Oops..double post

Most any Nikon F mount lenses will work on lower end Nikon bodies, (albeit with limited function) with the exception of the goofy Pronea lenses, which can damage the mirror.

If it has a F mount, probably. You can be a little careless with anything under a D5100, there's nothing you can really damage unless it's a crazy fisheye or something.

Wasn't the Vivitar 28mm f2.5 lens non-AI?

If so and it is a Nikon F mount, you might find some issues with it.

The manual for the D3000 is explicit when it talks about support for these old lenses - AI lenses in manual mode only.

Assuming this is a used lens, what camera was it fitted to? Tell us more!

Only if it was manufactured with an F-mount. Otherwise, no.

will a vivitar 28mm f2.5 lens mount to my nikon d3000

I don't see that much problem with the performance in your pictures, but I will go with Adamz on this one. I think you would jump 10 fold in getting a D3200. Another thought could be the D5100 since it is at a pretty good price now before it gets updated. The D3200 will probably outperform the D5100, but the D5100 is a little more camera I think. Would just depend on what you wanted as they are about the same price now new or used the D5100 can be had for cheaper.

There are some great lenses out now that are fairly inexpensive. The 35 F1.8, 40 F2.8 micro, and 50 F1.8 would all be great additions.

Normally I would say, go for the lens, but I've seen Your stream and indeed You will benefit with higher iso capable sensor, so get d3200 and You will not regret Your decision. If You will have problems with selling Your camera than always You can try to exchange it for a lens - 35/1.8 prime would do miracle for Your work.
BTW: love the golden temple snap - love the place very much too

I have had a D3000 for about 2 years now with a 18-55mm kit lens. Before that I used a Nikon FM10. I have now realized however that the D3000 has an inferior censor and poor high ISO results when compared to other entry level DSLR's. The dilemma I now face is whether to go for a new lens (most probably a prime, 55mm f/1.8), or to sell yje D3000 (that might be difficult, seeing the reviews it has got) and get a D3100/3200 and stick with my kit lens for another year or two.
I have already researched quite a bit on the forums and couldn't find a thread pertaining to my problem.
And is some of my work, if that makes it easier to share advice:
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjyBDZhm

THe tarmon 17-50 non VC is not without issues either, live view AF is unusable for example and it has something strange going on with the blue color. 18-105 is not one bit worse than the 16-85vr, when image quality is concerned, I compared them against each other extensively. Let's see what else, oh yes d7000 metering is only better indoors or outside at golden hour, in high contrast situations it's consistency is rather random, not better than the entry level Nikons, maybe even worse. AF system is more versatile, but not one bit more accurate.

msmoto said:
Congratulations! I think you will find that even though the 18-105 is called a "kit lens" it will perform as well as some of the ones costing five times as much....Just be careful as he mount is not a sturdy as some of the pro glass. But you decision is very good.

ya i noticed the fact it wasn't as sturdy but OMG the fluidity of being able to shoot pics last night was amazing it made my job so much easier and more enjoyable! and as far as the "kit lens" goes i totally agree with I've used other kit lenses and this has out performed any ordinary kit lens as well as some more supposedly "better" lenses I've tried

im deff so happy about my decision!

TaoTeJared said:
Sigma's lenses are certainly hit and miss. If you are willing to send them in a few times to get the focus right they can be really good options. I do like their EX "Pro" series lenses. Honestly I stick with Nikon so I don't have to worry about any issues.

The one thing about 3rd party OS/VC is that it takes longer than Nikon's VR for it to kick in - Similar to Nikon's 1st gen VR. The Tamron lenses do take a split sec more I have noticed but if you wait, they work really well.

Good point - I was assuming you would buy it - make sure to do so - then Run for the hills! Or get some nookie - whatever floats your boat, but I would take that one if the price was cheap.

Maybe I don't demand so much. I only have first gen VR lenses.

Congratulations! I think you will find that even though the 18-105 is called a "kit lens" it will perform as well as some of the ones costing five times as much....Just be careful as he mount is not a sturdy as some of the pro glass. But you decision is very good.

so i finally made a decision i got the d7000 with the 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 lens :) I've been testing it out all day and it seems pretty amazing I'm loving but the real test will be when i go to work tonight!

i think I'm gonna also get the 35mm f/1.8 next week not sure about that one yet though

Sigma's lenses are certainly hit and miss. If you are willing to send them in a few times to get the focus right they can be really good options. I do like their EX "Pro" series lenses. Honestly I stick with Nikon so I don't have to worry about any issues.

The one thing about 3rd party OS/VC is that it takes longer than Nikon's VR for it to kick in - Similar to Nikon's 1st gen VR. The Tamron lenses do take a split sec more I have noticed but if you wait, they work really well.

zhinsara said:
Be a bit of a problem when she's not your SO anymore though and wants the camera back. *touch wood* (I'm assuming for the worst here, it's just my nature to do so for planning purposes)

Good point - I was assuming you would buy it - make sure to do so - then Run for the hills! Or get some nookie - whatever floats your boat, but I would take that one if the price was cheap.

TaoTeJared said:
I have had the exact opposite experience. I went through 3 Sigma's before I gave up (again on that brand) with back, front, way out of focus issues. That is lens sampling for sure, but it happens with Sigma more then any other brand in my experience.
I really like the Tamron and thought it was tack sharp.

While your experience is true with most Siggys, it doesn't apply to the Sigma 17-50mm 2.8. It is surprisingly sharp while having really good quality control. I've read lots of reviews saying other Sigmas having really bad QC for several lenses, but this lens barely had any complains.

Be a bit of a problem when she's not your SO anymore though and wants the camera back. *touch wood* (I'm assuming for the worst here, it's just my nature to do so for planning purposes)

Take the D700 and don't look back.

so i kind of feel a bit bad doing this it goes against what i stand for taking handouts but my (i guess i will call it girlfriend or at least soon to be girlfriend again lol) has a d700 that she has never used once (so sad i know letting that thing sit in a closet)... who thinks i should let her give that to me or go ahead and stick with getting the D7000

menbarphotos said:
the question is will i get better results with the d3000 body and 16-85mm f/2.8 or with a d7000 and a 18-105mm f/3.5

Hi,

The general consensus is that your type of photography would improve by a higher ISO body such as a D7000.

Personally, I like the consistency of using Nikon lenses, but then, that's me.

Buying what I can afford over time as I need it, when I need, has done right by me.

If there has been a 'price/quality' decision tipping point, it has been at the f1.2/f1.4/f1.8 in the really fast lenses. My work lenses were the very fast ones, but for my personal lenses, I have gone for the more economically f1.8 and haven't looked back. While there was a difference in the output, I don't find _for what I do_ the cost would warrant it.

I, too, would suggest that you, in the fullness of time, make sure that an 85mm f1.8 is in your kit, along with a 50mm f1.8 and a 50mm f1.8, and possibly a 105mm f2.8 or a 70-200mm f2.8 (the latter costing more than the D7000). As someone mentioned, it's a pain to change lenses, but narrowing the DOF wide open and separating the subject is very nice from time to time, too.

Good luck with your decision and my best,

Mike

TaoTeJared said:
D7000 and a 18-105mm f/3.5.

I have never heard of the "16-85mm f/2.8" but either way the D7000 is more than a step above the D3000 in metering alone that will help you tremendously. The AF will also be more accurate and quicker to find focus.

Camera's are not just sensors, there is a ton of stuff that gets downgraded in the lower consumer lines that all effect image quality.

my bad i meant the d3000 with the 24-70mm f/2.8

D7000 and a 18-105mm f/3.5.

I have never heard of the "16-85mm f/2.8" but either way the D7000 is more than a step above the D3000 in metering alone that will help you tremendously. The AF will also be more accurate and quicker to find focus.

Camera's are not just sensors, there is a ton of stuff that gets downgraded in the lower consumer lines that all effect image quality.

the question is will i get better results with the d3000 body and 16-85mm f/2.8 or with a d7000 and a 18-105mm f/3.5

menbarphotos said:
what i really need to change my lens for because right now I'm using a 18-55mm kit lens (i think f/4.5-5.6) with an sb-700 flash

I think you have answered your own question
I have not used the Sigma 17-50mm 2.8 but it gets very good reviews
you are not going to get the quality of the 50mm f1.4 with an f5.6 lens even if it is on a D7000