New to DSLR's

[OutandAbout]

Hello Everyone

I'm new to this photography thing. I'm after some help. I have just purchased a Nikon D5100 and would like to buy a new lens. I have my eye on a Nikon AF 70-300mm f4-5.6G. Can anyone let me know if this will be suitable for my nikon and if it's auto focus.

I just like taking photo's of anything really, still learning a lot out my camera.

Hope to get some info.

Thanks Karen

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[480sparky]

It will work, and it will AF.

[KmH]

Being AF and not AF-S it will not auto focus on a D5100 because the Nikon AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6G does not have a focus motor in it.
It is an auto focus lens when used on Nikon cameras that have a focus motor/screw-drive system in the camera body. The compact D3000, D3100, D3200, D5000, D5100 don't have a focus motor in them.

Also, its not a very good lens. No doubt it's inexpensive, but you usually get what you pay for.

The Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF will auto focus on your camera

[gardy]

there is a version that will autofocus on your camera, its the newer VR version of this lens, however it is a bit more pricy. what lenses do you already have and what are you usually shooting?

[OutandAbout]

Thanks for the info guys.

I only have a lens which came with the camera........AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm. And at the moment I'm just having fun shooting anything. Have never had a SLR camera before.

I have seen another lens, is this one better.............Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6 G IF-ED Lens.

Another quick question, sometimes I have a green spot on my photos, not sure what it would be from....any ideas?

All help is great appreciated, as I'm just a beginner and I'm happy to learn.

Thanks Karen

[snowbear]

Another quick question, sometimes I have a green spot on my photos, not sure what it would be from....any ideas?

All help is great appreciated, as I'm just a beginner and I'm happy to learn.

Thanks Karen

Please post an example.

[andrew.479]

There is also a 55-300 for DX that you might like...

[OutandAbout]

Hello

Here are a few samples

[jrizal]

Did you use a filter when you took this shot? How about a hood? Initially, it looks like lens glare to me.

[OutandAbout]

No I don't use a filter or have a hood.

Are they are that you recommend? I know nothing about filters or hoods, so any info would be great.

[jrizal]

The use of a uv filter is almost like a religious debate. And since you don't use one, maybe it's best that you don't for the time being. But there are other filters such as a cpl filter which are very useful. A lens hood is useful to protect the lens from the sun's (or any bright light) and prevent spots on your photos. Unfortunately, the kit lens of the D5100 doesn't come with one. Most lenses usually come with one. Below is a link for lens hoods. I am assuming you have the 18-55mm kit lens and the corresponding lens hood has the model number HB-45.

Amazon.com: Nikon hb-45

PS I decided to scrimp and bought the Fotodiox HB-45 replacement hood.

[OutandAbout]

Thanks jrizal...this is all new to me. I'll have a look around for a cpl filter and maybe even a hood.
Yes I do have a 18-55mm kit lens, but looking at buying a Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6 G IF-ED Lens soon.
Thanks for the info.

[Solarflare]

You need AF-S for autofocus on entry level Nikon DSLRs. AF lenses will need a motor inside the camera. They will make a noise when focussing, and they might be slower (some are actually faster than their AF-S version, if you use them on the really pricey pro bodies).

The AF-S 55-300mm DX and AF-S 70-300mm are two different beasts. The non-DX version is a pro lens and has fast autofocus, which nicely allows to shoot sports and action. The DX lens isnt as good in this respect, and can only be used on DX cameras.

The green spot on your pictures looks like lens flare to me. You probably only get it when the sun is in your picture, right ? And the flare is directly on the other side of the center of the picture from the strong light source (the sun, in this case). Lens flare depends upon the lens used. Modern lenses usually have only very little to no flare (such as a single point, as in your picture).

[480sparky]

A hood will be useless when you include the sun in the frame. The only time it will help is when the sun is outside the frame, but is still able to 'shine' on the front element, and a hood would prevent that.

[joshua_]

Hello,

I have the AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR and I am very happy with it. So far, I believe I have made good use of it and been able to capture some good photos with it.

If you are just looking to expand and don't have anything specific in mind then you may consider the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G. So far it is my favorite lens and I use it most often.