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What kind of lens do you need?
If you get just one lens for your 35mm manual focus camera, it's a good idea to have one with a focal length of about 50mm. This focal length recreates pretty much what the eye sees. Shorter focal lengths like 28mm will make things appear farther away but you will get more of the scene in your shot. Greater focal lengths will get you closer to your subject but you will have less of the scene in your shot. Below are 8 photos I took all from the exact same location with lenses of various focal lengths.
I really like the Sigma 600mm which is a nice manual focus lens made for several different camera brands. The 600mm and 1,200mm shot of the palm tree above was taken with a 600mm Sigma lens. Shop carefully and you can find one for your camera on eBay for $150.00 or less. But understand that using a long focal length will likely require the use of a tripod to keep the camera steady. This is because the longer the focal length, the more light the lens needs and the longer the shutter has to stay open. If you shake the camera while the shutter is open you get a blurry picture.
Sigma also makes some great super-wide angle lenses around the 18mm-35mm focal range. I've had a couple of these and they were a lot of fun to use. The photo of the 1958 Corvette above was taken with a Sigma 18-35mm wide angle zoom at 18mm. I was standing literally inches from the bumper yet the entire car appears in the shot.
Generally speaking, if you are buying a Nikon camera, Nikon lenses will be among the best and cost the most. If you are buying a Minolta camera, Minolta lenses are among the best and will cost the most. Likewise, if purchasing a Canon camera... you guessed it... Canon lenses will be among the best and will cost the most. A couple other lens brands that I trust are Vivitar and Sigma. There are no doubt many other great lens manufacturers but I have had good experience with Vivitar and Sigma.
Always be sure the lens you are buying will fit the camera you are buying it for. Just because it's a Nikon lens doesn't mean it will fit your Nikon camera. The same goes for other brands. You will have to do a little research to be sure a lens fits a particular kind of camera. This is why it's sometimes nice to purchase a camera that includes several lenses that you know fit that camera.
What should you look out for when purchasing a lens?
1: Is the glass free of scratches, cracks or swirl marks?
Try to determine from the item description if the glass is free of scratches, chips or swirl marks. These can cause deformities and uneven lighting in your photos. It's usually pretty difficult to determine this from photos of the lens so be sure the seller mentions it in the description. If not, be sure to ask.
2: Is the inside of the lens free of dust and fungus?
Some older lenses accumulate dust internally and while a few specs does not usually present a problem, extreme cases can affect photo quality. In some moist climates, fungus can form and grow inside a lens. Again, minor cases do not usually present a problem but some lenses can become so clouded with fungus it will cause photos to look hazy and dark.
3: What is the condition of the outer body?
Minor paint loss and scratches on the outer body of a lens will not be a major problem. But dents can affect performance. Especially with a zoom lens which has to move. A dent may restrict movement. And dents around the filter ring can make it difficult if not impossible to screw a filter into place. Always try to determine if the lens body is free of dents. If you can't tell from the description, ask the seller.
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