Help me pick lenses!

r3volution · 06-15-2008, 01:33 AM

Hey. I'm just getting into photography, and after quite a bit of research, I've pretty much decided on the Nikon D40. Since I know next to nothing about photography, I don't know which lenses to get. I've read that the 18-55 and the 55-200 are both good lens for beginners. Should I get both? or can I just get one now, and get the other later?

I also have a couple lenses from my dad's Nikon F4 (its fairly old...~18 years?). Can I reuse them on the D40?

Nikkor AF 35-70mm 1:2.8D
Nikkor ED AF 80-200mm 1:2.8D

I'm thinking that I can get the D40 + 18-55 II lens and reuse my dad's 80-200. Please correct me if this isn't a good decision.

Thanks!

TurboFan · 06-15-2008, 09:46 AM

Those are both very good lenses you list. Both would sell new for over $1300 if they are Af-s lenses.

The beauty of Nikon is any old Nikkor lens will work on your camera. You may not have all the bells and whistles available, but those lenses will do the only thing you need it to do right now - focus light on the CCD so you can take a picture. You don't need fancy metering or autofocus, just an opportunity to take pics and learn the relationship between shutter speed and aperature, and how they impact your photos.

Happy shooting!

ATG · 06-17-2008, 05:00 PM

Take a look at nikon 16-85VR. For a zoom lens, it's very sharp and has a very useful range.

r3volution · 06-18-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATG

Take a look at nikon 16-85VR. For a zoom lens, it's very sharp and has a very useful range.

Thanks, but I already purchased my camera + lens

I ended up getting the D40 + 18-55 DX

06-15-2008, 01:33 AM	#1
r3volution Lieutenant Drives: E90 328xi Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto \| Waterloo Posts: 470 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 328xi [0.00]	Help me pick lenses! Hey. I'm just getting into photography, and after quite a bit of research, I've pretty much decided on the Nikon D40. Since I know next to nothing about photography, I don't know which lenses to get. I've read that the 18-55 and the 55-200 are both good lens for beginners. Should I get both? or can I just get one now, and get the other later? I also have a couple lenses from my dad's Nikon F4 (its fairly old...~18 years?). Can I reuse them on the D40? Nikkor AF 35-70mm 1:2.8D Nikkor ED AF 80-200mm 1:2.8D I'm thinking that I can get the D40 + 18-55 II lens and reuse my dad's 80-200. Please correct me if this isn't a good decision. Thanks! __________________ 2008 BMW 328xi - Jet Black \| Black Leatherette \| Brushed Aluminum Trim Modifications - Blacklines \| Jet Black Front Grille \| Matte Black Finishing Rods \| LUX 5.1 Custom - Hidden Garage Door Remote \| Lego Rear Fogs Wheels/Suspension - VMR V710 Gunmetal Stgd \| Kumho Ecsta SPT \| Eibach Pro-Kit Springs
	Tweet

06-15-2008, 09:46 AM	#2
TurboFan Ski bum Drives: sideways Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Knee deep in the pow Posts: 6,208 iTrader: (8)	Those are both very good lenses you list. Both would sell new for over $1300 if they are Af-s lenses. The beauty of Nikon is any old Nikkor lens will work on your camera. You may not have all the bells and whistles available, but those lenses will do the only thing you need it to do right now - focus light on the CCD so you can take a picture. You don't need fancy metering or autofocus, just an opportunity to take pics and learn the relationship between shutter speed and aperature, and how they impact your photos. Happy shooting! __________________ 1999 e46 328i Ti Silver / Black[retired] 2007 e90 335xi Jet Black / Black[retired] 2011 e70 X5 35d Vermillion Red / Cinnamon 2011 e92 M3 LeMans / Fox Red extended

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

06-17-2008, 05:00 PM	#3
ATG Major Drives: f30 328 xdrive, e90 335i gone Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Eastside Posts: 1,057 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 328i xdrive [0.00] 2007 e90 335i [0.00]	Take a look at nikon 16-85VR. For a zoom lens, it's very sharp and has a very useful range.