Nikon 70-300VR vs Sony

mnsfldpaul

mnsfldpaul

Suspended / Banned
Messages
88
Edit My Images
No
Hi all,

Recently switched systems from Sony A700 to Nikon D300s which I'm loving so far. I currently have the 50mm 1.8 and now looking for a zoom, and have my eye on the Nikon 70-300VR.

On the Sony I used to have the 70-300G lens, so I wonder if anyone has any experience of this compared to the Nikon? Was always pretty pleased with the results from the Sony so will the Nikon be as good?

Thanks in advance
 
I have no experience of comparing the lenses, but for the 70-300mm range, the Nikon 70-300mm VR is the best choice if you have the money. :)
 
Thanks for that, yeah this is in my budget. I'm assuming you have this lens? Do you have any example images, at both 70 & 300mm?
 
The nikon 70-300 VR is a great lens. Mine one seems to be pretty sharp from 70-230mm, it starts to drop off slightly towards 300mm but its still pretty good. The auto focus is pretty good for still or slow moving subjects, for faster moving or birds in flight its ok but I do notice the difference between this and my 300 f4 (but 300 f4 is 3 times the price!). It's definitely a lens worth getting. The VR can be useful if you need it.


100mm- pre focused on the perch with enough DOF.


European Eagle Owl Landing in snow by Rob'81, on Flickr

185mm


Red Deer Sunrise Landscape Version by Rob'81, on Flickr

195mm


Horsey Grey Seal D7K_5843 by Rob'81, on Flickr

200mm- using auto focus following the gull in flight


Herring Gull in Flight by Rob'81, on Flickr

300mm


Time for a drink- Red Deer at Woburn Deer Park D7K_5356 by Rob'81, on Flickr

300mm through fence


Red Fox- Hide and Seek by Rob'81, on Flickr
 
Last edited:
Thanks Rob! I have heard its a bit soft at 300mm but I guess it's not going to be perfect at the price it is. I think it will suit my needs though hopefully!
 
mnsfldpaul said:
Thanks Rob! I have heard its a bit soft at 300mm but I guess it's not going to be perfect at the price it is. I think it will suit my needs though hopefully!
Click to expand...

Have a look at the photos I've now attached to the post, at 300mm its still pretty good, the only way to beat it is at 300mm is with a 300mm f4 prime.
 
Thanks for the excellent images Rob, looking good to me! Can't quite stretch to the 300mm f4 unfortunately, and also like the flexibility that a 70-300 gives. Do you find the VR really helps?
 
mnsfldpaul said:
Thanks for the excellent images Rob, looking good to me! Can't quite stretch to the 300mm f4 unfortunately, and also like the flexibility that a 70-300 gives. Do you find the VR really helps?
Click to expand...

Most of my images are taken in good light so the shutter speed is high enough to stop any hand held movement blurring the image. When I have tried out the VR I did find it was pretty good and it did produce sharper images than without it at lower shutter speeds below 1/focal length (tested on still objects).

I do miss the flexibility of the zoom with the 300 f4, hence I've also ended up buying a 70-200 vr1 to get faster AF and zoom. Again that's 3 times the price of the 70-300, for he money the 70-300 is a cracking lens, it would recommend it to everyone.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the help, think I might go for one of these! I'll post some images up once I've purchased, and had some practice with it!
 
The Tamron 70-300 v.c is supposed to be a bit better at 300 than the Nikon, but then you have to hope you don't get a bad copy. Maybe worth considering. Personally I really rated the Nikon 70-300 vr I used to own.
 
Have been considering the Tamron but the Nikon seems to get slightly better reviews overall from what I've read up on. It's so difficult! I've spent ages reading reviews on so many different lenses!
 
mnsfldpaul said:
Have been considering the Tamron but the Nikon seems to get slightly better reviews overall from what I've read up on. It's so difficult! I've spent ages reading reviews on so many different lenses!
Click to expand...

You won't regret buying the Nikon. I only sold mine as I couldn't justify having it and a 70-200.
 
Ive also been trying to choose between the tamron and the nikon .Ive decided on the nikon but my new dilema is buy new or secondhand .
 
Soda Farl said:
You won't regret buying the Nikon. I only sold mine as I couldn't justify having it and a 70-200.
Click to expand...

That's good to hear! Looking forward to getting one now, as at the moment I'm limited to a 50mm, which I'm really chuffed with but a bit limiting when out and about!
 
wooders said:
Ive decided on the nikon but my new dilema is buy new or secondhand .
Click to expand...

This is another dilemma that I also have, but thinking of buying new so I have a warranty and option of returning if I'm not 100% happy with it.
 
I no what your saying ,my head says buy new but my pocket keeps screaming secondhand .Ive already brought one off ebay recently that was nothing like the description condition wise when received ,luckily ebay interveened and i got a refund .
 
mnsfldpaul said:
Hi all,

Recently switched systems from Sony A700 to Nikon D300s which I'm loving so far. I currently have the 50mm 1.8 and now looking for a zoom, and have my eye on the Nikon 70-300VR.

On the Sony I used to have the 70-300G lens, so I wonder if anyone has any experience of this compared to the Nikon? Was always pretty pleased with the results from the Sony so will the Nikon be as good?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Hi, I had the Sony 70-300G on my A700 and loved it, an amazing lens. When I compared to the Nikon equivalent to go on my D300s I wasn't impressed at all. Whether it was the copy I had I m not sure but from experience the Sony is the best in this range.

I m sure you ll be happy with the Nikon lens but the Sony is the better one.
 
Good to hear from someone with experience of both! Hope I manage to get a good copy of the Nikon then! I changed from the A700 to D300s as I wanted to upgrade but wasn't keen on the new Sony's. Been really impressed with the D300s so far though!
 
Soda Farl said:
You won't regret buying the Nikon. I only sold mine as I couldn't justify having it and a 70-200.
Click to expand...

This is the dilemma I'm having, unluckily the 70-300vr has got to go.

Regarding used or new there is a massive price difference. New is around £400 whilst 2nd hand on here or ebay go for around £250. Places like MPB, mifsuds etc usually price it at around £300-330 but you get a warranty. Buying used is usually fine if you protect yourself, know what your buying and do check the buyer.

Ive bought all but one lens 2nd hand so far, its not worried me too much at the moment. I would recommend buying on here, so far I have nothing but praise for the 2 lenses I've bought, or any of the main second hand internet companies. Don't forget if you do buy new and later upgrade like many do you will lose a little on it. Places like MPB are really good on price for 2nd buyers, but its not so great when you are selling kit on.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top