Okay, I hope this is not too repetitive of other past similar discussions, but I need help. I want to add one lens to my camera, perhaps a second as well. I went through previous discussions to try and understand what I may need. I found some useful information and now understand a little more, but frankly I find some of the numbers confusing when it comes to lenses and just what they mean.
My camera came with the 18-55 mm. It seems the 55-200 mm is widely suggested & I think I will start with that. I guess that will give really good up close shots (macro?), and perhaps all-purpose shots? Will that also give further away shots? (By "further away" I actually mean shots such as getting good detail of a bird at the bird feeder for instance). I assume I will need a good lens as well for further distances eventually? So, what numbers apply to the distance shots?
Also, I did find in previous discussions I need to stick with "AF-S" lenses with the 3100 because the body does not auto-focus - so that is useful to know.
Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions and assisting me with these damn numbers!
55-200 is a good lens, but also consider 55-300 which I don't think is a lot more. Neither will do macro - you need a lens that specifies it is a macro lens for that. Sometimes, it's possible to get lenses second hand, but not so often with the AF-S lenses. If you're in the UK, then this shop often has some good second hand stuff. I bought a 55-200mm AF-S lens for my sister for £125 there. http://www.harrisoncameras.net/
A 50mm prime is also nice, but the cheaper one (the 50mm f1.8) would only manually focus on your camera, so unless you plan to upgrade that too in the future, then you'd need to much more expensive 50mm f1.4.
I have a Nikon 5100 and have a 50mm prime and I LOVE it. It's my favorite lens. I also have the stock 18-55, a 55-200 and a 35 prime. The 50mm stays on 99% of the time. It's the f1.8 (I could not afford or justify the f1.4).
@linah another good option for prime is 35mm f1.8, it's not very expensive and better allround lens than the 50 on a D3100. To figure out what the different mm means in terms of wide and tele (further away) for you camera you can play with the Nikon lens simulator http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/simulator/
@linah Your right about the AF not in the body only in the lens with the Nikon. So you have to watch out for that. Tamron provides lenses for Nikon with inbuild AF motor. Great lens and product and cheaper. Have a look out on their homepage, or Amazon or wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamron I use both and I never regreted buying the Tamron 18-200
I agree with @primitiveprobe I have the D3100, the 35mm f1.8 is a great all purpose lens. There is no zoom, but it allows enough into a shot if you were to do street, or even a bit of landscape (of course a wide angle would be nice if you are doing a lot of landscape). You have to be really conscious of composing your shot. I also have the 50mm 1.4. Beautiful portrait lens, great in low light. I have the 55-200 ED, not the S, which was my biggest mistake, it does not have internal stabilization, so you have to be real steady to get a focused shot or use the tripod. I would also suggest what @wormentude said and go for the 55-300, you can zoom in much more on a subject if you need to. Happy shopping!
I also have the D3100 & (as a newbie) was getting slightly confused by all the numbers thrown around :-( until a pro friend suggested the 70-300 & 18-70 lenses for me & I've never regretted the purchase of either...
@primitiveprobe Thanks for the link for the lens simulator - very helpful! @wormentude@sarie@khirsch@newbie Thanks for all the great information. I think I am aiming towards the 55-300. What does the 35 mm or 50 mm do that the 55-300 does not? A few of you seem to prefer that one. Using the simulator shows that you can really zoom in on detail from the distance at 300 mm. I will look at the Tamron lenses too. I also really like the look at 10 mm using the simulator.
I started with a 35 - 55 kit lens then quickly added a 55 - 300, That will keep you going with plenty of scope until your ready to add another lens, Unless of course money is no object.
@tinakav@felix2013 Thanks. Definitely seems that getting something at the upper number of 300 is the way to go. Yes Hugh, money is an object :) I definitely don't want to spend too much $$ and have regrets. I want to slowly build up my hobby.
@linah Me too. I would love to add some more lenses now. But I must wait. My next lens would be in the 10 - 24mm area for wide angle landscapes and when I win the lottery it will be a big focal low aperture monster. Have my eyes on the exact one but it is in the £5000 region.
Have a look at Kenco Extension tubes to give you the macro capability. Cheap way of expanding your options.
@linah try doing some research on the realtionship between focal length and lens speed either here wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_lens or wikipedia.org/wiki/Lens_speed or on any of the photo websides
@linah the 35mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.4 are fast lenses. The aperature opens very wide (1.8 and 1.4) allowing alot of light onto the sensor. This is very useful in low light situations and producing nice bokeh or creamy backgrounds when shot at these lower numbers. I believe the 55-300 only goes down to f4 or so, so you would have to compensate by increasing the iso or have additional lighting in lower light situations. Increasing the iso with the D3100 is not the best option. I find anything beyond iso 400 to be very noisy (grainy). More advanced cameras can handle the increased iso better, but the D3100 not so much.
I use the 50mm 1.4 and it is my 'go to' lens. I bought mine used for US$165.00. Mine was from Calumet Photography, but I've seen them occasionally on eBay as well. I hardly even buy a lens new -- I've let someone at a camera shop know what I was hoping to get and they've let me know when they've gotten one in. I know I've saved hundreds of dollars that way so it's worth scouting around to see if you can find a trustworthy source.
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Check out the sales at B & H they have good deals right now on Nikon and canon lenses
http://www.harrisoncameras.net/
Have a look at Kenco Extension tubes to give you the macro capability. Cheap way of expanding your options.