Novice: Help Needed
Discussion
In 6 weeks a friend and I are heading off on a road trip to Europe. We’re visiting some lovely places and I want to record as much of the journey as possible.
Currently I have a D40 with the stock lens (not very versatile in terms of zoom and does not seem to take a picture as good as my Lumix FX37) and wanted to get something a little more versatile before we head off. I will be taking landscapes, images of the motor under the sun, photos in places like Monaco, Modena, Portofino etc.
What would the PH masses suggest my next lens should be?
Can you also suggest a good car based charger for the battery? I shall be spending lots of time in the car and have ample opportunity there to charge up.
PS: I am aware the quality of my images is more down to me than the lens but from what I have read I can make some ground up with a better lens.
Currently I have a D40 with the stock lens (not very versatile in terms of zoom and does not seem to take a picture as good as my Lumix FX37) and wanted to get something a little more versatile before we head off. I will be taking landscapes, images of the motor under the sun, photos in places like Monaco, Modena, Portofino etc.
What would the PH masses suggest my next lens should be?
Can you also suggest a good car based charger for the battery? I shall be spending lots of time in the car and have ample opportunity there to charge up.
PS: I am aware the quality of my images is more down to me than the lens but from what I have read I can make some ground up with a better lens.
kybo said:
No idea if these lenses are any good:
Tamron 18-200, RRP around £160
Sigma 18-200, RRP around £220
Nikon 18-135, RRP is around £200.
HTH
Scott
I have the Sigma 18-200mm OS, and i really like it although i dont use it that often. I also have a Sigma 70-300mm lens which i bought for about 70 pounds and ive had some suprising results from that lens.Tamron 18-200, RRP around £160
Sigma 18-200, RRP around £220
Nikon 18-135, RRP is around £200.
HTH
Scott
LittleRedHead said:
How about the 18-135 lens with your D40?
I have this combination and its absolutely perfect as a travel set up - not too heavy, great pictures and not mega expensive. I love the fact that you still have the wide angle but also that little bit more zoom than the standard.
I've got one of these too managed to get it instead of the stock lens when purchased. I find it to be a good all round lens for a beginner like me. It's got a decent zoom and I'm not changing lenses every 5 mins. I have this combination and its absolutely perfect as a travel set up - not too heavy, great pictures and not mega expensive. I love the fact that you still have the wide angle but also that little bit more zoom than the standard.
Agree with the polarising filter, just got one and it's great!
I've lately been considering upgrading my D40's kit lens and these are the lens I considered:
Nikon AFS 18-70 f/3.5-4.5 - good condition used ones around £100-£125 and is supposed to be a step up from the 18-55
Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5 HSM DC Macro - also much higher IQ, used they're slightly more (harder to find than the Nikon above).
then for more money there are the constant f/2.8s:
Sigma 18-50 and Tamron 17-50. These again supposedly higher IQ and sharpness all over and obviously much quicker but your gonna pay more. The equivalent Nikon is the best but its way over your budget. Your also losing some reach compared to the above 2 so its a matter of what you want (extra reach vs more speed).
Though the Sigmas and Tamrons will feel much better built and durable compared to the Nikons the likeliness that you picked a duff one is higher as there complaints from some users of issues such as back-focussing or front focussing so just be careful when looking at them (new or used). If its a good one you should enjoy either of those much more than the kit lens.
Nikon AFS 18-70 f/3.5-4.5 - good condition used ones around £100-£125 and is supposed to be a step up from the 18-55
Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4.5 HSM DC Macro - also much higher IQ, used they're slightly more (harder to find than the Nikon above).
then for more money there are the constant f/2.8s:
Sigma 18-50 and Tamron 17-50. These again supposedly higher IQ and sharpness all over and obviously much quicker but your gonna pay more. The equivalent Nikon is the best but its way over your budget. Your also losing some reach compared to the above 2 so its a matter of what you want (extra reach vs more speed).
Though the Sigmas and Tamrons will feel much better built and durable compared to the Nikons the likeliness that you picked a duff one is higher as there complaints from some users of issues such as back-focussing or front focussing so just be careful when looking at them (new or used). If its a good one you should enjoy either of those much more than the kit lens.
riwiho said:
Having read a little round the subject how important is VR?
It is useful. In certain situations it will allow you to take a photo that you might otherwise not have been able to get. However, people managed to take good photos in all sorts of situations without optically stabilised lenses for years and you still can now.Nolar Dog said:
OP: I'm assuming you know that whatever lens you choose has to be an AF-S one?
Yes I am, thanks.Took the D40 to Wales this weekend and managed to get some nice photos with the stock lens but I forced myself to think what else I wanted from each shot.
After this experience I learned I will require something with a little more reach so going to look at getting a 55-200.
riwiho said:
andy-xr said:
riwiho said:
going to look at getting a 55-200.
It's OK, but not great. For around £100-£150 you'll get what you pay for 18-135?
How much more reach are you after? To 150? higher? There's a 70-300 but bearing in mind your starting point at 70mm it might be more than you were thinking in terms of reach
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