Idiots guide to lenses?

spav

Is there such a thing?

I've been looking around recently with a view to adding to my lenses (I have a D40), but I have no idea what I'm doing, I find it really confusing.

Is there a rough guide to what i should be looking for - i.e. xxx means that it's a macro, xxx means it's a wide angle etc.?

I kind of know what I want from a new lens - or more accurately, what my existing lens won't do - but I'm bewildered by the array of numbers and letters!

Why can't they call the lenses the 'Nikkor Zoom-y' or 'Sigma Very Close Up? Eh?!

CabanSail

I would first find out what you want to do that you cannot do now & then do some research in that area.

For example, if you were to get into Landscape then you will probably use a Wide lens (24mm equiv or less) but it doesn't need to be fast (wide apertures) as you will generally be shooting on a tripod & more than f16.

If you were to go for Sports then it would be almost the opposite of the above (Long & Fast)

Generally the better the quality of the glass the sharper the lens will be & the more expensive it will be too.

spav

CabanSail wrote: »

I would first find out what you want to do that you cannot do now & then do some research in that area.

For example, if you were to get into Landscape then you will probably use a Wide lens (24mm equiv or less) but it doesn't need to be fast (wide apertures) as you will generally be shooting on a tripod & more than f16.

If you were to go for Sports then it would be almost the opposite of the above (Long & Fast)

Generally the better the quality of the glass the sharper the lens will be & the more expensive it will be too.

I think I want something good for macros for my next lens. I have a decent 55-200 that's good for sports, and the 18-55 kit lens will do for now when it comes to landscapes (though I want a wide angle eventually). Any suggestions of something under €500?

spav

This for example - http://cgi.ebay.ie/TAMRON-AF-70-300mm-f4-5-6-Di-LD-Macro-1-2-NIKON-AF-FIT_W0QQitemZ130252979928QQihZ003QQcategoryZ30070QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Too good to be true?

challengemaster

No...no reason it should be either. It's the same as Sigma's 70-300 macro.. It's not a 'real' macro.. in fairness.

Proper macro lenses are fast (f/2.8~f/3.5 and under) and generally static lenses. eg. 100mm f/2.8 macro..

spav

challengemaster wrote: »

No...no reason it should be either. It's the same as Sigma's 70-300 macro.. It's not a 'real' macro.. in fairness.

Proper macro lenses are fast (f/2.8~f/3.5 and under) and generally static lenses. eg. 100mm f/2.8 macro..

OK, I see - so that's a lens that does macro, rather than a dedicated macro lens?

It's starting to make a lot more sense now. I've a much clearer idea of what I need to be looking for, thanks.

melekalikimaka

just make sure the lens you buy has a built in motor.

ie hsm for sigma or AF-S for nikon