what lens do you need to shoot sporting events for Nikon D40? So what lens do I need to take shoots at my kid's sporting events?
1318418
Perhaps a little late... It depends on the lighting conditions. If you're shooting outdoors late afternoon the cheaper lenses will not be "fast" enough to "freeze" the shot. That specific lens you mention has a maximum aperture of 4 I believe which is not fast at all. And that is at is shortest focal distance (55mm) at 200mm it only gets slower. My recommendation is to try that one first and if it doesn't work for your shooting conditions then you will need to start looking for faster lenses. Maximum apertures (faster lenses) have small numbers, hence a lens with a maximum aperture (fast) of f/2.8 is faster than say a f/3.5 and so forth. However, speed comes with a price, a rather high one I'm afraid. Typically, AF-S lenses with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 are well above $1000+. You can go look for cheaper lenses that are not AF-S and those will typically be cheaper, however, in your D40 you will not be able to autofocus.
1245534
Yes the lens is auto focus(AF) and vibration resistant (VR) It would do just fine for your baseball and soccer Tripod for longer exposure is recommended. Just have to search 55*300mm af vr ED DX Nikkor lens
422107
bought my nikon d40 lately. read good things about the camera through kenrockwell site. it helps me a lot to decide. now am thinking of buying the nikkor 18-200mm VR lense. btw the 50mm f1/4 lense and d40 they say is compatible. but am not so sure how to install the lense in the camera. any suggestions?
1270621
This is enough zoom if you are on the bleachers watching your child play. Not enough zoom if you are on the stands at a big stadium. This lens is higher quality than either 18-55 or 55-200.
2056514
The D40 only autofocuses with the latest AF-S lenses. This lens is not good for D40. You may want to read this http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm
1312084
get the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake Lens - sharper, cheaper, betterThe Nikon 35mm 1.8 is not sharp until f2.8 anyway
1418843
You did the right thing with the D40. See the Lew Rockwell site.I have had mine for several months, and the more I learn about it,the better I like it.I recommend you buy the 55-200 VR lens to go with it.Unbelievable.
1515218
I think much depends on where you will be shooting from.... If you'll be standing near the hoop for a basketball, yes it would be fine but if you'll have more distance between you and the action I would look for an 80-200 2.8 - you can find used ones for around $600. They don't have a built in focus motor but your D80 has it's own so it will work just fine. You can buy one new for about $1,000 or get the VR version for something over $2,000 - same lens but newer bells and whistles.
1942888
We recently got the EOS Rebel T5i and are very happy with it. Even though this set comes with 4 lenses, we really only use two ... telephoto and the one for portraits. For kids in sports, this is a great camera - up shutter speed and put it on the burst setting and you can get great quality still photos of action shots along with the set of them hitting the ball or catching the pass. We've used it for golfing and have some great series of pictures for driving the ball and sinking the putt!
188438
I just got to use this lens on a D40 tonight, and it's nice, real nice. I still hate the D40 for its focusing handicap, but if you've got one this is a great lens for it.
1687027
I have used this lens on a d90 & d7100. I normally use this lens for my kids ice hockey game and it works flawlessly. Best purchase I have made for my photography.
1548079
I have a Nikon D50 and the lens fits perfectly. So far, the images have been very good. It's nice having an all purpose lens that I do not have to keep switching out. Works well indoors and outdoors, and for sporting events. I would recommend the lens.
910055
if you are into portraits of children just like me, you might want to consider EF 50mm lenses. i also have EF 24-105 L, but i found myself using 50mm the most. 24-105mm is a versatile player that you can take everywhere w/ decent amount of light. however, for portraits, i would highly recommend 50mm. bokek in the background is just stunning. i personally have 50mm 1.2 L, and experiencing superb result.
1375363
The Nikon 7216 Action 8x40mm Binoculars are the only ones that I own right now and I think that they work great for watching sports. They offer a crisp and clear view and aren't zoomed in so far that you lose track of what you're looking at.
963336
2 trips, 4000+ shots on D7000 and another 2000 on D3x and any problems I had where my fault! Lens is a great lens, saves carrying more lenses than I need. From action to kids, just cannot be beat. I've had literally every lens made by Nikon, even a $36000 f4 160-600mm zoom lens weighting approximately 15+#'s and now I just carry the 28-300 everywhere above the water. Wish the len's was a f2! Then I'd be really be Camera Happy! Alaska, Eastern Caribbean, cannot insert any pictures, shot everything from Whales to Bears and Eagles to Moose. Getting another one for my wife.
2034642
I would not use my 85mm for sporting events, I would use my AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED. And use the sports mode on the dial. I am not a pro though.
156398
Make sure you purchase the specific lensbaby for nikon cameras. We really enjoy the photos this lens provides.