Lens recommendation -- high speed, low light, $1000

I went through the same agonizing for bird photos under a rather dense
canopy;
tried the Nikon AF 300F4 ($350 on eBay)and that gave rather nice
results, but that lens
will NOT auto-focus on your D40x. The AF-s version of that lens will,
but is often just
beyond your budget.
Then my wife bought me the Nikon VR 80-400 F4.5-5.6 and I was really
amazed at
how much easier it was with that lens! Unfortunately again, that lens
will NOT autofocus
with your camera. If that is not a problem, I have to say that this
lens will allow you
to make tack sharp shots at 1/125sec at 400mm (600mm effective on your
camera)
HANDHELD!!
All in all, I would advise to wait a bit and buy (or rent first :-) )
the lens that really works
for you, even if it costs a bit more than you had planned initially...!

Henk



gstoa wrote:

Looking for lens recommendations for my Nikon D40x which will enable
me to shoot high speed in low light conditions (indoor sports under
fluorescent lights). I have the standard Nikon 55-200 zoom which
delivers slow and grainy pictures at f-4 even without Auto Focus. I
am happy to give up the zoom and AF in return for quality pictures
that I can crop.

Suggestions are greatly appreciated.