Different Lenses companies

[anantsagar]

Hey I'm a relatively new user to dslr's. I own a Nikon D3000 with an 18-55 lense which I got with the camera. I wanted to know the different companies that make lenses for Nikon camera's I only know Nikkor and Tamron. Are there any other companies you would recommend. I'm looking to buy a 50mm f1.4 or f1.8 lense or something around that. Please help me out. Thanks alot.

[Exiztence]

Well, others are Sigma, Tokina, Voigtlander and Zeiss.
Remember the lens needs to have an autofocus-motor to be able to autofocus with a D3000.

What do you want to shoot using the lens?
A Nikkor AF-S (AF-S = autofocus motor) 50mm f/1.4 would be a nice lens for portraits.
The standard lens for the D3000 (and other camera's with a crop sensor) would be the Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8. Those are dirt cheap as well and great for things like street photography and general shots.

Sigma builds some prime lenses with autofocus as well. Look for the HSM lenses like the 50mm f/1.4 HSM and the 30mm f/1.4 HSM.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Nikkor is Nikon. No difference there. Whenever possible, go with Nikon. You'll do good there.

Alternatively, Zeiss has some seriously awesome optics, but its pricey.

The three popular off-brands are Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina. There are others, of course, but quality control beyond Nikon and the German brands (Zeiss, Voigtlander, Schneider, etc) is really non-existant. Kinda becomes a hit-or-miss. Also, if you want autofocus, you have to make sure there's an autofocus motor bult-in; Nikon calls it AF-S, Sigma calls it HSM, others call it other things.

That said, I'll second the 35mm f/1.8. It's a beautiful lens- small, light, and has some chromatic abberation issues, but overall a great lens for the price. If you had the motor in your camera (as in, not the D40/40x/60/3000/5000/3100), the 50mm f/1.8 would be the other awesome choice at just $100. If you can swing the extra $200 over the 35, the 50mm f/1.4 is an excellent choice (and it'll cover full frame too if you ever want to go FX or shoot with some of the newer film cameras), but it had been known to focus slower (but more accurately).

Now then: time for the view whoring! (My flickr sets of the 35mm f/1.8)
D40 + 35mm ?/1.8 - a set on Flickr
D90 + 35mm ?/1.8 - a set on Flickr

[anantsagar]

Thanks a lot guys. The info is highly appreciated.
Will check out the lens and companies you mentioned.
@Exiztence- Well street photography is pretty much what i'm doing, but I'm trying to learn how to do better portraits etc. As I said I'm really new at this, although i enjoy photography, this is actually me first dslr or slr, i used to use my cell phone camera or my folks old 2 meg olympus. :P
@Almond.Butterscotch- Thanks, will definitely check out the brands you recommend. But sadly i cant really afford really expensive lens. But will try to save up and follow your advice regarding the 50mm f/1.4