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Looking for a new lens

Started by Skhilled, February 05, 2012, 10:27:24 AM

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Skhilled

OK, I got $100 US in amazon gift cards between x-mas and my birthday (4 days later). Also, got my tax refund and am willing to spend about $500 or so (hopefully less, LOL) for a Xmm-300mm lens. Hopefully, with VR for my Nikon D3000. I've always had sort of shaky hands. :P

So far, I like these 2 lenses but am also looking at Tamron, Sigma and other comparable lenses.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-55-300mm-4-5-5-6G-ED-VR/dp/B003ZSHNCC/ref=sr_1_10?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1328435363&sr=1-10

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-70-300mm-4-5-5-6G-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000HJPK2C/ref=sr_1_24?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1328435363&sr=1-24

I like shooting wildlife...preferably at a distance. LOL Hopefully something with macro capabilities would be a great addition but not necessary since macro lenses usually require a tripod and I can go cheap price-wise with those and can get one later.
Nikon D3000
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6.G VR
Nikkor 70-210mm f4-f5.6 AF Macro Zoom
AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6.G ED VR

Oldboy

Go for the Nikon 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 VR , as it's as sharp as a pin.  ;D

greypoint

Having used both the Nikon 70-300 vr and the Tamron 70-300 vc I have'nt noticed a lot of difference between the two - they both handle the same too. Both recommended. A few snaps with various\ cameras

http://www.flickr.com/photos/greypoint/sets/72157611526629915/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/greypoint/sets/72157627521819416/

Skhilled

Quote from: Oldboy on February 05, 2012, 12:02:18 PM
Go for the Nikon 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 VR , as it's as sharp as a pin.  ;D

Oops! I meant one of those links to be a Tamron lens. LOL

http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-70-300mm-4-0-5-6-Digital-Cameras/dp/B003YH9DZE/ref=sr_1_19?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1328459047&sr=1-19

http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-28-300mm-Vibration-Compensation-Aspherical/dp/B000V6MSRG/ref=sr_1_9?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1328459047&sr=1-9

Quote from: greypoint on February 05, 2012, 12:37:34 PM
Having used both the Nikon 70-300 vr and the Tamron 70-300 vc I have'nt noticed a lot of difference between the two - they both handle the same too. Both recommended. A few snaps with various\ cameras

http://www.flickr.com/photos/greypoint/sets/72157611526629915/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/greypoint/sets/72157627521819416/

Great shots! But looking at those makes it hard to tell the difference and make a choice. LOL ;)

A question I have is with Tamron and Sigma lenses would I need a converter of sorts or would they naturally fit?
Nikon D3000
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6.G VR
Nikkor 70-210mm f4-f5.6 AF Macro Zoom
AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6.G ED VR

Alfonso_Frisk

Both lenses you have linked would fit straight onto your nikon
http://www.fluidr.com/photos/nosmo_king2007
http://www.seateamimages.com/search.php
Wine improves with age, The older I get the more I like it.

greypoint

The Tamron would also af ok as it's got the motor in the lens.

Skhilled

Nikon D3000
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6.G VR
Nikkor 70-210mm f4-f5.6 AF Macro Zoom
AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6.G ED VR

Malcolm1938

#7
Here are a couple of links to the Pbase site where you can see loads of pictures taken with these two lenses
Hope it helps
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/af_s_dx_nikkor_55_300_45_56g_ed_vr__

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/af_s_vr_zoom_70_300_45_56g_if_ed

If you are considering any other lenses you will probably be able find examples here.
FKA CannOffice
Too old to die young
Every day is a good day - if you wake up....

My Gallery

Sarasocke

Quote from: Oldboy on February 05, 2012, 12:02:18 PM
Go for the Nikon 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 VR , as it's as sharp as a pin.  ;D

I've got this one too and I love it to bits!
Carol aka Sarasocke 
My Gallery

jinky

Another vote for the Nikon here - great lesn and vr is very effective at longer zooms. probably a better resale value too if you change again though I tend to use it for travel as an alternative to my heavy Sigma 70-200 2.8. It`s off to Egypt with me Friday if I ge through the snow to Heathrow, through the Cairo disturbances and past the football aggro!

Alfonso_Frisk

Quote from: Sarasocke on February 08, 2012, 08:28:18 AM
Quote from: Oldboy on February 05, 2012, 12:02:18 PM
Go for the Nikon 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 VR , as it's as sharp as a pin.  ;D

I've got this one too and I love it to bits!

Another thumbs up from me for this one.
Just need to consider that if you wanted to go longer then there are no teleconverters to fit this lens.
RR
Alf
http://www.fluidr.com/photos/nosmo_king2007
http://www.seateamimages.com/search.php
Wine improves with age, The older I get the more I like it.

Skhilled

Thanks, everyone! I order this one 2 days ago:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZSHNCC/

It was supposed to be delivered on Friday (today) but was delivered the very next day!!! I also got the Canopy protection (drops & spills) and a 5 in one reflector...still waiting for the reflector to arrive. Today I went to Best Buy and got a cheap UV filter to protect it for now but will get a multi-coated one later.

So far it works as expected. I haven't downloaded any images to my PC just yet. I'll probably do that tonight so I can really see how they look. Hopefully, we'll get some sun soon. It may snow tomorrow but I might go out anyways.  8)
Nikon D3000
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6.G VR
Nikkor 70-210mm f4-f5.6 AF Macro Zoom
AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6.G ED VR

Skhilled

I've been playing with this but can't seen to get sharp images even with VR on even at 150mm. Also, the AF seems to search a lot especially at higher focal points. No matter what setting I use it's the same.
Nikon D3000
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6.G VR
Nikkor 70-210mm f4-f5.6 AF Macro Zoom
AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6.G ED VR

Skhilled

Ok, chalk it to the idiot user error.  :D I was taking pics from inside the house of things outside.

Finally got a half decent day, weather-wise, and went outside and things got a lot better with sharpness. It still seems to search a bit at times but much better. BTW, I was in the kitchen yesterday and noticed another hawk right outside of the window! This one is a bit smaller than the last one and I saw it a few days ago but missed the opportunity to shoot it. But not yesterday...

If I was standing on my window sill I could have jump over an landed on it.



Nikon D3000
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6.G VR
Nikkor 70-210mm f4-f5.6 AF Macro Zoom
AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6.G ED VR

Oldboy

That's a good way to test the lens.  :tup:

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