So, I have been using a Nikon D40 for the past… year and a half I think? I’m really not that quite sure anymore, since all this time has only been exciting and wonderful and I wouldn’t want to imagine the world without it. But I digress.
So, the Nikon D40 comes standard with an 18-55mm lens, which really does the job. I think the most surprising thing I found when I got it was that the 18mm focal length has a slight fisheye to it, and this made me so excited.
However, as good as this lens has been for me, I’m looking for another one so that I can have the flexibility of a longer range of photographic abilities. Lately I’ve been looking at the Nikon 55-200mm VR lens, because it is pretty much “the” companion lens to the 18-55.
When doing some research on it, I stumbled upon Ken Rockwell’s article on the lens, which was very informative and I think is going to convince me to buy the lens for 3 reasons:
- Ken explains that even though he owns some of the more expensive lenses he tends to default on the 55-200mm VR because it’s easier to carry and more fun to use. So, truly I’ll only need one more lens to get some serious stuff going.
- It has vibration reduction (VR) so if I shoot without a tripod (which is normally the case for me) I will have less of an issue with my inability to turn into marble on command; and
- Ken again says “The Nikon 55-200mm VR is very inexpensive. It’s the telephoto lens bargain of the decade at only about $230.” I can go for that.
So, I’m pretty much sold. Mr. 55-200mm VR, here I come.
Nikon 55-200mm VR lens
(for more information on this lens, check out my source at KenRockwell.com)
