons effort is not bad it probably isn't the best for you.
The 55-200 is imo crap. (Look I had one i used it i sold it) Yes it can make good images but there is far too much effor involved not to mention the build is pretty terrible for not exactly a cheap lens.
The 70-300 VR is a lot better than its predessesor in many ways especially optically where I found it surprisingly good it is a little on the slow end at AF but its not too bad tbh.
However what I think you may benefit most from is the 16-85mm VR HOWEVER you say that it was too limiting in the 18-55 allthough I think 16-85 isnt it may be for you.
Right then that bring me to the difficult part.
It is going to be real difficult finding a single lens as even though all of us photogs want one no camera maker has made one.
So here is my reccomendation to you.
First of all by yourself a Nikon 50mm 1.4 AF-S (£250) (the af-s verison is the only one that will autofous)
It is the 2nd best lens nikon makes for low light. yes there is no zoom but it cannot be beaten other than by the 85mm 1.4 which is the stuff of legend.
Then I would go to your local camera store and try out the 16-85 VR and see if it does what you want it to. The range allthough it doesnt sound much is actually 24-120 which was the perfect range on 35mm for a lot of people. it is built very well and I use it as a travfel lens when I cba to take along my 17-55 2.8
Alternatively if you want more telephoto than wideangle you can pick up the 24-120 AF-S VR used for a decent price and that was a good lens as well.
You are really limited most by the fact you have no AF screw drive motor as there are many bargains to be had on the used market.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
BTW If you want to look at used prices in london check out aperture uk
grays of westminster and kingsley photographice as well as Fixation (the latter is my dealer of choice) all of them doe great deals on pricing and all of em have service which is second to none.
