buying a new lens for a Nikon D3100

[fallia]

i want a fast wide angle. Are there any good manufacturers other than nikon that make a solid lens i don't think i have quite enough cash handy for a nikon

[SwissJon]

Tokina 11-16... But if you haven't got enough for the Nikon, you won't have enough for this.

In Order of preference (my personal order) here's the manufacturers you should look at:
Nikon
Tokina
Older second hand Nikons
Sigma
Tamron
.
.
.
.
.
.
Anything else.

Other people might disagree, but this is my personal order.. Have a look around within your own budget and see what you can find from that list, then come back here and ask us what we think. It's a whole lot easier knowing what you can afford than guessing.

[fallia]

yea i hate to not go with nikon i just don't want to tie up a bunch of money in DX lenses...i will when i move up to full frame

thanks

[fallia]

can i buy a FX lens for a DX camera? I know i'll be throwing some of the ability of the lens away (reduction of image size due to sensor)....but will it work on the camera? then when i upgrade (maybe to D700) i'll have the wide angle that i want so far Tokina makes a f2.4 that i like....others aren't fast enough

[Scottm]

I question why anyone that is not earning a living from their pictures would want to move from a DX to an FX camera. Given the speed of technological changes taking place in the digital phoptographic world, it will not be long before the advances in DX will match current FX clarity and low-light ability. Sure, FX will also advance, as will the optics, and eyesight of individuals will soon not be able to distinguish the difference between the two.....

How many people (not in studio photography) moved from 35mm film to large format when film was still the standard method of capture? Surely a cost/benefit analyses should point most people to improving their lenses first and when you have the best lenses available, then and only then, "upgrading" to FX if you you have the money to burn..... Just a thought

[Fishpic]

Originally Posted by Scottm

I question why anyone that is not earning a living from their pictures would want to move from a DX to an FX camera.

I would agree....I would love to have a full frame but in reality the minor differences for what I personally take it would not make enough difference. I have both FX and DX lenses because I purchased what I thought would work best. I think the DX equipment will continue to drop in price because it is becoming so popular.

As far as lenses, I have always saved up and spend a little more on Nikon because I have felt it was worth it for the quality, warranty, etc. I know there are some other good brands, but I personally like the Nikon. I think they also hold their value very well.

[ravncat]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

Anything else.

Voightlander
Zeiss
Samyang