I Think I Made A Breakthrough. Also, Anyone Have Recommendations for Nikon-Compatible Lenses?

[dballance]

Okay, so never underestimate the benefit of just sitting there with your camera and it's manual (or the third-party manual I got on sale at Powell's bookstore) and just clicking through all the settings. I knew the basics of what f-stops and shutter speed meant but never really fooled with them on my current DSLR. It's a Nikon D40 and I have the stock 18-55mm/3.5-5.6 that comes with and a 18-200mm/3.5-5.6 that I picked up refurbished.

I finally figured out how to adjust the aperture, shutter speed and ISO with the camera in full manual mode. Now I can start trying to be really artistic (after much practice). Full-auto has allowed me to take some excellent pictures but then I think "Why do I have a decent body and two lens for if I'm going to use it as a point-and-shoot?" Thank goodness it's digital so I don't have to waste a lot of film and processing $$ to try things out. My photography is pretty standard amateur stuff. No professional portraiture or anything like that in my future.

So I'm getting the idea I probably should have a 35mm or 50/55mm prime lens with as low an f-stop as I can afford. Nikon has a 35mm 1.8 I see online for under $200. I've never used third-party lenses with the camera. I'm not all that tied to the auto-focus and understand my D40 can't focus certain lenses even within the Nikon line. That's okay since I used to use a film 35mm without auto-focus I could live with it. When I upgrade I'll stay within the Nikon D-series.

Anybody had good luck with third-party lenses? Which ones?

Also, any advice, and "are you nuts - you don't know what you're doing" comments are okay too. I'm just now transitioning from using the camera as an expensive point-and-shoot to a real camera.

Here's a picasa gallery of photos I took I don't hate

https://picasaweb.google.com/111080945812562422368/DUPhotos#

[justiceischeap]

1. You can't go wrong with Nikon glass, no matter what anyone says

I've used Sigma's and Tamron's with my Nikons and have been pleased with the results but I'm not a pro photog.

As far as the 35mm lens goes, it depends on what you're looking for? Since the D40 has an aps-c sensor, that means 35mm is roughly the equivalent of 50mm lens and a 50 would be 75mm. It's always easier to walk forward to get close-ups than it is to walk backward, IMO. So, I'd take that into consideration. I have the 50mm 1.8 for my Nikon and, thought I don't use it as often as a I should, I love it.

[Stevenmarc]

2. I haven't had a huge issue

with third party lenses but I tend to like Sigma better than Tamron simply because Sigma feels better machined and Tamron feels a tad plastic'y to me.

Another alternative is to check the used department of places like B&H Photo for Nikon glass. I've got a few great bargains, they are checked out really well and they stand by their product.

Finally if you ever are in the market for a higher end lens I would recommended that you rent it first, it's a cheap way of getting a real world test, and another alternative to this is, and a great reason to join a camera club, is that someone usually has the lens you are considering and you can usually get someone to let you use theirs especially if there's a lunch in it for them.

[dballance]

3. Renting is a great idea. Thanks.

I got my zoom lens as a refurb from Nikon. Love it. Have no issues with it ever.

I didn't know you could rent lenses. That makes sense for high-end lenses. Although, high-end comes pretty soon for my budget. When I upgrade my camera body I'll look at what's available on the refurb/used market first. Good cameras like Nikons and Canons are like good used Hondas and Toyotas. You can always find one in good shape from an owner who took care of it but just HAD to have the latest and greatest when it came out.

[ManiacJoe]

4. Sigma and Tamron are good options,

but all my lenses are Nikon.

As already pointed out, renting is a good option for trying before you buy.

The one downside to manual focus on DSLRs is that the default focus screens lack all the focus aids that the old film SLRs had, which makes it harder than it need be.

Lots of knowledgeable and friendly folks over at http://www.nikonians.org if you have questions about all things Nikon.

[Major Nikon]

5. What you want to look for with Nikon lenses is AF-S

Nikon AF-S lenses will autofocus with your camera. You can use AF lenses, but you must focus manually as autofocus will not work on your camera or the D3xxx or D5xxx series cameras if you upgrade. Most AF lenses don't manually focus very well because they have a short throw and less focus ring turn resistance compared to a dedicated manual focus lens. Most (if not all) Nikon manual focus lenses will not meter with your camera and the same is true for the D3xxx and D5xxx series cameras. This is because they lack the chip which communicates with the camera body. Another problem you will run into with trying to manual focus with these cameras is there is no split circle focusing screen to aid with manual focusing. You have to rely on the green dot, or just guess as many of these lenses lack a distance scale.

3rd party lenses have different designations. What you want to look for is a lens that has an focusing motor, as your camera lacks an internal focusing motor. If the lens manufacturer says it will autofocus with the D3xxx or D5xxx series cameras, it will also autofocus with your D40.

[sir pball]

6. I have a Tamron 18-270mm in addition to bags of Nikon glass..

It's not terrible, but not exactly great either - it's got a good bit of distortion and vignetting, but it's the tradeoff for such a wide zoom range (and probably why the OEMs don't push them that far). Nothing Lightroom/Photoshop lens corrections can't fix though.

I'd recommend the 35mm/1.8 AF-S G that you're looking at, the only better lenses I have are "vintage" all-metal MF beasts from the 70s. If you're seriously considering MF though, it would be well worth the money to get a focusing screen. Check eBay for cheapies.