D40X Nikon Zoom Lense?

Question

Was just wondering if anyone could give me any tips as to what I'm looking for in a good Zoom Lens, i want a lens that I can get extreme close-ups as well as distance shots. And if possible $300-

Thanks!

Answer 1

the closest you can get without getting any converter or anything (just the lens) would be the Tamron 18-200 f3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Macro lenses (~$380) or the Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 DC Macro (~$390)

Of course the Tamron would give you a lot of flexibility with the zoom range they give but the Sigma also have the advantage of a big aperture and I've heard very good words about it.

I honestly don't think both choice would make you regret things - both seems pretty good for me but if I were you, I'd pick the Sigma.

Or of course you can get a Nikorr lenses and get a macro converter like the other poster said.

Answer 2

First of all, if you want really extreme close up (1:1 or more), forget any zoom lense, only prime lenses will do that (unless you add some expensive accessories that will make you lose a lot of sharpness and/or light). A good, prime, macro lens, costs at least the double of your budget, so forget it.
Sigma produces a good zoom, the 70-300 APO which allows close-ups up to 1:2 but it doesn't work with the D40x.

So my advice is : go to a shop and ask to try the Nikon AFS 55-200 VR. Try it for real to see if the range is OK for you. It's less than $300 and produces good results. With a third-party macro filter, it can even achieve a somwhat acceptable result in close-ups...

Answer 3

I agree with the recommendation for the 55-200 VR Nikon lens. My wife has it for her D50 and it's a pretty decent lens.

George Y posted a message about various Sigma lenses that WILL autofocus with the D40:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AlI4Ikm3_uMAoknMZ.gND6EAAAAA?qid=20070904201735AAz8itz

Here is a mini-tutorial I made myself to compare focal lengths. This is NOT a lens test or a camera test! It is merely intended to show the difference between various focal lengths. The lens was the Nikon 18-200 VR lens, which is (by definition) an 11X lens, but that 11X does not tell you what the final image will look like. I added one more frame taken with a 300 mm lens. The camera was a Nikon D200 so there is a 1.5X "crop factor," "lens factor," or "focal length multiplier." There is further explanation on the image itself. It would help if you click on "All Sizes" above the image.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7189769@N04/476181737/

This was done with two different lenses: the Nikon 17-55 and 70-300:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/1245831147/

Answer 4

I'd go for the 18-70 -- I have it and it's great. It also gets excellent reviews from the testers. I wouldn't recommend the 18-55 as it's too slow and too short. I'd also take a pass on the 18-200 as the performance at each end is less than stellar (read the reviews). It's also overpriced for what it delivers. Remember that the more you ask a lens to do, the less it will do well. The 18-70 is the best compromise between zoom range and image quality, and the price is right. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

If you want to do macro photography there is a review of the Sigma 70mm f2.8 macro lens in the Aug. 2007 issue of Shutterbug Magazine. You can read it at shutterbug.com.

That issue also has a review of the Tamron 18-250mm zoom.

Answer 6

there is one lens in your price range-sigma 70-300mm with a `macro `feature in the uk it is £100 /$200.don`t be put of by the price it is my `jack of all trades lens.if i am not sure what pics i will get its the lens i fit first.i use mine with a 2x converter(£100) which gives me a 140-600 mm equivelant.there is also the sensor crop factor which for the d40 is 1.5 sothe actual lens equivelant is 105-450/210-900mm.hope this helps.ps i use manual focusing.