Need Nikon Lens Advice - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

07/14/2009 05:42:30 PM · #1

I am posting this for a friend. She has a Nikon D40 with the standard kit lens. She is looking to purchase a new lens. Her daughters are very involved with community theater and dance and she would like a lens to capture them on stage. She is usually able to get pretty close to the action. What Nikon lens would you recommend? Thanks in advance. ~Cecilia

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

07/14/2009 05:54:14 PM · #2

Depends on how much she wants to spend of course but I would think a fast prime lens in the 50-85mm range would be great since she can get close.

Mephisto

Nikon Coolpix A

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

07/14/2009 06:03:04 PM · #3

Originally posted by jbsmithana:

Depends on how much she wants to spend of course but I would think a fast prime lens in the 50-85mm range would be great since she can get close.

ditto. there are several fast primes that are affordable like the nikkor 35 f1.8, 50 f1.8 or 85 f1.8, but i'd rather go for either the 35 or 50mm. sigma 30 f1.4 is a great lens but a little more expensive than the nikkor equivalents (and am not sure if AF wil work with the d40).
a great zoom lens for low light/theater kinda stuff is the tamron 28-75 f2.8

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

07/14/2009 07:32:00 PM · #4

Thank you! I will pass this info on to my friend.

millsa

Nikon D7100

07/14/2009 07:47:44 PM · #5

I just got the tamron 28-75 f2.8 that

Mephisto mentioned. very nice lens (fast and sharp) for what you want and it has a built in motor, I haven't put my Nikon18-105VR on the camera since I got it. Only criticism I have of the lens is the auto focus is noticeably slow, specially in low light.

ralph

Nikon Z9

07/14/2009 08:54:40 PM · #6

the D40 needs a motor in the lens
otherwise you are manual focus ..

the kickass solution is the 70-200 afs vr

Quigley

Nikon D700

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

07/14/2009 10:36:16 PM · #7

Originally posted by ralph:

the D40 needs a motor in the lens
otherwise you are manual focus ..

the kickass solution is the 70-200 afs vr

Listen to Ralph, he has every lense that Nikon makes and I've had the pleasure to see them and use a few :)

MAX!

spiritualspatula

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

07/14/2009 10:39:56 PM · #8

Originally posted by millsa:

I just got the tamron 28-75 f2.8 that Mephisto mentioned. very nice lens (fast and sharp) for what you want and it has a built in motor, I haven't put my Nikon18-105VR on the camera since I got it. Only criticism I have of the lens is the auto focus is noticeably slow, specially in low light.

Have you found that not only the focus is slow, but it almost does several "steps" to get into focus?

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

07/14/2009 10:42:06 PM · #9

Originally posted by millsa:

Not really a fair comparison.....apples & oranges......that's a kit lens.

This lens is in the same category of lens as the Tamron, but obviously more expensive: Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8.

Really, the 80-200 f/2.8 is probably your best bet for an all 'round usable, high end lens that won't completely break the bank.

You might even be able to find a nice used example from someone who upgraded to the 70-200 f/2.8 VR.

ETA: That 18-105VR would be a decent lens for the D40 that should be reasonable.....what kit lens does she have now?

Message edited by author 2009-07-14 22:44:37.

neophyte

Nikon D810

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

07/14/2009 10:45:33 PM · #10

Originally posted by ralph:

the D40 needs a motor in the lens
otherwise you are manual focus ..

the kickass solution is the 70-200 afs vr

I love this lens!
The 17-55 2.8 is really fun too!

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

07/14/2009 10:46:38 PM · #11

Originally posted by ralph:

the D40 needs a motor in the lens
otherwise you are manual focus ..

the kickass solution is the 70-200 afs vr

Originally posted by Quigley:

Listen to Ralph, he has every lense that Nikon makes and I've had the pleasure to see them and use a few :)

MAX!

I don't think anyone's disputing that Ralph knows his stuff or that the 70-200 VR is a kick-ass lens.

The fact that it costs over five times what a D40 body does is a pretty serious deterrent for this situation.

neophyte

Nikon D810

07/14/2009 10:48:38 PM · #12

I agree: but lenses are forever.

07/14/2009 11:23:23 PM · #13

Yikes, some of those lenses are super expensive! I don't know what her budget is, but I will pass this info on to my friend. Thanks everyone!

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

07/14/2009 11:24:26 PM · #14

Originally posted by NikonJeb:

Originally posted by millsa:
I just got the tamron 28-75 f2.8 that Mephisto mentioned. very nice lens (fast and sharp) for what you want and it has a built in motor, I haven't put my Nikon18-105VR on the camera since I got it. Only criticism I have of the lens is the auto focus is noticeably slow, specially in low light.

Not really a fair comparison.....apples & oranges......that's a kit lens.

This lens is in the same category of lens as the Tamron, but obviously more expensive: Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8.

Really, the 80-200 f/2.8 is probably your best bet for an all 'round usable, high end lens that won't completely break the bank.

You might even be able to find a nice used example from someone who upgraded to the 70-200 f/2.8 VR.

ETA: That 18-105VR would be a decent lens for the D40 that should be reasonable.....what kit lens does she have now?

Thanks for the input, Jeb. I'm not really sure which lens she has now.

Gatorguy

Nikon D700

07/14/2009 11:57:02 PM · #15

I shoot a lot of theatre. During live performances I shoot from the balcony and use the 70-200 Nikkor. When I'm shooting the stills, I usually use the 50mm f/1.4 - in your case you'd need the AFS version. Super sharp lens. When I am shooting the live performances during tech rehearsals, I usually use the Nikkor 28-70 f/2.8 AFS (the Beast) as a walk around with the 70-200 on a tripod that I move back and forth from. Since the 24-70 f/2.8 came out the prices have dropped quite a bit on this lens. It's just as sharp (IMO) as the 24-70 that replaced it, but it is more prone to flair because it lacks the high performance more modern coatings. You can find them for around $900.

Important to note that I also have a D700 and am not afraid to go up to ISO 2500 if necessary. I don't have a D40 and so I don't know what that will put up with in terms of max ISO.

Someone mentioned the 80-200. Great lens, but unless it is the AFS version, you'll have to manually focus.

Message edited by author 2009-07-14 23:58:28.