Lens for the Nikon D40

[WAmom]

Hi all,

I'm new to the DSP site - a friend recommended it for the PSE classes. I've had fun reading and reading all your threads :) and definitely learning a lot!

For Christmas I got the Nikon D40 with the standard lens kit (18-55). It works fine but my girls are playing soccer this spring and I am finding I need a zoom lens. We have a great lens from our film SLR but with the D40 it can only be used manually - I know for the D40 you can only use a certain kind. I'm on a budget so can't spend a lot but wanted to know what you experts would recommend for a zoom lens?

Thanks,
Noël

[Lauren]

There is a new 55- 200 AF-S VR lens that I believe is quite reasonably priced in the US -- I have the non VR version which is great too-
I should have added that you need the AF-S lenses for the D40 - most of them are pretty pricey but I believe that new 55-200 is quite reasonable

[Jennifer]

You must remember that when using a zoom lens you will need a faster shutter speed and/or a tripod unless you get the VR lenses with Vibration Reduction (a.k.a. $$$ :) ) The camera shake becomes more and more obvious and images blurry the longer lens you use. VR does nothing to stop motion of the subjects, it merely allows the lens to be used at lower shutter speeds hand held. Outdoor sports in bright light are the best and easiest to get with the longer zooms. The longest you'd probably need is about 300mm and as Lauren suggested, the 200mm lens is probably enough if you are closer in. I don't have personal experience with the 55-200, but that sounds like a nice range for you.

[2kc]

suscribing

[Emma]

yeah, the D40 takes only the CPU lenses, not those for older film cameras (bummer). My telephoto is a Nikon 70-300 (courtesy of Jennifer ;)), not VR, and because I only use it outdoors in nice light, I never have a problem with low shutter speeds. But my main lens goes up to 70, so you need to consider the 50-200 because that way you won't have a gap. I do get out past 200 on my lens, but normally up to 200 is plenty of length!

[Lauren]

You can use just about any lens on the D40 but not all of them will autofocus- I have the 50mm 1.8 and it works perfectly - meters etc but it wont autofocus - that just means you need to rotate that ring to focus it yourself which isnt hard - the little green light in teh viewfinder tells you when you are in focus .
The reason it doesnt autofocus with some lenses is that it doesnt have the autofocus motor IN the camera - ( that is what makes it light and little ) - so you need a lens with the motor in the lens
There is a list of lenses that will autofocus with the D40/x/60 here -
http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27666

of course you can use other lenses too like the 50mm I have but you just have to take that extra step yourself

[Starla]

The VR 55-200 has been wonderful for my needs. The next step up goes to 300, but it's pretty spendy.