Outdoor + portrait shots (day and night)

Hi all!

I'm pretty new to DSLR's as I've bought the D3100 about a month ago for a trip out west to Yellowstone, Redwoods, Siuslaw Dunes, Badlands, etc. etc. I've shot quite a few pictures since then but am wondering if my standard AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm lens would do these awesome national parks justice. Is there a lens (or multiple lenses) that's better suited for taking pictures outdoors in both day and night as well as nice portrait shots?

Also on a different note, I threw away my manual within the first day of getting the camera so I'm not particularly familiar with the parts and functions of the camera so I'm somewhat clueless on where to start. Does anybody know where to download the manual so I can print it out? My current plan is to get the camera lens now and read up on it later as the trip will begin at the beginning of July.

Cheers,
​Jordan

Welcome to the forum

If you fill out your profile we can better answer any questions that you might have.
You can do that at http://nikonites.com/profile.php?do=editprofile

Some useful links
http://support.nikonusa.com/app/ans.../nikon-product-manuals-available-for-download
Nikon | Imaging Products | Digitutor


Your kit lens will do a pretty good job. The 18mm wide angle will do a good job for those majestic views.

You can find the Manual to your model of camera by following this link.
http://www.nikonusa.com/pdf/manuals/kie88335f7869dfuejdl=-cww2/D3100_EN.pdf
I think you will find that the manual answers a lot of your questions. Once you've read the manual
get out and shoot! Practice practice practice. You will soon love your new Nikon DSLR. If you have questions
​just ask. Everyone here is very helpful.

Cool, just overhauled my profile. I hope it helps.

When you mention the 18mm wide angle, do you mean the lens I already have or the one that was hyperlinked here: Amazon.com: Meade Ultra Wide Angle 18mm 1.25-Inch Eyepiece: Camera & Photo ?

224 pages.....AND IT'S ALL IN ENGLISH *cries*. I don't know if I have adequate time to read it all before the trip. I knew I shouldn't have thrown that manual out. :\
Thank you for the pdf file though, it will definitely help me when I make time to read it!

Also, am I correct in that I will have no need for future lenses then? I don't plan on zooming in a whole lot in the future

Hawaianhamster said:

Cool, just overhauled my profile. I hope it helps.

When you mention the 18mm wide angle, do you mean the lens I already have or the one that was hyperlinked here: Amazon.com: Meade Ultra Wide Angle 18mm 1.25-Inch Eyepiece: Camera & Photo ?

224 pages.....AND IT'S ALL IN ENGLISH *cries*. I don't know if I have adequate time to read it all before the trip. I knew I shouldn't have thrown that manual out. :\
Thank you for the pdf file though, it will definitely help me when I make time to read it!

Click to expand...

The one you have


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