Newbie lens advice please...

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About 18 months ago I really started to get into photography and got a Nikon D50. Since I got it I have only had the 18-55 lens which came with it. Now I would like to buy a decent(ish) lens which I could use for greater zoom, such as birds, animals and isolating sections of landscapes. The 2 which have caught my eye the most are:

Nikon AF 55-200mm f/4-5.6 AF-S G VR DX Telephoto Zoom
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-55-20...6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1189792828&sr=8-2

Nikon Af 70-300/4.0-5.6 G Black
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Af-70...6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1189792828&sr=8-1

Could I have some opinions on the 2. Obviously the first one is tempting thanks to the VR feature but I'm not sure how much better that makes the lens than the much cheaper second one. Also if anyone has any alternative reccomendations then I would welcome them.

Thanks in advance.
 
Take a look at the Nikon 70-300mm F4.5/5.6 ED-IF AF-S VR one as well. I looked at the 55-200 VR and it gets excellent reviews, but the extra zoom offered by the 70-300 (450mm in 35mm terms) will be incredibly beneficial if you are looking to go into wildlife photography.

I've had the non VR 70-300mm you are looking at and it is a good lens, but if you are shooting at the long end and in lower light conditions, the VR really does come into its own. I've shot at 1/15th hand held at 300mm without any shake or blurriness using the VR technology and that really does make it very useful.

You can get this lens from HK (or possibly Kerso) for around £280, and it is worth every penny. Build quality is far superior to either of the lenses you mention and the image quality is spot on.

Just my 2p worth. :)

Regards

Paul C
 
yeah i would go for the 70-300 VR
 
i have the nikon d40 and have been looking at the 55-200mm vr lens myself but would the other one listed in the post fit my d40? sorry to be dense but im new to all this :)
 
the 70-300 would fit a d 40 but IT WOULD NOT autofocus as its not a af-s lens , a d40 to retain autofocus needs af-s type lenses.
 
daftbugga said:
the 70-300 would fit a d 40 but IT WOULD NOT autofocus as its not a af-s lens , a d40 to retain autofocus needs af-s type lenses.
Click to expand...

Yes it is. From Warehouse Express:

70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G AF-S VR IF

Also I have this lens and it rocks :thumbs:

EDIT: sorry you meant the one in the first post - just realised. Daftbugga is correct - the one you mentioned in the original post will not autofocus, but the VR one will :)
 
I have just bought the 55-200mm with VR. First of all, VR is ace! I'd never look at another telephoto lens without it. If your budget can stretch to the 70-300mm with VR then go for that but IMO its rather big, compared to what i'm used to anyway :lol:

I got mine from www.onestop-digital.com, Jessops were asking for £249.99 for the 55-200mm, I paid £172.99! I even did a review on there if you want to read it. 5 Days delivery from Hong Kong too!
 
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