D40x + tamron 18-250?

I plan to buy D40X and I need an advice regarding which lens to choose. I want one (preferable), max. two lenses and I search to cover 18 - 200 mm with good results.

According to my buget and from what I know so far, I have two options:
1. 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR + 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX
2. Tamron 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 AF Di-II LD Aspherical (IF)

Did someone test Tamron 18-250 with D40X? Is ok? Or to choose Nikkor 18-55 + 55-200 VR - this is also cheaper and ... is nikkor?

thankx,
--
Tudor

AFAIK the tammy will not autofocus on a d40.
--
Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/

How about the Sigma 18 to 200 OS.
http://www.tristatecamera.com/lookat.php?refid=263&sku=SIGAFDC18200ON
--
Gene from Western Pa
see profile for equiptment
http://imageevent.com/grc6
http://grc225.zenfolio.com/



Just trying to learn and it's slow going!

thanks a lot. I search for Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS and found very different opinions obout its performance. I'm still not decided about what lens to have for a nikon D40X. Reading and reading reviews/comments, I also found out that D40X have some kind of problems with dust... because there's isn't a mechanism for cleaning the sensor and to keep the dust away from it. this could be an issue.

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Tudor

Tudor07 said:

thanks a lot. I search for Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS and found
very different opinions obout its performance. I'm still not decided
about what lens to have for a nikon D40X. Reading and reading

Click to expand...

What's wrong wiht the standard kit lenses? 18-70 for example.

Tudor07 said:

reviews/comments, I also found out that D40X have some kind of
problems with dust... because there's isn't a mechanism for cleaning
the sensor and to keep the dust away from it. this could be an issue.

Click to expand...

Only if you want it to be. D50, D70, D80, D200 don't have the mechanism either.

Tudor07 said:

--
Tudor

Click to expand...

--
Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/

I have a D40x and pucharsed the tamron 18-250 to be my main travel lens. However, I quickly returned it because it will not autofocus on the D40x, and it does not have image stabalization.

In its place I purchased the Nikkor 18-200mm VR, which I love. I returned my 55-200mm lens and used the money to pay for part of the 18-200.

Look at the Nikon 18-200 VR and for $200 less you could get the Sigma 18-200 OS..

The dust on the sensor isn't a problem at all. The sensor cleaning devises in other cameras have been proven to have very little effect, and still require manual cleaning after a while. Blowing air on to the sensor with a rocket blower (not canned air) is fairly simple and works just great.

Tim

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/timak/

I cannot afford now 18-200...

I think 18-70 is excellent and I'll buy it together with the D40X. Chromatic aberration is low, vignetting and distortion are acceptable - all these convinced me to choose 18-70 instead of 18-135. I will cover more focal length range in the future with another lens and thus I'll have better quality and ... 2 lenses

thanks for your help!
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Tudor

I agree that the 18-70mm is a good place to start with lenses, it’s quite well built and have good performance characteristics all at a very affordable price. The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 is an excellent standard zoom lens but maybe a bit short on the tele side for some.

I always feel that people who talk about having one lens that covers all (or most) of their shooting needs should just buy a good “Point & Shoot” and call it George.

You should be aware of the review “bogie”, you will read 20 positive reviews about a lens and some jerk will write one negative review and that will screw everything up in your mind, so you start all over again.

Just take a look at the great people on this site and the equipment they use for great shots:

“Tech1961” uses his 70-300VR to do his fantastic bird shots while “Morris” works with his 80-400VR for his remarkable bird shoots.

And while you will hear a lot about the “softness” of the 18-200VR in many reviews “DezM” has shown that this is not the case in actual practice with his memorable shots of New York.

There is no “one size fits all” perfect lens for everyone, we all shoot different things in different ways. There are people with “cr@p” equipment that do some outstanding stuff and people with very elaborate and expensive setups that shoot absolute “cr@p”.

Just buy what feels right for you; physically, mentally and financially and enjoy taking photos, once you get some hands-on experience you will be able to decide for yourself what are the right lenses for the things you prefer to shoot.

Good Luck.

Kish.

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Get the D40x body only (save the money of the 18-55 kit lens) and invest into the Nikkor 18-200VR instead.

It's only $250 more than the Tamron, but the VR alone is worth this difference (and 100 times more usefull than the additional 50mm reach). And it may be the only lens you ever need.

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Regards,
JH
http://www.jh-photography.net

Thank you, Kish. I welcome your advice regarding reviews. I registered here yesterday in order to find out more about what I'm not sure of. I have a nice PoweShot S2is but I'm looking for a SLR because I like so much taking photos and because S2is now shows its limits for me.

I posted on this forum and I received very good advices. Most probably I'll buy the 18-70 and, later on, I will extend with a worth tele.

thanks again
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Tudor

archer69 said:

Get the D40x body only (save the money of the 18-55 kit lens) and
invest into the Nikkor 18-200VR instead.

It's only $250 more than the Tamron, but the VR alone is worth this
difference (and 100 times more usefull than the additional 50mm
reach). And it may be the only lens you ever need.

Click to expand...

Yep your two lens option is the 18-55 and 55-200 (they are slower to autofocus than othere Nikons though).
The 18-200mm VR is probably your best lens to cover this range in one lens.

Don't discount the 18-135. It is a bit shorter and no VR but it is a very sharp lens. But if you want the 18-200 range and VR you are probably better to just bite the bullet and get it.

Tamron are no good at the moment (nothing will autofocus except maybe the new 28-300 coming out)

You Need a NIKON AF-S or a SIGMA HSM (there is the odd Sigma non HSM lens that works but very few and generally only at the pro end)

Cheers Darin

Hi. I am looking into purchasing another zoom lens to take pictures of my kids in outdoor sports. I have a D50 and was wondering if the Tamron 18-250 would suit me?

I would forget the D40x and just get the D40. There isn't much difference between the two (only $200).

If you buy the 18-55 and the 55-200 you are going to spend about $320, and if you get only the 18-250 your spending $500...and that is not including the camera body.

I would buy a refurbished D40 and a 18-200 VR. Total cost would be about $1150. Plus the D40 comes with the 18-55.

If you got the D40x and any combo lenses that you stated your ranging from $900-$1100.

Spend your money in the lens. Cameras lose their value where lenses tend to retain their value.

Check out kenrockwell.com. He does a good job reviewing cameras and explains things like why megapixel's don't matter.

Also go to adorama.com and check out their prices. I use them all the time, they are a great store and you can't beat their prices.

I just got a D40 from adorama about 3 hours ago...so far I love it!! Here is a pic I just took with the D40 and 70-200 VR. VR (and the quality of the lens) makes all the difference in the world...shot handheld at 1/8 sec at f3.5 iso 200. Can't wait to play with this combo some more!!



Hope this helps. Good luck shopping and shooting.

If you want really nice shots, consider a 2.8 lens. I have the Sigma 70-200 and love it. It is a fast lens so the shutter speed can be kept higher than consumer glass, very fast focusing, very sharp and excellent bokeh. They are big, a little heavy, and can be found used for under $600.
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Apolooza
apolooza.smugmug.com

thank you for the hint. I didn't know about kenrockwell.com.

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Tudor

Good choice!

And if you can afford it, by as second lens the AFS 70-300 VR. a very good lens...
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papadoc

RSales said:

Hi. I am looking into purchasing another zoom lens to take pictures
of my kids in outdoor sports. I have a D50 and was wondering if the
Tamron 18-250 would suit me?

Click to expand...

The Tamron would probably suit you, however you would be suprised how little there is between 200 and 250 in real use. They are almost the same for outdoor soccer at least. I think you have to go all the way to 400 to really tell the difference. I have the 18-200 and am very glad I got it. Many complain about the softness but it's sharp enough for kids sports. Also, the VR is great, because when the kids are playing at dusk I am sometimes forced to shoot at 1/200th, which I couldn't do with my non VR lenses, so the VR is buying me something. Also, it's the ONLY lens I own that focuses close up and does it accurately. I have a 50mm, a 70-210, a sigma 50-150 and they all have focus errors, either that or my camera has an error, so I guess I should say that my 18-200 is matched perfectly to my D80. By the way, even though it's not a macro lens it allows you to focus about 9 inches from the end of the lens even at 200mm. Not sure if the 18-250 will allow that. My has zoom creep which I thought I would hate, but I don't.

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studio5photo