newbie question

[robert122]

hi
awaiting delivery of my new Nikon D3000. It comes with a 18mm-55mm kit.
what extra lens would be good to have. I will be taking general wildlife/nature pictures aswell as family and pets. Budget as low as possible new or used.

thanks for you advice

phil

 

[markiemc13]

70-300 f3.5-5.6 would cover a wide array of options for you, probably get one for £150

 

[littlemonster]

It depends on your budget.

A 55-200 will cover some more range, and do some wildlife, a 70-300 will do more and is more suited to wildlife, but the price is higher too - and I've heard the cheap tamron one is useless. It also depends - if you mean the odd picture just because it's there, then it won't be worth the extra so much as if you love it. I often use over the 200mm for doggy pics though, as I prefer action/candid type pictures to portrait.

Look at 2nd hand lenses though, they often come in a lot cheaper.

 

[robert122]

thanks for your quick replies.
think for the moment i will get used to the new camera (when it arrives) with the 18-55 lens and see how i go and meanwhile i can try and save up.
once again thanks

phil

 

[Flash In The Pan]

55-200 VR is the usual recommendation, can usually be found new for under £150 and it's a cracking little lens

 

[Yardbent]

55-200 VR is the usual recommendation, can usually be found new for under £150 and it's a cracking little lens

+1

had one - excellent
whatever lens you look at - the D3000 will not Auto-focus with AF lenses

you need Nikon AF-S or equivalent designation - Sigma is HSM

 

[alexhcowley]

It depends on your budget.

A 55-200 will cover some more range, and do some wildlife, a 70-300 will do more and is more suited to wildlife, but the price is higher too - and I've heard the cheap tamron one is useless. It also depends - if you mean the odd picture just because it's there, then it won't be worth the extra so much as if you love it. I often use over the 200mm for doggy pics though, as I prefer action/candid type pictures to portrait.

Look at 2nd hand lenses though, they often come in a lot cheaper.

As someone who has done a fair bit of wildlife photography, I'd say 55-200 is more than a little on the short side. If you can afford it, go for a 70-300mm lens. Have a look at the Sigma offering. I haven't used it myself but I have one of its big brothers, the 150-500mm and that's hot stuff.