Looking at getting a new lens with better zoom, prob up to 200m or  300m for the time being.

Is it best to buy lens made by the same manufacturer as the camera or buy other makes?

I was looking at Tamron 70-300mm F4/5.6 DI LD Macro or

55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX NIKKOR?

Poots you're pretty limited to what you can add onto that camera if you want the auto focus to work ( not totaly necessary for good action pics but useful when starting out..)
So out of those two go for the 55-200mm

I don't use anything over 200mm and remember the x 1.5 factor you get with digi cameras...
enjoy!

To be honest when I first started out all I ever used was 18 - 70mm that was fine for what I was doing. I didn't buy the 200mm until 2 years ago, so that was 6 years with that other lens and it did me proud. You just have to practise with what you have and have an understanding of how to get the best out of it ( making sure you choose a good bright spot to take pics etc)
Buying bigger lens will not improve your pics... I did at one time buy a cheap 300mm and it was rubbish, too slow to focus, so I got rid quite quickly and stuck with what I knew, until I jumped for the fast 200mm...
get some practise in before you buy any attachments just yet!

Now then there's an offer:0) As long as you don't forget it this time!

Nope, im going to Marks tommrow

Hey pootle. ive got a brand new in box sigma 18-200 f3.5-6.3 for a Nikon if youre interested?

AA, How many pennies is it?

Ahh just looked more closely and its for a sony camera. doh! sorry