Need help deciding on a lens.

[MicheleT]

Let me just start by saying I am desperately searching for a new lens. I have spent so much time researching lenses and just when I think I an on the right track I read a review about some other lens that may be better suited for my needs. What I am looking for is a good all around lens with telephoto capabilities. I love to shoot birds and would like a lens that will give me crisp shots from a bit away. I have a Nikon D60. Last year I bought a Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0- 5.6 Di LD Macro Zoom. I am really new to photography and didn't realize that it did not have VR which I need since most of my shots are done at a moment's notice. Therefore, no tripod. My daughter dropped my camera a week after I got the lens and so I am not sure if it is damaged. It still works but my photos are not very crisp and since It was such an inexpensive lens, I doubt if it would be worth having it checked out. I don't know what it costs for repairs but I assume a lot. I would like to spend between $500 and $1000. Definitely prefer the $500 area. I am, again, not a seasoned photographer and do not know much about ISO and such. (That is one of the reasons for joining this forum.) I would be so grateful if someone could lead me in the right direction.

 

[dbvirago]

If you are looking for one lens to do it all and don't need pro quality, the Tamron 18-270 has a VR version. (They call it VC). I used it for a while on my crop camera. Not perfect, but may suit your needs.


This was shot with it.

 

[nickzou]

I think you just need the VC version of your current lens. I heard the Tamron 70-300mm is better than the Nikon version at the 300mm end. And while I've never owned the Tamron 70-300mm I did own the Nikon VR version a while ago and it did indeed lack sharpness at the longer zooms.

 

[MicheleT]

Thanks so much for the quick response. The Tamron 18-270 is actually the lens that I have been looking at. But just when I decide that is the right one then I read how lens xyz is better in many ways. I just needed someone's opinion in case I am not looking in the right direction.