higher powered lens for nikon d3100? (advice for numpty)

[insanojackson]

I know absolutely bot all about photography so would appreciate some advice. My partner has a Nikon d3100 which i got her for christmas last year this has the usual 18-55 lens. She has muttered about wanting a higher power lens for a while for christmas.

I have already spent up as far as christmas is concerned and nikon lenses seem bloody expensive. I hve been looking for lenses of other makes that i think will fit and be fully compatable with the d3100.

I have seen this lens

http://www.parkcameras.com/9114/Tamron-AF-70-300mm...

Is this any good? will it be fully compatable with the nikon? autofocus etc?

Any advice is appreciated!

[RobDickinson]

'Tamron AF 70-300 F4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 (Model A17N II) With Built-In Motor for Nikon. '

So it should autofocus fine. I think its an OK lens for the budget?

[dxbtiger]

Another member recently bought this as his first move away from the kit lens on his D7000, maybe worth a bump or an email to see what he/she thinks.

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...

[insanojackson]

dxbtiger said:

Another member recently bought this as his first move away from the kit lens on his D7000, maybe worth a bump or an email to see what he/she thinks.

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...

Cheers for that !

[Gad-Westy]

I had one for a while. I'd say it's worth going for. Clearly, it's at the bottom end of the telephoto zoom market so it's not going to work miracles but for the money I think it's pretty damn good. In decent light it can be pretty sharp too. Downsides, well it's a little noisy when focussing, it is quite lightweight in construction and in low light, wide open it's not especially sharp but realistically to improve on all of those things above you'd spend many times more. Like I say, very good value. Don't pay £150 though, this time last year a few places were selling them for about £110, I'm sure you can do better.

The other option, and possibly a better one is the Nikon 55-200 VR. It should be about the same price as the Tamron. Again a little lightweight in construction. It's shorter in terms of range but probably sharper and it has VR which helps a lot on lenses this length. Worth a look.