Beginner do i need Nikon AF-S..?

Yardbent

Yardbent

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John
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currently only 1 lens on my D5000 - apart from very occasionally a manual Nikkor 50/1.8 series E

the kit 18-55 AF-S DX VR which serves me well

but I want to go out to 200mm - birds in the garden - canna afford a 300mm ( c'est la vie )

with a slight hand shake at my age (ahem) I'll be using my Manfrotto tripod - with a fixed distance to the bird feeders
I believe AF-S should be 'off' on a tripod
so - any drawbacks to using a Nikon 70-210 4-5.6 AF
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-NIK...b2c373&pid=100010&rk=9&rkt=24&sd=111908067957

or just buy the ubiquitous plastic 55-200 VR and use the VR if/when required

thanks for comments..................john
 
not quite sure what you are asking

is it a question about VR on a tripod

what has AF-S got to do with your question

how can you be a beginner with over 6,800 postings?
 
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•

If you plan, John, to use the lens on a tripod, you won't
need the VR. An AF one should do just fine. So your idea
of the Nikon 70-210 4-5.6 AF is a good move for budget
sake!
 
AF = Autofocus, but will be slower than modern lenses.
AF-S = Autofocus with 'Silentwave' motor which is faster.
VR = Vibration reduction, which enables shots which are less affected by vibrations.

So an AF lens is a slower focussing lens with no ability to reduce vibration effect, however with birds etc AF-S being faster to focus can be very useful as birds can move and fast.
Some people don't ever use VR on a tripod, others do, others don't when shutter speed goes higher e.g. 1/1000 or over.
 
Kodiak Qc said:
•......
An AF one should do just fine. So your idea of the Nikon 70-210 4-5.6 AF is a good move for budget sake !
Click to expand...

thank you

ex-Vancouverite in UK since 1983....:)
 
gramps said:
............
So an AF lens is a slower focussing lens with no ability to reduce vibration effect, however with birds etc AF-S being faster to focus can be very useful as birds can move and fast.
...........
thanks - i realize this AF lens wont AF on my D5000 - manual only......maybe a small +ve for the plastic 55-200 VR.?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Think a 70-300 AF-S VR would be a better option TBH :)
 
minnnt said:
You don't state a budget... Do you have one?

The Tamron 70-300mm F4-5.6 SP VC -------- around £230.
Click to expand...

Occasional use so aiming for <£100 which is why I'm looking at 200mm (used)

cheers...john
 
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For that budget go for the Nikon 55-200vr, you could pick up a used one for about £80.
 
sep9001 said:
For that budget go for the Nikon 55-200vr, you could pick up a used one for about £80.
Click to expand...
Have to agree with Kev..I ordered one from amazon the other day but had to return it due to a foreign body smack bang in the middle of the lens behind the element!Did have a quick play with it and for the price its lovely and compact and the image quality was better than I was expecting!!
 
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