D40 with a 18-200mm/18-105mm/55-200mm lens?

[jayjenxi]

Hi, I have been using my D40 with 18-55mm kit lens for a while now. I'm considering getting a new lens with a greater zoom range because I realise the need for higher tele range to get the shots I want.

I'm deciding between these 3 Nikkor lenses:

1. 18-200mm - this was what I was looking at initially
2. 18-105mm - my friend recommended this
3. 55-200mm - this is another alternative but it needs lens changing

Which would be a better choice? I'm not too keen on changing lens because I'm worried I'll spoil the lenses. But if I'm really forced to, I won't mind learning because I guess there'll come a point when I need to get used to changing lens quickly to get shots I want.

Budget is not an issue. I'm more concerned about IQ.

[lim8395]

does size n weight matters to u? if so i guess the 18-105VR is more than enuff, n it's cheaper too.

i did realise the 18-200VR af seems lsightly faster than the 18-105VR.

both about 100g difference.

[jayjenxi]

Is the size very different? That kind of weight difference won't matter to me.

[lim8395]

the 18-200 is prob only slightly bigger. if weight n price is not an issue...18-200 is a great walkabout lens

[An drew]

Originally Posted by jayjenxi I'm not too keen on changing lens Budget is not an issue. I'm more concerned about IQ.

If you are not too keen on changing lens then the 18-200 is probably the best choice.

[Numnumball]

Originally Posted by jayjenxi Hi, I have been using my D40 with 18-55mm kit lens for a while now. I'm considering getting a new lens with a greater zoom range because I realise the need for higher tele range to get the shots I want. I'm deciding between these 3 Nikkor lenses: 1. 18-200mm - this was what I was looking at initially 2. 18-105mm - my friend recommended this 3. 55-200mm - this is another alternative but it needs lens changing Which would be a better choice? I'm not too keen on changing lens because I'm worried I'll spoil the lenses. But if I'm really forced to, I won't mind learning because I guess there'll come a point when I need to get used to changing lens quickly to get shots I want. Budget is not an issue. I'm more concerned about IQ.

IQ and convenience wise. 18-200mm undoubtedly the obvious choice.

[ctm1968]

if u go for 18-200, then u may need a external flash too, cause it will have a shadow at the bottom of your piture when u use the internal flash. D40's body too small

[hushhourhash]

Hi, I've got a D40 too with the 55-200 lens, and although I think it's a great lens, it is very inconvenient having to switch lens - for example at my school's band concert, I was taking close up shots of the band members when someone requested a group shot of the alumni members and I was stuck with the 55-200 in a cramped room because I had left my bag elsewhere! For the convenience, the 18-200 seems to be the best choice!

[jayjenxi]

Thanks for the reply, everyone!

Originally Posted by ctm1968 if u go for 18-200, then u may need a external flash too, cause it will have a shadow at the bottom of your piture when u use the internal flash. D40's body too small

This is a very good point you brought up. I don't use flash that often anyway because I don't like the effect of the internal flash. Considering getting an external flash but that is if I'm going to take more indoor shots. So far, I've only been taking outdoors shot or indoors shot in areas that are brightly lit. Good point nonetheless.

Speaking of small camera body, I wonder if the lens would reduce the space available for me to hold the camera.

[iandustries]

i use the 18-200 on a d40 x.
it is great.
and of course the flash is an issue.

even with a sb400, unless i tilt the flash at the right angle, not the full picture will flash.


I would definitely rreccomend the 18-200

mine has served me well!

[jayjenxi]

Originally Posted by iandustries i use the 18-200 on a d40 x. it is great. and of course the flash is an issue. even with a sb400, unless i tilt the flash at the right angle, not the full picture will flash. I would definitely rreccomend the 18-200 mine has served me well!

Any problems in terms of grip?

[Six-GHz]

I've used the similar setup before, pairng a D40 with a 18-200mm. I found it to be a little front heavy due to the weight of the lens. And honestly, for plain value, I would rather get a 18-105mm, which covers most of my needs and much lighter, for less than half the price of a 18-200.

[henrylim]

I have used D60+18-200mm. Also used 18-70m+70-300mm before. I feel that if you are lazy to change lens for reasons of dust and lost opportunity, get the 18-200m VR.

If you are not too picky about IQ - 18-200mm will not be the sharpest nikon lens around since it is a superzoom. But it scores high on convenience and that was the reason why I bought the 18-200mm VR.

If you don't mind, and pixel peep at your corners, it is a great traveller's lens... No need to think about the focus length/lens change, just zoom and shoot.

Just 2 cents from a personal experience and sharing.

[iandustries]

not really- just someitmes put around the neck get neck ache haha

you get used to the smaller body- i mean for newbies like me who cant afford a newer body yet- have to make do!

[jayjenxi]

Thanks for all the advice. Seems like the 18-200mm is getting most of the votes for convenience sake. I'm a little concerned about the weight issue since D40's body is really small. I guess I'll only know if I try it out. ^^

[jayjenxi]

Originally Posted by iandustries not really- just someitmes put around the neck get neck ache haha you get used to the smaller body- i mean for newbies like me who cant afford a newer body yet- have to make do!

Haha. I get what you mean. D40 is a good body to start with. Thanks for the information. It's certainly helped me make up my mind.

[Six-GHz]

The specs:

18-105mm : 450g ~$350 (2nd hand)
18-200mm : 560g ~$900 (ditto)
D40 body : 475g

Both are fairly good lens for general purposes, the only thing is the price issue. If not, the choice is yours!

[gnohz]

If you are particular about image quality, maybe you can take a look at 16-85VR. Maybe it's a bit short for you, but it's sharp from centre to corner and many say better than 18-200. Try searching in different photography forums and read up about comparisons
If you want to keep your 18-55, then you can also take a look at 70-300VR (note the VR because there're 3 versions of this lens lol). The quality of this is also very good.

[cutter]

Originally Posted by hushhourhash Hi, I've got a D40 too with the 55-200 lens, and although I think it's a great lens, it is very inconvenient having to switch lens - for example at my school's band concert, I was taking close up shots of the band members when someone requested a group shot of the alumni members and I was stuck with the 55-200 in a cramped room because I had left my bag elsewhere! For the convenience, the 18-200 seems to be the best choice!

What I've always done in such situations is to have a wide-angle compact at hand at all times. Need to take a snap shot in a situation when your SLR is not fitted with a wider lens? Snap out the compact for a quick shot.

[hushhourhash]

that's a great idea