Sigma 50mm 2.8 with Nikon D40

Has anyone used the Sigma 50mm 2.8 macro here? I'm thinking of getting one for my

wife to use with her D40. She really does need autofocus, however, and I'm not sure

if she can only use this lens with manual mode, or not. Any help? Thanks.

Has anyone used the Sigma 50mm 2.8 macro here? I'm thinking of getting one for my

wife to use with her D40. She really does need autofocus, however, and I'm not sure

if she can only use this lens with manual mode, or not. Any help? Thanks.

Yes, the D40 can only autofocus with AF-S or AF-I lenses:

From Dpreview:

"Auto Focus only for AF-S or AF-I lenses:

Perhaps the biggest negative on the D40 is that it doesn't have an internal focus drive motor and hence no mechanical focus drive pin, instead it only has CPU contacts which means it can only Auto Focus with AF-S and AF-I lenses (those with built-in focus motors). Indeed our 'standard' lens the Nikkor 50 mm F1.8D (and the F1.4D) are manual focus only on the D40."

I think the D40 can also autofocus with sigma HSM lenses

I have a feeling that the newly announced 60 AFS from Nikon will be popular with the D40x crowd, it should be priced not too far from what the older model was, Unless you have the Sigma already, I 'd pace myself and wait for the Nikon 60mm.

Cheers

BTW Elvis has left the building for Spain.

Thanks, Jean. Yeah, I'd rather wait for the Nikon, too. But we're going on a trip in March where

we are pretty much limited to macro because of the viz, and the Nikon won't be available. Just

checking out my options, and I thought this might be one. I always appreciate the input. And you

can't believe how much Elvis they play in this country

I didn´t notice you were in Spain! you can check this spanish forum fot a lot of info on these matters if you want info from Spain/in spanish:

http://www.forobuceo.org/phpBB2/viewforum....3445af2513bd40a

If you're talking about the 18-50 Sigma macro, you'll need the 18-50mm f2.8 EX DC HSM for Nikon (internal motor) version. It should work out pretty well, although these lenses have a long throw and you'll need to see how it fits.

There is also the Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC HSM. I shoot the similar unmotorized lens with my D80. It's very sharp and a great all-around lens. I think it's tested out to be a better lens than the 18-50, from what I've read. I shoot it behind a dome with an extension ring. It's a nice general purpose lens. It only allows about 1:2.5 macro, so it's not a true macro, but will allow for decent shots of smaller animals and so forth.

Be aware that these lenses are only f2.8 for a short part of their zoom range, and that they do vignette a bit wide-open at 17mm. Also Sigma has some quality issues, be sure to test the lens for focusing errors and distortion and buy from a place that will exchange it for a better copy. But once you get a good lens, they are an excellent value.

Here's a link to: Sigma's Lens Chart

Jack

You really need to be considering the new 60mm AFS nikkor. The 60mm is the perfect lens for fish shots like the one Jack posted.

Unfortunately without a focus motor any of the Sigma or Nikon 50-60mm macro lenses will not autofocus. For a shory macro fish-lens you need autofocus. Manual focus is great for very close-up work esp. on non-moving subjects, but for what the 60mm is good at you want autofocus.

I see three options:

1) try to get your hands on one of the early versions of the 60mm before your trip.

2) Get the 105mm VR lens. If you are focusing on macro, this is THE true macro (close to 1:1) lens to have. For very small subjects, blennys, small nudis, cristmas tree worms 1-5 cm subjects etc. this is the lens you want and it works great on a D40x.

3) Use a mid-range zoom. If you have a mid-range zoom that focuses closer than 2 feet and doesn't extend too much to be housed in a dome port it can do very well as a fish portrait lens. If you think you want to upgrade the kit lens for normal use, then here is an opportunity. If instead you want real macro see option 2.

Good luck!

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to hold out for the new Nikon 60 (I already have one which I use, but

I like the manual focus and use it a lot). My wife still is struggling with remembering everything U/W, so we're trying to make it a bit easier. She can get by with her 18-55 until then (actually not a bad lens).

davichin: Thanks for the link on diving in Spain--I will be checking it out, as we still want to do some local diving instead of having to fly everywhere. I speak Spanish, so not a problem.

FYI, my friend uses the 18-55, he added a cheap diopter to it and it improved his results tremendously, by allowing him to get great magnification.

scott