Please explain the difference in a 70-210mm and a 55-300mm AF lens for a Nikon D60?

I take mostly scenery pics, really like B/W, of barns, old farm equipment and cars etc… Been looking at 55-300mm Nikon lenses for my D60 on Ebay… None of them say the will fit my D60 though… So just looking for some advice. Did see a 70-210mm for sale at a shop near my home town, wondered what the difference was in laymans terms.

The 70-210mm lens won't autofocus on your D60, but the Nikon 55-300mm will just fine.

For the D60 and other Nikon entry-level DSLR's, you need AF-S lenses that have a built-in autofocus motor.

Here's a complete list of Nikon and 3rd party lenses that will mount, meter, & autofocus on your camera.
http://en.wikipedia.org/...cus_motors

Well all Nikkor lenses will "fit" your D60, but will not auto-focus. Your D60 can only auto-focus using Nikkor AF-S lenses.

When I shoot "scenery" (landscapes), I use a lens like the 12-24 mm. Both lenses you mention are more for shooting wildlife, sports or action. They are far too long for your intended use.

Here is what the various lens focal lengths see.

http://imaging.nikon.com/...simulator/

Focal lengths, in mm are simply angles of view. The lower the number, the wider the angle of view. Why don't you see it for yourself?

http://www.tamron-usa.com/...arison.php

Since it's a different lens brand, the actual lens focal length combinations may not coincide but nevertheless, the angles of view from the same focal length are the same.

As to what will fit and work with your camera, see this.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/...s.htm#dslr