D3100 Telephoto Lens

[fsu1dolfan]

So i know that macro is usually the prefered lense around here but i am going on vacation soon and we have been talking about buying a telephoto lens for our D3100 Nikon. I was curious if any Nikon pros out there might have any suggestions or specific lenses that they would recommend.

Thanks for any help!!
-Jason

 

[fsu1dolfan]

So i have been looking at the 55-300 Nikon AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

and the 55-200 Nikon AF-S DX VR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED

Honestly we just need something basic that will give us some more distance on our camera. We are going to Europe next month and it would be nice to be able to get good pictures of the sites we will see. Also for night time what lenses are better...or what features am i looking for??

 

[swannyson7]

I don't know anything about those lenses, but one thing to note is that If you're fully zoomed in with either of those lenses, you'll need a tripod and a remote shutter/timer. A 1mm movement at the camera will yields a significant blur in the image. Sorry I couldn't make any recommendations for you, but I figured a little side note nighty be helpful.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

I don't know anything about those lenses, but one thing to note is that If you're fully zoomed in with either of those lenses, you'll need a tripod and a remote shutter/timer. A 1mm movement at the camera will yields a significant blur in the image. Sorry I couldn't make any recommendations for you, but I figured a little side note nighty be helpful.

Thanks for the heads up. Yeah this is the one thing that i have read...guess thats why the other ones are big money. We are planning on bringing a tripod just in case...plus we are during a night time Vatican tour so i figure we would need the tripod regardless.

Let me ask you: If you don't zoom in all the way...say 50-75% do you still have that ease of a blur? I know that each of those come with a VR (image stabilization) so i am wondering if maybe that helps eliminate the blur.

 

[CJO]

What lenses do you have now? What is your budget?

The larger the aperature of the lens (the smaller the number), the more light it can let in and the better it will be for lower light situations. However, they also tend to cost more. For instance, the 70-200 f/2.8 VR has a constant aperature (it doesn't change the more you zoom) of 2.8, which is a very large aperature. It also has VR, which helps when you are hand-holding the camera for a shot. However, this lens is also around $1,800.

A great all around lens is the 18-200 VR. It has a much larger zoom range than the 70-200 and also has VR. However, the maximum aperature when zoomed is f/5.6. That's why this lens is about $800. There is also the 18-300 VR, which runs about $1,000.

CJ

 

[Mike&Terry]

The Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Nikkor Zoom lens is a GREAT all around lens. This is my #1 go to lens and I used it exclusively while at MACNA this year. I also use it quite a lot for tank pics at home.

The Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens is also a great lens, but not as versatile as the 18-200mm zoom lens. I use this a lot when we visit the local zoo, at parks, and at sporting events.

Both of these lenses have VR II stabilization so you can take great pics w/out a tripod. If you are looking for an "all around" lens, go with the 18-200mm zoom. The 55-300mm lens is less expensive, but as I said, not as versatile.

Here's a shot I took using the 55-300mm lens fully zoomed and no tripod:



hth

-Terry

 

[fsu1dolfan]

What lenses do you have now? What is your budget?

The larger the aperature of the lens (the smaller the number), the more light it can let in and the better it will be for lower light situations. However, they also tend to cost more. For instance, the 70-200 f/2.8 VR has a constant aperature (it doesn't change the more you zoom) of 2.8, which is a very large aperature. It also has VR, which helps when you are hand-holding the camera for a shot. However, this lens is also around $1,800.

A great all around lens is the 18-200 VR. It has a much larger zoom range than the 70-200 and also has VR. However, the maximum aperature when zoomed is f/5.6. That's why this lens is about $800. There is also the 18-300 VR, which runs about $1,000.

CJ

CJO trust me I was already drooling over these lenses. But after expenses this year i am just trying to get decent new lens that will give me some more zoom.

The Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Nikkor Zoom lens is a GREAT all around lens. This is my #1 go to lens and I used it exclusively while at MACNA this year. I also use it quite a lot for tank pics at home.

The Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens is also a great lens, but not as versatile as the 18-200mm zoom lens. I use this a lot when we visit the local zoo, at parks, and at sporting events.

Both of these lenses have VR II stabilization so you can take great pics w/out a tripod. If you are looking for an "all around" lens, go with the 18-200mm zoom. The 55-300mm lens is less expensive, but as I said, not as versatile.

Here's a shot I took using the 55-300mm lens fully zoomed and no tripod:



hth

-Terry

Terry - Thank you for the information on both of these. Considering we will be taking mostly scenery shots i think i probably will go with the 55-300mm and save a little money for another lense down the road. BTW great picture!!