What should I look for when buying lens for my nikon d300s?

I have no experience with photography but I'm very interested in learning about it.

That's a pretty "big" camera for someone with no experience. If you're serious about learning how to properly operate the camera and about photography in general then use this camera to its full advantage.

If you're going to buy a lens I'd suggest something along the lines of the 18-200 or perhaps the
28-200. Both these are general use lenses. That means they're wide enough at the bottom to give you a pretty good wide view but have enough reach to tighten up on a subject at a distance.

However, stay away from 3rd party lenses. Both Canon (which I use) and Nikon build quality lenses that are best suited to their cameras… So buy Nikkor for best results.

The first thing you should do is go take a class. I'm serious about it

I do not have any idea why you would get a semi-pro camera if you have had no experience what-so-ever.

if you have no idea what you are doing, and just use the camera on programed, you will not get results that someone can get with an advanced point and shoot on full manual.

If you just bought it, I suggest you return the camera and get a more entry level camera to learn on.

To answer your question, you buy lenses based on what you want to shoot

There are 2 main points to consider, and possibly several others.

1. What do you need the lens to do for you. This is the most important aspect. Define your need, then you can look for lenses to satisfy that need.

2. Your budget. There are lenses out there that are absolutely fantastic, but have the price of a small car. If you have $500 to spend, there's no use looking at $2, 000 lenses.

With those two things in mind, you can then sort out the contenders.

Do you require Nikon lenses only, or are you willing to use Sigma/Tokina/Tamron glass if it meets your need? You can usually get a lens with similar quality for a lower price by going off brand, but some people refuse to do so. Entirely up to you.

Do you have any objection to lenses made for your crop-sensor body? Or do you only want full frame lenses? Nikon allows you to use DX lenses on full frame bodies, but you lose some of that resolution you paid a lot of money for when you do. If you don't see full frame in your future, are DX lenses good enough?

- Don't buy lenses just for the sake of buying lenses. Identify a problem with your current lens and then buy a lens to fix that problem. If you can't name a problem, then you don't need another lens. Can you name one?

- When buying lenses, buy quality. Lenses will outlast your camera body by far, 20 years are normal for good lenses and even 40 years are not unheard of. Camera bodies on the other hand get replaced every five years or so. You *will* regret cheaping out on lenses, and that will result in you paying twice - once for the bad one, and a few years later for the good one to replace the bad one. It's better to get the good one from the start.

There really is no "perfect lens for everything". If there was, camera companies wouldn't make all of the lenses they do (that's why photographers have 5, 6, 10+ lenses in their gear bag).

I would suggest you stick with the standard 18-55mm "kit lens" until you fully understand your camera. The more experience you have with the camera will help you determine what your next lens purchase would be.

Ask yourself things like… What do I need from a lens that this one doesn't do? (more zoom, less zoom, better in low light, wider, macro, etcetera).