Old is gold ?

[ajax]

Hi,

While strolling thru Melb cbd, in a shop's showcase noticed a AF Nikkor 70-210 f4-5.6D for sale at A$320 (secondhand). Normally wouldn't have paid attention, but had read about this particular lens on some website -- dont remember which one !

Anyway is it a good price ?

cheers,
ajax

[birddog114]

Hi,

While strolling thru Melb cbd, in a shop's showcase noticed a AF Nikkor 70-210 f4-5.6D for sale at A$320 (secondhand). Normally wouldn't have paid attention, but had read about this particular lens on some website -- dont remember which one !

Anyway is it a good price ?

cheers,
ajax

It's OK, reasonable price for a used lens of that type.
But have to test on your camera first, second, please check to see what condition of that.
Edit: or you can buy the Sigma 70-300 APO cheaper than that price.

[Onyx]

You might have come across it on Ken Rockwell's site. Ken is a big fan of that lens, and will sing its praises whilst trashing the current generation's 70-300 in both flavours every chance he gets.

There is also a constant f/4 version of that focal length (made late 80s) which is supposed to be slightly better too.

[Kristine]

I have owned two of theses lenses - both well under the price you have quoted. Check out eBay - I sold one in excellent condition for $224.00 ($1NR auction) another person just sold for one for $150.00.

HTH

Cheers
Kristine

[ajax]

Birddog,

It's OK, reasonable price for a used lens of that type.
But have to test on your camera first, second, please check to see what condition of that.
Edit: or you can buy the Sigma 70-300 APO cheaper than that price.

Now I am confused. There are 3 70-300 around same price mark, oz retail ~$220.
sigma 70-300 apo
tamron 70-300
and ofcourse nikkor 70-300G.

Which one to go for ?

cheers.

[the foto fanatic]

Sorry for butting in on this thread, but I have a similar zoom lens for sale at the moment, having just upgraded to the 70-200 vr.

My lens is:
70-300 AF D Nikkor f4.0-5.6 ED

It is NOT the 70-300 G, it has the aperture ring; and it has the ED glass. I still have the original box and papers, and a Hoya UV filter is on the front; the lens is exactly 5 years old.

I recognise Birddog's point about a new Sigma lens, but this is a NIKON, and it is unmarked. I have been more than happy with it.

Make me an offer.

[Matt. K]

Strongly urge you to test the lens before purchase. My experience is that out of a batch of 12 similar lenses...2 were outstanding, 2 were exceptable and the rest were atrocious. Seemed to be a lot of variation in the quality control. Seem to have read somewhere that these lenses were not even made by Nikon....but have lost the reference to that.
Test the crap out of it before parting with your money. Very sharp lenses are rarely sold second hand.

[Greg B]

Birddog,

It's OK, reasonable price for a used lens of that type.
But have to test on your camera first, second, please check to see what condition of that.
Edit: or you can buy the Sigma 70-300 APO cheaper than that price.

Now I am confused. There are 3 70-300 around same price mark, oz retail ~$220.
sigma 70-300 apo
tamron 70-300
and ofcourse nikkor 70-300G.

Which one to go for ?

cheers.

One possible consideration ajax - the Tamron and Sigma lenses have a 1:2 macro capability. I have the Tamron, and although I am now lusting a more serious macro, it has been nice to have that capability as a virtually free extra It probably depends on what you have and what you plan to get.

[Glen]

Ajax, heres one for a $100 on ebay if you are still thinking that way

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 52684&rd=1

[Onyx]

Glen our ever so vigilent second hand shopper - you're still browsing ebay and classifieds for lenses even though you've already bought far superior brand new alternatives?

[christiand]

I'm thinking about purchasing the Nikon 70-200 VR.
This could make available to you a Sigma 70-300 APO Macro Super II.

It is up for sale depending on the offer you would like to make.

It is in pristine condition and has a HOYA UV(0) filter attached.

Cheers
CD

[ajax]

Glen and Christiand thanks for that.

ajax

[Glen]

Onyx, first glance in a long while, thought I would have a quick look to see if there were any macro lenses cheap, saw that and remebered Ajax's post. Going to purchase the 12-24 today, the version with the platinum band.

[birddog114]

Onyx, first glance in a long while, thought I would have a quick look to see if there were any macro lenses cheap, saw that and remebered Ajax's post. Going to purchase the 12-24 today, the version with the platinum band.

Glen,
12-24 with platinum band I only see gold band and gold letter, is the platinum band better than?
We're haeding to the Gold bank, gold strap, gold and gold

[sirhc55]

Onyx, first glance in a long while, thought I would have a quick look to see if there were any macro lenses cheap, saw that and remebered Ajax's post. Going to purchase the 12-24 today, the version with the platinum band.

Glad you are joining the club Glen - 12-24mm rules

Chris

[Glen]

Chris, didn't want to be the last guy on the block with one!
The platinum band is very special