I bought the Nikon d3100 with the stock lenses. I want to upgrade to a better lenses.

I don't mind refurbished.

I have around 100-150 to spend

what do you want to shoot?

i think me, and most people here, will recommend a 35 or 50mm. simple, effective, cheap.

he is right with those lenses at your budget
and it is important to know what you want to shoot

I shoot pictures of a lot of animals, sports, and close up objects, I don't really do much of landscapes.

It seems with the stock lens, though, I am not getting the clarity I am searching for. (Even with ajusting focus, really close pictures are blurry)

good macro lens can be had for <$400 new. a macro extension tube would be more in your budget though.

ive never had any focusing issues with the stock lens, are you sure you aren't just getting too close to your subject?

This post was edited by winterschapel on Mar 3 2013 08:18am

Yeah that could be it. I was lookinG At a bunch if different lens and I saw a lot of good feedback about a 50mm Lens. Should I go that direction

a 50mm prime is a great lens.

seeing as how you are new to photography, i'd also try and get used to all the functions of your camera as well

glhf

50mm f/1.8 is a great lens, focuses pretty close, and you will lern alot from using it
its a good multipurpose lens

Can I get a link to a refurbished one?

The ones I see are 180 and such.

Be sure to get the 1.8G and not the D. D3100 wont focus the 1.8D

Check your craigslist, should pull up some decent used ones. I got my 35mm 1.8G for 150 pretty much brand new

If you shoot indoors a lot I would recommend the 35 as the 50 is a bit long (remember the crop on the D3100 is 1.5x) Both are great lenses.



Honestly, you should walk around and shoot with your kit lens at 50MM and not touch it. If you like it get the 50MM, if you don;t have enough reach for your sports or animal photos, get the Nikkor 55-200 VR lens for some reach.

This post was edited by pimpdawg on Mar 12 2013 10:02am