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Question

Nikon D3100 lenses please help

Jan 29, 2015 1:38AM PST

I have a nikon d3100 with the standard nikon 18 - 55 mm vr lens. I am looking to purchase another lens ideally the 70-300mm however am I right in thinking that I would need the vr version if I want it to auto focus. I'm not a professional photograph it is just a hobby and am currently not looking at spending an awful lot. I'm mainly doing animal photography. Would not having AF be a problem. Can people give advise on one to buy.
I'm in the uk.
Thanks in advance.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Lots of prior discussions out there.
Jan 29, 2015 2:09AM PST
http://www.amazon.com/forum/nikon/Tx3K26X9LSH10EV for example. For me I went with a 55-250mm IS AF lens and it's been nice enough. For me it's a balance or bang for the buck. I did want to leave a gap in the 55-70 area so that's what I went with for about 250USD.

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-18-250mm-3-5-6-3-Nikon-Digital/dp/B001PGXEGA/ref=CNET looks to be OK in reviews and folk may go for the Tamron but I would not fret the 300mm as when we go this far out in zoom it really needs to be on the stable tripod.
Bob
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One more thing
Jan 29, 2015 2:25AM PST

Will both of these AF with the Nikon D3100?

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I only noted one lens.
Jan 29, 2015 2:31AM PST

Some complain about slow autofocus but everyone wants faster AF so I can't guess if that's too long for you.
Bob

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Answer
Nikon lens info
Jan 29, 2015 9:57AM PST

>"am I right in thinking that I would need the vr version if I want it to auto focus"

No. VR stands for Vibration Reduction. It has nothing to do with auto-focus. A list of Nikon lens acronyms:

https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9919/

Having said that, VR can be useful, especially with telephoto lenses like the 70-300mm you're considering when shooting without a tripod.

The acronym you want to look for to ensure auto-focus with a D3100 (as well as a bunch of other Nikon cameras) is AF-S (which the 70-300m does have, BTW). More on this:

https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16436/\

>" I'm mainly doing animal photography. Would not having AF be a problem."

Depends on how fast the animal is moving. e.g. a tortoise should be pretty easy; a cheetah running at you, not so much. (Not to mention that a cheetah running at me would scare the crap out of me.)

HTH - Mark