So, I am going to get a Nikon D3100, and I love taking nature shots, anything outside in highlight. I am going to want a new lens for it though, somewhere under 300 dollars. It needs to be auto focus. What would be the best lens I can get for the Nikon D3100 other than the lens it comes with?
I was maybe thinking this one, but idk if it will fit.
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/nikon-af-s-nikkor-50mm/MTE3MTg_A
BriaR
Favorite Answer
"Nature" covers a very wide range.
That lens covers little or none of that range - it is best suited to portraits.
If you want closeup shots of bugs and flowers you need a macro lens
For animal shots that you can approach within, say, 50 metres then a 70-250 (or thereabouts) zoom
For shots of birds and more distant unapproachable animals then a 400mm or 500mm prime would be best.
keerok
What about nature do you want to capture? Rolling landscapes? Trees? Hedges? Zoos? Your 18-55mm lens is perfect for those already. If you want to capture small insects as they hover over flowers then you may want to invest on a macro lens. If you want to go to a safari and shoot lions under the trees a mile away then you will need a long telephoto lens, at least 300mm. It's all about what you want to shoot, how far and how big in the picture you want them to appear.
http://keerok-photography.blogspot.com/2011/05/lenses-so-many-of-them-there-is-no-best.html
Cactus
If you shoot insects, get macro lens such as tamron 90mm or nikon 85mm macro.
If you shoot wildlife (large animals), get telephoto lens such as 70-300
If you shoot bird, get super telephoto lens 400mm and above such as sigma 200-500, nikon 80-400 etc.
For your budget, you can only get nikon 70-300 (non-vr), 55-200 vr, tamron 70-300, sigma 70-300.
Andrew
It will fit, but it's too short for nature photography and too long for landscapes.
Vinegar Taster
Under $300 ? Maybe the 55-200mm VR.