Tina - I have enjoyed reading along with the adventures of you and your family
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IT'S HERE!!! I AM IN LOVE!!!
However I think that the 70-210 needs to be returned... it doesn't auto focus and it doesn't really seem to "do much" for a zoom factor... Was I expecting something that I shouldn't have with that lens? Would I be happier with:
this guy? Also, am I limited to Nikon lenses or is there another brand you might recommend?
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ETA: I don't want ^that guy^ - I need VR.... right? Like
this guy?!
Well, here's the bad news first. I looked at the wrong lens when you asked me before. The one that you have now will not auto focus with the D5000 and here's why. The D5000 does not have the auto focus motor built into the body of the camera so you need it to be built into the lens itself. Check the manual for the camera and it will tell you what kind of lenses will auto focus (it will be determined my a letter assignment on the lens's model #.) The way I usually tell the difference is if it looks like the link you posted for the one without the VR, it doesn't work. Take a look at the two links side by side. The first one is all metal the second one has a plastic body. Short end, metal won't auto focus.
The good news is that B&H should take it back with no problem. I asked them 100 questions before I got the last one from them and even though it was used, they told me to send it back for any reason at all.....even if it wasn't as sharp as I had thought it should be.
They have a link on their page where you can chat with a Tech and ask any and all the questions you want. My first question was "Does this have the focus motor built into the lens?" He replied "Yes." Second question was "Will it auto focus on a D5000?" He replied "Yes" Similar questions went on for another 1/2 hr but he had assured me that they would take it back if I wasn't 100% satisfied.
As for the zoom part. At 200mm it should be about equal to a "point and shoot" camera zoomed in at 10x. At 300mm you would see something similar to a 16x P&S camera zoomed in. Mine goes to 250mm and I love it.
A couple more lens brands I'd look at are Tamron and Sigma. Do a little homework when you pick out a particular lens because some may not be as sharp as others even though they are made by the same company. You could say I'm frugal when it comes to spending money on certain things (remember my meal plan back and forth which I still haven't decided on?) so I want the biggest bang for my buck. I researched that lens I got from B&H for about 3 weeks before I said "let's do it." I hate spending that kind of money but I love the pictures I got out of it.
Here's one from their website that looks like it would be right up your alley
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/622385-USA/Sigma_686306_50_200mm_f_4_5_6_DC_OS.html
The customer reviews seem pretty good overall. I don't remember what you paid for the 70-210 but if I remember correctly, they were about the same price.
Now, here's the question of the day. If the 200mm is right around the zoom capabilities of the typical P&S zoomed in at 10x, is that enough for you?
Remember bigger lenses usually weigh more also. Without the camera, my 18-250 is a pound and a half which doesn't seem like much, but it is heavy.
One more thing.....Sigma lenses turn the opposite direction when zooming in and out. Took a few times to get used to it, but now I'd think Nikon was weird if I went back to one.
Don't get flustered. This is going to be a long and fun road for ya. I still learn new things all the time and I've had it for almost 2 years now with over 20,000 on it pictures already. The best part is, your going to love what you can do with it right now but the more you play with it the more you will see how much better you can be.
Pretty soon we're going to have you shooting RAW files and going nuts with post processing. Than you'll try out HDR and all your friends will be ooohhhing and aaaahhhhing over all your stuff......and you can do all that with the setup you have now
Don't worry about buying any more lenses for a while until you get used to what you have and know that you've outgrown them or a special need for one arises.
I'm so excited for you!!!
Let me know when you get some pics up somewhere!
One more happy dance for ya!!!!!
--- at checkout the estimated Friday, UPS tracking number says Thursday!!!
Can't wait to go back in May!!
--just how everyone should feel when they are there!
- I am sure Rob won't mind our side-banter! Thank you - the black & white with selective color can be a bit time consuming, but the outcomes are well worth it! Gimp is like Photoshop - BUT FREE 
