Quality of Nikkor 70-300mm lens?

[coolpix]

I have only had my D70 for 4 weeks and love it. The best thing that I every brought, not sure if my wife agrees though . I am now looking at purhasing a zoom lens and Nikkor 70-300 f/4-5.6G.

Is this lens worth buying or is there another option.

Thanks

[Greg B]

I have only had my D70 for 4 weeks and love it. The best thing that I every brought, not sure if my wife agrees though . I am now looking at purhasing a zoom lens and Nikkor 70-300 f/4-5.6G.

Is this lens worth buying or is there another option.

Thanks

Welcome coolpix.

There are two other options in the same price range, the Tamron and the Sigma.

Some people swear by the Nikon regardless, I have the Tamron and I'm happy, others have the Sigma, and I think they are happy too. There is a lot of happiness (I should say that the people who have the Nikon are happy too)

The Tamron and Sigma have a macro capability, which is why I got the Tamron. It is like getting an extra for free!

Whatever, they are damn cheap and a great first lens after the shock of spending the money on the D70!

cheers

[Nnnnsic]

The Nikon's 70-300G can be a bit soft, and remember that there's always the more expensive ED counterparts.

I've heard good things about both of the Tamron and Sigma's and I'd suggest only to try them out.

The one thing that annoys me on the G series is the lack of aperture ring... while this doesn't affect DSLR's and many of Nikon's cameras post-mid 80's, it means I can't use the lens on camera before that time (you know... film cameras) which is a bit of an annoyance.

[Greg B]

(you know... film cameras)

What is this "film camera" of which you speak?

[Nnnnsic]

Not for amateurs.

[fozzie]

coolpix,

Welcome to the forum.

Don't worry about the wife agreeing. As she has probably bought something of similar value in the past that you may or may not not know about.

I can not help you with the Nikkor 70-300 f/4-5.6G lens as I have never used.

If you are on a restricted budget, then Greg B post at 9:43am this morning would be a good way to go.

I have only had my D70 for 4 weeks and love it. The best thing that I every brought, not sure if my wife agrees though . I am now looking at purhasing a zoom lens and Nikkor 70-300 f/4-5.6G.

Is this lens worth buying or is there another option.

Thanks

Cheers,

[Killakoala]

Under good conditions, these lenses will be more than adequate for 'normal' shooting and will satisfy most users.

There's little difference between them other than the already mentioned macro feature of the Tamron and Sigma APO. (The beauty of a 300mm macro lens is that you can take pictures of ferocious poisonous insects and arachnids from a safer distance, thereby 'reducing' the risk of being attacked and bitten/stung. Also could be useful at 300mm for taking shots of 'larger' and still ferocious critters such as 'felis horribilis' (Tiger).)

However, these lenses will not perform well under less than ideal conditions (eg: low light) so this must be considered when purchasing them so you are not disappointed when they do not perform as expected.

If you are a reader of DPreview then you will have noticed many users of either of these lenses 'bagging' them as being crap, but there's just as many who are very satisfied with their purchases.

If you want a great lens then buy a 70-200 VR 2.8, but if you are like me and can't afford the best, then get the lens you can afford, it's better than not having one at all, and 70-300 with the 18-70 kit lens will cover all your photographic needs from wide to telephoto.

But, they are all good value for money and should provide years of great photos.

[coolpix]

I have just returned from Harvey Norman and they have the Nikkor 70-300mm for $349. Looking online i see that ccccamerahouse has them for $219. A big difference, so i guess I know where I will be buying it, unless anyone can suggest somewhere else.

Thanks for all your advice

[birddog114]

I have just returned from Harvey Norman and they have the Nikkor 70-300mm for $349. Looking online i see that ccccamerahouse has them for $219. A big difference, so i guess I know where I will be buying it, unless anyone can suggest somewhere else.

Thanks for all your advice

$349.00 for a 70-300G and $219.00

[Glen]

Killa summed this lens up perfectly

[christiand]

I wen't for the Sigma 70-300 II APO Super Macro, got it from the US
for around AUD$278 incl shipping.
I'm very happy with it regarding the price.
Yes it works best in good light conditions and this includes using a flash for macro shots.
Once I win Lotto or inherit some dough I might purchase a Nikon VR lens.
However I'm also waiting for a Nikon 70-300 VR or 80-300 VR.

Cheers
CD

[sheepie]

As I've said a couple of times, I'm more than happy with the 70-300 G. It does has limitations though, such as low-light conditions.

Overall, not bad for what you pay for it

I've posted several shots with it over the last few months, feel free to have a look at the online gallery too.

[nodabs]

i think that it is a fine lense for finding out what lense you want to end up with . for instance i have found that i9 use mine alot at 300 and wanting more so a 400mm is where i'm heading(damn it always has to be the expensive way ) you might find all your pictures being taken at 200 so that what you get. It is a lense that will allow you to get alot f pictures you wouldn't have otherwise but most likely you will run into it's limitations. the only thing i know for sure though is you will have alot of fun with it

[Photodude]

Coolpix,

I Read alot on the dpreview forums about the budget 70-300s

The general consensus was:

The Sigma is the best
The Nikon(s) G and ED and the Tamron are all similar
Some say the Tamron and the Nikon ED are essentially the same lens

I went for the Tamron

I find I have my 70-300 attached 90% of the time (I like the 200-300 range) and except for low light and a slight drop in autofocus speed - Its not a bad lens - sometimes I have to think whether I took the pic with the Kit lens or the Tamron - there's not that much between them

Good luck

John

p.s but of cos if you have the money.......Nikon 70-200 VR...

[tasadam]

Hi Coolpix
I bought my D70 with the 18-70 and the 70-300G lenses. I am having great fun with them. I haven't found limitations (except that I am lazy and should use the tripod more when using 300 AND teleconverter)
My advice would be to PM Birddog and see exactly what he meant by his comments of and
I bought my gear from him and am very happy

If you only want to buy one more lens then it depends how much you want to spend and what you want it to do. But if you can afford to, maybe look at something like the 70-300G now and start putting the bucks away in case your photography finds its limitations and you need / want / desire more.

But for me, I am loving it.
I had the loan of my bro in law's 80-200 F2.8 big phallic thing that. Great lens and all but he bought it second hand a few years ago for $1250. I have seen that same lens on ebay recently for a little over $600. Nice and all but I need to find out what VR is - but no hurry for me because as I say, the 70-300G is fine for me, and that's AFTER the loan of the phallic monster I had to give back.
And for me, macro is a screw on filter-type magnifying glass looking thing I originally bought for my F80. Haven't had the D70 long enough to have a good play with that.

Good luck in your choices
Adam.

[tasadam]

I have just returned from Harvey Norman and they have the Nikkor 70-300mm for $349. Looking online i see that ccccamerahouse has them for $219. A big difference, so i guess I know where I will be buying it, unless anyone can suggest somewhere else.

Thanks for all your advice

$349.00 for a 70-300G and $219.00

Birddy you make me laugh...

[birddog114]

My advice would be to PM Birddog and see exactly what he meant by his comments of and
Adam.

Because this reply post from coolpix:

I have just returned from Harvey Norman and they have the Nikkor 70-300mm for $349. Looking online i see that ccccamerahouse has them for $219.

While you can buy it for AU$150.00 - AU$180.00 brand new, stock are from Nikon/ Maxwell warranty against $349.00 from HN and $219.00 from other.

[bago100]

Hello Coolpix
Welcome to the forum!
I bought the Sigma 70 - 300 Super APO II lens.
The lens arrived late yesterday, but I did have a quick squizzy and I'm very happy.
Later today, after doing some jobs around the house to keep my ever suffering Mrs happy, I'll attempt to get out and about and post a picture for you.
In the meantime, have a look at the dpreview website, in the Nikon lens forum and also the Singapore based http://www.clubsnap.com for posted pictures and further discussion.
Graham