dcphotography

Regina, look at the 55-200mm AF-S VR. It's f/4.5 (or f/4?)-5.6.

Old lenses are great, I use a 50mm f/1.8E (replaced mostly by a 50mm f/1.8D now..) a 135mm f/2.8 Nikkor-Q, a 55mm f/3.5 Micro-Nikkor (pre-AI, about to trade it for a 35mm f/2.8 Nikkor-S) on my D40.

I would get the Nikon 35mm f/2D AF. I'm pretty sure the Ultron 40 doesn't AF, which isn't a problem for myself but might be a problem for you. I'm pretty sure it would be the same with the Nokton 35mm f/1.4. I wouldn't get the Tokina, there seems to be no improvement over the Nikon 35mm f/2D other than closer focusing.

Weapon of Mass Creation 8D.

All I can say is ouch...

The 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 is probably the best kit lens out there, get that instead of the 18-135. (or get the 18-200) The 18-70mm is a bit faster at the long end (f/4.5 compared to f/5.6) but is obviously shorter on the long end.. 70mm compared to 135mm.

 

The 18-70mm's mount is also metal compared to the plastic mount of the 18-135mm.

Definitely a D40. You're on a budget, after all, and the D60 isn't *that* much better for the extra cost.

 

Kyle West, the D60 has the same menu system as the D40 and is equally menu-operated (ISO, WB, all those settings..) as the D40.

 

The 18-200mm lens is a great general purpose lens.

"With the faster sensors available today, the need for lenses faster than f/1.4 becomes vanishingly small. "

 

So does anyone think that f/1.8 or f/1.4 lenses will become less common? (eventually becoming specialty lenses?) I mean, big apertures aren't only there for speed, they're for less depth of field too.

Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 AF-S IF-ED VR? Around $500 on B&H.

I would not recommend it. I would recommend a 50mm f/1.8D and a set of Kenko extension tubes. Most people including me use manual focus for macro work seeing as it is more precise.

 

The kenko tubes will maintain metering and I think AF (even though you will want to switch to MF).

 

You'll also want to stop down and use a tripod for DoF.

 

:D

Mark Dalrymple: So it would stay loose with the D40/x/60?

"The focus ring on my 85 f/1.8D is loose when it's in my bag. When it's on the camera, there aren't any problems."

 

Anyone know how that works? Whats the reason for that?

David King, that's how I held it when I used a friend's 70-200. Must be something with the name David?

(I'd spring for the D300 myself and upgrade the zoom later... mmmD300)

Both lenses will work as intended on the D80 or better (modern DSLRs). Just don't get a D40/x/60 and you should be set (D40/x/60 don't have an internal focus motor which is required to AF the lenses you have).

http://youtube.com/watch?v=z2ok3p8WHII

 

Worked for that guy :).

The D60 will work with these lenses but will not meter. I don't find no-metering to be a problem (I shoot regularly with the 55mm f/3.5 Micro-Nikkor and 50mm f/1.8 E series)

What is your exposure compensation set at?

Hmm. It seems to be working again. Odd.

The diopter switch thing on my D40 moves but the actual diopter won't. It's stuck to the two highest levels. I

asked Nikon and they said to send it in. So I think I'll bring it to where I bought it first but if they don't do

anything I'll send it off to Nikon.

 

Has anyone else ever had this happen to their D40/x/60? I'm pretty sure I haven't bumped it.

Does this involve pushing the button and rotating the thumb wheel?

 

Yes. The others I'm not sure. I don't use an exposure lock, and I have a D40 so I'm not sure about the digital rangefinder either. My D40 only displays a dot when focused, and it's very accurate (or so it seems).

Edward, just curious, why not use a pencil eraser?

Max Chiu, when you turn it as far as you think it can go, do you hear a click?

The SB-900's MSRP is $500.

 

SB-800 is, I believe, $320 or so.

Active D-Lighting definitely matters. Turn it off :).