Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Your lenses are quite sharp, as long as you understand their strengths and weaknesses. Both will provide excellent sharpness at F8, and a little less than excellent but still good wide open and up to F11.

You've got the focal length range covered from 18-200. Getting another lens that duplicates that range is redundant. Unless you are looking to avoid changing lenses. But the superzoom will not be as good as the two that you have now.

If you need a faster lens, then your budget cannot afford it.

If you need a wider lens - there are a few choices in that price range. The Sigma 10-20 F4-5.6 is fairly incredible. The 11-16 Tamron and the Nikon 10-24 are pretty good - with the only issue is the corners at 10mm with the Nikon - they are total crap. But if you close the lens down to F8 when zoomed to 10mm, the quality is ok. Center sharpness is typically excellent.

The only other choice that you don't have covered is a macro. You can get a decent new or used macro - no one makes a bad one - the Tamron 90, the Sigma 150 F2.8 non-OS (used they are around $500), and the Tamron 180 F3.5 - new it is $670, but you can find them used for around $500 also. If you consider a macro, you don't need stabilization, and you really don't need autofocus, since when you are really close your best best at good focus is to move the camera back and forth on a macro rail.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Try surfing at KEH.com. They have one of the largest selections of experienced hardware in the world. Simply go to the "purchase" section, select "nikon" and walk down the path. They expect you to know what you want, but will be very helpful if you need it. Give them an idea of your budget, body, and what you might want to shoot and they can offer suggestions. They know their gear and their inventory very well. GL

machia Loc: NJ

Check out the Tamron 16-300 mm, should be under six hundred dollars.

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

The question no one seems to be asking is, what do you like to shoot. Fit the lens to your objective, then go shop for it.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

I am assuming you are looking for more reach. The Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 gets pretty good reviews, though I cannot speak personally. Why not rent a few, then decide what works well. I would not rule out looking into refurbished from either a Nikon or Cameta Camera.

PhotoPhred Loc: Cheyney, Pa

I agree with the Sigma 18-250 macro. I bought it for my wife's Nikon d5100 and it is a very nice lens. I have to get her flowers and candy to borrow it. At 350.00 at B+H it's hard to beat.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I would look at lenses with a constant aperture. I got the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 and loved it. Pick a lens out that you really want and save until you can afford it.

ollie Loc: Ogdensburg, NY

I used the nikkor 70-300 for years without a problem. very good results with relatively little weight my son now uses it now because I upgraded to the 80 - 400 they both were used on a D7100. the 70 - 300 did a decent job with close up as well. it would take extreme enlarging (cropping) for the 70 - 300 to not be judged v.good to excellent. I have many 20 x 30 prints from it in both close up and telephoto with very nice results

sletter Loc: Daytona Beach Area

Good luck getting 42X optical zoom without using a telescope on the D3100. You'll likely see much less than 10X without going very long and expensive. You will be able to digitally zoom some but reaching 42X with a satisfactory image will be a stretch I believe.

graybeard

So you want a cheap Nikon ? Don't you know the whole purpose for having a Nikon is to wave it in other peoples faces and say "Look, I have a Nikon, and you don't!" I would consider a good quality lens with a Nikon mount or adapter. Diff between 200 and 300mm isnt worth another lens. Probably go up to a 400 or 500mm, maybe a zoom from 200mm or so on up. Surely $600 will get you something good.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Sigma 100-300 F4 -NO OS- so you will need good support/stabilization/shutter speed. Works with 1.4X TC. Only available used now, - About $600 most places - I would only buy from KEH. 2nd choice, Tamron 70-300 SP VC.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

SquareRoot Loc: southeast Missouri

I bought a used 70-300 VR on eBay, and it's great for my baseball pics! Really pleased

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Nikkor 85mm f1.8 $499.00 Sharp as a tack. Field of view of 127mm on your camera. It will be, among other things, a great portrait lens. This will be your first exotic lens.