Thank you to all of you! Much appreciated. I have a much better picture now of the Nikon offerings. Will use that to carve out some recommendations for her. Also very valuable information about the bodies.

Again big thanks!

Hobby shooter said:
Thanks for your response. Actually not quite sure what type of photography she does. I think it's a general mix so to say. With that, I'm not sure at this stage needs a lens for low light situations. More like a general purpose zoom. I am personally using a Canon 24-105L for my general purpose stuff, so it is in that zoom range I would point her. Or something equivalent of the Canon EF-S 15-85 which is a great lens but still affordable. She isn't looking for pro-quality at this stage. More something she can grow with and learn more.

Thanks!

The equivalent of the canon 15-85 IS is the 16-85 VR. This lens has no serious flaws other than its relatively high price(MSRP) of 700 USD. Apparently a replacement may be in the works but I wouldn't really hold my breath since the current one performs well at all zoom settings at max aperture. For this price you could even get a used 18-200VR2 which performs relatively well for a superzoom.

The D3100 is the most limited but for a teen experimentation good enough.
If she becomes serious the D7000 (or future 7000 series) would be the next logical choice where she would not be limited by the lack of in-body motor, better AF, metering and build quality.

Just a note - her camera body has to have the "G" lenses (no aperture ring) that has internal motors.

35mm 1.8, 50mm 1.8G, 85mm 1.8G, and for zooms, 18-105mm (entry+ level), 16-85mm VR (advanced), 18-200 (advanced, best walk-around), 70-300mm VR (best bargain great performer- needs the ED-VR, the non-vr models are very poor.) The equiv to your 24-105 is the 24-120 f4 VR which is a pro level glass quality, but that is twice her budget.

I think starting out, primes are the best learning choices but the zooms are needed as well. If her budget is that much, I would suggest the 35 1.8G, 50 1.8G, and the 18-105vr. The next ones would be the 85mm 1.8G, and the 70-300VR. If she get's that far, then she will need/know the want a better body and will be able to know what she needs. If she does not want to ever change lenses and just want's one, the 18-200VR is the no-brainier best lens for that.

Terms to help you:
G = no aperture ring - in-lens motors (Must haves for 3000 & 5000 series, works with everything else.
AF-D = Needs in-body motors. D90, D200/300s/7000/700/800/D3/4
ED = The "special glass"
AFS - same as G - internal focusing motors in the lenses.
Gold Ring = basically your "L" series indicator. Built to higher standards.

golf007sd said:
@Hobby shooter: donaldejose recommendations are quite good for a 16-year old that has a 3100. With that said, would you be able to inform us of the type of photorgraph she is doing..ie. family shots (indoor or out), street photography, indoor or outdoor sports..etc..etc.? With that info we would be more than happy to give a more precise path to take...with respect to the lens. Not sure if she is also looking for a new body as well.

Cheers...

Thanks for your response. Actually not quite sure what type of photography she does. I think it's a general mix so to say. With that, I'm not sure at this stage needs a lens for low light situations. More like a general purpose zoom. I am personally using a Canon 24-105L for my general purpose stuff, so it is in that zoom range I would point her. Or something equivalent of the Canon EF-S 15-85 which is a great lens but still affordable. She isn't looking for pro-quality at this stage. More something she can grow with and learn more.

Thanks!

@Hobby shooter: donaldejose recommendations are quite good for a 16-year old that has a 3100. With that said, would you be able to inform us of the type of photorgraph she is doing..ie. family shots (indoor or out), street photography, indoor or outdoor sports..etc..etc.? With that info we would be more than happy to give a more precise path to take...with respect to the lens. Not sure if she is also looking for a new body as well.

Cheers...

For better image quality probably the 35mm f1.8 DX lens. $200. Add the 55-200 f4-5.6 G DX VR for more range. $250. Thus, for less than $500 she can have a sharp fast "normal" lens and a telephoto zoom. This takes here from 18mm to 200mm and down to f1.8 with the 35mm prime. That should be a good starter set.

As to an "upgrade" body, the D3200 is out and replaces the D3100 14mp sensor with a 24mp sensor highly rated by DxOMark. Out in 2013 should be a D5200 body and a D7200 body.

Hello, first post here. I have a question about Nikon lenses. I am a Canon shooter myself, 5D Mk3, btw whatever you've heard about it, it is actually possible to take good pictures with it :-)

I do apologize if this post is a duplicate of other posts, I just wasn't sure on how to search this forum.

Anyway, as I don't know anything basically about Nikon lenses I turn to you fine people. A friend's 16 year old daughter has a 3100 with an 18-55 kit lens and she is looking for something a little better with more focus range and better image quality. I am not exactly sure about her budget but probably somewhere around 700 USD.

She has asked me what to buy and since I don't have a clue really I thought I should put the question out there. I have checked out Nikon's home page, but it's hard to sort it out when you are a complete stranger to all models.

She also asked me about bodies. She thought the 3100 wasn't good enough, but I said that from what I've heard it is quite good and that she can use that and develop her skills for quite some time. Otherwise, what would be a reasonable upgrade path in the crop segment?

Thanks in advance and happy shooting!