Help! Need to know difference between lenses

I am new to the photography game and just bought a Nikon D40. I want a higher powered zoom lense than the one that came with. To start I do not want multi lenses and was looking at a 18-200 or 18-250. I would like to spend no more than 450.00 for first time out. I am seeing a few different lenses that look pretty much the same and don't know the difference.<br /><br />Tamron 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 AF Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras - ** this is selling for 369.00<br /><br />Tamron AF 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens with Built In Motor for Nikon DSLR - ** this is selling for 449.00<br /><br />Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens with Built In Motor for Nikon Digital SLR - ** this is selling for 272.00<br /><br />So what is the difference? Which one would be best for me when I will be shooting regular family vacation photos and normal day to day pictures.<br /><br />Thank you so much. I appreciate it.<br /><br />Lisa

<p>The first one will not autofocus on your camera. The second one will, as will the third.<br>

The third does not zoom in as much as the second one.</p>

<p>take a close look at the nikon 18-135 DX. its a sharp lens and its affordable. In the same catagory for about the same money is the nikon 18-105 DX VR - a little less range but it has VR.<br>

they both will work on your camera.</p>

<p>From those three lenses you have listed, probably the 18-250 is best to choose for what you are looking for, to be able to get a lot of zoom and fit within the budget.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d.html/188-8929866-6764146?sp=1&a=B001DYC0CS">This</a> version has VR and gets pretty good reviews.</p>

<p>Remember that some times Nikon cameras will have trouble finding foucs at aperture greater than F 5.6.<br>

I have Tamron 28-300 F3.8-6.3 and my D70s and D700 sometimes has to hunt for focus at the higher zoom end because the lens goes to F 6.3 at about 200mm. Frustrating when you need to be quick.<br>

With your D40 you have to get lenses with the motor built in, with Nikons its the AF S lens.<br>

Eb</p>

<p>DON"T buy a lens that is slower than 5.6 at the long end. And I would avoid anything like this with no VR, too.</p>

<p>A Nikon 18-105 VR should be considered.</p>

<p>Lisa,</p>

<p>As has been noted by others, the zoom lenses that show a max aperture of f6.3 really limit their usefulness , when you have them zoomed out. The AF module in your camera look through the lens to see the scene, and f6.3 really makes the scene darker, so the AF may hunt around trying to find a sharp focus. Some lenses get to the max aperture before they reach their max length, so you may find those lenses hit f6.3 at a length well before 200mm. Just something to think about, when looking at lenses.</p>

<p>If I were you, I would look at keh.com and browse their used lens pages. Make sure you look for AF-S labeled lenses for your camera. That will get you more lens for the money. Even their "bargain" grade lenses are pretty good shape.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Lisa, I used to own Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens with Built In Motor for Nikon Digital SLR. It shot good images but it is a slow lens. Peter suggested a good lens. It comes in a kit with D90 and works great!<br>

good luck<br>

Adam</p>

<p>Another option is the Sigma 18-200mm HSM which does have image stabilization (OS). Unfortunatley it too is f6.3 at the long end. That will work in bright daylight but could require manual focussing in dimmer light or indoors. I too was recently looking for some compact, cheap and lightweight lenses for family outings. The obvious pick would be the Nikon 18-200mm VR, but I already have thousands of dollars worth of Nikon lenses and didn't want to spend that much more on a lens I would probably not use all that often. So, I bought the Nikons 18-55mm VR and 55-200mm VR. I bought them both on E Bay for a total price of $250. They will give me better image quality than any of the lenses you listed and are f5.6 meaning much less chance for autofocus problems unless the light level is really low. I know you said only one lens, but for me, the trade off of convenience for image quality and lower cost was worth it. The two lenses did virtually everything I asked at our recent trip to Disney/Florida and did it well. By buying those two lenses you will have money left over to buy the SB-400 flash too. For me, that would be a more useful package than an 18-200mm lens and no external flash.<br>

Kent in SD</p>

<p>I bought the Nikon 18-135mm a few months ago just for visiting family so I don't have to carry all my extra equipment. I find it to be very useful range, on the D300 the crop factor makes it close to the professional standard for 35mm film of 24-200mm (it's actually 27-197). You could also set the ISO to 800 or even 1600 to overcome the slower end 5.6 and still get very good images. The lens is very sharp and the colors are rich.</p>

<p>Lisa.... Buy the Nikon 18-200VR, and sell your 18-55mm kit lens to cover part of the cost. Or do what Kent said - keep your 18-55 and add a 55-200VR and an SB-400.</p>

<p>Michael.... I learn something everyday. I had no idea 24-200mm was "the professional standard for 35mm film."</p>

<p>Since you're new, do you really need a lens that goes to 200 mm? I've seen a lot of people getting fascinated by long lenses, getting those extra millimeters there and yet they rarely use those. On top of that, the 200 mm end is not good in those superzooms and you pay a penalty also in the image quality at shorter focal lengths, size and price. Consider a 16-85 or a 18-105 unless you really know why you need the superzoom. I can honestly say that I never needed anything longer than 100 mm for the types of photos that you describe.</p>

<p>Here's another option: Keep the D40 and its kit lens and buy a Nikon 70-300mm VR lens. Use the kit lens for normal and wide focal lengths, and use the long lens when you want to see the feathers on a distant eagle's head.</p>

<p>Yet another option: use the 18-55 kit lens and buy an independent 70-300mm for use when you need it. Long zooms are, by their nature heavy and cumbersome to carry all day: especially when they have an internal motor as needed by the D40 etc.</p>

<p>I have a D40x which has the same problem and I have found the Sigma 70-300mm APO lens to be a brilliant second lens.</p>

<p>Thank you all so much. You are all so knowledgeable. I think I better consider a smaller zoom or two different lenses. <br>

Thanks again!<br>

Lisa</p>