Camera zoom compatibility.opinions?

I have a nikonD60 with the generic lens and the zoom is absolutely ridiculous. I would like to get a better lens but at some point within the next few years I hope get all together higher quality camera… Like when I graduate college in 2 1/2 years. If I got a great lens for this camera would it work with any nikon dsrl or am I better off waiting until I get a whole new camera?
I obviously don't have much knowledge on lenses so insight or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

You've probably got the original "kit" lens at 18-55. I have a Canon 1000D and I own the Canon version of that lens. It's a good lens but you're correct, if it's reach your after, this is not the lens.

The "higher quality" camera you speak of honestly won't make a heck of a lot of difference. The D60
has the same size sensor as my Canon and it gives me exactly the results I want. The difference I've got is the glass. Trust me, if you update your lenses and not the camera you'll be amazed at the difference.

Also, I don't know what you know about operating your camera in manual. You can also make a really great difference by understand the relationship between aperture, shutter speed and ISO and lighting. If you're already there I'm playing to the choir and I'm sorry. If you're not there a new lens will make some difference but not a great deal if you're shooting full auto all the time.

In any case, consider a lens before a camera body. Trust me, you'll be impressed.

All lenses have compromises in their design, the lenses with the most compromises are the wide range zooms, if it's Image Quality your after avoid them like the plague. Prime lenses have the fewest compromises the difference in IQ has to be seen to be believed, no distortions, better contrast, better colour contrast, no vignetting.

Your Nikon D60 with a 50mm wide aperture lens (the 'nifty fifty') will drop your jaw at the IQ even when compared to your kit lens, which is not a bad performer.

Not having zoom is a price worth paying just for the increase in IQ. If you must have zoom those with a 3X range work better than those with a 5X plus range.