[carolgus33]

So. I have a Nikon D3100 slr for over a year now with a 18-55mm lens and looking into buying a new and better lens!
Im mostly taking pictures of landscape/travel/random would anyone be able to recommend a suitable lens? With an explaining as to why as im still learning about the photography craic Im thinking the 55-200mm lens might suit best...with a budget of around 100-200€. Also I was thinking of buying one second hand but I dont know where to look. Lens that I have picked out on Amazon dont seem to ship to Ireland...

One more question...filters....was thinking of buying a few of those too. Any knowledgable people on photography greatly appreciated!

[Kenny Logins]

The 55-200 VR goes well with the 18-55, you can often pick them up on adverts.ie for around €150.

I'm not saying this is a good buy for you though, that really depends on your intended use as landscape/travel/random is a bit vague...

[arch staunton]

Am not an expert and dont know an awful amount about this,but u have to careful that the type of lens u want is compatable with ur nikon,

I emailed nikon about the very same subject (also about a lens for the 3100) and they were very very helpful i have to say.

[Kenny Logins]

Originally Posted by arch staunton

Am not an expert and dont know an awful amount about this,but u have to careful that the type of lens u want is compatable with ur nikon,

I emailed nikon about the very same subject (also about a lens for the 3100) and they were very very helpful i have to say.

Yes, Nikkor AF-S (S - silent wave motor) lenses have the auto focus motor built in, AF lenses don't.

[carolgus33]

Originally Posted by Kenny Logins

that really depends on your intended use as landscape/travel/random is a bit vague...

You obviously know more about photography than I do! SO much to learn though... Just about got the understanding of the aperture/ISO/ shutter speed then trying to get them right etc.... I should prob do a course to help me a bit!! Will see. I'll prob get one of those lens& continue to experiment!

[Kenny Logins]

Originally Posted by carolgus33

You obviously know more about photography than I do! SO much to learn though... Just about got the understanding of the aperture/ISO/ shutter speed then trying to get them right etc.... I should prob do a course to help me a bit!! Will see. I'll prob get one of those lens& continue to experiment!

Very little I'd say. I'm still learning.

I did buy the 55-200 mentioned above but soon realised the focal length just didn't suit my needs, so I sold it on.

[magicbastarder]

best bet is to go through your photos that you like and work out which focal lengths you use the most. if it's wide, there's less point buying a telephoto zoom...

[casey junior]

Originally Posted by Kenny Logins

Very little I'd say. I'm still learning.

I did buy the 55-200 mentioned above but soon realised the focal length just didn't suit my needs, so I sold it on.

I've just started on this with a second hand 3100, I sort of get iso, aperture and shutter speed, but where does focal length enter the equation?
Also, and please don't laugh, why not just keep the setting at auto?

[Kenny Logins]

Originally Posted by casey junior

I've just started on this with a second hand 3100, I sort of get iso, aperture and shutter speed, but where does focal length enter the equation?
Also, and please don't laugh, why not just keep the setting at auto?

Don't worry, nobody will laugh.

Focal length is the zoom, your current lens goes from 18mm (wide angle) to 55mm.

[carolgus33]

Originally Posted by magicbastarder

best bet is to go through your photos that you like and work out which focal lengths you use the most. if it's wide, there's less point buying a telephoto zoom...

That's helpful thanks!

[carolgus33]

Originally Posted by casey junior

I've just started on this with a second hand 3100, I sort of get iso, aperture and shutter speed, but where does focal length enter the equation?
Also, and please don't laugh, why not just keep the setting at auto?

Haha your post made me feel a bit better!!! if you were to set it on auto then why would you buy an slr?? You want to be able to create& capture interesting photos with what you have because you CAN! And a much better sense of satisfaction when you do learn to capture that one great photo on manual

[Blue_Seas]

I've had a digital bridge for a while now (Fuji finepix s1600) but I recently got to try a friend's Canon DSLR. It was amazing. She can't remember the brand name ( helpful for me. Canon 50D or 100D she said) but I enjoyed using it much more than my own camera.

I'm willing to learn about DSLRs, but right now I just need a few recommendations. Apologies if this is in the wrong area. Basically what I need:

Responsiveness. Hers was *click* Picture taken. So much better than mine, unless I'm using it wrong, where I have to focus it and then take the shot, or it won't focus - at which point my subject has moved or is getting annoyed.

Manual focus. Whatever lens was on hers I twisted and it would zoom in and focus on the subject - my own camera has a button that you pull to zoom. Mechanical. Slow and not fun.

Noise. Loved the picture quality in hers. I can barely take photos in low-light situations with my own camera without lots of noise/blur or using a tripod on a low ISO setting.

I also already own Photoshop. I love Macro photography and would be using my new camera for shots of friends as well as macro shots, and some landscape ones (Kodak moments ) that catch my eye, as I'm going to be attending art college soon and lots of things I see I wish I could take a picture of..

In a new camera I'd like quick responsiveness (ie I hate shutter lag!), an LCD viewing screen if possible, good pictures at high ISO settings and I'm guessing aperture levels and such change depending on the lens. I'd maybe like some prints of my photos but it's not a necessity.

Price range.. around 500 euro if that's possible. I'm willing to go second-hand.

Again, sorry if this is in the wrong area. Ideas?

[Blue_Seas]

An aside: Personally I like the Nikon D5100 right now, I'm looking at dpreviews, but it's a bit out of my price range. I'll hopefully get to sell my Fuji (with bag) for 140 euro. Emphasis on "hopefully".

The Pentax K-x looks good too but really I'm not sure what types of camera I should be looking for right now, so any help is really appreciated.

[casey junior]

Originally Posted by carolgus33

I've just started on this with a second hand 3100, I sort of get iso, aperture and shutter speed, but where does focal length enter the equation?
Also, and please don't laugh, why not just keep the setting at auto?

Haha your post made me feel a bit better!!! if you were to set it on auto then why would you buy an slr?? You want to be able to create& capture interesting photos with what you have because you CAN! And a much better sense of satisfaction when you do learn to capture that one great photo on manual[/QUOTE]

I retired recently, and thought that taking up photography would give me a pastime. I took a course locally, the photos we took were all nighttime so I could grasp iso/shutter speed/aperture, but any I take in daylight look better in auto.
Can you see where I'm coming from?

[CabanSail]

Originally Posted by Blue_Seas

An aside: Personally I like the Nikon D5100 right now, I'm looking at dpreviews, but it's a bit out of my price range. I'll hopefully get to sell my Fuji (with bag) for 140 euro. Emphasis on "hopefully".

The Pentax K-x looks good too but really I'm not sure what types of camera I should be looking for right now, so any help is really appreciated.

You will be OK with any recent DSLR Camera. Nikon & Canon are the most popular brands and have the widest choice of lenses & accessories.

To get the most out of any camera you really need to learn about Exposure and how to control it. Then with a DSLR shooting in RAW and having knowledge about Post Production and Workflow will get you further than the latest model camera.