Lens advice

Gonzovision

I'm looking into buying a lens for shooting landscape for my nikon d-40. I don't think there is a point in paying a premium for a nikkon AF-S lens( or am I wrong?) I really don't have a clue what to look for or where to look. Any advice guys?

nilhg

I can't advise you on the lens, but you should really give the Nikon experts a budget to work with.

Danbo!

gonzovision wrote: »

I'm looking into buying a lens for shooting landscape for my nikon d-40. I don't think there is a point in paying a premium for a nikkon AF-S lens( or am I wrong?) I really don't have a clue what to look for or where to look. Any advice guys?

Regarding paying a premium - I have a D40 and went to buy the new 50mm 1.4 AFS recently. Decided to get the 1.8 AF* instead (about a third of the price). Now I knew I wouldnt be able to autofocus on the D40, but it'd help me learn to manual focus. Also, with a 1.8, the depth of field is quite shallow, so you can have a good play around with it.

With landscapes, you nearly always focus to infinity, or just a little before it, so manual focus wouldnt be too bad. But if you want to use the lens for anything else, you might miss the autofocus function. I dont plan on shooting any gigs with my 50, I would have gone for the AFS in that case. But if shooting objects that arent moving, having only manual focus isnt the end of the world. You could use the extra few quid for a few filters, which will come in handy with landscape photography.


*Just to let anyone know who is considering the 50mm 1.8 AF for a D40/x/60 model, it does have an aperture ring, but it cant be used. You need to lock it into F22 and control it from the camera itself. I loved the fact it had one, but was disappointed I couldnt use it.

CabanSail

50mm would generally be too long for Landscapes.

You probably want to be about 18mm - 20mm (27mm - 30mm equiv) at the shorter end of a zoom. The lens does not need to be fast but sharp is alwys nice.

I have been using the Sigma 10-20 for landscapes* & it will AF on the D40.




* I am not good at landscapes.

Gonzovision

CabanSail that lens looks perfect. I really didn't want to lose out on the auto-focus as I've only had it a few weeks.

They are selling for around 370 on ebay. Would that be the best price?

Creamy Goodness

buy from here http://www.keaphoto.com/shop.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=277&category_id=22

it's $470 which is about €350, and comes from a very reputible source. I have bought a canon 100mm macro and canon 70-200mm L lens off kea-photo and never had any problems.

a lot of boardsies have bought off the shop before as well.

CabanSail

Those prices are about right. They are quite a good lens for the money. Not as sharp as the top of the line Nikon (or Canon) Glass but then it's a lot cheaper too.

soccerc

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

buy from here http://www.keaphoto.com/shop.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=277&category_id=22

it's $470 which is about €350, and comes from a very reputible source. I have bought a canon 100mm macro and canon 70-200mm L lens off kea-photo and never had any problems.

a lot of boardsies have bought off the shop before as well.

Similar price in Belfast and no import charges

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/399-030D/

Danbo!

CabanSail wrote: »

50mm would generally be too long for Landscapes.

Sorry, should have pointed out I wasnt recommending the 50 for the OP, just using it as an example of the need (or lack thereof) for AFS and my own experience!!

Creamy Goodness

soccerc wrote: »

Similar price in Belfast and no import charges

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/item/399-030D/

i've always been meaning to take a trip up there sometime

soccerc

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

i've always been meaning to take a trip up there sometime

I would strongly recommend it. :cool: