which lens to choose.....?

[Bolthead]

Hi all, I'm having a bit of a dilemma choosing the right lens for me. Right now I don't have much of a budget, ($250). I was hoping someone can point me in the right direction as to which all around lens to get. I have the d3100 right now with the kit lens 18-55. I shoot a lot of pics of my animals, family, also outdoors. I would prefer something totally compatible.....Nikor would be great, if it's in my budget, but I would still settle for a Sigma, or even Tamron if they're worth my budget price. I'm anxious for some good advice/feedback. Thanks in advance. :thumbup:

 

[MTVision]

Prime or zoom? You can get 2 primes within your budget. Best way to figure it out - set your lens on one focal length like 35 and leave it there for a couple days. Then out it on 50 and do the same. See which focal length you like better. The 35 1.8 is about 199.00 and the 50 1.8 is about 220.00

 

[MLeeK]

Megan covered it. That's all there is for good lenses in your budget. Or you could save for something else you really want.

 

[Bolthead]

Prime or zoom? You can get 2 primes within your budget. Best way to figure it out - set your lens on one focal length like 35 and leave it there for a couple days. Then out it on 50 and do the same. See which focal length you like better. The 35 1.8 is about 199.00 and the 50 1.8 is about 220.00

Thanks Megan, I guess I should've mentioned that I'm in the process of getting a used 50 1.8 for $75, does that help anymore?

 

[Bolthead]

Having the prime 50 1.8 (on the way) and an old 135mm 2.8 manual focus that will work, I'm looking more for a zoom I guess.

Are any of these worth getting?
Nikon 55-200 4-5.6 AF-S DX VR, 70-300 4-5.6G (photo4less)
Sigma 50-200, 70-300 3.5-5.6 AF-D, 70-300 4-5.6 APO DG macro AF-D
Tamron 70-300 4-5.6 Di LD macro AF motorized, 75-300 4-5.6 LD AF-D

thanks a bunch.

 

[MLeeK]

You get what you pay for in zooms and that range... isn't so hot. I'd definitely rule out the Sigma and Tamron versions you've listed. The Nikon guys can tell you which is the better of the two evils in the Nikon's.

 

[MTVision]

The Nikon 55-300 is slightly better than the 55-200 and it was recently on sale for around your budget. I have it and it works great for me. I rarely use it now because I've discovered I like prime lenses. It is nice to have though and you can get some great pictures with it.

This one probably isn't the best quality since I took it off my FB page. It was taken through a wire fence at the zoo so it definitely comes in handy

 

[cgipson1]

You might consider a 70-300 ED VR Amazon.com: Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR Nikkor Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo if you can find one used for the price... they do very well, especially for such a broad range of zoom. You CAN find the older D style lens very inexpensively : Amazon.com: Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED AF Nikkor SLR Camera Lens: Camera & Photo but with the D3100 you will have to manual focus.

Here is a quick search on Amazon of zoom lenses under $200 to give you some ideas... but I would stick to either the 55-200 that Megan mentioned.. or the 70-300, personally.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_in_-2_p_4_11?rh=n%3A172282%2Cn%3A!493964%2Cn%3A502394%2Cn%3A499248%2Cn%3A562261011%2Ck%3Anikon%2Cp_n_feature_four_browse-bin%3A3207234011%2Cp_36%3A1253506011%2Cp_4%3ANikon|Tamron|Sigma|Tokina&bbn=562261011&keywords=nikon&ie=UTF8&qid=1322532947&rnid=15784691

You may find this lens compatibility chart useful also : Nikon | Imaging Products | Lens Compatiblity - Nikon D3100

 

[Bolthead]

Thanks everyone, you've been very helpful.

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[Patrice]

In your original post you implied you were concerned about aperture, I take to mean you are wanting a fast lens, as in f/2.8 or faster. All variable aperture zooms you indicated in a following post are not considered fast lenses. They are variable aperture lenses with maximum aperture of f/5.6 at the long end. Given your budget and a wish for fast aperture your choices are limited. Megan's suggestion of the 35 1.8 is not a bad one. You already have a couple of fast primes so add a fast wide angle and you should be good to go.

 

[Bolthead]

MTV, can I ask where u seen the 55-300 on sale? Also, is this lens decent ?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/230708277394?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
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[Nikon_Josh]

Also consider the New Tamron 70-300 VC lens, it is very highly rated it would seem. But make sure you are looking at the VC version, the other versions are meant to be junk! The 70-300 VR is a very good lens aswell, I have one and it seems to produce some very decent results.

 

[mnhoj]

I'd save the $75 on the 50mm 1.8D and get the 50mm 1.8G. Better across the board and you get auto focus. (bells chime)

Pick up a refurb 55-200 VR...
Used Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G 2166B B&H

You'll be a bit short on budget but pretty close.

The 55-200VR is the basic tele zoom but gives great basic results.

Each step in price will get you a bit more though.

The 55-300 will probably be a bit better in the longer ranges, has better build(metal mount), and has the newer VRII tech. Nikon is offering an instant rebate bringing it to about the $250 mark but it looks like the stores that are honoring the discount are out of stock.
A good option if you already have the 50mm D on the way.

The 70-300s (VR and VC) will AF quicker and probably be a bit sharper but may be out of the budget. They are a bit larger as well.

 

[Bolthead]

thanks all, much appreciated.

 

[Bolthead]

I been doing a bit of scouring and found a Nikon 55-200 f/4.5-5.6 VR AF-S DX for $147, and a Tamron 80-210 4.5-5.6 for AF-D for $60. That's a total of $207 which is well under my budget, am I wasting my time though?