[SweetGirl]

Just got my yearly bonus letter today so got some money to spend


looking for a new lens for my Nikon D40 (300mm range)..


What do you experts recommend..


steer me in the right direction

[Yandros]

I reckon you've got 3 possibilities.

Firstly, the Nikon 70-300mm F4-5.6G AF for £109 or possibly less. The downside is that this will be manual focus on your D40 it's also no good for macro.

You've also got the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 Macro DG at about the same price. This is also manual focus, but has the advantage of a half decent macro mode (ie close focussing)

A worthwhile upgrade is the oft mentioned Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO Macro DG
for about £150, which is similar, but has better glass. This is the classic budget zoom, mentioned in practically every "what zoom should I buy" thread.

Lastly, if your bonus was a little more generous, take a look at the Nikon 70-300 VR for £337. This is I think the cheapest 300mm lens that will autofocus on the D40, and has the huge advantage of Vibration Reduction.

Here's a recent thread with some 70-300 VR samples...

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...hread=22403935

Personally, I'd go for the Sigma (APO version) if money was tight or I really needed some macro functionality and could live with manual focus.
Given a bigger budget, I'd get the Nikon 70-300VR without a moments hesitation.

[SweetGirl]

Yandros

Thanks for taking time to list what option are available inc prices.

i will look into the three lens you have mentioned and hopefully make a decision before saturday..

ps the 70-300 VR photos are amazing.

[MonkeyHugger]

-buts in-



does anyone know if the 70-300mm apo sigma is able to auto focus with the d40?

Cheers

[Yandros]

Originally Posted by MonkeyHugger

-buts in-



does anyone know if the 70-300mm apo sigma is able to auto focus with the d40?

Cheers

I'll wait to be corrected, but my understanding is that it's manual only I'm afraid. Lenses that will autofocus on the D40 are Nikon AF-S (all the newer ones) and Sigma HSM models

[Fred Quimby]

What about the Nikon 18-135mm DX Nikkor lens at £240, I have one on my D40(great camera by the way) and it its superb.

[Yandros]

Originally Posted by nikonkid

What about the Nikon 18-135mm DX Nikkor lens at £240, I have one on my D40(great camera by the way) and it its superb.

Very good lens indeed by all accounts, but a bit weak at 300mm

[PaulBoy]

Originally Posted by Yandros

Very good lens indeed by all accounts, but a bit weak at 300mm

lol there Yandros very sharp! SG - I have the Nikon 70-300mm VR and its definately the best out there that I have tried - I took these recently with mine - full size on my Flickr HERE - there's even some test shots showing original & cropped pics





If you shop around you can find the lens for just over £300 (www.camerapricebuster.co.uk)

Paul