What non nikon lenses can be used with the nikon d40 camera. I do not want to have to pay silly prices.?

Question

What lenses can be used wit hthe nikon d40 camera without having to pay nikon prices and are they worth the saving? This is my first slr camera so would like to know also if there are any good websites that would suit me as a begginer in photography?

ok so where do i buy nikon lenses at good prices. Also any hint on the good websites fo amateurs?

Answer 1

Your D40 will accept any lens that has a Nikon F-mount, however, it will only autofocus with Nikon AF-S lenses or Sigma HSM lenses in the Nikon mount.

So the only non-Nikon lenses that will autofocus with your D40 are the Sigma HSM-equipped lenses.

I also disagree with what a lot of other people are saying about only buying Nikon-lenses. It's baloney. Nikon makes great lenses, no question about it. However, third-party lens makers can make some fantastic lenses too and until you actually try out the lens, you won't know how it performs.

For example, Sigma makes a fantastic lens, the 50-500mm zoom. It's HSM equipped, so it'll autofocus with your camera. There is *no Nikon equivalent lens* to this lens, and it's a great performer. Likewise, Sigma's optically stablized 80-400mm OS lens has a built-in motor and it will autofocus with your camera while Nikon's 80-400 VR lens, which costs hundreds more *will NOT autofocus* with your camera. That's right, a Nikon lens won't autofocus while a third-party lens will. And optically, they perform the same.

So don't get caught up in the "you must buy Nikon only" baloney, because that's what it is. Instead, decide what it is you want to accomplish first with your photography and then buy the lens you need to accomplish that task or reach that goal. And do what pros do: they will actually try out several samples of the same lens until they find the best one out of the bunch. Why? Because individual lenses can vary in quality, so that some otherwise identical lenses perform better than others from the same brand. This is where a brick and mortar store has an advantage over an online store, because you can try out different copies of the same lens.

Since Sigma is, right now, the only maker to have autofocus-capable lenses (marked HSM, plus the 80-400 OS), check out their website at http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all.asp and look for lenses marked HSM and also the 80-400 OS lens.

If you're looking for a good place to buy online...first decide which lens you're interested in, then hit http://www.pricegrabber.com as well as http://www.amazon.com to see where you can find good prices.

Answer 2

In the DSLR category, there are no lenses that are dedicated to a certain camera. So there are no D40 lenses, or D90 lenses. There are camera bodies and lenses, and the same 18-55 lens is used on virtually all of Nikon's entry level cameras. Therefore you will find the same 18-55mm lens used on your D40 on a D40x, D60, D3000, D3100, D5000, and D5100. While the D90 and D7000 "kits" (camera plus lens from the factory) includes an upgraded 18-105mm lens, there is no reason you cannot buy a D90or D7000 body and use the 18-55mm lens on both your D40 and the D90. The only issue with Nikon lenses is that some of them may not autofocus on the D40, but will autofocus on the D90 or D7000. This is because the D90 and D7000 are advanced amateur cameras and have more capability then the entry level cameras. They include an internal focus motor that the D40 and other entry level cameras lack. Some lenses (AF) require the camera's autofocus motor, while other lenses (AF-S) have their own built-in motors so they don't need the camera's motor. So some lenses that autofocus on a D90 or D7000 may not autofocus on a D40, but any lens that will autofocus on a D40 will autofocus on a D90 or D7000. But other than the autofocus issue, any Nikon F-Mount lens will work on any Nikon DSLR. Hope this makes sense.

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

Since you're a beginner, the kit lens (18-55mm) is very useful range and I still use it a lot on my Canon (until I got a replacement sometimes in the near future). They are relatively cheap (~$110 or something) and for the price, it's pretty good. Of course it's not the best lens in the world but you'll find it very useful.

Investing on a lens is better in the long term than investing on a camera because lenses generally will last longer when in this digital world, digital SLRs will be obsolete (or at least, the price will drop significantly) everytime new model comes out. Lenses don't do this and people are still paying a good money for a good piece of lens made in the 1970s.

Anyway, you can also look at Tamron and Sigma lenses if you want - some of them are actually good - but not all of them. Generally Nikkor lenses are superior to the Tamrons and the Sigmas - in both build quality and image quality.

I can go on and on but... well that's it from me now.

Answer 5

www.kenrockwell.com
This is a great site for instruction and technique and equipment reviews. Just follow the "Technical" link on the front page.

As for stores, I like to buy from www.adorama.com. Their customer service is excellent and they're one of the more reputable dealers in the country. And if you get a product that you don't like, they'll let you return it no questions asked.

Always buy from a reputable dealer. If you find a deal that seems "too good to be true", it probably is. I've always been really cautious when buying my camera gear so I've never been burned, but I've had friends who have been.

And I have to agree with everyone who's said to buy a genuine lens from your camera maker. That's half the reason to buy a camera from Nikon or Canon is to have access to their excellent line of lenses. Plus, they know how to make lenses that work with their cameras. Just remember that the D40 requires AF-S lenses which is what you'll want anyways. They focus faster than the ancient AF system. AF or AI lenses will not focus on the D40.

Answer 6

I understand as a beginner that it's tough to plunk down serious money for a lens when you're not sure if your new-found hobby will develop into a life-long passion.

Sigma is by far the largest of the 3rd-party lens manufacturers, and my first Minolta SLR camera twenty years ago came with Sigma glass.

I recommend you purchase a wide angle zoom first. The Sigma 18-50mm zoom lens is a good starter lens for $140 at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/509949-REG/Sigma_551_306_18_50mm_f_3_5_5_6_DC_HSM.html

The lens is small & light so it'll be easy to carry around, and has a good feature set to make the most of your camera. The aperture range is small enough to allow for flexible lighting conditions, and you have plenty of focal length to play with for creative photography.

Then as your passion grows and/or your budget allows, work up to a telephoto lens, such as the Sigma 55-200mm lens for $149 at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/335763-USA/Sigma_684306_55_200mm_f_4_5_6_DC_Lens.html

You'll need more lighting and a steady hand for telephoto work, so don't jump into birding until you've had some time studying and practicing good camera control.

If your passion for photography blossoms, then I recommend you start saving for the good stuff - the glass in manufacturer lens will render less distortion, greater color rendition, and are built to last a lifetime.

In the world of digital photography, your camera body will be obsolete in no time, but good quality glass will be with you for decades if not a lifetime.

Answer 7

I agree that buying Genuine Nikon lenses is the best option.

I did a Search for "digital photography classes" and there are 7.4 million entries.

Here are just 2 you might find of interest:

worldwidelearn.com

ppsop.com

If there are no local courses available, you might also consider The New York Institute of Photography (nyip.com). They have been offering correspondence courses since 1910.

The Dec. issue of Shutterbug Magazine (shutterbug.com) has a section devoted to photography books as gifts.

How Digital Photography Works, Second Edition by Ron White

The Joy of Digital Photography by Jeff Wignall

Answer 8

HINT:

You bought a Nikon camera for its great craftsmanship, durability, performance and reputation. Now, buy a Nikon Zoom lens. Since you are a beginner I would suggest covering the 35mm to 120mm range. You can get a wider range if you like.

Save money on the basis of WHERE YOU BUY your NIKON lens, NOT, IF YOU BUY a Nikon lens.

If you were an intermediate or advanced photographer I would have other options for you, but for now just be glad that you are starting with a Thoroughbred.

Answer 9

try the sigma 70-300mm with a macro feature
£100 - $200 thats a new lens
if you want a versitial lens at a good price this is it
with the sensor factor of your camera it will be basically a 105 450mm lens
ideal for most interests
buy dedicated lenses when you have had a bit more experiance,

Answer 10

IF you are in the UK, find your nearest branch of London Camera Exchange - they often have a good stock of used Nikon lenses. If they don't have much to suit you, ask do they have a stock list of used lenses in all their UK branches.

Edit: Here Ya go - just done a search on their site
http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/search_results.php