What should I get for my second lens?

[BradUF]

Right now I have a Nikon Prime lens but I miss a ton of great shots because I have zero zoom. I really don't know what I want besides having a zoom and really don't know too much about pros and cons to lens. I have no idea why some lens are 1000 bucks while others are under 200.00.

From my understanding the more zoom you have, the more glass is in the lens and the less crisp the pictures will be? If you guys could just point me in the right direction.

 

[BradUF]

I was thinking this one..

http://www.adorama.com/NK70300AFGB.html

 

[evo5gsr]

What kind of photos are you planning to take and what's your budget?

 

[BradUF]

Well mostly nature shots but nothing crazy that will require crazy amount of zoom..

Budget, under 200.00 and I will buy used.

I have a N80 by the way, not digital.

 

[frXnz kafka]

How about the Sigma 70-300mm macro? That way you'll have plenty of zoom and you'll be able to take pictures of bugs and stuff.

 

[BradUF]

Whats the difference from the Nikon 70-300mm lens?

 

[Antithesis]

It has a much closer focusing distance so you can take close up pictures of stuff. If you want an AF lens, then anything under $200 isn't going to give you the best quality. I have heard that the Sigma 70-300's are pretty sharp for the price though.

 

[BradUF]

Is this the lens you are talking about?

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-70-300mm-4-5-6-Telephoto-Cameras/dp/B000A0UHXU

 

[Overread19 7]

If you are thinking of the sigma (the one you linked to) then I would advise against it. I am using this lens at the moment and find that you have to be shooting from on a tripod or a rest to get sharp shots - and at 300mm it tends to get very soft.
That said it is a capable lens and you can get some great shots out of it, but if I were going to the shops again I would shell out more and get the APO version
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-70-300m...=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1209694401&sr=1-5
that red ring is worth it and gets much better results.
if you want examples of the sigma follow the website link in my profil - everything (barring one to two trees at the very start) is shot on the sigma