im honestly so fed up with my current setup, this kit lens that came with my D3500 is driving me nuts cause it wont focus properly half the time and the zoom ring is getting super stiff. so I was thinking maybe its finally time to upgrade before my trip to Colorado next month. my logic was I could just grab one do-it-all telephoto zoom and leave it on the camera for landscape stuff and maybe some wildlife if I see any elk. but looking at options in my like 500 dollar budget is just overwhelming me. tamron sigma nikon... theres too many choices and my brain is fried. which zoom lens should I actually buy?
man I feel your pain, that kit lens is garbage after a bit of use. in my experience trying to shoot elk in colorado with a cheap do-it-all lens is tough tho. grab a Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD instead. it fits right in your budget, has actual stabilization which you need at 300mm, and punches way above its price tag.