2daysoldrndirt Loc: Palestine, Texas

I tried my Granddaughters Nikon D3100 a couple of weeks ago for a photo shoot at my church and was impressed with Nikon quality and ease of use. I am on a very limited retirement so I have to be judicial on where I spend limited funds on a suitable lens. My Nikon, a D3200 came with the standard 2 kit lenses. 18-55mm non VC and 55-200mm non VC lenses which, due to my severe tremors are of no use to me. I will be selling my Canon outfit T3i and 2 standard kit lenses plus a nifty 50 1.8 lens along with the 2 new Nikon lenses to cover the expense of one or two lenses for my Nikon. I would greatly appreciate your suggestions on what I should concentrate on for quality within about a $600-700 range. Ideally I am looking towards something to cover a 16-300mm range. I am far from knowledgeable when it comes to Nikon or 3rd party lenses so I will trust y'all to lead me in the path I should travel.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Congratulations on the new acquisition. I would recommend either the Tamron 16-300mm, or the Sigma 18-300mm lens for your all-in-one choice. They are both very good quality lenses at a great price. Both have excellent stabilization as well.

2daysoldrndirt Loc: Palestine, Texas

Thank you MT Shooter, I had read a couple of reviews on that Tamron lens yesterday. Prior to that I was considering on 2 Tamrons, the 18-70 and the 70-300, both VC due to my hand shake. I need to find out which has the best image quality though as I will be using these lenses for years, I will upgrade the camera to a better DX model in a couple more years. Going full frame is just not in my budget.

onyxtiger Loc: Northern California

Nikon 3200 is a good choice. That was my first digital camera. The kit lens I got with it was perfectly satisfactory. 55~300. Tamron and Sigma have always been pretty good secondary market lenses.
I might suggest you try renting one of each or either from a place like LensRental. They, quite often, have a Buy it price available. That way you can try the lens for performance and ultimately keep it if you're happy with it. You can always buy one from B&H Photo or Adorama. If it turns out you don't like the quality, you can return it for a refund.
A lens, like anything on an assembly line, can vary in quality and performance from one to another. Right next to each other on the assembly line and one is great while the other may be a dog.
As a recent retiree, I DO understand the need for watching how you spend your money. I, too, buy for the long haul as I do not expect to upgrade every few years like so many seem able to do.

I've just made my last upgrade for the rest of my life. I purchased a Nikon Df. I absolutely love the classic look, feel and performance of the camera. I also love being able to use all my old film lenses on it.

Nkon 3200.....great choice.

2daysoldrndirt Loc: Palestine, Texas

My problem requires VR, which the kit lens lack so I have to switch right out of the box. My Canon and kit lenses were both IS, but the image quality did not match what I got from my granddaughter's D3100 with her VR 18-55 lens.

henrycrafter Loc: Orem Utah

Personally NOT me NOT ever!! For me it is Canon all the way.
Personal choice!!

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

With tremors that severe, have you considered a good tripod? Even without tremors, they work better than VR for me.

2daysoldrndirt Loc: Palestine, Texas

Moonhawk, I use a tripod for videos and shoot handheld at the same time during concerts and events. I have to be mobile and agile during these events, and moving through crowds to obtain the shots I need to hand carry, tripod not an option there. I am really hoping for advice on user experience with some VR lens choices to start me off. Thank you for your recommendation though.

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

Understood, and you're welcome.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

A faster shutter speed will help with the shakin', I have it to.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I am going to go against MT here. I would suggest the Nikon 28-300mm, which comes with VR. It has been out for awhile, so I would look for a used or refurbished lens, perhaps at KEH. Hopefully, then, it would come within your budget. I think that you would be very happy with it. Down the line I would suggest a Tamron 10-24 mm for wide angle. This would give you an actual field of view of 15-36mm. Same thing, look for a used or refurbished. I don't believe this lens comes with VR, but being a short lens, you should be able to compensate for that by using a fast shutter speed when shooting outdoors.

I have posted an original and a cropped photo taken with my 28-300mm in this thread. It might give you and idea of the quality of this lens.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-302258-1.html

Also, as one of the other posters recommended, try a monopod or tripod when possible.

drmuttillo Loc: NorthEast Florida

Congratulation on your decision. I only have one question where did you get either the AF-S 18-55mm or the AF-S 55-200 that they were not VR lens. I have been a Nikon user since 1978 and I bought my wife a Nikon D60 with 2 kit lens and they were the AF-S 18-55 VR and the AF-S 55-200 VR even back then. You might want to check again on your lens as I do not believe if you have a AF-S 18-55 or the AF-S 55-200 that they are not VR.

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

and your point is???? The OP did not ask anyone to comment on their choice of camera's, it was his choice to go that way. Geeezzzzzz

Helge Loc: Sarnia, ON, Canada

I agree
That is the biggest problem with forums, people have to put in their irrelevant comments. So people stay on topic Please!!!!
Thank you

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

Sony!!!!!