Beginner Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4,5-5,6G ED VR?

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rebdix

rebdix

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Hi, has anyone had any experience with this lens? How fast is the motor for the autofocus? How well does the stabiliser work? Do I need a tripod to take photos of tennis players moving about 10-20m away from me? Can I use this lens for portraits too? I am a beginner with a Nikon D5100. So far my photos of tennis players have been ok but I really would like to zoom in closer and am not sure what lens to buy. I read somewhere that a tele lens is also good for portaits. Is that true? Would greatly appreciate any help provided. Thanks Rebecca
 
For the money, its pretty good. From experience it tends to struggle a little at 300mm, but zoom it back slightly to 290mm and its pretty good. Assuming you're shutter speed is fast enough (I'd keep above 1/320 s) then there will be no need for a tripod. (VR doesn't work with then anyway)
 
Hi Rebecca, I have that lens and I can say, in good light, it produces some fantastic results.

One of my favourite pictures that I took with it last year:

_DSC3908-Edit-2 by Wez Filtness, on Flickr

It has pretty fast autofocus and, yes, it can be used for portraits at 70-100mm, imo.

Like I said though, I get better results when it's good light.

Hope this helps (y)
 
boyfalldown said:
For the money, its pretty good. From experience it tends to struggle a little at 300mm, but zoom it back slightly to 290mm and its pretty good. Assuming you're shutter speed is fast enough (I'd keep above 1/320 s) then there will be no need for a tripod. (VR doesn't work with then anyway)
Click to expand...
 
It's a very good lens Rebecca, and is fine for all the things you've listed.

A cheaper alternative is the Tamron 70-300 VC. It's terrific value, though the Nikon is slightly better optically. Not to be confused with the very cheap non-VC Tamron version - that's not in the same class at all.

Be aware that image stabilisation systems (Nikon VR, Tamron VC etc) only work to combat camera-shake induced blur; no IS system can reduce subject movement blur.
 
I've got one of these and i'm impressed with it, focus speed is excellent. A lot faster than the 55-200/55-300
Shoot with as high an iso as you can and you should be fine for tennis player shots outside
Portraits will be best (for bokeh) if you stand back a bit and zoom in
 
My girlfriend wanted a 70-300 and after extensive research we found that the Tamron which is over £100 cheaper is near identical (many who had used both the Nikon and Tamron argued that the Tamron was even better optically but others argued the Nikon JUST nicked it). If I was you I'd save the money as my girlfriend did, and get the Tamron which I've seen fantastic results from for a £239 lens.
 
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