I've been taking my camera (Nikon d3100) on some of our family adventures lately and the weakness of the stock 18-55 lens is becoming apparent.

It does ok for family pics, but the zoom is not nearly enough for outdoor shooting of even stuff 50 feet away. My brother was with us on our last trip (to the zoo) taking shots from the same place with a zoom lens and of course he had better pics.

So, what are your recommendations for someone that isn't even an ammy photog looking for something simple to operate that can give a decent zoom.

I also need a camera backpack/bag that doesn't look like a purse since I'll now have multiple/larger lenses.

 

Nikon AF-S 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED DX VR Zoom Lens DSLR Lenses Non-Full Frame 2179 - Vistek Canada Product Detail

or

Nikon AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED DX VR II Zoom Lens DSLR Lenses Non-Full Frame 2192 - Vistek Canada Product Detail

 

The Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR.

I'm basing this recommendation on the fact that you're still running a stock lens, want something good but not necessarily expensive and are gonna use it for family photography/adventures.

This lens is well-built, provides good zoom qualities, great optical qualities and is an affordable telephoto lens (around $280). Also, it's an excellent partner to your 18-55 since you can cover everything (near + far).

 

I like Dutchnick's suggestion. No reason to get an 18-xxx lens since you already have the 18-55. 55-300 would fill the rest of the range you need nicely.

 

Just bought a Nikon D 60 this weekend. Opinions?

 

70-200 ftw.

 

Thanks, and that covers what I'm looking for to a T.