Question 1

I got a Nikon D40 ..what xx to 300 mm lense would be good...Nikor or Tamron

Accepted Answer

It really depends on what subjects you will be shooting, how much you will use it and what your budget is. The Nikon (NIKKOR) lenses are more ruggedly built than similar products from Tamron or Sigma. Optically, I think that the Tamron would be a good lens, just not as durable. I have shot with Nikons since 1973 and have only ever bought NIKKOR lenses. I use my cameras and lenses every day, so they see a lot of use and, inevitably, a certain amount of abuse--shooting in rain, snow, bumps, scrapes, etc. If you only use your D40 once every 2 or 3 weeks, the Tamron will probably fill your need. As to subject, I think you will find the 300mm lens to be too long for sports. I have both the 18-200mm DX NIKKOR and the 70-200 FX NIKKOR lenses and they are plenty long for field sports. If you shoot wildlife, you will appreciate the 300mm lens, and you might even want to add a teleconverter to it for longer reach. On the shorter end, if you already have the 18-55mm zoom, the 55-300 will fit right in. The NIKKOR 55-300mm sells for under $400, bearing in mind that it is a DX format lens, which is fine for the D40. If you think you might eventually upgrade your camera body, take a look at the NIKKOR 70-300mm lens. It is an FX format lens, which will work on any Nikon body, is the same aperture as the 55-300 and is only about $190 more than the NIKKOR 55-300mm. All of the lenses I am suggesting have Nikon's Vibration Ruduction (VR) built in which is good for 2-4 f/stops slower shutter speed when hand holding the lens. If you know that you will only be using a tripod for very long focal lengths Nikon does have an FX 70-300mm f/4-5.6 that sells for about $160. Caution, do not try to handhold that lens at 300mm at shutter speeds below 1/250 second, but that's what we all used to do. Still, I highly recommend the Vibration Reduction Lenses.

Question 2

Will this lens autofocus with the D3100?  I just had to return the 70-300mm Nikon lens because the autofocus wasn't compatible with the camera.

Accepted Answer

Any AF-S lens should work with your camera.  This is due to the fact that AF-S lenses have a built-in motor.  Since your camera has no motor, it requires these lenses for auto focus.  Your 70-300 lens must not have been an AF-S.

Question 3

Will this lens autofocus with the D3100?

Accepted Answer

Will this lens autofocus with the D5200?

Question 4

Does the Auto Focus work on the D5100?  I have read one site that it does not.

Accepted Answer

It works great for me.  My guess is that someone got a lemon, and I'm sure they do exist.  You can see photos I took with my D5100 at http://idaholyoaks4.blogspot.com/.  There are lots of shots there I took with my D5100, as well as some I took with older cameras.

Maximum Aperture	4.5
Minimum Aperture	32
Image stabilization	4 stops claimed
Compatible Camera Models	Nikon D200, Nikon D5000, Nikon D4S, Nikon D7100, Nikon D3100, Nikon D50, Nikon D7500, Nikon D5200, Nikon D3300, Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro, Nikon D3500, Nikon Df, Nikon D90, Fujifilm Finepix S5 Pro, Nikon D5600, Nikon D750, Nikon D3S, Nikon D6, Nikon D5, Nikon D4, Nikon D3, Nikon D3X, Nikon D810A, Nikon D40, Nikon D500, Nikon D300S, Nikon D300, Nikon D80, Nikon D700, Nikon D100, Nikon D7200, Nikon D5100, Nikon D7000, Nikon D780, Nikon D800E, Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro, Nikon D2X, Nikon D2Hs, Nikon D1, Nikon D40X, Nikon D610, Nikon D3000, Nikon D5500, Nikon D70, Nikon D850, Nikon D5300, Nikon D3200, Nikon D3400, Nikon D810, Nikon D2Xs, Nikon D600, Nikon D60, Nikon D70s, Nikon D800
Photo Filter Size	58 Millimeters
Lens Mount	Nikon F
Number of Diaphragm Blades	9
Minimum Focal Length	55 Millimeters
Lens Design	Zoom
Focus Type	Micro-type ultrasonic
Lens Fixed Focal Length	55 Millimeters
Lens Coating Description	ノARコーティング
Focal Length Description	300
Lens	Telephoto
Compatible Camera Mount	Nikon F (DX)
Maximum Focal Length	300 Millimeters

Nikon Long Distance Zoom Lens AF-S DX NIKKOR 2.2 - 11.8 Inch (55-300mm) f/4.5-5.6G ED Nikon DX Format Only

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