what lens for a Nikon D50?
Discussion
I have a Nikon D50 SLR and have a 18 to 55 lens and a 55 to 200. I fancy the idea of getting a 70 to 300 or something similar to take bird shots in the garden. I have a couple of questions...
is that lens suitable?
Do I have to buy Nikon if I want auto focus or is there another make?
do I need a tripod when using it at 300?
and finally, if I upgrade at a later date, will the lens be compatible?
is that lens suitable?
Do I have to buy Nikon if I want auto focus or is there another make?
do I need a tripod when using it at 300?
and finally, if I upgrade at a later date, will the lens be compatible?
Edited by buzzer on Monday 6th January 17:08
What do you mean by suitable? In that it will work with the body or suitable for your needs?
It will be fine with the body and if you find the 55-200 doesn't have enough reach then the 70-300 will be more suitable in that respect.
Nikkor lenses are made by Nikon but there are plenty of other lenses out there by other manufacturers that will work too. Sigma and tamron are probably the main two. They both make auto focus lenses for Nikon cameras.
Upgrading later depends on what body you go for and the version of lens. If you get a lens with a built in AF motor, it will work fine on any Nikon body. Usually marked as af-s or hsm. If you get the older non motorised lens, you will have to get a body with a built in motor to keep AF. The d50 has a motor so it doesn't really matter what you get now.
It will be fine with the body and if you find the 55-200 doesn't have enough reach then the 70-300 will be more suitable in that respect.
Nikkor lenses are made by Nikon but there are plenty of other lenses out there by other manufacturers that will work too. Sigma and tamron are probably the main two. They both make auto focus lenses for Nikon cameras.
Upgrading later depends on what body you go for and the version of lens. If you get a lens with a built in AF motor, it will work fine on any Nikon body. Usually marked as af-s or hsm. If you get the older non motorised lens, you will have to get a body with a built in motor to keep AF. The d50 has a motor so it doesn't really matter what you get now.
Edited by MysteryLemon on Monday 6th January 17:42
buzzer said:
I have a Nikon D50 SLR and have a 18 to 55 lens and a 55 to 200. I fancy the idea of getting a 70 to 300 or something similar to take bird shots in the garden. I have a couple of questions...
is that lens suitable?
Do I have to buy Nikon if I want auto focus or is there another make?
do I need a tripod when using it at 300?
and finally, if I upgrade at a later date, will the lens be compatible?
There are a few Nikon 70-300 lenses, and they'll all be fine. The stabilised ones (marked VR) will mean that you can hand hold at slower shutter speeds, but sometimes you'll want to keep that shutter speed high.is that lens suitable?
Do I have to buy Nikon if I want auto focus or is there another make?
do I need a tripod when using it at 300?
and finally, if I upgrade at a later date, will the lens be compatible?
Edited by buzzer on Monday 6th January 17:08
Sigma are probably the most common non-Nikon lens found on Nikon cameras. They've made some good lenses over the years and some of their recent offerings have been very good indeed.
Do you need a tripod? Simple answer is no. As a guide, your shutter speed should be at least as high as the 1/focal length of your lens. So 300mm lens, go for 1/300th shutter speed (which you won't have, so go for 1/250th or better still 1/500th). However, you might like to use a tripod if you want to leave your camera pointing to one place. A good example would be to point at the top of a water feature, and use a remote release when a bird is bathing.
If you'd just like something to support the weight then consider a monopod. I swear by them for sports use, but they're also very hand for lots of other situations.
Updating at a later date? Well yes. Assuming you buy another Nikon it's unlikely that a lens you buy today won't fit any DSLR they make for at least the next 5-10 years. In fact, Nikon have a good history here, because even a Nikon lens from the 70's will fit every DSLR they make today.
Autofocus is perhaps the only thing that complicates matters. Older lenses might not offer the feature, and some Nikon bodies don't have a focus motor built in (yours does). For that reason it's best to check specific compatibility between individual lenses and camera bodies.
Thanks guys, very helpful 
A couple more questions. I have limited funds and was browsing last night.... like you do!
I was thinking of getting a new D3200 body and using my existing 18-55 and 55-200 Nikon lenses, and getting a cheaper 70-300 lens.
Or would I be better to stick with the D50 and get a Nikon 70-300 with VR?
I also want to do action shots on motorsport with it...
A couple more questions. I have limited funds and was browsing last night.... like you do!
I was thinking of getting a new D3200 body and using my existing 18-55 and 55-200 Nikon lenses, and getting a cheaper 70-300 lens.
Or would I be better to stick with the D50 and get a Nikon 70-300 with VR?
I also want to do action shots on motorsport with it...
As above, the D3200 will offer far better image quality over the ageing D50, although if it meets your needs as is, there may be no reason to change. You may also find it a step back in many respects.
The D50 was a very good camera in it's day even though it was an entry level camera. I would suggest that the current equivalent would be the d5xxx range. The d3200 is very much a consumer model and you may find it frustrating to use if you are used to using buttons to change options (as you would on the D50). Saying that, you may prefer it? Who knows.
Worth checking which lenses you currently have as your current lenses may not be compatible (for auto focus) with the motorless d3200 body. Both will says af-s on them if they have a built in motor (unlikely if they are both from the original d50 kit).
The D50 was a very good camera in it's day even though it was an entry level camera. I would suggest that the current equivalent would be the d5xxx range. The d3200 is very much a consumer model and you may find it frustrating to use if you are used to using buttons to change options (as you would on the D50). Saying that, you may prefer it? Who knows.
Worth checking which lenses you currently have as your current lenses may not be compatible (for auto focus) with the motorless d3200 body. Both will says af-s on them if they have a built in motor (unlikely if they are both from the original d50 kit).
Well thanks again guys. Events took over today, I decided to get a Tamron AF70-300mm lenses and stick with the D50. I spotted one in the local paper that was from just before Christmas. Gave the guy a call and he said he still had it and as it was local I went over.
It was mint condition and so was the D3200 he took it off... Bottom line is I bought both, and a Nikon VR 18-55 lens for £150... for the lot! Bargain! I have been playing with it and it all looks good, complete with paperwork, boxes, CD,s charger and a 32GB card!
It was mint condition and so was the D3200 he took it off... Bottom line is I bought both, and a Nikon VR 18-55 lens for £150... for the lot! Bargain! I have been playing with it and it all looks good, complete with paperwork, boxes, CD,s charger and a 32GB card!
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