[JAG]

Dear all,

I have a D40 with 18-55 and 55-200 that was purchased as a package. I would like to get into macro stuff and was wondering what macro lenses are available at a reasonable cost?

Looked at close up lenses also as a very cheap alternative but don't have any experience with them. Any good or not?

Many thanks for your help.

Ian

[orangepeel]

There are basically 3 options for macro : -

1) Close up Adaptors
This is the cheapest option. They go on the front of your lens like filters. As this is extra glass - and usually very poor quality at that - it can cause CA problems. I've got a set. Cost £15 and I was ripped off

This is taken with a close up adaptor installed. Notice the blue and red speculy bits at the edges. This is the CA caused by the cua.



2) Extension Rings
I've not tried these and have heard various pros/cons about this sort of thing. They go between the body and the lens. They don't contain any glass so any IQ issues should be down to your lens itself.
I've heard peeps say that they can't meter with extension rings. Dunno if that's true or not.
Expect to pay from £70 - £100 for the kenko set of 3 tubes.

3) Macro/Micro Lens.
This is obviously the best option IQ wise but is the most expensive. The main thing rha should concern you terms of which lens to get would be to make sure it's an AF-S model.


hth.

[silkstone]

Extension rings/tubes are cheap and very cheerful - the Jessops ones are OK too. If you get the auto tubes, exposure and focusing should be OK, but.... AF can be very dodgy and the focus range with tubes is extremely limited. IMO it's better to use MF, set the focus ring wherever you want, and move the camera backwards and forwards until what you want is in focus.

[JMitchell]

Well theres the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di for £199, or the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 for £235 at onestop digital. I have the Tamron, and it is great, especially on the rendition front, you basically don't have to edit the images at all from the camera, the colours are bright, it's sharp, and the contrast is good.
The sigma won some award, but I haven't tried it, so can't say much there....
What I mean by the colour is things like this:


And the level of detail from a macro lens (well, mine anyway) shows like this:

Jeans


HTH

[JAG]

Thanks for the responses guys, looks like a new lens it is

[orangepeel]

Be aware the two lenses Jack mentioned won't autofocus with the D40/D40x.

U need a AF-S (Nikon) or HSM (Sigma) lens.

Tamron don't appear to have a name for this, they just mention it has an "internal motor" in the spec sheets. Guess you'd have to ask specificly about any Tamron lens.

[JMitchell]

Originally Posted by orangepeel

Be aware the two lenses Jack mentioned won't autofocus with the D40/D40x.

U need a AF-S (Nikon) or HSM (Sigma) lens.

Tamron don't appear to have a name for this, they just mention it has an "internal motor" in the spec sheets. Guess you'd have to ask specificly about any Tamron lens.

I forgot!!!!!! Be damned, yes, he's right...

[JAG]

Why is this so difficult for me to get my head around? I regularly work out complicated dive plans that have to consider depth, time, breathing rates, decompression schedules but for the life of me getting a clear understanding of what lenses are compatible with my D40 is just not registering

Am I correct in thinking that any F mount lens is compatible but only the AF S and AF I will be able to auto focus? Is there a website out there with the title, "You have a D40 and these lenses are compatible!"

Sorry for my numptiness

Thanks for all the replies so for

[Dabhand16]

You need lenses with their own AF motors built-in. Other cameras have AF motors in the body, so can use any lens - with or without motors.

Different makers designate thes lenses differently. Sigma use HSM (hyper sonic motor, I think), Nikon designate AF-S.

Any lens with a compatible mount will fit the camera, but the AF will only work if it has a built-in motor. With older lenses, you sometimes find the exposure modes will either not work or be restricted too.

Another way out is to get another camera........

[orangepeel]

Originally Posted by JAG

Am I correct in thinking that any F mount lens is compatible but only the AF S and AF I will be able to auto focus? Is there a website out there with the title, "You have a D40 and these lenses are compatible!"

OK the f-mount is just the Nikon name for the mechanical connection between the body and lens. It's been updated many times over the years and now carries not only mechanical control but electrical too.

You CAN use any f-mount lens. It's just as dab says, some functions may be missing.
e.g. metering and/or auto-focus.


AF just means auto-focus. When you see lenses for sale marked as "AF". It's just to differentiat them from MF (Manual Focus) Lenses. It doesn't necessarily mean you can use the AF.
Your camera body has a cut down auto-focus system. As dab says, there is no motor to drive an auto-focus lens in your camera therfor you need a lens with it's own motor. Nikon designates these as AF-S, Sigma as HSM

Here's the nikkors... (Nikkor in case you don't know is Nikons lens branding)
Nikkor Lenses that AF on the D40 at The Nikon D40 Resource List

Some Sigmas: -
Nikon D40 and Sigma Lenses at The Nikon D40 Resource List

[JAG]

Originally Posted by orangepeel

OK the f-mount is just the Nikon name for the mechanical connection between the body and lens. It's been updated many times over the years and now carries not only mechanical control but electrical too.

You CAN use any f-mount lens. It's just as dab says, some functions may be missing.
e.g. metering and/or auto-focus.


AF just means auto-focus. When you see lenses for sale marked as "AF". It's just to differentiat them from MF (Manual Focus) Lenses. It doesn't necessarily mean you can use the AF.
Your camera body has a cut down auto-focus system. As dab says, there is no motor to drive an auto-focus lens in your camera therfor you need a lens with it's own motor. Nikon designates these as AF-S, Sigma as HSM

Here's the nikkors... (Nikkor in case you don't know is Nikons lens branding)
Nikkor Lenses that AF on the D40 at The Nikon D40 Resource List

Some Sigmas: -
Nikon D40 and Sigma Lenses at The Nikon D40 Resource List

Thank you very much for that, very helpful and very much appreciated.

[liljj323]

the only nikkor macro lense that will AF on the d40 is the 105vr. unfortuantly it costs a LOT. i would say if you have the money and are really into macro then check this lense out> Nikon USA: 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor
this is the first dedicated macro/micro lense w/ any type of IS. but like i said the price tag is a killer

[JAG]

Originally Posted by liljj323

the only nikkor macro lense that will AF on the d40 is the 105vr. unfortuantly it costs a LOT. i would say if you have the money and are really into macro then check this lense out> Nikon USA: 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor
this is the first dedicated macro/micro lense w/ any type of IS. but like i said the price tag is a killer

Holey moley sweet mother of Jesus! Very very nice but a tad above my budget methinks.