What 70-300mm lens (Nikon)

B

buckle247

Suspended / Banned
Messages
107
Edit My Images
Yes
New user here, go easy LOL.

I after the above lens but no idea what to get. Have used the Tamron version with Macro a bit and quite like it (old man got it in his D5000 kit).

Want one for myself but there are quite a few available. I have a D80, so an older lens is no problem.
Is the Nikon VR lens worth the 4x price tag of the non VR lens which can be had for around £90-£100 brand new. How does this compare to the Tamron and also the Sigma's?

Will be used mainly for motorsport and wildlife.
 
It all comes down to budget, if you can afford the Nikon VR get it(used from the classifieds on here is a good option) It's a cracking lens, I used to have one.
 
The VR makes a big difference when hand-holding longer (lightweight) lenses so, if you can afford the VR version, it's the one to get. A fair number of people with the pro 70-200/2.8 take the 70-300VR when they want to travel light.

Having said that I can't say how it compares with -300mm lenses from the other companies.
 
I don't know about the Tamron 70-300mm, but I had the Sigma 70-300mm APO which was about £160, and whilst it was good on my D70, when I moved on to the D200 the Sigma was a bit soft. I think the extra pixels showed its limitations.

I got the Nikon 70-300mm VR as a replacement, and it was a big improvement for me. I miss the Macro function of the Sigma, but if the overall image quality is not there, then what good is the Macro function. ;) Whether my Sigma was a poor version I don't know, because many people seem to have been happy with the Sigma.

I was lucky enough to get my lens for £300 before the prices went up a couple of years ago. :D
 
I have a Sigma lens at the moment (28-300mm) and I hate it. 90% of the time if doesn't focus accurately, and the focus is very slow as well. Puts me off getting another Sigma one, even though I tested a friends 55-200mm (I think it was) and that seemed pretty good.

I might have to bite the bullet and get the VR lens. Budget is tight though as want it before I go on holiday in 4 weeks lol. Shame I missed the one in classifieds with the nice carry bag :(
 
If you look through threads on here and on Flickr you will find that a large proportion of people who go for the 3rd party 70-300 end up changing for the Nikon 70-300 AF-S VR. I saved the extra and having borrowed a sigma can say that I think it is well worth the extra dosh. It is one of the few Nikon "budget" lenses that punches well above it's price tag.

I now use mine on the D300 for wildlife and it is fantastic - having said that I do want to get the 300 f4 prime and a TC though :thinking:
 
Get your skates on - Puddleduck has one for sale at just over £300 and I would bite his hand of at that price.
 
Get the VR version. fast focus, sharp, (at least mine was.) and vr if you need it. Lovely bokeh too. cracking lens for the money.

Kev.
 
I have shot the Tamron 70-300 against my Nikon VR version.
The Tamron actually does very well on a tripod, but hand held for moving subjects (continuous focus) there is no comparison at all, Nikon wins hands down.

My mate gave up on the Tamron and borrowed my 18-200 at a Rally we were at last year.
 
Cheers all for the info. Was hoping to hear the cheap Nikon non VR lens is just as good, but didn't really expect that :lol:.

Have stuck an offer in for the one on Classifieds and there are two finishing on eBay tonight, so will see what happens :D
 
it has to be the Nikon 70-300mm VR i would just buy a s/h copy its a wonderfull lens
 
I've used the 70-300mm for plenty of "moving" shots and it's never let me down. Even with it's hefty price tag I've never felt short changed...
 
buckle247 said:
Cheers all for the info. Was hoping to hear the cheap Nikon non VR lens is just as good, but didn't really expect that :lol:.

Have stuck an offer in for the one on Classifieds and there are two finishing on eBay tonight, so will see what happens :D
Click to expand...

i use the non vr and dont have any issues with moving subjects
 
mikeward said:
i use the non vr and dont have any issues with moving subjects
Click to expand...

TBH its not really the VR itself that interests me in the lens. More the quality of the images and the most important part is how fast and accurate the AF is. Being an AF-S lens, I guess this makes the AF quicker than one that uses the camera's motor?

Both the eBay lenses sold for over £325, so the search continues :lol:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top