new lens for the Nikon D3100

[guineapiggie101 0]

Last year I bought a Nikon D3100 and have been using it for taking pix at the DZ and on my overseas trips. The stock lens is great, but I am finding that I have problems with focusing on distant objects that I want to take pics of. The camera tries to focus and the time it takes, I've lost the pic

I am now looking for a new lens to be able to take better distance pics. Not looking to spend a lot of money since this is just an amateur hobby of mines.

Anybody have any lens suggestions??? I've taken a look at a few on Amazon like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-55-200mm-4-5-6G-Vibration-Reduction/dp/B000O161X0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=9THECSVAXF27&coliid=I1FNMD5LUNOSC7

and this:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-18-200mm-3-5-5-6G-Telephoto-DX-Format/dp/B002JCSV8A/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=9THECSVAXF27&coliid=IIZ9RRGYMQY5O

The price difference is a bit high though.

[Squeak 17]

what's the lens you're using now?

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[oldwomanc6 40]

guineapiggie101

Last year I bought a Nikon D3100 and have been using it for taking pix at the DZ and on my overseas trips. The stock lens is great, but I am finding that I have problems with focusing on distant objects that I want to take pics of. The camera tries to focus and the time it takes, I've lost the pic

I am now looking for a new lens to be able to take better distance pics. Not looking to spend a lot of money since this is just an amateur hobby of mines.

Anybody have any lens suggestions??? I've taken a look at a few on Amazon like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-55-200mm-4-5-6G-Vibration-Reduction/dp/B000O161X0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=9THECSVAXF27&coliid=I1FNMD5LUNOSC7

and this:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-18-200mm-3-5-5-6G-Telephoto-DX-Format/dp/B002JCSV8A/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=9THECSVAXF27&coliid=IIZ9RRGYMQY5O


The price difference is a bit high though.

I know this is old school, but have you tried learning to focus manually? Maybe it's a lost art, but once successfully mastered, is quite quick. It does take some (lots of) practice, but once you get used to your gear, it's a skill you won't lose--just like riding a bike.

lisa
WSCR 594
FB 1023
CBDB 9

[guineapiggie101 0]

Right now I am using the stock lens that came with the camera, a 18-55mm VR lens.

[guineapiggie101 0]

I know this may sound dumb, but how do you learn to focus manually?

[oldwomanc6 40]

Read your owner's manual for this camera, if you haven't. It probably does many wonderful things you haven't even thought of.

But, basically, there should be a switch on the lens itself that says on one side AF and on the other MF ( I'm not that familiar with Nikon--I have always used Canon), but it should have that option. Flick it to MF and practice, practice, practice.

Start with stationary subjects, and after you can do that satisfactorily, try the same with, say, people walking around in the park (or wherever) until you can focus on them, then try cars or other faster-moving objects.

Probably at first you will want to look at every pic right away (after the shot) on the screen on the camera, but after awhile, you will know if you are focusing well or not.

If you have time and the interest, I suggest that you sign up for a photography class at the local community college. They'll teach you things you never would have thought, and it would be fun!

lisa
WSCR 594
FB 1023
CBDB 9

[oldwomanc6 40]

I forgot, but this may will be helpful, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bn8jqUWNwo

lisa
WSCR 594
FB 1023
CBDB 9

[Squeak 17]

oldwomanc6

***Last year I bought a Nikon D3100 and have been using it for taking pix at the DZ and on my overseas trips. The stock lens is great, but I am finding that I have problems with focusing on distant objects that I want to take pics of. The camera tries to focus and the time it takes, I've lost the pic

I am now looking for a new lens to be able to take better distance pics. Not looking to spend a lot of money since this is just an amateur hobby of mines.

Anybody have any lens suggestions??? I've taken a look at a few on Amazon like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-55-200mm-4-5-6G-Vibration-Reduction/dp/B000O161X0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=9THECSVAXF27&coliid=I1FNMD5LUNOSC7

and this:

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-18-200mm-3-5-5-6G-Telephoto-DX-Format/dp/B002JCSV8A/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=9THECSVAXF27&coliid=IIZ9RRGYMQY5O


The price difference is a bit high though.

I know this is old school, but have you tried learning to focus manually? Maybe it's a lost art, but once successfully mastered, is quite quick. It does take some (lots of) practice, but once you get used to your gear, it's a skill you won't lose--just like riding a bike.

Yup this is exactly why I asked what lens she's using However the purchase of a 55-200 would be a big plus and pretty much set her up properly for that camera as a hobby shutter bug.

Go do a search online for Photo techniques. there are LOADS of very good FREE courses online (Kodak used to have an awesome one). Learning how to take your camera OFF Auto will be a great fun process for you.

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[grandmaster95 0]

I've been doing photography on the side for just over 2 years now. I use a Nikon d7000 and have all the fancy extras as well. In light of your post, you will want to learn manual everything. That includes iso, focus, fstop, shutter etc. the preset settings are good, but if you really want to develop your skills, try using the M function and fire away. One you've learned the basics you will get much better results.

Turn to the storm and say, "Give your worst, and I shall give my best."

[AggieDave 6]

grandmaster95

I've been doing photography on the side for just over 2 years now. I use a Nikon d7000 and have all the fancy extras as well. In light of your post, you will want to learn manual everything. That includes iso, focus, fstop, shutter etc. the preset settings are good, but if you really want to develop your skills, try using the M function and fire away. One you've learned the basics you will get much better results.

Start with the book "understanding exposure" by Bryan Peterson. It is one of the best written photography books I've seen.

The Nikon 55-200vr would be a good starting point, uses the same 52mm filters that the 18-55 does so you can save some money when buying filters like a circular polarizer. The nikkor 70-300vr is a much better choice but costs a bit over $500. The thing to remember is that a good photographer can take great photos with a cheap camera, a bad photographer can spend thousands on gear and still suck, work on the skills first and the kit second (go order the above mentioned book, then just about everything else the author wrote).

When I can't get the shot I envisioned I try for unusual and unique shots. If you want to start training your eyes to see it, buy a cheap Nikon 50mm afs-d and zoom with your feet. Great lens and a great training tool. A favorite go to lens of mine for many situations. So don't get hung up on needing a longer zoom, get hung up on getting unique and interesting photos.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[guineapiggie101 0]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think that the 55-200 lens will best suit my needs as an amateur photographer. One thing though, will having the new lens take away the focusing issues that I've been having?

[AggieDave 6]

No. That sounds more like a user/settings issue. Change to a single point and move using the cross ion the back of the body. Check your user manual if that didn't make any sense.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Squeak 17]

AggieDave

No. That sounds more like a user/settings issue. Change to a single point and move using the cross ion the back of the body. Check your user manual if that didn't make any sense.

Also for distant objects when using the 200mm end of the lens a mono or Tri-pod will help A LOT with your focusing issues,

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?