Ok Nikon Guys, I Need some help.

[EvlEgl]

So Little did I know that when I got the D40x that when it went time to buy new lenses I'd run into an Issue. Every site I look at has all of the SLR lenses out there and thats all well and good, But I've heard and read that the D40 series cant use every Nikon Lens made because of compatibility issues with Auto Focus...So basically My question is...Do I NEED to buy D40 Specific lenses or can I buy any type of lens without worrying if it will work with my camera or not?

Right now I have the starter 18-55 but I'm looking for a 80-200 and a wide angle like a 12-24.

[djb5118]

only af-s and af-i lenses will autofocus on the d40 and d40x. everything else will work. but you may exposure and metering features aswell. but if you want to manual focus, then anything should work

[EvlEgl]

Right, So if I bought a Lens that wasn't An I or S I'd have to focus manually...With depending on what I'm shooting could be a major PITA.

[djb5118]

exactly, and depending on the type you may lose some auto metering and exposure settings.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/d40-performance.htm


check the compatibility table about 1/4 of the way down the page

[sisforsurfing]

Yeah, if I owned a D40 this would bother me, but it's not the end of the world. How much money are you planning to spend on new lenses and what range are you looking for?

All AF-S lenses work and there are a lot of them. The 18-55mm, and 55-200mm VR are the two budget Nikon lenses in their range and are both AF-S. Where I'd be bothered is that you can't autofocus the cheap, fast primes like the $120 50mm f1.8.

If you're looking for new lenses just make sure they are AF-S or you'll be manually focusing. I believe Sigma's HSM lenses also work.

[EvlEgl]

I'm not looking to break the bank but I'm also not gonna jump ship on the D40 and get a D70 or 80 just so I can save a little on lenses...Anywhere from 600 to 1k I would say is what I'm willing to spend. I already have the 18-55 but its not the VR...but I wouldnt buy ANOTHER lense of the same range just for VR

I want Long range power, When I go to a phillies game and can actually see the players from the outfield not the outline of there body from 400 feet out...But I also am looking for a good Wide angle Lense for when I'm at car shows and stuff where I dont need huge distance.

[i like rice]

There are plenty of AF-S lenses available on the market, both OE and 3rd party. People sometimes make it more dramatic than it should be.

[EvlEgl]

Good to hear, I just dont know exactly which ones are compatible, When I look online it doesnt say AF-S anywhere in the description...So I get confused.

[EvlEgl]

Quick Question, How's the 55-200MM compared to the 18 - 200mm and why is it so cheap??

I should probably mention I'm reffering to the Nikkor 55-200MM

[i like rice]

Good to hear, I just dont know exactly which ones are compatible, When I look online it doesnt say AF-S anywhere in the description...So I get confused.

Most online stores will have it listed in the description, eg Nikon 17-55 f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX

Here are a handful of AF-S lenses:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/12041/for_Nikon.html

[i like rice]

Quick Question, How's the 55-200MM compared to the 18 - 200mm and why is it so cheap??

I should probably mention I'm reffering to the Nikkor 55-200MM

Quality of the optics. It's like comparing a Rota wheel to a Work wheel. Plus, the 18-200 has VR.

The 55-200 won't be as sharp, color replication won't be as good, more chromatic aberration

[sisforsurfing]

I made a thread about the 55-200mm vs. 18-200mm last summer I think. Don't waste your time on the non-VR version of the 55-200mm... I've hand held my VR version all the way down to 1/20 at 200mm and the results have been more than good enough for 5x7's.

The glass on the 55-200mm VR is decent, not far off the 18-200mm VR. i_like_rice is right as usual, but with the 18-200mm you're really paying for the convenience of the huge zoom range and better VR. Thom Hogan has a good review (http://www.bythom.com/55200lens.htm).
I don't mind switching lenses depending on the event, but there are a few times I wish I bought the 18-200mm. They're plentiful used and with the D40x it makes for a really powerful, light package.