Decent Macro lens for the Nikon D40

spav

I'm in the market for a macro lens, but it'll have to be one that'll work with the D40 - I understand that there's issues with AF not working with some lenses?

Any suggestions? I don't want to spend the earth, but equally I don't mind investing a bit in something that'll last me years. I've already got the standard a 18-55 and decent 55-200, so I think I'll be pretty much covered once I have a macro lens. Until the day that I dare try some of the manual settings that is....

sunny2004

look at the sigma range of macro lenses.
especially the 50mm macro prime..

magicbastarder

that doesn't offer AF with the D40, though.

dakar

You could consider getting some screw on close up filters to put on the front of your kit lens, obviously won't give the same image quality as a dedicated Macro lens, but will give you an idea of whether you want to invest further.

This avoids the hassle of finding a lens to AF on your D40 as the kit lens will focus fine with these on. I posted some a while ago that I took with a D50 and 50mm lens, but in the same session, I took some with the kit lens too and they came out fine.

For €25-30 on eBay, you can't go wrong, and if it really gets you into macro, well then the only limit is the depth of your wallet!

EDIT another option is extension tubes, but these will knock out both AF and metering!

spav

dakar wrote: »

You could consider getting some screw on close up filters to put on the front of your kit lens, obviously won't give the same image quality as a dedicated Macro lens, but will give you an idea of whether you want to invest further.

This avoids the hassle of finding a lens to AF on your D40 as the kit lens will focus fine with these on. I posted some a while ago that I took with a D50 and 50mm lens, but in the same session, I took some with the kit lens too and they came out fine.

For €25-30 on eBay, you can't go wrong, and if it really gets you into macro, well then the only limit is the depth of your wallet!

EDIT another option is extension tubes, but these will knock out both AF and metering!

That could be an interesting option - ta.

I don't really want to pay the earth just to get a lens that works AF on the D40, as chances are I'll be upgrading the body sooner rather than later anyway.

Speaking of which, am I right in thinking that anything above the D40x is free from this AF issue?

Lionsden

Just a quick point. I wouldn't get too wrapped up in auto focus for macro,... you're much better off focusing by hand, especially if using a small depth of field.

Leo.

Arciphel

Buy a 50mm f1.8 and a set of Kenko extension tubes, that should get you up and running for about €150. Middle of the road, you could go for the Sigma 70mm f2.8 macro or the Nikon 60mm f2.8 AF-D Macro. Or if you feel like going for the best (and why not, you deserve it! :pac:) then spring for the Nikon 105mm AF-S VR macro, yum.

dakar

spav wrote: »

Speaking of which, am I right in thinking that anything above the D40x is free from this AF issue?

No as far as I'm aware the AF issue is that there's no AF motor in the body of the D40, D40X or D60. As a consequence, you need a lens with a motor inbuilt, Nikon AF-S or Sigma HSM (I think).

Lionsden makes a good point about focusing, but it can be difficult to focus accurately through the viewfinder!

Arciphel

If you had a D60 then you would have live-view, with that you wouldn't need an in-built AF motor. But remember, you can still focus manually and the autofocus indicator will tell you when you are in focus by lighting up that green dot on the left of your viewfinder display. So you can still check focus, you just don't have a motor to auto focus.

mcdonnells

I have a Nikon AF 105mm f2.8D macro lense not vr. Driving this on a D40, Does not Autofocus, but with Tripod and Macro Shots, Not Critical.
Some great offers Secondhand.
Really Like it.

paulusdu

Would the same Macro Len;s work on a D60 ?