Camera Question

[Finn]

I'd like some input.

Some time ago, my Nikon D40 camera's lens stopped working after a weekend camping trip- sand got into it and it can't focus anymore. I've been looking into replacing the lens.

I'm trying to decide whether to buy used or go for a new one.
Would an used lens be worth the risk or should I opt for a new one?

Thanks

 

[{ Emilia }]

I'd like some input.

Some time ago, my Nikon D40 camera's lens stopped working after a weekend camping trip- sand got into it and it can't focus anymore. I've been looking into replacing the lens.

I'm trying to decide whether to buy used or go for a new one.
Would an used lens be worth the risk or should I opt for a new one?

Used lenses are usually great value for money. Most people take great care when handling their lenses. I've bought many lenses on ebay and forums in the past, even some really old manual lenses and they were always in good condition.
The problem with your D40 is that it doesn't have the good old screw-driven in-camera autofocus motor which means you can't use any of the old Nikkor AF lenses. Your only options are the relatively current AF-S lenses (that have a built-in autofocus motor).
DX-Crop-lenses tend to be pretty cheap anyway, though.

 

[Finn]

How about the lenses that are "VR". There's a place in downtown Boston that is selling newer Nikon lenses. I looked it up and it stands for vibration reduction. Do they really help?

 

[{ Emilia }]

How about the lenses that are "VR". There's a place in downtown Boston that is selling newer Nikon lenses. I looked it up and it stands for vibration reduction. Do they really help?

Depends on what you wanna do with it. If you take shots of static objects in bad light you can turn on the VR and gain about two stops by using a slower shutter speed and still get a sharp shot.

The thing is with moving objects (like people) it doesn't help much because you need a minimum shutter speed to freeze the action anyway.

Personally I'm not into VR unless I shoot with tele lenses (like a 200mm) that are hard to handhold even at 1/200th.

For anything from wide angle to short tele I'd just get a decent prime (like the cheap 50mm F1.8's or the DX 35mm 1.8) or the F2.8 zoom lenses to get enough light.

 

[Owain Taggart]

I'd definitely consider used. I think you'll find that a lot of people prefer going the used route. There's a great market for them, as people are always upgrading. It's also similar to the camera bodies themselves.