Fabulous imagery Doug... Albeit I'm totally terrified by Alligators! Those monsters give my heart palpitations
You're a brave sole to wander around where they hang out...
Best advice? From too many years of experience... Keep that Nikon DX-VR 18-55mm- 3.5-5.6GII lens (or sell it to me, I'll give you $69 plus shipping after you've cleaned all the Alligators out of it)... Seriously keep that AF-S (I assume it's the AF-S version) of the 18-5.6 G VR II variant, it's a winner and if it's working on your D3300 it's not the AF-P version which I'm not interested in at this juncture.
As for your Albinar (
Samyang) 80-200mm F/3.9 Macro AIS Manual Focus Lens For Nikon {55} KEH might give you $25 (max) since they are out of stock on that item.
https://www.keh.com/shop/albinar-80-200mm-f-3-9-macro-ais-manual-focus-lens-for-nikon-55.htmlAs for the list of optics others on UHH are recommending I'm thinking maybe they didn't read your post carefully...
"... I'd like suggestions for the best for a somewhat inexpensive price. I'd like suggestions on what may be the best for me. I am still a rank amateur, know the basic ideas, but still have much to learn."From my experience I would suggest the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED VR
https://www.mpb.com/en-us/product/nikon-af-s-dx-nikkor-55-200mm-f-4-5-6g-if-ed-vr/sku-2417152mpb has one at $109 that might be a good fit for your needs since it comes with
What's included
Standard 6 month warranty
52mm Front Lens Cap
Instruction Manual
Instruction Manual (a)
Nikon CL-0815 Soft Lens Case
Nikon HB-37 Lens Hood
Original Packaging (b)
Rear Lens Cap - F Fit How good is it? I use that DX Zoom all the time on my Nikon D300s, and it is awesome!
DxOmark gives it a very high rating for all optical aspects... but it isn't a Pro Build so treat it gently k?
Here is what they discovered in their test suite for the Nikon D3400 which is pretty much the same as your D3300.
https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Nikon/Nikon-AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-55-200mm-F4-56G-ED-VR-II-mounted-on-Nikon-D3400__1105 Below I've posted the Global Sharpness Map at 1/3 across the sensor for your Nikon Body
Probably best to avoid the 55-300mm variant as it's very weak beyond 200mm and contrary to what the Lion's share of UHH members may tell you (
that long is good, and even longer reach is better) I believe your eye for aesthetics deserves quality image capture (which the 55-300mm will not likely give you) if you doubt this compare DxOMark's data for both the 55-300 against that of the 55-200... Beside you'll have to pay more for the 55-300mm because many naive users' perceived valuation can be (and likely is) sadly distorted.
Hope this helps (and no I don't work for either KEH or mpb) it's just that from your initial go at photography I honestly believe you deserve the most appropriate tool(s) in your price range.
Wishing you much joy and success on your photographic journey Doug
Cheers! Thomas