Beginner Cycling Photography - D3000 Stock 18-55 Lens

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Hi All,

I've had my D3000 for a few years not really using it for much. Recently I have started to photograph cycling events weekly to try and learn! I have been finding that the stock lens's zoom just isn't enough.

Could you advise on what I should be considering when picking a suitable additional Lens? As I'm not a serious photographer, I would be looking to go for the 'basic model'. These events are local, and usually I am fairly close to the riders so anything over 200mm would be OTT.

I've found the following online and seems to be a small sale on the below:

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/camera...lephoto-zoom-lens-for-nikon-01565856-pdt.html

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/camera...m-lens-with-macro-for-nikon-20965701-pdt.html

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/camera...-swm-ed-telephoto-zoom-lens-00734639-pdt.html

I'm still learning so go easy on me :D

Thanks,

D300Dan
 
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Can't comment on Nikon but the lenses are all similar spec to my untrained eyes, all the same aperture range. The obvious difference is the one that starts at 55mm-200mm and the other 2 70mm-300mm. You need to decide which starting point you'd like, would 70mm at the widest be too long for what you want to do? The 55-200mm would be in the same class as your kit lens so I'm assuming would produce similar quality pictures. I don't know what the Nikon or Sigma designations for vibration reduction/image stabilisation are but presume the more expensive Sigma lens of the 3 has it. If it's the only one with it I'd say that would be a must have feature for a longer lens.
 
Hi Dan. This could end up quite tricky. You may find yourself really becoming immersed and catch the photography bug quite bad! You may then discover that your style and what you like photographing changes over time. This then all leads to the question on what kit to buy. This is certainly what happened to me.

Anyway, to fast forward to your question, I'd be more than tempted to buy the Nikon 55-200 VR for £146 if that's your budget. You may also be telling yourself that you don't want to spend the extra in case you put the camera back down. That's also what I found! I'm certain I'm not the only one that has said I'm not spending extra just in case I don't like it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-55-20...TF8&qid=1404458868&sr=8-2&keywords=Nikon+lens

I had a 70-300 (I think!) but it was pointless as the 'keepers' were very low on that lens largely due to having no VR. I'm now tempted to say a lot of the bad shots were also down to a lack of knowledge and experience from the operator!!!! I do wonder though how I'd get on with it now as I have a better understanding now than I did back then.

On a side note, vibration reduction can be identified as follows:

Nikon = VR (vibration reduction)
Sigma = OS (optical stabilisation)
Tamron = VC (vibration control)
 
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