So you’ve just get Nikon beginner digital SLR camera. After having fun shooting, you feel the limitation of the kit lens and want some other lens to complement it. Looking for lenses for Nikon beginner cameras are a bit tricky because it does not have built-in AF motor. The solution is to look for Nikon lens that has AF-S (built-in lens motor) in it.
You might also want lens that doesn’t broke the bank and not too heavy. Here are some suggestions for your beloved camera:
Nikon 55-200mm AF-S f/4-5.6G DX VR – Price: $250
This is telephoto lens that complement well with your kit lens 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR. You can use this for shooting far away subjects such as birds, architectural details or sports. It is great for portraits too. It is equipped with VR (Vibration Reduction) which is effective to prevent blur due to the camera shake.
Nikon 18-200mm AF-S f/3.5-5.6 DX VR II Price: $780
This multipurpose lens is great for any circumstances, you can shoot wide or shoot telephoto for far away subjects. The problem is the weight (565 g) and the high price tag. But if you only one to carry one lens, then this is the one.
Nikon 35mm AF-S f/1.8 DX Price: $200
This is great for low light or to create a shallow depth of field (blur / soften background). The focal length is equivalent to 52.5mm, so it is very close to our eyes viewpoint. The lens is very small and light. The original price (MSRP) is $200, but this lens is very popular and Nikon can’t keep up with market demand. As a result, the price is a bit higher than MSRP.
Nikon AF-S 60mm f/2.8 Micro Price: $550
If you like to shoot small subjects like insects, then this macro lens is for you. It is quite expensive, but you will have a lot of fun with it. The other application for this lens is portrait. Although it might be too sharp for girls portrait.
Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G Price: $450
This lens is great as a portrait lens, candids, or low light events. The focal length is equivalent to 75mm in 35mm camera, it is not wide, but not very long. The size is almost similar to Nikon 35mm f/1.8 lens discussed above.
That’s all folks. You can get your lenses from Amazon, they have a very competitive price and great service. I hope this can help you and have fun making pictures with the lenses!
Looking for other alternative? Check out Sigma lenses or Tamron lenses for Nikon D5000, D3000
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I’m looking to purchase a new set of lens formy D3000. So from the 55-200 and 70-300, which would you recommend for landscapes/events and general photography?
Both are good choices. 55-200mm is wider, shorter and lighter. The 70-300mm is longer, but bigger with faster auto focus speed. For general everyday use, 55-200mm will be adequate. But if you focused on shooting fast moving subjects or very far away subjects like wildlife, than you should consider 70-300mm.
I have a D5000 with the 18-55 kit lens. I love landscapes and portraits, does it worth it to buy a 16-85mm nikor lens? or it does the same pics with better quality?
Enche, I have been looking for a len for portrait and general use for my nikon 3000. I don’t want to carry around too many lens so I don’t mind spend a little extra. I would like a lens with low aperture so I can create a bokeh effect. I have been looking at this lens Nikon Telephoto AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF Autofocus Lens. Please let me know if I should buy this lens? Thanks in advance
yeah, you will notice sharper images, more consistent image quality and most importantly the 16mm is wider and great for landscape.
I actually use the lens, and I think its a legendary lens, great for great bokeh effect and sharp too. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to auto focus using Nikon D3000 with this lens. There is a new version of the lens Nikon 85mm f/1.4G which has has auto focus system that work with Nikon D3000. Image quality is about the same.
I want to buy 55-200mm lens for my D3000 Nikon … Should I or not … Is there a better option out there … Price is not an issue … Help me out guys .
Hi Sarah, 55-200mm is a great match for D3000. There are some other alternative, such as Nikon 70-300mm VR which is a bit sharper and longer but heavier. If you shoot frequently in low light and demand the highest quality picture (at the expense of bulk, weight and price) grab Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR.
Hi,
I need a new lense for my Nikon d3000, im currently learning how to shoot gymnastics shots and also for potrait use which lense do you think is best.
Thanks
Jessica
I think Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4 is great for action or portrait photography. If you prefer zoom, I recommend Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8
Hi, I bought the Nikon D3000 with 18-55 lens kit back in October. I love the lens but I want to be able to shoot wildlife and landscapes. A man in Jessops recommended Tamron 18-270mm f3.5-6.3 Di II VC Lens for Nikon AFS but as it is not a Nikon I am a little concerned about its compatibility. I have also been looking at the Nikon AF-S 55-300mm f4.5-5.6 G ED VR Lens – DX Format but as I’m quite new to this I don’t really have any idea what I’m looking at and was wondering if you could give me some advice?
The man in Jessops said the Tamron would be better as it goes down to 18mm meaning I would not have to switch over lenses whenever I wanted a closer shot.
Hi Amy, for the best result you should get the dedicated telephoto zoom instead of superzoom like 18-270mm. The superzoom lens is versatile, but Tamron auto focus is not great. The best lens for your case might be Nikon 70-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR. The 55-300mm is a budget alternative. It doesn’t auto focus as fast as 70-300mm so you might miss some shoots.
The other difference is, 70-300mm will be compatible with full frame Nikon cameras like D700, D3, on the other hand, the 55-300mm does not.
Hi, This is jacob,I have nikon D3100.All kind of AF lens is suitable for this camera?
No, AF will work only with Nikon AF-S or AF-I lenses. Sigma lens = hsm, Tamron = usd/with built in motor
will a tamaron macro lense fit on a D 3100 camra?
Will a tamron macro lense fit on a D3100 camra??
it will fit, but it may not auto focus because most do not has auto focus motor
Enche,
I’m seriously considering upgrading from the D3000 and had been thinking about the D5000, however, now that the D3100 is out there, I’m torn. I have great lenses for my D3000 and compatibility to use the same lenses from the D3000 and the next (3100 or 5000) is important. I’d be interested in your thoughts about that. I’ve been researching compatibility but am not sure which way to go. I’d love to hear your input.
Thank you.
Actually you don’t have to worry to upgrade to a better camera such as Nikon D90, D7000 or D300s, because you will able to use your lenses. D3100 is not much a different from D3000. Nikon just add movie mode + new image sensor. in new D5000, you will get tilting lcd screen.
If you want to get significant upgrade, i suggest Nikon D90.
I have Nikon D3000, and I want to purchase a lens that I can use for macro photography. Wish lens do you think is best?
If you use it for shooting products, small objects mainly indoor, I suggest Nikon AF-S 60mm f/2.8. If it is for outdoor like for insect, small flowers, details, I recommend Nikon AF-S 105mm f/2.8 VR.
Hi,
I’m really torn between getting either the Nikon 35mm AF-S f/1.8 DX or the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G. I have heard great things about both lenses, and they seem to work well. I am interested in both lenses for portraits, and low-light events/casual shooting like parties, and hanging out with friends and family. Any advice? I can afford the 50mm, but why spend all the money if the 35mm works as well.
I love your blogs as they are very clear and understandable for passionate newbies like me. Thanks for your input!
By the way, might be useful for you to know that I have a D3000, but some day (within the next year, I suspect), I will upgrade to the D90. So I am also looking for lenses that work well with both models at this point.
Hi Sherri, thanks for reading my blog. Nikon AF-S 50mm is a bit longer than the 35mm which is a bit better for tight portrait such as close-up or half body portrait, on the other hand, the 35mm will be more versatile for tight space, such as indoor or shooting a couple of people in one frame. For casual shooting like parties, I think the 35mm will be more useful.
Both 35mm and 50mm AF-S will work well with higher-end Nikon DSLR bodies so you don’t have to worry about it.
hi, I bought Nikon d3000 and I wonder know if this lens works well with this machine.
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
Thank you.
It will work
Hi enche..
Well I’m a total newbie when come to photography as I only started a few months back..dnt mind if I may ask..I’m into wedding pics and currently using nikon d3100 by any chance what is the best lens for weddings?and between lenses and flash which should be the first for me to buy?
I think a flash like Nikon Sb600 should be on the list first, and then maybe low light/big aperture lens like Nikon 35mm f/1.8.
You have a typo or mistake in your 50 mm AF-S description. You say that it is equivalent to 85mm when it is used on a crop sensor (D40, D60, etc.), but it is actually equivalent to 75 mm.
Hi,
tanx for all the info u provide in ur blog.its so great.
I hv a question. Im using d3000. I hv kitlens, 55-200mm n nissin 866. But im into potraits n oso wedding shoots. So im comtemplating on buyin tamron/sigma 18-55 f2.8 and nikon 17-55 f2.8. It has huge difference in pricing. However, after i read ur responses in the blog, looks like i hv a thought for 50mm f1.4. so i really need ur opinion…
Yes, I agree with you, 50mm f/1.4G is great for portrait and complement your lenses. But make sure you get the AF-S one not the AF-D.
If you want to upgrade your zoom lens, I suggest Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 OS HSM for Nikon. I heard good things about this lens and you also get the optical stabilization.
Hi, I am looking for a telephoto lens for my D3000 with 18-55 lens kit.
Can you suggest the list of telephoto lens which is supported for D3000 so that I could compare the costs?
Hi, Found few telephoto lens and scould you suggest which is good for Nikon D3000 telephoto lens based on value for money ?
a) “Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR”
b) Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX
I think 55-200mm VR is a better value for money and also easier to handle. It has bigger max aperture in short end, lightweight and small. It is also cheaper. Image quality wise, both lens are about the same.
Hi,
I’ve a Nikon D3100.I thought to buy a cheap and best telephoto lens for my cam.suggest me some lens….How about Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG ? it’ll be suitable for macro too.right?
Hi! what is the best ISO when using D3000 especially at low light? “Cuz when you crank the ISO to 1600, the noise is quite dominant.
well, ISO 200 is great in low light, but off course youy need a slower shutter speed or extra large aperture to get an optimal photos.
I think that ISO 400-800 is the limit for Nikon D3000
Not really Mura, I don’t recommend Sigma 70-300mm Macro, because it the quality is poor and the “Macro” is more for marketing purpose.
Hi Enche, I was wondering what would be the best portrait lens for my Nikon D3000. My family’s friend wants me to do their family portraits and I am torn between prices. I want a lens that will auto focus and everything. I already have the 18-55mm lens, and the 55-200mm lens, but I was also wondering, what is the purpose for the 18-55mm lens? Is it a good lens or not? I have heard twenty different things about that lens and some people dont even like it. I would love to hear your feedback.
Hi Taylor, 18-55mm is a kit lens, which is a bit of everything: a bit wide and a bit long but not very wide and not very long (tele). The quality is average to low relative to other lenses.
Usually people start with this lens because it is bundled with their first entry level DSLR camera, and as the time progress, they notice the weakneses of the kit lens and look for a better lens.
For family portraits, you can use your 18-55mm lens, if you want a better quality, you might want to invest on Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 VR or Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 OS HSM for Nikon. Both deliver better images but are more expensive.
For family portrait, especially indoor, flash/speedlites will also help.
You might also need flash (speedlites).
My daughter has the D3000. We are looking to get her another lens, and possibly a larger flash. She loves this camera and really takes some nice pictures, but she needs to have a little better zoom for some pictures and more light. She uses her camera for anything from still photos to basketball games to portraits…and has the 18-55 mm lens that came with the camera. What can you recommend for us….as money is definately an issue…being that she is a college student and still learning.
Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8 will be great for her (gives more light, more out of focus blur for artistic expression) and it does not break the bank.
For longer zoom, I recommend Nikon AF-S 55-200mm VR
hello ench,
i have an D3100. my problem is the lens 18-55mm is out of focus. the pictures appear blurred. help me out please.
Hi Diony, hmm, check the manual – auto focus switch, maybe you’ve accidentally switch it to manual.
Hi,
reading your blog has put insight to what i know nutting about – lens type n scenes…ok..want to verify the Nikon 18-200mm AF-S f/3.5-5.6 DX VR lens, it can be use for any scenes..rite? does that mean can also use it when talking small object like bird n insect, i know u listed some lens for that, just wondering if this too can do same job too…PS: have got d3000, im open to many scenes but prefer
portraits and telescope shoots but wont mind to take a fascinating insects scenes thou..wot do u fink?
Although it can take various scenes, the 18-200mm is not the best lens because it is not specialized lens. So, if you want to take small objects, I recommend specialized lens like Nikon 105mm f/2.8 VR Macro
Hi,
I am currently using NIKKOR 55~200, 4.5~5.6, (NON vr VERSION) came bundle with my D3100, my first DSLR and I feel not much satsfied with the sharpness, bookeh and zoom reach..,
Please let me know…
1) If I switch to VR version of the same 55~200, will there be any difference ..?
2) Suggest me a good 70~300 mm lense, from Nikkor/ Tamron or Sigma..?
Thanks,
Shameer
Hi.
I have a nikon D60 with the standard 18-55mm. Looking to pick up a couple of lenses to complement it.
Will a 35mm f/1.8 and a 55-200mm f/4-5.6 do or should i go for the 70-300mm?
is it better to go for nikon or sigma ?
Thanks a lot in advance!
yeah, the 35mm f/1.8 and 55-200mm VR will be a nice addition. No, don’t go for 70-300mm. Generally it is better to go with Nikon lenses, but some Sigma lenses are very high quality and have a better price.
1. It won’t be much a difference
2. The 70-300mm from Nikon, Tamron Sigma has worst image quality and consistency. (except the Nikon 70-300mm VR which is sharper).
If you like sharp images, I recommend fixed lens like 50mm f/1.4 instead of telephoto zoom, or high quality zoom such as 70-200mm f/2.8
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