New lens question: I have Nikon D3100 and would like to upgrade my lens. For now I have a 55-200mm (and a 18-55mm). Price needs to be under 600.00. Would a 70-300mm be much of an...

Graveman Loc: Indiana

I have Nikon D3100 and would like to upgrade my lens. For now I have a 55-200mm (and a 18-55mm). Price needs to be under 600.00. Would a 70-300mm be much of an improvement if not what would work. I don't want one as long as my are or costs more than my first new car. Something comparable to my Nikon P530 that has a 42X wide zoom. Problem with that is that if I go the full open, its a bit blurry. Any sugestions, found a couple on B&H that were priced about right.

Ol' Frank Loc: Orlando,

I just bought two kit lens for my Nikon. One is the 18-55 and the other is 55-300. Both are fairly decent lens and I like them a lot. I also use a Kenko 1.4 telextension 0n the 55-300 and it works as well. It will be awhile before I can recover from my last GAS attack.

Jahawk Loc: Rhode Island

Graveman wrote:

I have Nikon D3100 and would like to upgrade my lens. For now I have a 55-200mm (and a 18-55mm). Price needs to be under 600.00. Would a 70-300mm be much of an improvement if not what would work. I don't want one as long as my are or costs more than my first new car. Something comparable to my Nikon P530 that has a 42X wide zoom. Problem with that is that if I go the full open, its a bit blurry. Any sugestions, found a couple on B&H that were priced about right.

Look at this: Sigma - 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS Macro HSM Standard Zoom Lens. I have one and love it $349.00

fabfab Loc: Marietta GA

I would stay away from the 70-300 budget Nikon. I had one and it was sharp at 70mm and soft at 300mm. It was wasted money.
Have you thought about a prime $400-$600 lens. There are some good 35mm to 50mm types that are sharp edge to edge.
Be sure to check the reviews on Photozone.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

You have to decide if it's worth investing to add that amount to your existing capabilities. I would suggest trying one to see what you think. Rent maybe.

MarkD Loc: NYC

The Nikon 55-200 VR is a very good lens. The next step up would be a Nikon 70-300 VR or Tamron 70-300 VC. Neither would be much sharper, but the extra 100mm is significant. If you want a faster lens, a used Sigma or Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 without stabilization can be had for around $600. Check keh.com, B&H, and Adorama.

IMO, unless you need the speed for indoor or nighttime sports you're best off with the Nikon 70-300 VR. With the crop factor, it's equivalent to 450mm on your Nikon P530. Anything longer than a 70-300 would be big, heavy, and expensive.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

The 55-300mm vr g is a very nice lens for the money. I had one with my D3100 and I liked it a lot.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

I had the Sigma 18-250 and loved it, especially at $349. I moved up to the Sigma 18-300 and love it even more, it's around $600. Very good throughout almost all of the range. It's on my camera as my main walking around lens most of the time. Also, it works with Sigma's new $60 USB dock which lets you make adjustments to 4 different zoom ranges in the lens through your computer. Sweet!

P.S. Forgot to mention, I had the Nikon 55-300 VR and it was very good as well, but I sold it after I got the 18-300. I think it's every bit as good.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

At 13:04 today,someone posted a 70-300 for $100.

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

Graveman wrote:

I have Nikon D3100 and would like to upgrade my lens. For now I have a 55-200mm (and a 18-55mm). Price needs to be under 600.00. Would a 70-300mm be much of an improvement if not what would work. I don't want one as long as my are or costs more than my first new car. Something comparable to my Nikon P530 that has a 42X wide zoom. Problem with that is that if I go the full open, its a bit blurry. Any sugestions, found a couple on B&H that were priced about right.

as per "dave0" info

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-283923-1.html

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Thanks,Bill. Some of us old folks have to learn some new tricks!

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

DaveO wrote:

At 13:04 today,someone posted a 70-300 for $100.

That's an AF Nikkor which will not auto focus on the D3100.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Ahhhhhh...

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

DaveO wrote:

Thanks,Bill. Some of us old folks have to learn some new tricks!

I'm only a minute in front of you!!! i struggle with this stuff sometime also,

you are welcome!!

if you are interested.. find the page you want to share, here or on the internet, right click in the address box click "copy"
then when you are writing you can right click and "paste" and will put the address in there for you...

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Funny, I immediately did that after you posted. :thumbup: