Lens for Nikon D3100: I currently have two lenses for my Nikon, nikkor 85 mm and nikkor 55-300mm. Both lenses have been fun to work with and learn from. I have a chance for a third...

graphicny Loc: Central New York

I currently have two lenses for my Nikon, nikkor 85 mm and nikkor 55-300mm. Both lenses have been fun to work with and learn from.

I have a chance for a third, what would people recommend?

I was thinking a wide angle lens for landscape, was wondering if there is a good choice with out a lot of distortion that will not kill the bank.

A friend is pushing for me to get a lens with more reach than 300mm, but prices seem to jump a lot after that lens. Would be nice if money was not an issue, but it is for me.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

What is your budget?
If you go on ebay, they have a ton of lenses to look at. And some have a very good price.
Erv

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

graphicny wrote:

I currently have two lenses for my Nikon, nikkor 8... (show quote)

How about something in the 18mm range?

kinghen

I have a d3100 and I have the tamron 18 to 270 and love it. I was tiered of changing lens when walking around. Check it out here is a link to amazon.
Henry

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_5?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=tamron+18-270&sprefix=tamro%2Celectronics%2C258

nikron7 Loc: Indianapolis

I recently purchased a 16-85mm and absolutely enjoy it. It is very versatile. I haven't taken it off my D3100 since the mailman delivered it.

camerabuff58 Loc: Ontario, Canada,

My opinion. Go for a fast wide angle if your into landscapes, something like a 10,12 ,15 1.7, 2.8 lens. You will get excellent pictures and taking the crop factor into account your 10 will be a 15, 12 a 18, 15 a 22 and so on. You mentioned your friend is swaying you to a telephoto? With what you have, again in my opinion that will suffice. I found that taking a picture and wanting it zoomed in a little more I just go into the camera menu , crop and zoom using the +/- buton and that works fine.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

If you buy on ebay make sure the lens has a motor in it or you wont be able to use auto focus.Some of the lens snbs will not agree with me but if I were you I would get a kit 18-55mm lens. Check the Ken Rockwell site on what he thinks of the lens. If you shoot around f/8 you will be hard pressed to find a sharper lens. You should be able to get one for under $100 on eBay. That woould give you 18 to 300 glass. The 80 is great for prtraits. work with these lenses for awhile and then when you start missing shots because you need shorter or longer or faster you will know what you need for your next lens. - Dave

graphicny Loc: Central New York

nikron7 wrote:

I recently purchased a 16-85mm and absolutely enjoy it. It is very versatile. I haven't taken it off my D3100 since the mailman delivered it.

That does look like a good option, will have to check it out, thanks.

graphicny Loc: Central New York

wilsondl2 wrote:

If you buy on ebay make sure the lens has a motor ... (show quote)

I will have to go back and check it out, I still have it, just have not used it in a while since I got the other lenses. Did not even think to list it. I am a creature of habit, and out of sight out of mind...

graphicny Loc: Central New York

camerabuff58 wrote:

My opinion. Go for a fast wide angle if your into landscapes, something like a 10,12 ,15 1.7, 2.8 lens. You will get excellent pictures and taking the crop factor into account your 10 will be a 15, 12 a 18, 15 a 22 and so on. You mentioned your friend is swaying you to a telephoto? With what you have, again in my opinion that will suffice. I found that taking a picture and wanting it zoomed in a little more I just go into the camera menu , crop and zoom using the +/- buton and that works fine.

was looking at a teleconverter, hoped it would work with the 55-300, but I guess it will not. But I am thinking landscape lens might be the way to go.

graphicny Loc: Central New York

Erv wrote:

What is your budget?
If you go on ebay, they have a ton of lenses to look at. And some have a very good price.
Erv

thinking 500 to 600 range, was amazed how much can be spent on a lens.

I think when they are in the thousands, it should come with someone to stand by you to hand it to you when you need it. Maybe hand you a cold drink on a hot day...

nikron7 Loc: Indianapolis

graphicny wrote:

nikron7 wrote:

I recently purchased a 16-85mm and absolutely enjoy it. It is very versatile. I haven't taken it off my D3100 since the mailman delivered it.

That does look like a good option, will have to check it out, thanks.

Graphicny, Here are some photos I took with the lens.

Here is a close up at 1.3 feet

NCAA Hqs bldg, upload to see the clarity. It is overexposed but that is my habit.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

They do add up. I have a lot of lenses I picked up on ebay tho. They have stayed at the price I got them for pretty much. If you don't like them they keep their value pretty good. Everyone here has given you some nice ideas. The camera store I use lets me play with a lens if I bring my body in. Might give that a try if you have a local store. Then you can see what they look like at home on the computer.
Erv

graphicny wrote:

Erv wrote:

What is your budget?
If you go on ebay, they have a ton of lenses to look at. And some have a very good price.
Erv

thinking 500 to 600 range, was amazed how much can be spent on a lens.

I think when they are in the thousands, it should come with someone to stand by you to hand it to you when you need it. Maybe hand you a cold drink on a hot day...

R'laine Loc: Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.

I have the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR kit lens, plus a AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens. Apart from 'coveting' a macro lens , I'm finding these two don't disappoint me in what I can and cannot do with them. Oh, and every now and then wishing I had a good Telephoto lens . . . . . don't want much, aye. ;)

graphicny Loc: Central New York

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Graphicny, Here are some photos I took with the lens.[/quote]

Nice shots, will look into it. Sounds like a good option.