D40 with Sigma Lens

[barry]

A friend of mine has a D40 and she wants to get a telephoto zoom lens to shot some park soccer. She has asked me for some suggestions.

I am thinking that due to her tight budget and because she is new to digital photography I would the Sigma 70-300 F4-5.6 DG Macro.

Not knowing a lot about Sigma lenses does anyone use this combination and if so what do they think.

I also notice this lense comes in an APO version as well. What are the advantages of this option over the non APO version.

Are there any other options I should consider that will give her full autofocus capabilties on the D40.

Any help would be most appreciated.

[Glen]

Barry first question is the Sigma AFS or equivalent? If not it wont auto focus on a D40. I thought both of those options are not AFS. Possibly the Nikon 55-200 AFS VR for about $350 may be the lens to suit?



Edit just noticed that the 55-200 is about $100 less in bargains, for AFS and VR seems a bargain, you could almost say the lens was thrown in free on top of those features. I am almost positive that the named Sigma's won't AF on a D40 but I am sure someone will confirm.

[barry]

Thanks Glen.

Can anyone advise on this??

[MATT]

Yep she will need a lens with HSM..

The 55-200VR Nikon seems like a good option on a tight budget. Check ebay or even a new one..


MATT

[aim54x]

Yep she will need a lens with HSM..

The 55-200VR Nikon seems like a good option on a tight budget


MATT

[Biggzie]

Doesnt Tamron make a 70-300mm zoom with HSM that works on a D40?

Good question because one of my friends wants a zoom for her D40x & I was going to ask a similar question.

[aim54x]

Tamron makes a 18-250 that has a in built micro motor so it is compatible with the Nikon D40/40x/60. The 17-50 also gained this and from what I have heard has also started to ship. Not sure if the 28-300VC also has a micro motor, but I wouldnt be suprised if it did. BUT as far as I know the 70-300 has not been brought out with a micro motor, but then again I would not be suprised if they are working on one, to meet the demands of D40/40x/60 users.

EDIT Tamron USA site says that the 70-300 is available with a micro motor for D40/40x/60

[Dave-D40]

The new sigma 70-300 will auto focus on the D40.

I run this combo and find no problems other than you need good light.

Mine was 70-300 F4-5.6 APO DG Macro. It will say Buit in Motor Drive on the box or have -M in the description.

Link to lens on Sigma site

[barry]

Thanks for the confirmation Dave.

There is also a non APO version that will do the job even though it does not have the zoom macro feature or the glass coating.

It is also about $120 cheaper?? Are these features worth the extra bucks for a school student with her first camera?

Also for what it is worth I found the following compatibility list on the Sigma web site.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/news/news.asp?nID=3356

[Dave-D40]

Barry i cant compare the two but from my research when i brought mine it was better to go for the apo.

I paid $380 for mine here in Tassie

[Pa]

i shot a local soccer match ....had a tamron 28--200...when shooting i found if shot at about 60 to 80mm i was able to capture more action.

[barry]

For what is worth my friend went for the Sigma 70-300 APO Macro with inbuilt drive motor. Thanks for input everyone and especially Dave.