Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6 G Lens

tankingfisher

tankingfisher

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heyy, sorry everyone im really new at this photography lark... but basically i just bought a nikon D3000 and i want a zoom lens mainly for pictures of birds, i just wondered if anyone could help me out and tell me what sort of lens i should go for, and if this one is any good as it seems quite cheap for an all round zoom lens (: much appreciated guys (:....... btw the title of the post is the before mentioned lens lol:)
 
'ello :)

Basically you get what you pay for and within this kind of budget it's as good as you'll get but don't expect miracles, especially in anything other than bright daylight.

But.

Even with 500mm you still need to be really close to little birds to get good pictures so whilst having 300mm is just about long enough, fieldcraft (i.e. being clever at getting close) and technique are the most important aspects of bird photography.
 
Hi Joe,

Welcome first of all.

I just bought a D7000 and did loads of research on the 70-300 and it is a very good lens for the money. Good sharp results and a great all rounder.

One thing I will say is that 300 might not be enough depending on what type of shots you are after but it is a great starting point and the longer lenses are really mammoth money.

You will not be disappointed in it I am sure. As I say, it has had very good reviews.

Jason
 
jasonhb said:
Hi Joe,

Welcome first of all.

I just bought a D7000 and did loads of research on the 70-300 and it is a very good lens for the money. Good sharp results and a great all rounder.

One thing I will say is that 300 might not be enough depending on what type of shots you are after but it is a great starting point and the longer lenses are really mammoth money.

You will not be disappointed in it I am sure. As I say, it has had very good reviews.

Jason
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if I'm not mistaken this is the cheapy G version, not the much better VR version.
 
cheers guys, im gonna buy it as i suppose ill need a lens at some point lol, i just have to start working on my camouflage techniques now :/ cheers for the advice guys (:
 
is this much better than a Sigma 70-300mm, often seen s/h for under £100?
 
Yes.

I would much rather the Nikon 55-200 which can be had for around £100 than any of the cheap 70-300 lenses.

For a good while the Nikon 70-300 VR has been the standard for variable aperture Nikon zooms although the new Tamron 70-300 VC is meant to be as good but is much more expensive than the cheaper ones.
 
Okay. I dont want to hijack tis thread, but at some point in the coming months I hope to upgrade something.
 
I'm afraid the Nikon AF 70-300 G won't autofocus on a d3000 which will be a real pain for birds in my opinion. It also seems to be cheap for good reason. If budget is tight, as mentioned, the 55-200 vr will be far better if a little short.
 
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gad-westy said:
I'm afraid the Nikon AF 70-300 G won't autofocus on a d3000 which will be a real pain for birds in my opinion. It also seems to be cheap for good reason. If budget is tight, as mentioned, the 55-200 vr will be far better of a little short.
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Good point, the 'G' version is AF-D which means it won't autofocus on your camera which is a(nother) great reason not to buy it.
 
Nawty said:
if I'm not mistaken this is the cheapy G version, not the much better VR version.
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b****r, I missed that in my eagerness to help.n:bonk:

I have the VR version and it is very good

Jason
 
gad-westy said:
I'm afraid the Nikon AF 70-300 G won't autofocus on a d3000 which will be a real pain for birds in my opinion. It also seems to be cheap for good reason. If budget is tight, as mentioned, the 55-200 vr will be far better if a little short.
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So the 55-200 sounds like a better option do you reckon, how far will it comfortably zoom in for bird shots, as obviously I would need to zoom in about 80ft or so away (: cheers for the advice guys I'm totally lost buyi this stuff (:
 
80ft is quite some distance. Unless these birds are of the albatross persuasion, then I think even a 500mm might not be enough.

In all honesty, I don't think the 200mm is long enough for birds but I get the impression that you're on a tight budget and eventually something has to be compromised. Bear in mind that serious 'birders' may well spend £4k on a single lens.

Maybe also take a look at the cheaper tamron 70-300 as well. It's not the last word in sharpness but it does have a little more range and will auto focus.

Meant to add, the new Nikon magazine did a comprehensive review of a load of telephotos. Think it's the current issue.
 
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I have picked up the VR version of this lens for ~£250 2nd hand and have had very positive results with it, i am pretty sure the VR version has a focusing motor in it so you could use it with a d3000
 
gad-westy said:
80ft is quite some distance. Unless these birds are of the albatross persuasion, then I think even a 500mm might not be enough.

In all honesty, I don't think the 200mm is long enough for birds but I get the impression that you're on a tight budget and eventually something has to be compromised. Bear in mind that serious 'birders' may well spend £4k on a single lens.

Maybe also take a look at the cheaper tamron 70-300 as well. It's not the last word in sharpness but it does have a little more range and will auto focus.

Meant to add, the new Nikon magazine did a comprehensive review of a load of telephotos. Think it's the current issue.
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Thanks a lot mate (: yeahh when isy a tight budget 300 is my limit, ideally spending 200/250, don't know what type of lens would be better in that price range but that tamron, 70-300 sounds good (:
 
tankingfisher said:
Thanks a lot mate (: yeahh when isy a tight budget 300 is my limit, ideally spending 200/250, don't know what type of lens would be better in that price range but that tamron, 70-300 sounds good (:
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£250 would almost get you a 70-300 VR. I don't think you can get a better long lens for this money. Keep your eyes peeled on the classifieds on here and ebay.
 
gad-westy said:
£250 would almost get you a 70-300 VR. I don't think you can get a better long lens for this money. Keep your eyes peeled on the classifieds on here and ebay.
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I'll do that mate, much appreciated everyone that's posted (:
 
Something to remember is that Nikon lenses hold their value better than Tamron/Sigma so buying 2nd hand and then selling it will likely cost you nothing.
 
tankingfisher said:
I'll do that mate, much appreciated everyone that's posted (:
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:thumbs:

I had the 70-300 Tamron (non-VC) before it and though I was never really disappointed with it, it was only when I got the Nikon that I realised how sharp lenses can be. It makes a really nice portrait lens as well by the way. I love using it for outdoor candid portraits.
 
Another vote for the VRII version of the Nikkor 70-300

All the shots in this set were taken with it.

Daniel.
 
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