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Nikon d40
- Thread starter waloshin
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I've got the 55-200 VR, which I pair with my 18-55 and my D80. The combo really does whatever I need it too. Depending on your budget, I would go with the 55-200 VR, but skip the non-VR version.
The higher the 2nd number in the range, the closer you can zoom.
Try the 18-70mm, or the 55-200mm. There is an 18-200mm also.
The 55-200mm will give you a much closer zoom, but it starts where your 18-55mm stops...
Try the 18-70mm, or the 55-200mm. There is an 18-200mm also.
The 55-200mm will give you a much closer zoom, but it starts where your 18-55mm stops...
There's basically 3 options from Nikon:
the 18-135mm AF-S (pretty cheap, more than 2x the zoom, no image stabilization)
the 18-105mm AF-S VR (moderate price, little less than 2x more zoom, image stabilization)
and the 18-200mm AF-S VR (pricey, almost 4x the zoom range, image stabilization)
Sigma and Tamron make a few others that fit these same basic categories at slightly lower prices, as well.
Easy! Get closer to your subject to get more zoom!
But seriously, the most obvious next lens for you is the 55-200 that everyone is talking about here. It's about $150 without VR and $200 with VR (I highly suggest getting it with VR).
If you really don't want to swap lenses when you go from wide angle to telephoto, the 18-200 VR lens is quite decent, but it costs around $650. You'll almost never have to change glass and optical quality is near (but not quite as good as) the 55-200 VR.
You're forgetting the 55-200mm AF-S VR works quite well on the D40.
If the OP had a motor, there are a bunch of good older lenses, but the D40 will only run those in manual focus.
FWIW, I would stay away from Sigma/Tamron with a few notable exceptions.
Zoom in more and take a photo of what? Is it sports or wildlife? Is your subject cooperative and can he/she/it wait? Are you using flash? Are you shooting from a tripod? Why can't you simply walk up closer? I ask because you might find that a cheap f/5.6 zoom will not work. Be sure and answer all these questions at least to yourself before you spend your money. If price matters look for used lenses.
You may want the f/2.8 version or maybe the VR version or the f/2.8VR version. Going cheap is not saving money if you have to buy yet another lens. What is your budget? Can you spend more?
One thing to watch out for is that your D40 lacks a focus motor and you will need an AF-S lens. But some people find the non-AFS lens is so much less expensive it is cost effective to upgrade the body.
But for many people the best buy is the 18-135mm lens. It was sold as the "kit lens" for (I think) the D80. I have the 18-70 and find it works for much of what I need. I have some other lenses too for when I need faster or longer.
Seriously, if yu don't answer all those questions you may as well just flip a coin. Lenses are neither good nor bad, they good matches or poor matches to your needs. The better you can define your needs to better you can match up a lens.
Actually, I didn't forget it. It didn't meet my definition of an upgrade to the 18-55mm lens. It's an additional lens the OP could add to his kit, but it doesn't replace the original, and so isn't an upgrade in my opinion.