This is a great lens for portraits!  Which is not what I shoot.  I primarily do landscape and if you are looking for a replacement for your kit lens,(mine was the 18-55mm) this is not it.  You do not get the range with this unit, it is set at 50mm.  Do some research, as I did.  Just know that I thought it was going to be more like shooting with my 35mm film camera with a prime lens, it is not.

PLUS, you CANNOT adjust the aperture on the Nikon D40/D40x cameras!  It will function on the camera itself but you are not allowed to adjust the aperture of the lens.  All the research I did I did not find that anywhere.  They did explain that it will not auto focus on these cameras.

So, as far as quality, its Nikkor.  Its a great, clear and crisp lens like all Nikon glass.  And its great to have for special occasions with low light, I just wish I had the D90 or better so I could use all its functionality.

And if you don't know about Prime lenses, they are incredibly clear.  But you cannot zoom in and out like your kit lens, you have to physically move yourself back and fourth, so for landscape with this on my D40x, you have to be way further away than typically works for me.

Go research forums and groups on Flickr.com, check out what others say before you purchase.  It is an excellent lens at an amazing price!  Just know what its good for before you drop your $$$.
This is a great lens for portraits! Which is not what I shoot. I primarily do landscape and if you are looking for a replacement for your kit lens,(mine was the 18-55mm) this is not it. You do not get the range with this unit, it is set at 50mm. Do some research, as I did. Just know that I thought it was going to be more like shooting with my 35mm film camera with a prime lens, it is not. PLUS, you CANNOT adjust the aperture on the Nikon D40/D40x cameras! It will function on the camera itself but you are not allowed to adjust the aperture of the lens. All the research I did I did not find that anywhere. They did explain that it will not auto focus on these cameras. So, as far as quality, its Nikkor. Its a great, clear and crisp lens like all Nikon glass. And its great to have for special occasions with low light, I just wish I had the D90 or better so I could use all its functionality. And if you don't know about Prime lenses, they are incredibly clear. But you cannot zoom in and out like your kit lens, you have to physically move yourself back and fourth, so for landscape with this on my D40x, you have to be way further away than typically works for me. Go research forums and groups on Flickr. com, check out what others say before you purchase. It is an excellent lens at an amazing price! Just know what its good for before you drop your $$$.