Lens Advice Nikon D60 DSLR

trippyrez

I'm doing some research on a 2nd hand lens for my Nikon D60 DSLR. I'd like to get a telephoto lens to compliment my 55-200mm Nikor lens. I'd like to go up to 300mm or if possible 400mm and I'm going to be going for a 2nd hand lens as I already said.

I'd prefer to get one that I can use the auto focus feature on (so it'll have to have a motor etc) and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on lenses they've used that would be suitable.

I'd also consider a Teleconverter so if anyone has used one of these with a D60 I'd be very interested to hear what you have to say.

Thanks

GhostInTheRuins

How much do you want to spend?

trippyrez

GhostInTheRuins wrote: »

How much do you want to spend?

On the research that I've done I've seen lenses for between €150 - €300ish on ebay and in one particular camera shop I've visited. I've seen teleconverters for approx €100. Obviously that is cheaper and it would be the easiest option as I already have the 55-200mm lens which would give me 110-400mm focal length. I've just never used one of them so I'm not sure what they're like. My understanding is that they slow things down but maybe I'm wrong!

magicbastarder

what do you want to use the lens for?
are a lot of your existing shots taken at full extension?

DaireQuinlan

I'd advise against the teleconverter anyhow. A 2x teleconverter will reduce your 200mm f/5.6 at the long end to a 400mm f/11 which is probably unusably slow and dim. Your AF would probably stop working for a start.

How much reach do you want ? On a crop body you already have the 35mm equivalent of 300mm at the long end. Except for very specialised purposes this would be regarded as more than enough by the vast majority of shooters. I have a 75->300 and I think I've only ever used the long end a handful of times, although YMMV of course.

If you want that little bit of extra reach on that budget you might have to consider an equivalent to the above, a 70->300 of some description. I've never been a big fan of them though.

trippyrez

magicbastarder wrote: »

what do you want to use the lens for?
are a lot of your existing shots taken at full extension?

Well I use my 55-200mm lens more than I use my 18-55mm. I use it for all sorts to be honest. I'm really still learning alot about my camera and how to use all the settings etc so technically I'm a novice when it comes to adjusting aperture etc. I guess I want to use it for taking long shots at rugby matches and the like.

DaireQuinlan wrote:

I'd advise against the teleconverter anyhow. A 2x teleconverter will reduce your 200mm f/5.6 at the long end to a 400mm f/11 which is probably unusably slow and dim. Your AF would probably stop working for a start.

How much reach do you want ? On a crop body you already have the 35mm equivalent of 300mm at the long end. Except for very specialised purposes this would be regarded as more than enough by the vast majority of shooters. I have a 75->300 and I think I've only ever used the long end a handful of times, although YMMV of course.

If you want that little bit of extra reach on that budget you might have to consider an equivalent to the above, a 70->300 of some description. I've never been a big fan of them though.

If that teleconverter will slow the shutter down then I guess it's probably not going to cut the mustard for what I want it for? As I said above I'm very much on a learning curve so if you say a 75-300 would suffice then I'll narrow my search options again.

From my POV I much prefer using my 55-200 and I guess it's my lens of choice. It's always on the body! I don't do much by way of group shots or lanscapes! I'm more of a detail shot kind of person so it suits. I'm looking for that little bit more length because there are some shots that I think work better from further out and also I'd like it to take better shots at rugby matches etc.

Thanks for the input so far guys - I'm finding it very helpful.

You can find samples of my photos here if you're interested.

trippyrez

If anyone has any suggestions of where online apart from Ebay to look at lenses and also physical shops in town too I'd appreciate the input. I know about Conn's Cameras but I'm sure there are others that I don't know about!

Thanks