Zoom lens for Nikon D7000?

I have a Nikon D7000 with a standard 18 - 105 lens. Recently I bought the Macro 40 mm lens for close-up photography. I'm considering getting a zoom lens for my camera mainly for use when I'm out and about photographing bird and other things from a distance. Can someone advise me on the type I should get.

For birds you want a lot of telephoto. You may be able to get some not-bad results with the 55-300mm AF-S VR. The 70-300mm AF-S VR would be a little better. For really great results you need something bigger and better, which comes at a steep increase in price.

A lot depends on how close you can get. I've had good luck with the 55-200mm VR lens. Remember, once you get over 200mm, you usually need a tripod.

One of the most favorite lenses of birders are either the Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5~6.3 or Sigma 150-500mm f/5~6.3 lenses. These lenses are somewhat of a compromise as they are fairly slow, but at $1, 000 they are not expensive. I should state that birders go for the maximum focal length they can get, even if it puts a compromise on other things, such as low-light capability.

But low-light capability is usually not an issue, and they always use tripods anyway. So I would consider such a lens as the Sigmas a special-purpose lens.

Otherwise, most people find that for wildlife and distant objects, usually a 200~300mm lens is sufficient and offers a bit more lens speed. Popular lenses in this category are the Nikon AF-S 55-200mm f/4~5.6 Dx and the Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5~5.6. They cost less than half the price of the Sigmas, and unless you need the long reach for birding, they are a better choice for most people wanting a telephoto.

You don't necessarily need a zoom lens, pro wildlife photographers use primes but these are mindblowingly expensive.

I think a modestly priced lens would be a Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3, there are many versions, and they'll all be compatible with your D7000. The latest EX DG OS HSM is the most technologically advanced with image stabiliser (very useful) and an quiet and fast ultrasonic motor. However older versions will do the job equally as well.