Lens suggestions needed

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sunilyo

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Hi,
i own the Nikon D40. and am planning to replace the kit lens. So would like to know which lens can i go for with a budget of 15K.

I am looking at grey pieces.

I was eyeing the following:

Nikon 18-135 mm
Nikon 18-70 mm (doubt if i'll get it under 15k)
Sigma 17-70 mm HSM

The lens needs to have a built in focusing motor. so kindly suggest accordingly.

Waiting for your answers.

regards - Sunil
 
Does the tamron 17-50 f/2.8 autofocus on a D40? Its a digital only lens but not sure of its autofocus mechanism. Out of the ones you suggested, I'd take the sigma.
 
Get the Sigma 18-50 2.8 Macro EX HSM. Its a new release and supposed to be super sharp and slightly better than the Tamron 17-50 plus has close focus abilities.

You should find it in grey for ~ 16-17k or less.
 
d_payne said:
The Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is highly recommended by me too! :D Am an user.

And yes, it is available in Nikon mount with AF Motor.
Amazon.com: Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Zoom Lens with Built In Motor for Nikon DSLR: Camera & Photo

Get through KMD or try in India. :)
Payne
Click to expand...

Checked the price on this link. it's selling for USD 431 + shipping, which is already over my budget.

I checked at Chandni chowk for the Nikkon 18-70 but dealers say that it isnt available anymore.

And went thru the reviews of 18-135 and a few pictures. Though sharp but it has a lot of CA plus lacks that VR which is very helpfull anything above 70mm.
 
Anish said:
Get the Sigma 18-50 2.8 Macro EX HSM. Its a new release and supposed to be super sharp and slightly better than the Tamron 17-50 plus has close focus abilities.

You should find it in grey for ~ 16-17k or less.
Click to expand...

there is this site called Shetala :: Home Page and they quote the price at 19k + taxes + shipping.
 
^ That is official with bill prices. If you can check the lens and test it for sharpness when buying, then grey is pretty safe.
 
^ A f2.8 or lower lens should suit your task. What's your budget and what f-range are you looking at?
 
Hey another A300 owner. Seems to be quite popular here. (I have counted 3 right now)

Anyways back to the topic, I suppose the Sigma 17-70mm has a bit more useful zoom range. 50mm (75mm on the D40) is a bit limiting.
 
@aha_neo:

No you can't really get a f2.8 or faster zoom lens for 200$-300$. You can only get primes around that price - and the Sony f1.4 is 350$!

One option is the non-macro, non-HSM, Sigma 18-50 f2.8 for around 320$ >> Amazon.com: Sigma 18-50mm F/2.8 EX DC Lens for Minolta and Sony Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

@BF1983:

Yes, 70mm is a bit longer at the tele end but the 17-70mm loses the f2.8 aperture quickly (at around 24mm!). It's a f2.8-f4.5 zoom. The Tamron is tack sharp at f2.8 btw. :D

f2.8%20shp1.jpg

ISO 100, f2.8, 17mm. Wide-open and wide-angle. No PF, CA. :)

Payne

Payne
 
Your first snap on TE !!!!

But a longer reach is not without benefits and the 17-70 also takes decently sharp pics as well. And it is a decently long enough to use as a walk around lens.

Of course both the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and the Sigma 17-50 f2.8 will be sharper and better in low light (at longer focal lengths) than the 17-70 while costing roughly the same.

@aha_neo - You can get this prime for $265 which will give you good low light shots as well as decent macro shots.

Amazon.com: Sigma 28mm f/1.8 EX DG Aspherical Macro Large Aperture Wide Angle Lens for Minolta and Sony SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo
 
can the Sigma/tamron 18-50 f2.8 be compared with the nikkor 18-70mm ??? And is the 18-70mm nikor available in grey?
 
^^ + 1 But check the Sigma first thoroughly. Sigma seems to have QC issues and buying Sigma lenses at times can be a lottery. But yeah if you get a good copy it is an amazing lens.
 
hi guys,

After going thru your suggestions, considering my interest into photography and ultimately my budget came to a conclusion that an all-in-one zoom lens is something that i will suit my purpose.

so went last saturday and looked at the Sigma 18-200 OS and tamron 18-250mm (non-VR). Both costing around Rs.17.8k. I finally bought the Sigma due to its OS. Its damn heavy @ 610g (heavier than the Nikkor 18-200 VR) and big (filter size 72mm). My wrists are still in pain coz of using it for half day yesterday.

The autofocus is just perfect and zoom creep is nill, though the zoom ring gets a bit stiff @ 135mm and there there is some noise when the OS kicks in but thats normal with this lens as i have read user reviews on flickr and various other forums about this noise. I still have to check the image sharpness at corners though there is no CA.

I bought the box pack containing the lens, hood (bayonet type, petal shape), and users manual.

Thanks for your all help guys.
 
Congrats !!! And enjoy your lens. Its not perfect, but how cares when you don't have to worry about dust on your sensor and rarely miss a shot with the neat zoom range and built in OS which is good for 3 - 4 stops.

But this lens ain't too good in low light. So get the Nikon 50mm f1.8 for abt 5k and use the MF ring with it.
 
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