Lenses?

[CallumW]

So basically i want to start investing in some more lenses for my camera (Nikon d40x)
When i have been looking at lense prices they have been sort of £400 plus for some of the ones i am intrested in. I was wondering if any one knows how i can get lenses cheaper i know that Sigma is a cheap alternative but is still quite expensive considering im a 16 year old kid with no job. So i havn't got much chance in gettin new stuff, can any one help me out with some advice?
or is it a case of just saving?

[mn shutterbug]

Callum, you're always better off saving. Just don't spend it on something else in the meantime. However, there are at least a couple online stores that handle used photo equipment. I believe Adorama and B&H Photo are a couple. As far as what particluar lenses to buy, I can't help you out there.

[deckcadet]

We can best help you if you can tell us what kind of lenses you're looking at and what you're trying to accomplish with them.

Unfortunately, photography can be an expensive hobby/passion, so you may have to look at that job. You might even be able to use your photography to help bring in money down the line.

[CallumW]

Well i think i was looking for a wide angle lense or maybe a zoom, yes two total oposite things but i just want to experiment i have used a wide angle before and quite enjoyed it i just want a bit more variety to my photography so any lenses people would sugest would be good too.

[SmartWombat]

I've been challenging myself with a wide zoom, 10-22mm
It's a whole new view on the world at that focal length, particularly at 10mm I have to watch my feet or they get in the photo !

Now here in the UK I'd suggest looking for second hand lenses too.
B&H and Adorama are all very well if you can afford the postage from the USA.

Whereabouts in Newcastle?
I'd do a quick google for camera club or photographic club and see if there's one close.
Other photographers near you will probably know where to go for a good deal, and there's always the chance someone in the club has just what you want going spare.
Oh make sure it's not Newcastle in Austraila, or Pennsylvania

[freygr]

So basically i want to start investing in some more lenses for my camera (Nikon d40x)
When i have been looking at lense prices they have been sort of £400 plus for some of the ones i am intrested in. I was wondering if any one knows how i can get lenses cheaper i know that Sigma is a cheap alternative but is still quite expensive considering im a 16 year old kid with no job. So i havn't got much chance in gettin new stuff, can any one help me out with some advice?
or is it a case of just saving?

It's a case of saving. If you don't mind used equipment check the lens compatibility tables on the Nikon website. Then check ebay listings, there are lots of lenses for sale but watch out I've seen the biding go crazy and they could just of gone out and purchased the lens new and had money left over.

[Frog]

Hard to suggest when we don't know what you're using now.
Have you considered a 50mm prime.....f/1.8 around a hundred dollars.....f/1.4 probably 250.

[readingr]

Callum,

Some advise I can give which I remember from my early years - yes I can remember that far back.

Before going out and buying lenses work out what photography you want to take and then work out what lens is best for that sort of photography and then spend as much as you can on the lens.

What you haven;t told us is what you already have and what photography you want to do. That information will let us help you a lot more.

Examples, Sport normally needs 200+ and fast speeds so it dictates the cost of the lens
Landscapes - normally taken using a tripod so a slow speed lens in the 24mm - 70mm will cover most situations but they need to be sharp at the wide angle so the cost goes up.
(These are 35mm equivallents)

Roger

[reverberation]

I would suggest getting a job. When I was sixteen I earned great money as a busboy at a local restaurant. When you start making money you can start saving it. You have a great camera, You could easily earn enough in a month or two to get a great lens for that camera. If you have any kind of photography class at your school, you could ask your teacher what they would suggest. I would suggest a 28mm, 35mm, or 50mm lense. I feel that primes are the best return on your money (photographically speaking) when you are young.

[CallumW]

I'm just using the lens i got with my kit a 18 - 55mm AF Nikkor
Well i take a bit of everything, i like modern cities and things like that but im looking to start more animal and nature photography.

Hope that helps.

[mjs1973]

It doesn't look like anyone has mentioned it, but www.keh.com has a great reputation for selling used gear. Other than that, start saving. I have had a specific lens on my wish list for a couple years now. When I think I'm ready to make the purchase, something else comes up. It can be frustraiting, but I know it will be worth the wait.

[freygr]

I'm just using the lens i got with my kit a 18 - 55mm AF Nikkor
Well i take a bit of everything, i like modern cities and things like that but im looking to start more animal and nature photography.

Hope that helps.

The 18-55mm kit lens is a good lens with equivalent 35mm film length range of 27-82.5mm. For animal and nature photography you need two things Micro and Telephoto lens. There are a few lenses out there which will give you both in the same package. I have the Tamron 70-300mm zoom with micro and I'm very happy with it. Its fairly costly around $450 USD. I did purchase the full frame film lens. (I shoot both film and digital)

Just remember with the long lenses you have to keep the shutter speed up or use a tripod. and the DOF is very shallow with the long lenses unless you stop down from wide open.

[SmartWombat]

It doesn't look like anyone has mentioned it, but www.keh.com has a great reputation for selling used gear.

True, but they're not in the UK.

[readingr]

I'm just using the lens i got with my kit a 18 - 55mm AF Nikkor
Well i take a bit of everything, i like modern cities and things like that but im looking to start more animal and nature photography.

Hope that helps.

For wildlife I would start with the 200-400mm range and keep the kit lens for everything else.

I would also get a set of Jessop tubes about £70 which will give you some of the close up capability for the smaller things.

Roger