Long lenses for D40X

[Brookie]

Howdy - I have a D40X, equipped with an 18-55 and a 55-200 VR lenses. Got them in October, and I've enjoyed the heck out of myself, but I'm not getting as close to the birds as I'd like, and I rarely get a frame-filling picture of birds or other wildlife.

I've been told that the internal autofocus configuration really limits the options available for the 40/40x/60 bodies, and that I'm basically limited to what I've got plus the 70-300 Nikor lens, or a longer 200-600 lens that runs around $7000. Is that right? Are there other options (e.g., using what I've got plus a teleconverter, or less expensive Sigma or other third party lenses) that will allow me to get up close and personal with wildlife?

Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

[pduxon]

Hi Brookie

you could get a af 300 f.4 with a 1.4 TC although that's not image stabllised. you could look at the the new Sigma 120-400os or 150-500 Os. You may find the older 80-400 OS on offer now that newer models are on offer. all of these offer Sigma's Optical Stabilisation which is equivalent to Nikon's VR or Canon's IS.

bare in mind all of these lenses are heavy. 1.5- 2kg

I wouldn't even consider sticking a tele converter on what you've got.

[afoto]

nikon 300 AFS and TC-17 is a great combo!

[Brookie]

Hi Brookie

you could get a af 300 f.4 with a 1.4 TC although that's not image stabllised. .... I wouldn't even consider sticking a tele converter on what you've got.

Thanks - I'm seriously considering picking up the 300 f.4. Why would you reject the TC? Excessive camera shake?

[Telecorder]

Thanks - I'm seriously considering picking up the 300 f.4. Why would you reject the TC? Excessive camera shake?

I believe he was referencing not using a TC on your current lens as the hit on image quality would be more than just cropping the native image.

Keep in mind that your body requires AF-s or HSM in-lens AF motors - otherwise you're manually focusing.

You may wish to read the reviews for alternative ways to get to 500-mm I posted at--
http://www.dslrgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2726#post2726

If you have the time, the new Sigma lenses may be worth waiting to see their street price and image quality.

[pduxon]

yep telecoder is right was referring to your existing lenses.

afoto - I thought that the afs 300 f4 would only auto focus with a 1.4 is that incorrect.

[Telecorder]

yep telecoder is right was referring to your existing lenses.

afoto - I thought that the afs 300 f4 would only auto focus with a 1.4 is that incorrect.

Nikon lenses usually will only effectively AF if the lens+TC aperture is f/5.6 or faster. One can use a Kenko Pro 300 DG 1.4X TC and get AF on slower lenses such as my Bigma which is f/6.3 before TC.

Alternatively, one can tape the first lens' side contact on the Sigma EX 1.4X TC to allow AF on lenses which put the lens+TC aperture over the f/5.6 recommendation...
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=23560898&q=sigma+50+500+tc&qf=m

[Brookie]

Thanks for the clarification. Yeah - I was thinking more along the lines of the 70-300 plus a TC. I'd also like to take a close look at the Sigma. The guy at the camera store basically said there were no third-party lenses that would be compatible. I'm glad to know he's mistaken.

[Telecorder]

Thanks for the clarification. Yeah - I was thinking more along the lines of the 70-300 plus a TC.

Keep in mind that the 70-300VR lens + TC may have issues with AF hunting. At least mine did recently with my Sigma EX 1.4X TC. Haven't tried with my Kenko Pro 300 1.4X TC as yet.

Should be OK for stationary subjects, though.

Also, the Sigma is more limited on which lenses it will mount. For ~$135, the Kenko Pro 300 1.4X TC is a good bargain...:t:

[afoto]

afoto - I thought that the afs 300 f4 would only auto focus with a 1.4 is that incorrect.


The Nikon 300/4 AFS version works correctly also with dedicated TC-17E without any problems (if light is adeguate you'll not have problems with AF), and with great results.

[pduxon]

ah right afoto. Nikon only say that the 1.4 is compatible I suppose this is because the 1.7 needs good light.

Brookie

here is a list of all Sigma lenses compatible with the d40/d40x/d60

http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/quicklinks/HSM_lenses.htm

Not sure why the 50-500 is listed and the 80-400os isn't, in the past they listed it as compatible. see here http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1177682545.html

[afoto]

for the use of forum (probabilly just know) this is the table with compatibility of different brands of lenses and TC

http://blog.nikonians.org/archives/Nikonians%20Teleconverter%20Table.pdf

[Telecorder]

ah right afoto. Nikon only say that the 1.4 is compatible I suppose this is because the 1.7 needs good light.
Nikon is conservative on AF w/TC's when the aperture is >f/5.6; mostly due to contrast issues. That's why Sigma TC needs to have the contact taped.


Not sure why the 50-500 is listed and the 80-400os isn't, in the past they listed it as compatible. see here http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1177682545.html

Not sure - isn't the 80-400 a screw driver lens that needs a motor in the body? Bigma et al w/HSM have the motors in the lenses.

[Rob Chace]

Nikon is conservative on AF w/TC's when the aperture is >f/5.6; mostly due to contrast issues. That's why Sigma TC needs to have the contact taped.



Not sure - isn't the 80-400 a screw driver lens that needs a motor in the body? Bigma et al w/HSM have the motors in the lenses.

Sigma 80-400 os has its own motor in the lens although not designated HSM.

Regards
Rob

[Telecorder]

Sigma 80-400 os has its own motor in the lens although not designated HSM.

Regards
Rob

Sorry Rob--
http://www.shutterbug.com/equipmentreviews/lenses/1104sb_sigma/

No HSM; motor is only for the optical stabilization not AF...

[pduxon]

yeah not HSM but it will work with the d40 et al

[Duke Leto]

stick a 500/4.5 on the D40x, tried mine on my father in laws 40x and works a treat, you can almost buy a used 500 for the price of a new 300/4 and either a TC1.4 or 1.7

[Keith Reeder]

Sorry Rob--
http://www.shutterbug.com/equipmentreviews/lenses/1104sb_sigma/

No HSM; motor is only for the optical stabilization not AF...

Nope.

I own one (and review it here (http://www.birdforum.net/reviews/showproduct.php/product/142/cat/14)): it has an in-lens AF motor, guaranteed.

It's easy to tell: Nikon-fit lenses that need to be driven from the camera have a little screw on the face of the lens mount that the camera body AF drive feed connects with, to drive the lens AF.

The Nikon mount Sigma 80-400mm does not have that little screw.

The Shutterbug article does not seem to disagree, incidentally.

[Rob Chace]

Sorry Rob--
http://www.shutterbug.com/equipmentreviews/lenses/1104sb_sigma/

No HSM; motor is only for the optical stabilization not AF...

I also own one & can assure you it does have a focus motor & will work on a D40x!

[Telecorder]

mea culpa - its listed as a compatible D40 series lens...

[yossi]

The new Sigma coming in April - the APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM will definitely work and will be fast. Nobody knows yet what is the optical quality and Sigma did not publish the lens' MTF figures yet.
The price should be around $850 in the US.

[Brookie]

Thanks again for the useful information. I guess I'm still on the fence, but maybe leaning a little bit towards either waiting for the new Sigma 120-400 coming out next month or investigating the 50-500.

I'd been seriously thinking about picking up the Nikor 70-300 ahead of a trip with my kids next week, but I'm not sure it can do all that much more than my 55-200, particularly for a late-winter trip to the mountains. Anyhow, I'm thinking patience and more education makes the most sense at this stage.