Jump to content

Welcome to NikonForums.com
Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!
Photo

Need help buying lens for D3100


  • Please log in to reply
No replies to this topic

#1
mjohnsimon

mjohnsimon

    New Member

  • Forum Member
  • Pip
  • 3 posts
  • Country Flag

I own a D3100 and I'm planning on getting new lenses. I do a lot of field work in Alaska and the Everglades, plus I do a lot of outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking, nature trails, biking, etc, so I mainly focus on wildlife, scenery, and the occasional portraits.

 

I currently have the 55-200mm lens kit, but I'm stuck when it comes to ordering new lenses.

 

I use the 55-200mm for practically everything. While I enjoy the lens immensely, there are times when getting pictures of landscapes, closeups, portraits, or just wide-angle shots are either extremely annoying, difficult, or just not possible. Since the lowest I can go is 55mm, I can never get full landscape images or any clear images of things or people less than 5 feet in front of me. Also, there have been multiple times throughout my time owning this camera where I wished I had more reach to take pictures of animals (like birds and whatnot) or anything in general that were farther away (heck, an extra 50mm would be crazy helpful). 
 

I was thinking about getting 2 lens, an 18-55mm kit lens for when I need to take a picture of something close (or a wide angle shot), and a 55-300mm kit lens to get things farther away.

 

A friend from work, or the field station that I currently work at recommends that I go for the 2 kit lenses. He feels that since I'm still relatively new to photography, the 2 lenses would be good for me get some experience using and changing out different lenses, and since I'm not really having any issues with my current 55-200mm, the 55-300mm would offer the extra reach I so desperately wanted and wouldn't be much different than what I'm used to now. Plus, if I'm ever gonna do some light photography around a town, concert, or social event, the 18-55mm would be perfect since it's smaller, easier to handle, and wouldn't draw too much attention from people. 

Someone else on the other hand recommended that I should get the 18-200mm lens instead as a jack of all trades lens. It'd be easier to use because I won't have to switch lenses back and forth at the cost of it being heavier, longer, and a bit pricer. While I won't have that extra reach, he argued that it'd be the only lenses I'd probably ever need until I decide to buy better lenses in the future (assuming I take photography to the next level). While I seriously like the convenience factor, he mentioned that anything over 200mm is overkill for someone who's still relatively new to photography and not really worth it unless I have steady hands (which I don't have) or a tripod (which I also don't have currently). 

 

What would you guys recommend?