What lens to choose for DSLR camera?

I have a Nikon D3000, which needs a motor in it's lenses in other to be able to auto focus, I have looked at these two lenses but can't decide which one to buy.

http://www.amazon.com/...0012X43P2/

http://www.amazon.com/...0012UUP02/

What is the difference between the lenses and which one should I pick and why?

What am I doing wrong with my camera?

It's driving me nuts. I went to the zoo to takes some photos with my Nikon D7000… Set it on manual and tried for an iso of maybe between 500 and 800 with a slow shutter speed and some middle-ish setting for the f-stop. I get practically a black photo. So just to see what the heck is going on, I set the ISO to the highest setting possible, only slightly better, but insanely grainy. I turned auto iso on and off… Same thing.

It's been driving me nuts lately. I've watched 100s of youtube videos on how to use it, and these should be good enough. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong. I still have my old D80 around, tried it with that one, and it does the exact same thing. I don't remember my manual settings being this bad. Should I bring it to a repair shop or return it or something?

This is one of the photos I took today. It says it was taken at 1/1250 second… But the shutter speed looked and sounded like it was stalling to take it, like as if it were starting a long exposure, then quitting a second later.

Photo - settings on the right.
http://derpingdot.deviantart.com/art/Camera-screwed-up-WTF-is-wrong-with-it-281915303

Give me a good zoom lens for nikon photography?

Like photographing basketball and volleyball games?

Added (1). Oh, i have a nikon d3100

Speedlight photography suggestions?

My friend, who knows I'm an amateur photographer has asked me to do some photography for his sister's 21st birthday party. The idea is to have a 'photo booth' type setup where there will be props available for people to come and have their photos taken. The location, I have been told (not likely to be negotiable), is going to be in their front yard in the evening (probably from late sunset to after dark), the background I'm pretty sure is some trees or maybe their house (I will try and setup with the trees in the background). I have never done real flash photography before as I don't have a speed light but I will be ordering an SB-700 in the next couple of days. I will be shooting with a Nikon D7000 and 50mm F/1.8G (only lens I have). I'm aware that most of the time some form of light modification is necessary so I have spent quite a bit of time looking on the internet for suggestions of how I could set this up but I can't find any examples of night portraits outside. I'm not sure why this is the case but I would really appreciate some ideas for how I should go about off camera flash. On the night I will probably do some mixed off camera and on camera flash depending on the type of photo but my physical location is unlikely to change (I have been asked to be in the one locations). I guess one of my biggest questions is in terms of hiring extra equipment: softbox or shoot-through brolly? I'm a complete novice at flash photography, remember, but I understand many of the principles regarding size of light source and distance from subject increasing softness of light. How are these factors affected when it is after dark, outside and the SB700 is my most prominent source. Also, I will only be able to use this one speed light. And finally, in terms of composition (in relation to how close any modifiers can be to my subject(s) - there will be individuals and small groups or pairs): because I have a DX camera body there's a crop factor of 1.5x so the 35mm equivalent focal length of my lens is 85mm. I have my own tripod which is fine for my camera but I assume I will need a 6-9' light stand for the speed light to get a nice 45 degree angle? Apologies for the long explanation but I really need help for my situation. Responses from professionals would be highly valued and I would appreciate it if no one gives me links to websites unless they directly relate to using off camera flash for night portraits.

My Nikon D3100 doesn't record sound?

Yes the sound button is on and when i film video and play back the audio sign has a line throught which means no sounds, does anyone know how to fix it?

What is the purpose flash that is movable on nikon d3100?

It is kinda awkward to see that…

Nikon D3100 video shooting problem? - 1

For some reason when I shoot videos with my camera, they come out darker than it actually is and it's really hard to see anything.

It was never like this before and I don't know how to fix it. Does anybody know?

Why does a mark come up on every picture I take?

I've got a Nikon D70s with a Sigma Macro lens. I went to use my camera yesterday but every picture I take there are marks which look like hairs on every picture! I have taken the lens off etc and wiped away any hairs which may be there but nothing has changed. What is this? I need my camera as I do a photography course but the pictures look so terrible with this massive hair-like line across most of it!

Nikon d7000 live-view AF problem?

When using the viewfinder, the AF works fine, but when using live view the AF can't get a lock at all, it tries to focus but can't. I have tried with two different lenses (both NIKKOR) and there's no difference, is this a known fault that can be fixed with a software update or do i need to send it in for repair?

How to use video on a nikon d3100?

I don't know how to put my camera onto the video setting