Just got a D60, need help finding a lens with some zoom

[kyzen]

So I just bought a Nikon d60 last night. I'm utterly confused by all these options and terms, but absolutely love the quality of the photos I've been able to take so far with just my limited knowledge of cameras from a high school photography class many years ago. Totally blows away my Canon Powershot a710IS.

However, I'd like to get some more zoom on the camera. I have the lens that came with the kit (15-55mm?) presently. I'm not looking for anything with an incredible level of zoom (yet), but being able to close in on things a little ways away would be nice.

Price is a concern - I just dropped $615 on the camera, $130 on a bag for it, and I'd like to pick up a tripod and a remote for it as well. So the cheaper the lens the better.

So, any suggestions for a starter zoom lens?

Thanks in advance

EDIT: Wow, I just realized that I also have absolutely no idea where to shop for camera accessories online.

Also, is this lens worth considering?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...oduct&id=1194050331723

 

[996GT2]

The Nikon 55-200 is a good choice for a relatively inexpensive zoom lens. If you carry along your 18-55 kit lens as well, you'll have both wide angle (27mm) and telephoto (300mm) coverage. If you do some searching online, you can find it for much less than Best Buy's $300 price.

 

[jpeyton]

That's a good lens; get it here instead.

 

[kyzen]

Wow those prices are significantly better, thanks.

 

[xanis]

The 55-200 is the way to go IMO. I'm probably going to be picking one up for myself for my D40.

 

[kyzen]

Though with prices this much under Best Buy's rates, I'm wondering if this one would be a better choice:

http://www.abesofmaine.com/item=NK18135G~item.htm

Or would I be limiting myself too much with that?

For the time being I'll be taking a lot of outdoor shots up in the mountains around town, and some shots at my younger siblings soccer games. I guess I'm having a hard visualizing what the different levels of zoom will look like with this camera.

Are there any lower priced third party manufacturer lenses that would also be worth considering, or should those just be avoided?

 

[twistedlogic]

Originally posted by: kyzen
Though with prices this much under Best Buy's rates, I'm wondering if this one would be a better choice:

http://www.abesofmaine.com/item=NK18135G~item.htm

Or would I be limiting myself too much with that?

Thats entirely up to you. I find 500mm (750mm equivalent) still too limiting for outdoor shooting of wildlife, especially birds. You can never have too much reach, lol.

Originally posted by: kyzen
Are there any lower priced third party manufacturer lenses that would also be worth considering, or should those just be avoided?

There is a cheaper Nikon 55-200mm that does not feature VR (Vibration Reduction). Only 135$. Used would be even cheaper.

Both Tamron and Sigma make 55-200mm lenses, but there quality control is not as good as Nikon's, so they can be hit or miss.

 

[Ballatician]

Cool, I'm thinking of getting the same one as my first. Does Nikon not make an 18-135mm lens with VR? I can't seem to find it anywhere and that seems like a good walkaround lens to have.

 

[jpeyton]

The 18-200mm VR is a good option. If you don't need VR, get the 18-135mm. If you don't mind two lenses, get the 18-55mm VR and 55-200mm VR, or the 70-300mm VR if you need more range.

 

[Ballatician]

Ah, thank you, the 18-200mm VR is a good idea.

 

[kyzen]

To further exemplify how noobish i am about all this - What does "VR" stand for?

 

[Ballatician]

Vibration Reduction. Since the D60 doesn't have VR in body, if you want the feature you have to get a lens with VR. I've been doing a lot of research lol.

Other brands have different names for essentially the same feature which is useful for low light and action shots I think?

 

[dblevitan]

Nikon's VR (and Canon's equivalent IS) is only useful for low-light and/or long focal length shots. VR reduces vibration from your hands, which is most prominent at long shutter speeds and long focal lengths. It's not quite as useful at the wide end but is very useful and the long end. In terms of lenses, the 55-200 is the complement to the 18-55. If you want longer reach and a better lens (more of a prosumer than consumer), the 70-300 VR is the best you'll get cheaply. There's nothing longer that doesn't cost quite a bit more. The 18-200 is a great walkaround lens, but it is expensive and may not be necessarily what you want.

In terms of a tripod and remote, the remote should be fairly cheap but the tripod will be expensive. Unless you need to travel and/or hike, I would strongly recommend going with a Manfrotto tripod and head (or Gitzo, but they're even more expensive) and not settling for anything cheaper and/or of lower quality. The only problem is the low-end non-carbon fiber models are heavy, but they are stable and work great. I, unfortunately, often resort to using a small Velbon tripod because its a lot lighter and smaller (meaning it fits in luggage and I can hike up mountains with it) but its is a pain in the neck to use and is much less stable than the Manfrotto tripod. Eventually I'll buy a Manfrotto/Gitzo carbon fiber model for hiking.

 

[soydios]

For my advice on lenses, see my Nikon Lens Guide.

For a camera remote, get this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VEQVEO. It works great for me, and lets me trigger other people's cameras.

 

[kyzen]

Awesome, thanks, the remote looks good - it's compatible with the D60 I assume?

Your first link doesn't appear to work

 

[twistedlogic]

Originally posted by: kyzen
Your first link doesn't appear to work

Looks like the link is missing this ----> ssageview.aspx?cat where the .... are.

This one should work.

 

[soydios]

Originally posted by: twistedlogic

Originally posted by: kyzen
Your first link doesn't appear to work

Looks like the link is missing this ----> ssageview.aspx?cat where the .... are.

This one should work.

I fixed my link, thanks for catching that.