I have a Nikon D40x. Which Nikon lens would be most suitable for wedding shoots?I only have $800 to spend.?

Question

With a D40x I need a lens that would be good for a wedding.
I only have $800 to spend on a new one.

Answer 1

The Tamron 17-50mm will NOT autofocus on a D40(x). Same with the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 macro. And since the Nikon 17-55 is over budget, that pretty much rules out a constant f/2.8 zoom.
The D40x also can't autofocus with fixed focal length lenses. (The 50mm f/1.8 would have been a cheap option.)

Perhaps you can rent a Nikon 17-55mm. Sam uses it & loves it. I use it and love it, too. It's practically welded to my D200. The image quality is fantastic, even wide open. And then there's the shutter speed to consider. At 55mm, the 18-55mm kit lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6. This is two stops slower than f/2.8, which translates to a FOUR times slower shutter speed. If the wedding includes a church cerimony where flash isn't allowed, you'll really appreciate that difference.

If renting is out of the question, perhaps invest in an external flash and/or a tripod. Both will come in handy at weddings and in general. The 18-70mm lens is nice, too. Or the 18-125mm. Both retail for around $320. The 18-70 and 18-125 don't have the aperture speed you want, but the extra zoom range will let you grab more shots on the fly (vs. switching between the 18-55 and 55-200).

Answer 2

I agree with Ara57 on the choice of the Nikon 17-55 f/2.8 lens. I own it and love it. I have not shot a wedding (nor will I ever...), but I think it's a good working length for most situations that you will find yourself shooting.

I also own the Nikon Zoom Super Wide Angle AF 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Autofocus Lens as a back-up lens. Actually, we got this as the main lens for my wife's D50 and I liked it so much - for the money - that I bought one for the camera that I keep in my office. Obviously, the focal range is similar. The aperture only loses about 1½ stops, also. This will limit you only slightly compared to the 17-55, but it's still quite useful and it only costs $350 - if you can find one. It's been very popular.

If you could find one, the 18-200 VR is a good lens for an "all-in-one" lens and it would be suitable for a wedding. What it loses in aperture opening it gains in vibration reduction.

Nikon has another lens that you might consider - the 18-135, but it's not getting stellar reviews.

If you would consider going outside the Nikon line, the Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Autofocus Lens ($450) covers a good focal range and it has gotten some nice reviews, but I don't know if it will autofocus with your D40x. If you can check that out with a local dealer and it works okay, I'd say it's worth considering. I don't think I'd want to shoot a wedding without autofocus. The Nikon 17-55 allows you to instantly override the autofocus by just fine-tuning the focus manually, in case you don't think it's focused correctly.

Answer 3

You will likely want a wide lens to photograph groups of people. If you're going to be an "official photographer" and can go anywhere you want, this will be an advantage. You want to be able to walk right into the thick of the celebration and get those bride-with-friends pictures as well as the posed pictures.

You can make great pictures with any camera and lens. Having a more expensive camera and lens just makes it a little easier. But you could shoot a wedding with your D40x and kit lens. (People will scoff at this - but weddings 20 years ago were shot using cameras and lenses equal to what comes in the average box today, so what's changed?) If you're a good photographer, you can make it work.

Nevertheless, if you feel you need a new lens, (and what photographer doesn't want a new toy every week?) pay special note that you MUST use an "AF-S" lens on your D40x. That's a lens with Nikon's hypersonic focusing motor. The D40x cannot autofocus "AF" lenses - you would have to manually focus them.

Consider the Nikon AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED. That gives a nice range for portrait photography and is in your budget.

If you live in Canada, may I also welcome you to consider my company, Lens Lenders, as a source to rent a lens. A one-week rental of the Nikon AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED (a beautiful, professional-level lens) is $149.

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http://www.lenslenders.com

Answer 4

You need to spend more to get a great lens for wedding work. You need at least a wide zoom /2.8. The highly rated 17-55/2.8 is $1199 USD at B&H Photo.

You could get a 50mm/1.8 cheap, it will be about a 75mm on your crop frame sensor and is one of the best lenses ever produced.

I suppose you could try the 18-200 VR version for about $750. It will give you a couple of stops with the VR, but it isn't as bright and contrasty as the 17-55.

The Tokina 12-24/f4 zoom is getting pretty good reviews. WIith the crop factor you will have to have an ultra wide angle
lens for the group shots and for close quarters.

Answer 5

You have your answer. But now for the compressed version

No aftermarket lens (Tamron, Sigma, Tokina, etc) will currently autofocus with the D40/D40x.

Only the Nikon AF-S series will (18-70 is an excellent choice, coming from a Pentax shooter).

There are only 22 lenses currently on the market that will AF with your camera.

Answer 6

The D60 sort of surprises me. I thought it would at least have a focus motor after all the criticism in the press over this. It looks like a D40X with these significant upgrades: Sensor cleaning system Active D-Lighting (!!!) One EV lower capability Faster (better) EXPEED processor I don't see anything else, but maybe I missed it. Same AF-S requirement; same 3-points for AF; identical size and weight; same LCD; blah, blah.. V2K1 makes a good point. If the D40X is gone from teh shelves and you no longer have that option, it looks like you'll be shopping for the D60. I think it's a worthy upgrade, but I don't know the price yet.

Answer 7

I reckon it is US$800. This amount could get you a 18-200 VR. Go for it!