Nikon D40

My brother was gracious enough to give me a Nikon D40 for Christmas. I am not new to photography (digital point and shoot) but am new to SLR cameras. I have a VERY ACTIVE 5 year old son who has his picture taken A LOT. We live near the ocean and Chesapeake Bay. The camera came with the 55mm lens. What telephoto lens would you recommend? Also any comments on the camera would be appreciated as well.

Great entry level kit, the 55mm lens at around 50/55 will be perfect for snapping the little one. As for lens recommendations, what do you want the lens to do?

My digital point and shoot is a Sony with a 12x zoom. I have loved that because my son can be playing and I can get close-ups of him without him really knowing it. So.. to answer your question... definitely for his pictures but also for landscape and wildlife pictures.

Great gift - I received one several months ago and aside from the standard lens , I also have a 55-200 zoom lens (AF-S NIKKOR 55-200mm 1:4-5.6G) The best part has been the VR (Vibration reduction) which is great when not using a tri-pod. This is generally my prime lens which has served well. I honestly do feel I need a larger lens, but the price point is what has stopped me so far, but that may always be the case. I think I saw you could get up to 300 and was very affordable – but when you go to the 500 then you are spending a load of cash. This is my experience, and if you have the money I would go for slightly larger than 200. I use mine for primarily nature and scenic work, and not so much for portrait shots, hence why I would like a better zoom …. . I am still new too into photography and the SLR has made a total difference in the pictures I used to take and the ones I do now. I am sure others will have very good recommendations, from what I have experienced on the forum so far. Happy shooting

I forgot to mention in the last post - One invaluable suggestion that was made to me when I got my camera was "Buy a plain filter and attach it to the front of the lens - keep it there and act if it were part of the camera" this has saved my primarary lens from scratches (at the beach) and other dirt buildup and is cheap to replace. I do have other filters that I may interchange when the setting requires (ie polarized) but I have kept it on each of my main lenses and it has been a worthwile investment. (just something to consider especially as you mentioned kids )

If the D40 was free I'd consider buying the 18-200mm VR lens, you have approx 24-300mm equivalent focal lengths so you have the wide end for landscapes, the 50-80mm range for portraits and the long end for zoom shots. The value is in the quality of the lens rather than the camera body. Invest in glass, bodies come and go.

Thanks so much for all the great advice. Are there any recommendations as to which brand of lens to buy and where?

It's probably far more than you planned on spending, but you will likely never outgrow this lens:

www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/274780-GREY/ Nikon_2139_70_200mm_f_2_8_VR_G_AFS.html#features

1) It's versatile. I have the non-vibration-reduction version of this lens and I use it for everything from indoor model shoots to field sports and nature.

2) At f/2.8, it's "fast" (meaning it's good for capturing images in low light). I use it for indoor sports, which is the worst of all worlds: fast action in poor light.

3) It's a constant f/2.8 unless you specifically alter the f/stop youself. With a variable-f-stop lens, in poor lighting I've had pictures fade to black when I zoomed.


Just make sure the camera supports the VR feature on this (or any) lens.

Are there any recommendations as to which brand of lens to buy and where?

The likely options for lens brand are: Nikkor/Nikon
Sigma
Tamron

A great place to start shopping, if only to see the range of products and their prices, is www.bhphotovideo.com.

Hi Maile-Nice little camera...This was the 1st dslr I ever tried-fell in love with-and waited a year to buy, (didn't have the funds then). Very nice for starting into dslr's, just for record for everyone, there are other great brands out there, too, as you all know. I have the 55-200 non vr i bought when I got it but I've heard the vr version is very good. I haven't bought any others outside of Nikon lens but have consider the Sigma and Tokina mostly for wide angle and as Bob has said a 70-200 2.8 would be a nice investment...and as Chakara said they get pricier as the lens get bigger-It does matter what kind of photography you'ld like...but for starters at least the 55-200 or a good walk around lens 18-200 VR, so that you wont need to change lens as often. If you like portraits the 50mm 1.8 is a nice little inexpensive lens, too. I visit http://www.nikonians.org/ they have lotsa nice forums that I have gleaned a whole lot from...Good Luck!!!

Aitch wrote:

If the D40 was free I'd consider buying the 18-200mm VR lens, you have approx 24-300mm equivalent focal lengths so you have the wide end for landscapes, the 50-80mm range for portraits and the long end for zoom shots. The value is in the quality of the lens rather than the camera body. Invest in glass, bodies come and go.

I will second this opinion. Is this the best lens out there...not hardly, however for what you will be using it for, you will have the best bang for your buck. The biggest draw for this lens is that it covers so much of the focal length spectrum without the need to change lenses. This is very important when shooting a crumb snatcher as they move fast, and you will need to react.

It has been gigged on being a soft lens, but with a little smart sharpening in Photoshop, you will be able to overcome that problem. Of course, people pictures do look a bit nicer when they are just a tad soft anyway. The biggest problem that you will likely run into is the lens creep that occurs when you have a lens that extends as far as this one does. If you point it down, the front element will most likely creep away from the resting position. Some users don't experience this problem, and for the use, I would say that it is a fair tradeoff.

I would never buy the 18-200 for the reasons greg states but if all your looking for is a decent walk around lens it maybe for you. I carry 2lenses at all times the 18-105 and 70-300.I also have a 50mm. I personally don't mind changing the lens but even these 2 lenses are slow but not quite as slow as the 18-200. As of the end of next week I will be adding a 180mm 2.8 to my arsonal.

Nikon also offers a pretty sweet 17-55 2.8 which has received rave reviews you might want to check out.

http://www.adorama.com/NK1755DXU.html

mmmmm yeah thats gooooood!!! lol