Zoom lens for Nikon D40

[skKi]

So it's been way too long since the dogs broke my kit lens (and only lens...) and I'm dying to take pictures again.

I've decided to save up for a new zoom lens and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations or opinions.

I was very pleased with the Nikkor 18-55 kit lens, but this time I'm looking for more range. I would like to keep the 18mm or similar and have it reach up to 200mm, but less would be fine too.

The tricky bit is I'd also like it to be able to autofocus on my camera body, which means the lens will need a motor.

Any ideas? Ideally I'd like to keep it cheap of course, but I know that's probably not going to happen. Hopefully it will cost less than $500.

 

[Saje]

Well there is the Nikon 18-200 which is over your price range

Nikon AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G DX VR Zoom Lens DSLR Lenses Non-Full Frame 14332 - Vistek Canada Product Detail

although you might be able to find it cheaper

the 18-105 which i think you would find limiting but it's longer then the kit so maybe not
Nikon AF-S 18-105m DX Nikkor f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DSLR Lenses Non-Full Frame 14320 - Vistek Canada Product Detail

there is also the 18-135 which i don't see on vistek. it's quite flexible and has decent reviews. not sure about the price

 

[xpaeanx]

ok so this isn't really the lens you wanted... but it's fairly inexpensive: $199 55-200mm

Nikon 55-200 mm F/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Lens - 2156 - RitzCamera.com

or with VR: $249

Nikon 55-200 mm F/4 5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor Lens w/ Vibration Reduction - 2166 - RitzCamera.com


The 18-55 is $199 also

Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX Nikkor VR Lens - 2176 - RitzCamera.com

I realize this may suck, but if you bought the two different lenses, you would save aprox. $300...

 

[skKi]

I've thought about it, and while it may seem petty, I'm pretty sure I'd spend that much more just so I wouldn't need to change my lenses over and over.

I'm shooting mostly the dogs, and having a lens that can get good reach at the flick of the wrist is pretty important seeing as they run in and away from the camera at alarming speed. Were I to try and switch back and forth between lenses, I'd probably miss out on at least a few good pictures.

The 18-105 looks pretty nice. Relatively cheap with decent range. I'll probably rent it soon to test it out, but does anyone have any experience with it?

 

[xpaeanx]

This one is a bit cheaper: $360... I don't know anything about the company though.

Quantaray 18-200 mm DC 3.5-6.3 Lens f/Nikon DSLR - 251666079 - RitzCamera.com