Whats a good Zoom lens for d90?

[bronxjragon]

I'm looking to spend between $100 - $200. There's so many options on B&H but not sure. How far exactly can you zoom with a zoom lens? 80mm - 300mm is alien to me, I'm more used to language from my late XH-A1 with "20 optical zoom".

I guess, if I'm at the base of a building, how many stories/floors up can I zoom and see a window fairly clearly?

 

[Thebes]

80mm is twice as long as a "standard" lens on the D90 and a mild telephoto, 300mm is a fairly long tele but not as long as you are used to with the XH-A1.

You won't find a "good Zoom lens" for 100-200. Also, if you are using it mostly for D-Movie mode you will probably want a manual focus lens. In your price range I would suggest looking for a used Vivitar Series One in Nikon F-Mount (AI or AI-S) - these lenses were quite good for the price. Look for fungus and delamination in the glass and oil on the aperture blades or blades that aren't snappy... it should also have a smooth feel as you focus and zoom.

Also, be aware that most still photo zoom lenses aren't parfocal, that is to say that they will not maintain their focal distance as you zoom.