Nikon D40

[radone]

Since looking at all these beautiful pictures, especailly with macro lenses

Can you guys and girls recommend a macro lense for the Nikon D40

TIA

[Crimthann]

The Nikkor micro 105mm AF-S one. Beautiful lens but a bit pricey, however you get what you pay for. I tried it out from Rent Glass and it was very nice, can't wait to get mine .

[MJSavage]

I love the Sigma 150 HSM with my D40.

Mike

[Weeles]

I use the Sigma 105 f2.8 on Nikon D70s and D200s and find it is a really good lens. It is fast and really sharp, and although the auto-focus can be a little slow, this is off little consequence in Macro photography. It is every bit as good as the Nikkor version, but only half the price, (at least it is in the UK).

However, don't get carried away with the macro len's ability to focus close. At high magnafications the depth-of-field is very small and its all to easy to end up with photos that are out-of-focus. For most of my aquarium photos I use my Nikkor 17-55 f2.8 at mid zoom. I may capture a lot more than just the subject, but its all in focus and pin sharp, and I can crop to the size that I require without loss of quality.

It is much more pleasing to view a photo with sharp focus even if it has less detail.

Les

[jccash]

I also have a D40. What is nice about buying a great lens for it, you can always keep it and use it when you upgrade your camera. I am going to give my D40 to my daughter with the two lenses it came with, but my good lenses I will keep to use with the D300 that I am planning to purchase. Cameras come and go but keep your lenses. LOL

[radone]

That was one of the main reasons I bought the camera
The body may be less than great but if/when I decide to upgrade I'll have good lenses.

At least that's what I hoping for anyway
I had a dimage 5 before but needed an upgrade, new to the Nikon brand but so far I like it alot.

I read the Tamron and Sigma lenses can be used, are they just as good?

[radone]

Weeles thank you,
I happened to see this

Hobby Experience: 50 years in Freshwater and 35 in Marine

WOW

[jccash]

Yes Tamron and Sigma are good lenses but I don't know enough to make a recommendation. I have a Tamron for my older Nikon FE 35mm camera that I used all over the world when I was a traveling video cameraman.

[hybridgenius]

What he said ^^^

[Weeles]

Thanks Radon

But don't give me too much credit, think of it this way.

Old fish keepers such as myself are more like Milk than like Wine
Wine gets better with age, milk just gets sour and bitter..!

ps before I forget, (which I do quite often these days), A happy and peaceful New Year to everyone.

Les

[bohlke]

Originally posted by radone
That was one of the main reasons I bought the camera
The body may be less than great but if/when I decide to upgrade I'll have good lenses.

At least that's what I hoping for anyway
I had a dimage 5 before but needed an upgrade, new to the Nikon brand but so far I like it alot.

I read the Tamron and Sigma lenses can be used, are they just as good?

The Tamron 90mm macro looks like its real nice, only manual focus (I think) on the D40. I will let you know how I like it after it arrives on Tuesday!

[radone]

Thanks, be interested in your thought on that lense

[Namyar]

So radone if you don't mind if I cut in here what lens did you end up getting. I just got a new D40 the other day the one it comes with is nice but I want even better.

[bohlke]

Originally posted by radone
Thanks, be interested in your thought on that lense

Well it is manual focus that isnt that big of a deal for macro shots. I finally can take a decent picture of my clam, still debating weather or not to use the hood. So far the lens is working great!

[jccash]

I have a D40 and an older vivitar Lens with Marco that I used with my old Nikon F3. The older lens does not work with the D40. I have heard that some of the other Nikon DSLR cameras will work with the older nikon lenses.

[MJSavage]

I have had no problems using older lenses on my D40. It is manual focus and metering but the lenses to work great.

Mike

[jccash]

MJSavage, I tried my older Vivitar Series 1 28-105mm w/macro in manual. I am able to take a picture, but... very dark and grainy. I am going to play with it during the day outside where I have more light. I hope I can figure out how to make it work.

[MJSavage]

It is probably just a matter of learning how to use the back screen to adjust things in manual mode.

Mike