Lens for Nikon D3000 - HELP!

[Boozer]

I am in the market for a D3000 Zoom Lens. I've been searching on different websites for less expensive 55-200mm Nikkor or off-brand and comparable in specs for less price.

Amazon has this: Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lens with built in motor for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras for $159

or

Tamron AF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras for $89

or just go with Nikkor 55-200mm for $223

but I'm still learning and not sure if they will work with my D3000 as it doesn't say if they are DX AF-S compatible. Please Help..I'm a beginner and not knowledgeable yet on these equipments. I would appreciate any help you can give.

[kirbinster]

The Sigma if it has a motor is an HSM lens and will work on your camera. I would pick a Nikon 70-300VR which is a great lens and an exellent value, but may be more than you want to spend. Do not get the older Nikon 70-300 non-VR as the optics are not nearly as good.

[Qanths]

ok Boozer, the first thing you should look at in a Nikon lens is if it says AF-S in its name if it does than the auto focus is based upon a motor inside the lens which is what you need since the D3000 doesn't have an auto focus motor built inside of it like the higher models like the D90, and if its a tamron or sigma lens (although I strongly disagree to buy anything other than Nikon for my nikon) you should check if it says it has an inbuilt autofocus motor so that the autofocus would work with your D3000. If I were you I would just go with the nikon, the image quality is always better on nikon lenses. and I don't know if the tamron and sigma lenes are DX compatible but it usually should say in the specifications. Nikon lenses that are DX compatible have DX in their names.

H.S.
Flickr: Qanths1's Photostream
Photography at Work

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Qanths

ok Boozer, the first thing you should look at in a Nikon lens is if it says AF-S in its name if it does than the auto focus is based upon a motor inside the lens which is what you need since the D3000 doesn't have an auto focus motor built inside of it like the higher models like the D90, and if its a tamron or sigma lens (although I strongly disagree to buy anything other than Nikon for my nikon) you should check if it says it has an inbuilt autofocus motor so that the autofocus would work with your D3000.

All correct so far. Sometimes off-brand lenses can be quite good, but for the most part they're cheaper for a reason.

Originally Posted by Qanths

If I were you I would just go with the nikon, the image quality is always better on nikon lenses.

Not always, but it's a very good general rule. The big issue with most third-party manufacturers isn't actual quality but quality control.

Originally Posted by Qanths

and I don't know if the tamron and sigma lenes are DX compatible but it usually should say in the specifications.

Sigma DG refers to lenses that are compatible with DX sensors only, but not with the FX sensors.

Originally Posted by Qanths

Nikon lenses that are DX compatible have DX in their names.

ALL Nikon lenses are DX compatible: DX lenses are not FX compatible.

[Qanths]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

ALL Nikon lenses are DX compatible: DX lenses are not FX compatible.

From what I know DX lenses are FX compatible it's just that light won't hit the whole sensor when using a DX lens for a FX camera, since the lens is made for smaller sensors, on a bigger sensor it would hit only part of it so you won't have all the 12megapixels. But how does a FX lens work for DX, do you get cropped sides? or just what you see from the viewfinder?

H.S.
Flickr: Qanths1's Photostream
Photography at Work

[Dennismc]

The sigma 70-300 one for 159.00 will work for you.
Amazon.com: Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lens with built in motor for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics

It doesnt say HSM on amazons site, but if you read the description it states built in motor for nikon. I bought that exact lens a month ago as my first lens for my d40x.

If possible however and you can spare the extra 50 bucks, go for the APO version of it, as I have been told it is a little better lens, I however have really liked the 159.99 version for a first lens..

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Qanths

From what I know DX lenses are FX compatible it's just that light won't hit the whole sensor when using a DX lens for a FX camera, since the lens is made for smaller sensors, on a bigger sensor it would hit only part of it so you won't have all the 12megapixels. But how does a FX lens work for DX, do you get cropped sides? or just what you see from the viewfinder?

DX lenses can be used on FX cameras, but they're either A) cropped to 5mp or B) have severe vignetting. In my book, that's not compatible.

If you mount an FX lens to a DX camera, what you see in the viewfinder is what you get. The mirror is the same size as the sensor, so it only reflects what the sensor sees.

[Boozer]

Thank you all for your opinion and recommendations. Will consider all in purchasing my new lens. Still trying to save up some more change.