Cheaper equivalent for Nikon lenses?

I own a Nikon D3000 and I'd like to buy a new lens. I heard about Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8. But I found it at 250$ on e-bay and it's a little expensive for me. Could you tell me about a cheaper equivalent? Or any cheaper lenses that would be compatible with my camera and useful for both portraits and long exposures?

While Tamron, Sigma and Tokina all make lenses to fit your camera (you need motorised versions), only Sigma make a 50mm, and it's not a cheap option.

I suppose, but $250 is pocket change for a lens. (Buy it new from a dealer for the same price with warranty, not on ebay).

Lots of off brand lenses don't have focusing motors and won't focus on your camera, so be wary. Also, they aren't built as well and won't last as long. You should buy your lenses so you can keep them and use them with a new camera.

In the world of DSLR lenses, $250 is already VERY cheap.

Buying garbage lenses is a BAD idea. You'll eventually learn to see the difference, and then you'll very much regret having wasted good money on bad gear.

Save up for the real stuff - you'll be happy with it, you'll get great results and if you take care of your stuff, you'll have them forever.

You can get a refurbished 50mm for much cheaper than that.

Http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/766516-USA/Nikon_2199_AF_S_Nikkor_50mm_f_1_8G.html

If you buy the one that does not autofocus with your camera, it will be a lot cheaper.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/..._50mm.html

The 50mm is short-telephoto on your camera. This next one would be normal/standard and will match the angle of view of your eyes.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/..._1_8G.html

Stick to Nikon as much as possible for optimum optical quality.

What would you want the new lens to do anyway? If you have the 18-55mm lens, it has 50mm in it already. If you want to have more speed then go for the lowest f/number you can afford. Take a look at this first before going on with your purchase.

http://keerok-photography.blogspot.com/2011/05/lenses-so-many-of-them-there-is-no-best.html

If you are looking at US pricing, the Nikon MSRP for the AF-S 50mm f/1.8 is $219, so the person on eBay is ripping you off. You can find some deals on eBay, but some not so good as well.

http://www.nikonusa.com/...F1.8G.html

You can also look for a refurbished Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8 at the following stores:

www.adorama.com
www.bhphotovideo.com
www.cameta.com

These retailers seem to get a lot of them in. But stock does vary by how many Nikon refurbishes. And the better lenses tend to be lower in refurbish stock.

You can also check the Nikon Outlet store for refurbished lenses:

http://shop.nikonusa.com/...D.43896400

Refurbished AF-S 50mm lenses are around $180, so you are not saving a lot of money if you need it immediately.

As others have said, even $250 is not a lot of money for a lens, especially a pretty darned good one like the 50mm f/1.8

But you might also want to look at the Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8. I don't particularly like that lens, but others do. It retails for $199, but it is not as good as a portraiture lens.