Newb to good camers

I have used a point and shoot camera for some time and want to move up to a better camera. I have been eyeing the Nikon D40X but don't know what lense is best for shooting high school baseball and soccer. What would give the best results for the price?

Thanks

In the daylight you can most likely get by with a 70 to 300......but for indoors or at night you may want to read this thread.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=23971083
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Gene
From Western PA.

Panasonic FZ 20 and FZ30
D50 and lenses.

http://imageevent.com/grc6



Just trying to learn and it's slow going!

So i need something better than the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens?

D40's kit lens is very good. If you are on a budget go for Tamron 17-55 2.8. Otherwise get 17-55 nikkor. Latter one is a beast and if you dont mind weight.

DeeJac said:

D40's kit lens is very good. If you are on a budget go for Tamron
17-55 2.8. Otherwise get 17-55 nikkor. Latter one is a beast and if
you dont mind weight.

Click to expand...

Just be aware the Tamron 17-50 2.8 will not auto-focus on the D40(x).

The Tamron will AF on the more full-featured D80, and that combination will cost less than the Nikkor 17-55 / D40x combo.

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Patco
A photograph is more than a bunch of pixels

You need a lens with a decent range, at least 200mm. For the D40 I would recommend the 55-200 vr. It's not great for sports in lower light situations but it has enough reach and can autofocus on your camera. I recommend the vr over the regular 55-200 only because for the price difference it is well worth it.
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Apolooza
apolooza.smugmug.com

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Cheers,

Alex
http://rundadar.smugmug.com

'...turtles are great speed enthusiasts, which is natural.'
J. Cortazar

Better is not the key word......I just felt more reach would be called for for sports... and indoor or sports under lights require a faster lens.....

Most people shooting HS sports feel a lens at least F2.8 is a must and faster than that is better. (F1.8 or F2.)

You may start with the Kit lens and hopefully when you find a need for a faster lens there will be a few more options for the D40.

I would think if the results from your P&S are not too bad.......there will be a lot of info in the exif......What focal length you use most and do you want more reach...

also if your P&S is a F4 lens or so ,a D40 plus a 5.6 lens and shot at ISO1600 may give the results you will be satisfied with........they will not be perfect but they may be better than what you are getting now.

If you tell us which camera you are now using and the focal length you use most often and the ISO......perhaps include a photo with the exif included.....we can point you to the problems and/or the advantages you will face with the D40.

rh535 said:

So i need something better than the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II
AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens?

Click to expand...

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Gene
From Western PA.

Panasonic FZ 20 and FZ30
D50 and lenses.

http://imageevent.com/grc6



Just trying to learn and it's slow going!

Would it be better getting a Nikon D40 and a good lense over a D40X with a okay lense?

It is not so much a "good" lens question.....if indoor school sports is an interest of yours you will need a fast lens.....and as of today there is not one that will auto focus on either the D40 or the D40 X...but you would think that there will be a couple available soon.....both of the 40s are very good cameras.....if the lens choice was soon addressed.

The best lens available now is a used AF-s 80 to 200 F2.8 and its about 900 dollars used......and of course the 70 to 200 VR. $1600.00 new. If you have a while before you need the sport lens.....I am pretty sure there will be less expensive options soon.

I would get the 40X and a kit lens and when you decide what you need, I think it will be available.

I know I keep repeating the same thing....I just want you to be aware of the lens situation.

If its outdoor sports in the daylight you have many lens choices available now.Of course the fast lenses will still be great outdoors but you can get by with one of the kit lenses.
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Gene
From Western PA.

Panasonic FZ 20 and FZ30
D50 and lenses.

http://imageevent.com/grc6



Just trying to learn and it's slow going!

genece said:

It is not so much a "good" lens question.....if indoor school sports
is an interest of yours you will need a fast lens.....and as of today
there is not one that will auto focus on either the D40 or the D40
X...but you would think that there will be a couple available
soon.....both of the 40s are very good cameras.....if the lens choice
was soon addressed.
The best lens available now is a used AF-s 80 to 200 F2.8 and its
about 900 dollars used......and of course the 70 to 200 VR. $1600.00
new. If you have a while before you need the sport lens.....I am
pretty sure there will be less expensive options soon.

Click to expand...

Actually, the Sigma 50-150 f2.8 @ $679 will AF on the D40(x), and is probably long enough for indoor school sports.

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Patco
A photograph is more than a bunch of pixels

I keep forgetting about that lens..... its smaller and it is pretty sharp.
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Gene
From Western PA.

Panasonic FZ 20 and FZ30
D50 and lenses.

http://imageevent.com/grc6



Just trying to learn and it's slow going!