DSLR lens help

[engineer21]

Hi guys been into photography for years but just pocket sized digitals, finally bought a Nikon 3200 last mnth so looking to learn more
it came with the bog standard 18 - 55mm lens but im looking for something with much better zoom.

ive been looking at 2nd hands but not sure about the auto focus?? is it a real pain with manual focus??
i do alot of travelling hence the 3200 as it felt more compact, ideally want a lens for landscapes and one zoom, for travelling with a cpl more for other bits and bobs at home

any advice very much appricated

also anyone got a decent bag? i.e hand luggage size that could take camera+lens+ laptop??

cheers Matt

[markmullen]

I can't help with the lens (I'm a Canon man) but I use a Kata 467i as my daily bag, laptop slip at the back, camera compartment at the bottom, personal gear in the top compartment. It is airline carry on size and doesn't look overly like a camera bag

[CarMac]

I've got a 55-200mm non VR lens which is very light. Can be a pain sometimes if wanting to shoot something less than 55mm!
I've also got 18-200mm VR and 70-300mm VR - these are a lot heavier.

I believe there is now a 18-300mm lens which would cover the whole range.

If the D3200 is a small, light body, it might be worth trying some of the available AF-S lenses to make sure the camera and body are balanced when using and not a bit too heavy in the lens department!

I have numerous bags which would take laptop and kit but never taken one on a plane so no idea in terms of hand luggage size. Whichever you get, try it and make sure it's comfortable to carry around!

[Simpo Two]

engineer21 said:

ive been looking at 2nd hands but not sure about the auto focus?? is it a real pain with manual focus??

Crop sensor DSLRs are really not very good for manual focus; the VF is small and there are no focusing aids. Just make sure that any lens you buy is designated 'AF-S' and it will autofocus with your body.

[gingerpaul]

I'm a huge fan of Billingham bags. You'd find a Hadley in large would probably do the job. The paddle camera compartment completely comes out so you can use is as a normal bag too!

[engineer21]

Cheers, Yeah found that Kata bag and must admit i like it
could well be on the xmas list now i think

as for lenses thats grand so an auto focus will be the AF-S will keep my eye out

not sure about sizes thats why i hoping to pick up something reasonable on ebay and see if its right for me before buying the expensive ones!

[The Jolly Todger]

[quote=The Jolly Todger]reasonable money (in addition or instead of the kit lens) are:

The 35mm f1.8G Prime
The 55-300mm Tele (although not for sports as AF can be a bit slow)
If budget allows the 10-24mm Wide zoom (if I got this I'd probably do away with the kit lens).

That would cover you for everything. I would definitely get the 35mm 1.8 though, great value.

The general advice is stick to the Nikon AF-S lenses. The older ones will all work to some extent. As for the off-brand lenses like Sigmas, Tamrons etc. They can seem good value but are generally considered inferior to the Nikkor alrenatives. Remember that glass holds it's value pretty well so you can always sell-on what you don't use.

Another alternative is to hire some lenses from somewhere like lenlocker and see how you get on before taking the plunge.