what lens to go for ?

sunny2004

I am looking for some help in choosing a "bog standard" zoom for the nikon D200...
While have prime manual lenses I want something with auto focus for grap shots...... as the manual lenses are "hard" to focus ???

Say 18 - 55 ( but I am at a loss as to the prefix letters (DX) etc.. doesnt have to be nikkor, just good

thats 27- 80mm in 35mm terms ???

Not mad expensive..

I am in a bit of a rush as the d200 is in the post

Many thanks..

melekalikimaka

17-70 is the best bang for buck for short range zoom, 18 to 200 is nice too, vr if ya can stretch

Oriel

Budget?

DaireQuinlan

sunny2004 wrote: »

I am looking for some help in choosing a "bog standard" zoom for the nikon D200...
While have prime manual lenses I want something with auto focus for grap shots...... as the manual lenses are "hard" to focus ???

Say 18 - 55 ( but I am at a loss as to the prefix letters (DX) etc.. doesnt have to be nikkor, just good

thats 27- 80mm in 35mm terms ???

Not mad expensive..

I am in a bit of a rush as the d200 is in the post

Many thanks..

Actually its 18-55 in 35mm terms . In cropped sensor terms it is indeed 28-85 or thereabouts. DX is the Nikkor designations for a lens that will only cover the 1.5 cropped sensor, they'll mount on your film nikons and function perfectly but will display anything from light vignetting to something like a circular image in the middle of the 35mm frame. Its (IIRC) the kit lens that comes with the D40 right ? Meant to be pretty good, but very slow though. Its 5.6 at the long end. I'd suggest looking instead at the 18-70 instead, 3.5->4.5 and a more usable range.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/1870.htm

for opinions on lenses I find Ken Rockwell to be pretty useful (although I know mentioning Rockwell in a nikon thread is like Godwins law in everyday conversation !).

melekalikimaka

DaireQuinlan wrote: »

Its (IIRC) the kit lens that comes with the D40 right ? Meant to be pretty good, but very slow though.

thats the mark 2

templeathea

D200? you lucky devil.

I've heard good things about the kit lenses like the 18-70 and 18-55. I had an 18-135 and it was ok but useless for moderately close work.

I am currently awaiting my 18-200 VR and I sure hope that is going to be great. Not cheap though!

sunny2004

DaireQuinlan wrote: »

Actually its 18-55 in 35mm terms . In cropped sensor terms it is indeed 28-85 or thereabouts. DX is the Nikkor designations for a lens that will only cover the 1.5 cropped sensor, they'll mount on your film nikons and function perfectly but will display anything from light vignetting to something like a circular image in the middle of the 35mm frame. Its (IIRC) the kit lens that comes with the D40 right ? Meant to be pretty good, but very slow though. Its 5.6 at the long end. I'd suggest looking instead at the 18-70 instead, 3.5->4.5 and a more usable range.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/1870.htm

for opinions on lenses I find Ken Rockwell to be pretty useful (although I know mentioning Rockwell in a nikon thread is like Godwins law in everyday conversation !).

OK.. humm.. I am lost here, the d200 will infact make any lens 1.5 longer ?

sunny2004

To everyone else who took the time, a big thank you..

I think the VR range sounds good.

As for budget.. unlimited... I am kidding maybe 400 euros TOPS but would like to get out cheeper if i can..

Now I got a suggestion regarding this.

Its not a Nikkor, but a Tamron..

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/photo/lenstech/tamron/1750DiII.html
its coming in at around 280 sterling...

But I wish to explore the VR options.. anyone got a link to the same type of lens as the tamron but with VR ??

DaireQuinlan

sunny2004 wrote: »

OK.. humm.. I am lost here, the d200 will infact make any lens 1.5 longer ?

Sort of. The sensor is 1.5 times smaller, so a 200mm lens in 35mm terms will actually be a 300mm lens when attached to the d200. The vast majority of DSLRs do this (with the exception of the high end full frame models). Think of it like taking a crop out of the middle of your 35mm frame and blowing it up to the same size as a print made from the entire frame. The effective result is an increase in the apparent focal length of the lens. This is both good and bad. The bad thing is that its hard to find good relatively inexpensive wide angles for DSLRs, the good thing is that most lenses (particularly your full frame primes) are at their sharpest right in the middle , slap bang where your sensor is !

Masada

DaireQuinlan wrote: »

Its (IIRC) the kit lens that comes with the D40 right ? Meant to be pretty good, but very slow though. Its 5.6 at the long end. I'd suggest looking instead at the 18-70 instead, 3.5->4.5 and a more usable range.

Doesnt the D40 use lenses that arnt compatable with the rest of the nikon DSLRs? I know they have the focus motor in the lens rather than the camera but not sure if this would make any difference when using it with a D200?.,

Stephen

The D40 lenses will work with the other nikons no problem. The problem arises where you use older nikon lenses with the D40 - they'll fit and they will work but they won't autofocus.

DaireQuinlan

vtec wrote: »

Doesnt the D40 use lenses that arnt compatable with the rest of the nikon DSLRs? I know they have the focus motor in the lens rather than the camera but not sure if this would make any difference when using it with a D200?.,

Nope. Its not the D40 IIRC, but the D40x can only use AFS lenses, which are Nikons version of USM lenses, with the AF motor in the lens. All other Nikon AF cameras have a little screwdriver like think on the lens that slots into a corresponding little socket on the lense mount. The D40x doesn't have that little socket so lenses that rely on it won't autofocus with it. Its the camera, nothing to do with the lenses. Another bizarre decision by Nikon recently.

Thirdfox

The D40/D40x does not autofocus with old Nikon lenses (including many "current" lenses - in case anyone thinks I'm trying to be disingenuous). It can however use pre AIS lenses without modification unlike most other current Nikon dSLRs.

I wouldn't call it a bizarre decision - Canon moved from screwdrive many decades ago. Good to see Nikon moving with the times

DaireQuinlan

Thirdfox wrote: »

The D40/D40x does not autofocus with old Nikon lenses (including many "current" lenses - in case anyone thinks I'm trying to be disingenuous). It can however use pre AIS lenses without modification unlike most other current Nikon dSLRs.

I wouldn't call it a bizarre decision - Canon moved from screwdrive many decades ago. Good to see Nikon moving with the times

Will the D40/x actually meter with them (AIS/pre AIS) though ? Does it have that little widget that catches the Aperture lug ?

As regards bizarre decisions I was referring more to the G lenses. Originally I thought they were just going to make the consumer lenses G, but all the new pro lenses are G aswell. Its a pity. It instantly invalidates all their old MF cameras, including my FE-2 and to a certain extent my F4 :mad:

IIRC Canon actually came up with an entirely new lens mount when they switched to AF in the 80s , so Nikon is gradually catching up with them All the same, One of the reasons I originally went with Nikon is that wonderful lens compatibility. A Nikon F2 can mount and work perfectly with any lens made up until the advent of the G lenses. Similarly, a D200 or D300 will work with every single Nikon lens made since they started making the AIS lenses. Pretty impressive stuff.

Thirdfox

I think Pentax has better legacy support than Nikon - but how many lenses do they have?

D40(x) doesn't meter with AIS or pre AIS. I don't know about the aperture lug - I just read the info from dpreview forums (some guy bought a f2.8 pre-AIS zoom and was using it fully manually).

You can still use Manual and Shutter priority with G lenses right?

I do miss the "analog" functions on lenses - everything is moving to digital - we lose hyperfocal length markings, distance markings etc. etc. I would gladly pay €5 more if they would etch them onto even consumer lenses...

DaireQuinlan

Thirdfox wrote: »

You can still use Manual and Shutter priority with G lenses right?

nope, Manual relys on the Aperture information being picked up by the Aperture ring on the lens, G lenses don't have this. Also a G lens is stuck at F22 (or whatever) because it relies on the camera to switch it to the correct aperture. So my FE-2 is outa luck. My F4 still gets Shutter priority (because the camera can set the aperture) but no manual or aperture priority, which is the mode my cameras are stuck in about 99% of the time ...

I do miss the "analog" functions on lenses - everything is moving to digital - we lose hyperfocal length markings, distance markings etc. etc. I would gladly pay €5 more if they would etch them onto even consumer lenses...

Yeah, totally agree. The most modern lens I probably own is a 20-35 2.8. Its sleek black good looks are completely ruined by a hand scribbled DOF/Hyperfocal chart stuck onto one side of it :rolleyes:

sunny2004

sunny2004 wrote: »

Tamron..

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/photo/lenstech/tamron/1750DiII.html
its coming in at around 280 sterling...

But I wish to explore the VR options.. anyone got a link to the same type of lens as the tamron but with VR ??

Only an idiot quotes himself

So the question is what do you think of this 2.8 lens ??

DaireQuinlan

sunny2004 wrote: »

Only an idiot quotes himself

So the question is what do you think of this 2.8 lens ??

Yeah, sorry, I think I sidetracked that conversation a bit :rolleyes:
I'd go for brand lenses every time given the choice. I'd be more inclined to go for a Nikkor 3.5-4.5 than a Tamron 2.8. Thats just me being a little snobby though. I'd google the lens and see what people think of it ...

sunny2004

DaireQuinlan wrote: »

Yeah, sorry, I think I sidetracked that conversation a bit :rolleyes:
I'd go for brand lenses every time given the choice. I'd be more inclined to go for a Nikkor 3.5-4.5 than a Tamron 2.8. Thats just me being a little snobby though. I'd google the lens and see what people think of it ...

I agree about the same brand as all my prime lenses are Nikkor but tamron have a good reputation and the prices for a nikkor 2.8 17-55 lens are madness...

DaireQuinlan

sunny2004 wrote: »

I agree about the same brand as all my prime lenses are Nikkor but tamron have a good reputation and the prices for a nikkor 2.8 17-55 lens are madness...

Yeah, all those pro 2.8 zooms tend to be a little ... extortionate ... 3.5->4.5 or a straight F-4 lens in the focal length you want is a good enough compromise though. Theres a nice 18-35 3.5->4.5 non DX lens that retails AFAIK for about 400 euros or thereabouts. That would be about the 27->55 range, nice range for normal photography, and you could use it on your film cameras aswell.

sunny2004

OK
Time for the mad questions


I have bought online a 55-200 VR nikkor lens..

Now I am considering getting a

D40 as it ships with
"This new interchangeable-lens DSLR ships out with the new 3X 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens"

Use the D40 as a backup camera and take the lens off it ?? will it fit on my D200 ??

Cost of 55-200 vr 130 sterling

cost of d40 with 18-55 lens £269 sterling


What do you think and feel free to say I am barking...

Thirdfox

I love my 55-200VR lens - it's fantastic value for money - see the pics in my flickr set (they're all taken with either the 200vr or the 18-55 II kit lens on D40).

Both lenses will fit the D200 (they're the ones I'm using right now). Most people are quite fond of the 18-55 - its optical performance is adequate (especially as an 18mm f3.5 prime )

But since your body is pretty advanced are you sure you don't want to get some better glass?

Taken with 18-55:


taken with 55-200vr:


edit: be aware that perhaps not all your lenses that work with the D200 will autofocus with the D40 (they have to be AFS/AFI, HSM or OS for autofocus to work).

Thirdfox

Where did you find a 55-200VR for that price? Seems very cheap (almost suspiciously so) - unless you're ordering from the US and in that case you'll be hit for VAT and duty...

sunny2004

Thirdfox wrote: »

I love my 55-200VR lens - it's fantastic value for money - see the pics in my flickr set (they're all taken with either the 200vr or the 18-55 II kit lens on D40).

Great stuff !

OK I am sold on that.. I cant seem to find the kit lens on its own ? but will gladly byt the d40 ! love the images you posted, you have a good eye my friend..

as for the price its in sterling ??

Thirdfox

£130 equates to around €186 (according to Google anyway )
In Conn's (a reputable camera store in Dublin city) it's €370.

I got mine in a Chinese camera store for €230 4-5 months ago.

Thanks for the compliments

You can find the kit lens being sold (you can also look at the older version one of the 18-55mm - I believe there's even a second hand one being sold on adverts.ie right now). I heard there wasn't a major difference between the two versions.

But are you quite sure that you don't want to pair the expensive body with something less consumer grade than these two lenses? (I'm not knocking my own lenses but am aware of their limitations). You would normally find 17-55mm Nikkors or 17-50mm Sigmas (both constant f2.8 apertures) attached to the semi-professional bodies.

But I guess you already have some pro-glass on the D200 right now?

templeathea

sunny2004 wrote: »

Great stuff !

OK I am sold on that.. I cant seem to find the kit lens on its own ? but will gladly byt the d40 ! love the images you posted, you have a good eye my friend..

as for the price its in sterling ??

http://www.devoncamera.co.uk/index.cfm/photographic/Products.Details/product_id/284

They have the 18-55

sunny2004

ok. got the 55 200 vr sorted
and bought the d40x in order to get a kit lens, lets hope it works on the D200...
in addition I got the Tamron 2.8 lens mentioned earlier.

So all is good for now !