Jeremy Harrington

Lenses!!

Okay so I am thinking it may be time to expand my lens choice by investing in a new one.. So what I need to know is does anyone have any experience and preferencing between the:

Nikon 24-85mm f3.5-4.5G AF-S – requires a fair bit of saving and is an odd range..
Nikon 55-200mm VR – would compliment the kit lens well, but requires a little more saving up
Nikon 50mm f1.8D – Just realised D wont autofocus on my camera.. But not sure if that really matters..
Tamron AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] – very similar focal range to the kit lens, which is already a great lens..

The lens would be fore use on my D40.
These are the only lenses I can think of that have decent reputations and that I can afford haha.. University student budget really doesnt help!!

I generally shoot landscape and closeup shots, but i mean the lenses that i have in my kit may change the subjects that i shoot and i am only new to photography, so i am really quite open to different lenses..

Edit
Okay well after having a decent read throughout the internet, one thing I have learned is that the 24-85mm is VERY susceptible to dust getting on the front element due to the outer element wobbling at full zoom.. Not so good..
The 50mm sounds great and some example shots I have seen from it are superb quality, but i am just a little bit wary as to whether or not i might get annoyed at the fact that it only has one focal length, and id love to add a bit more zoom on to what i can reach now.. Also just realised that the D model 50mm lens wont autofocus on my D40..
The Tamron sounds like a great lens and I like that it is a zoom lens however it is much the same as my nikon 18-55, which in itself is a great lens..
The 55-200 VR is a tempter due to the range it has so I can get that extra zoom I would love to have, and the reviews on it seem quite positive, however it requires more money and I dont know whether it would get as much use as a wide-ish lens..

I really dont know what I am leaning towards, but I very tempted by the Nikon 50mm f1.8D even though the autofocus wont work on my camera.. There is still a focus indication light in the view finder to let me know when i have reached the focus that would be deemed perfect by the autofocus so i guess it isnt really much of an issue.. So far the best price I have found for this lens is around $140 brand new including shipping..

Daniel Rayfield, 6 months ago

have you tried the generic or non generic not sure which is which but you can buy the exact same things from china at an affordable rate
Debbie Black, 6 months ago

I have the Canon 50mm f1.8 and find it pretty useful… Portraits come out pretty well with it and low-light situations work better than before…. Can’t really comment further as I haven’t used it so often (only got it a couple of weeks ago!)
Agree with 6point1, try other branded lenses with nikon fitting – you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the quality (and lower prices!)
Jeremy Harrington, 6 months ago

Thanks a lot you two, yeah I have had a look at some tamron and sigma lenses, and to be honest i dont mind what brand is on my lens, just so long as it has good glass and a good reputation.. I have spent a fair bit of time reading through Ken Rockwell’s website along with many other google search results to find some well reputed lens..
Paul Buckley, 6 months ago

try ebay, you can get some good decent bargains there, I bought filters and wide lens and they are all great
Jeremy Harrington in reply to Paul Buckley’s comment, 6 months ago

Yep thats where i am looking.. already have about 5 lenses on my watchlist haha
Gayle Shaw, 6 months ago

Hi Jeremy. A 50 mm prime lens is primarily a portait lens. I have the 50 mm 1.4 lens (around $450). I wouldn’t buy it off ebay, there are too many shonks on there, I can give you the name of a great site in the US that is really reputable and I now wouldn’t buy anywhere else, plus the exchange rate is really great at the moment.
Darren Sharp, 6 months ago

Jeremy i have been advised that a great allround lens is an f 2.8 but i use a canon!!!
Not sure if that helps
Michele Duncan..., 6 months ago

Jeremy,
I use the Nikorr lens and the VR’s are the way to go. You can buy them cheaper on the internet (not ebay) at a wholesale camera websites. I have experience with Sigma’s too and they are not a bad lens. It depends on the type of shots you do. When you are out of school and can afford a macro the Nikkor 105mm 1:2 VR is the one I use and I love it! Michele
Jeremy Harrington in reply to Gayle Shaw’s comment, 6 months ago

Thanks Gayle, yeah I assumed that the 50mm was mainly for portraiture.. Can u please email me that store’s address or just post it here?
Jeremy Harrington in reply to Darren Sharp’s comment, 6 months ago

Thanks Darren, yeah I have been looking around at some f2.8s and they sound like pretty good lenses..
Jeremy Harrington in reply to Michele Duncan IPA’s comment, 6 months ago

Thanks Michele, could you recommend any sites? I have heard great things about the 105!
Michele Duncan..., 6 months ago

There is www.camera.com or do a google search. It may take some research and comparisons, but I always have bought from the internet and the camera stores prices seem to be more. I guess if you want immediate gratification and have the money you go that way. Take your time you will find what you need. Michele
Michelle Legg, 6 months ago

A new lens purchase – very exciting! If I’m thinking about the same place as Gail, the web address for the online store is http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

I’ve used these people myself and the goods arrived in perfect condition in 4 days from the States. If your order is under the $1000 mark, you don’t have to pay a customs fee etc.

Look forward to seeing some photos with the new lens – which everone you choose.
Jeremy Harrington in reply to Michelle Legg’s comment, 6 months ago

Thanks a lot Michelle :)
Camerashy, 6 months ago

Hi Jeremy, there is a very good web-site that might be of assistance, I will send you a bubblemail
KarDanCreations, 6 months ago

We have the D40x and have had some issues with it and the 55-200 AF-S 1:4-5.6 lens needing service repair. We also have a VR 70-300 AF-S 1:4-5.6 G, and love that one. Like anything being produced in quantity, someone is bound to get a “lemon”. We don’t have any problems with our 18-55 1:3.5-5.6 GII ED.
Martin Pot, 6 months ago

I think you probably need to determine what sort of photography you want to focus on (parden the pun ;-), as that will determine the most suitable lens.
Is the 24-85mm lens going to be fast enough for you? Or would you be better off with a faster lens (ie, f/2.8)?

With regards to buying lenses on the net, I’d recommend B&H
Jeremy Harrington, 6 months ago

Thanks a lot for the responses!
Martin, I would love to have a fast lens such as a 2.8, and am definitely looking around, but again i really dont have much leeway in terms of prices unfortunately.. another option could be simply to just wait it out and save up some money i guess..
photosan, 6 months ago

For macro, landscapes and portraits I use a 50mm 1.8 and 50mm 2.5 macro with 1.4 pro teleconverter…stopped down image quality is actually enhanced with the teleconverter even with some loss of light…For intermediate telephoto, landscapes etc: the 70/200 f/4L IS…for reaching out the 400mm 5.6L…birds in flight etc…
Jeremy Harrington in reply to photosan’s comment, 6 months ago

Thanks a lot, I am actually quite tempted to get the 50mm..
photosan, 6 months ago

On the MTF scale from Photodo…the 50mm 1.8 is 4.2 and the 50mm 2.5 is 4.4…It is extremely difficult to find any lens at any price to compare with these two primes in image quality, and almost none to compare in price…