Which lens for a Nikon D40? (1 Viewer)

[Steve66]

Hi there.

I have a Nikon D40 and I would like some advice as to which lens would be good for birding shots. Now I know everybody is going to say get a new camera but for the time being this is the camera I have (it's actually my wife's so keeping in Nikon we can share lenses).

I was thinking about Nikon 70-300mm f4-f 5.6 ED AF D but this will only work in manual focus on the D40.

Would this lens be in the right direction as I will be updating to a higher spec body at some point in the nearish future. Or would it be better to get a lower end lens and then replace the whole lot?

I have searched the forum and I am thinking of the D300, am I right in thinking this lens would be good for this body also?

I look forward to you thoughts.

 

[Rob Chace]

Hi Steve,
There is now alot more choice of af lenses that are compatible with the D40. Sigma & tamron now do lenses with af motors fitted. 300mm is a little short for birds & the general consensus is that 400mm is the minimum. There is the 150-500mm stabilised lens from sigma, which i believe gets good reviews (google it) or if you want to stay with Nikon, try the 300mm f4 with a 1.4x teleconverter (giving you 420mm f5.6). All depends on your budget really
Regards
Rob.

 

[postcardcv]

There is the 150-500mm stabilised lens from sigma, which i believe gets good reviews (google it)...

it's had some good and some bad reviews - I looked into this lens for a friend, I read lots of reviews, talked to some folk who owned it and tested one myself - I was massively unimressed. I woould suggest that anyone considering this lens should look at the old 50-500 instead (don't know if it works with the D40), it may not have OS but it's better optically.

 

[Rob Chace]

it's had some good and some bad reviews - I looked into this lens for a friend, I read lots of reviews, talked to some folk who owned it and tested one myself - I was massively unimressed. I woould suggest that anyone considering this lens should look at the old 50-500 instead (don't know if it works with the D40), it may not have OS but it's better optically.

Hi Pete,
There does seem to be a bit of varience in reviews for this lens. The 50-500 has an internal motor (HSM) & probably would be a better bet if you can get one.
Regards
Rob.

 

[Steve66]

Hi.

Thanks for the replies.

I have got a second hand Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6 AF D ED which should work ok other than the AF bit.

This should be a suitable stop gap until I have saved enough for a D90/300.

Cheers

 

[oncebittern]

Hi Steve.

I was recently in a similar position to you, but with a Nikon D80.

All I can tell you is that I bought a 70-300 zoom, and kept it for about 3 weeks, as it just wasn't long enough. I've now sold it on and bought a 170-500 instead; I haven't had much opportunity to try it yet, but I already know I am much happier with the longer reach it gives me.