NEW WITH DSLR.. HELP!

[C.Driver]

ok let me try to explain this.. I got a used D3100 with Kit Lens for mothers day.
then last weekend i got a nikkor AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6G lens.

now i know that i dont have the AF motor in my body so i have to manual focus which turned out pretty great for still photos, however i am mostly looking to photograph my kids, my daughters softball games, and the occasional car show/drag race events that my husband likes to go to.

I am not looking to be a professional photographer just a hobbiest and super proud mommy that would like to get some great photos. and by great i mean FOCUSED & CLEAR..so i can print some of them out and have nice prints... not noisy, blurry, ect.

Now my ? is.. is the d3100 a good body? so far i like it but im starting to get confused.. there are so many bodies with differnt features.
what i want is a camera with a great zoom lens so i can get good action shots of the softball games.. but i dont want to spend thousands on equipment either.

Are there more lens options for other bodies, more lens options for Canon cameras??
would i be better off selling or trading my equipment for something that will better suit me?
any advice is greatly appreciated!!

THANKS

 

[o hey tyler]

I'm not a Nikon user, but that telephoto lens shouldn't require you to manual focus with it. Assuming its an AF-S G lens.

 

[480sparky]

The 70-300G should AF on the D3100.

 

[C.Driver]

its not an AF-S lens... just AF.. you have to have AF in the camera body to auto focus.

 

[o hey tyler]

Ah, it's this gem.


www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70300g.htm

 

[Tailgunner]

The D3100 is a great beginner camera in my opinion...but I've only had mine a couple weeks.

Anyhow, I don't believe the 70-300G comes with the VR (Vibration Resistance) Technology but I could be wrong. If so, I would strongly suggest a 55-200 f/4-5.6 ED IF VR. You can pick up a refurbished unit for about $150-170 and the VR technology will help create sharper pictures when using the longer ranges...kinda acts like a tripod and steadys th shot. I use one on my D3100 a like it a lot. If you got a few more dollars, I would suggest a 18-200 f4 VR...a refurbished unit runs about $519. Now these lenses work great on still shots with lots of light. Faster and dim/darker subjects such as nighttime sports will require a lower F-stop lens like f/2.8, 1.8, or 1.4...but these lenses run $1,000-1,6000 or more.

 

[480sparky]

.......................

Anyhow, I don't believe the 70-300G comes with the VR (Vibration Resistance) Technology but I could be wrong. .....

Sure it does!

 

[C.Driver]

Ah, it's this gem.


www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70300g.htm

yes thats the one!

 

[Tailgunner]

.......................

Anyhow, I don't believe the 70-300G comes with the VR (Vibration Resistance) Technology but I could be wrong. .....

Sure it does!

They make two models


http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Pr.../1928/AF-Zoom-NIKKOR-70-300mm-f%2F4-5.6G.html

 

[o hey tyler]

Aaaaand this is why I didn't buy a Nikon. Too many lenses that are the same but different.

 

[Tailgunner]

Aaaaand this is why I didn't buy a Nikon. Too many lenses that are the same but different.

I love Nikon but it does it get confusing at times...especially being a newbie lol

 

[Mach0]

Aaaaand this is why I didn't buy a Nikon. Too many lenses that are the same but different.

Once you're in it you know the differences lol

 

[gregtallica]

The D3100 is a great camera, especially for the price. I think what you need is a good super zoom (knowing that IQ [image quality] will diminish a bit) that will autofocus on your camera.

You said yourself you're not going pro any time soon. Maybe sell that 70-300, since it won't autofocus on your camera, and try to pick up something like the 18-200. I have the 18-200, and while it doesn't have the quality that I get with my 35 1.8, I can put that on the camera and have a gigantic range. It's great for "snapshot" shooting. It would be nice to have the zoom for your events, if you need the wider end for family events, things like that... I say keep the body, and check into another lens or two.


also - is all the vignetting on those photos from the lens, or did you add that in?

 

[apvm]

The D3100 is a great camera. The 55-200 f/4-5.6 ED IF VR should be good enough for you and the price is right too for hobbyist.

 

[C.Driver]

also - is all the vignetting on those photos from the lens, or did you add that in?

i added the vignetting.