Advice on the 70-300mm Zoom

[armchairsurf]

well, its lighter to carry around for holidays as compared to the expensive and heavier alternatives....

I just got myself a D700 and hoping to get a 70-300VR too.... For the fact that its cheaper, lighter and IQ is still quite reasonable.

So I think its worthed it la... personal opinion thou.

 

[kklee]

Hey all...

im an armature photographer who is planning to make my first investment in a Nikon D90 and am in need of some advice regarding the 70-300 telephoto zoom..

im really interested in the AF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G which retails for around $250... Has anyone used this lens and if so, will u recommend it to me.. i am interested in this lens as it is cheap with quite a substantial zoom range... the other option is the AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED but its a little expensive and i wanted to know from u guys whether there is a big difference between the two that warrants the 3X price expenditure??

any help would be greatly appreciated...

Rasika Jayawardene

My comments for the AF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G on a D70

a) noise quite obvious when its focusing
b) focusing not fast
c) front barrel rotates while its focusing
d) mounting on the lens is plastic

While I've not handled the AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED but I would think that the IF would have eliminated a) and c)

 

[doom102938]

Well you get what you pay for. Personally, once i get my D90, I would save up for a 70-300mm VR. Few reasons why.
1) VR. On a cropped body(a.k.a 1.5x focal length), at 300mm with VR on, you can shoot hand held 1/80 instead of the 1/focal length rule. Of course you need to be on stable ground and have rather stable hands.
2)Compatable with FX bodies. And on a DX body, you are using the middle part of the lens. Which means its very sharp and clear edge to edge.
3)Can be used as a improvised "marco" lens because throughout its zoom, the closes focusing distance is 1.5m.
4)Can compliment the 24-70mm F/2.8 and the 14-24mm F/2.8 when you changed to fx and got more money.
5)Rather cheap.

 

[photosansar]

Thanks guys
For all your advise. Any idea where we can get 70-300VR at best deal. Currently I see the price is about S$750/- Any cheaper than that..

 

[doom102938]

Lol er thats quite a good price already. Anyway it might be better if you stick to one shop to buy all your camera gear. Once they know you are a regular, they would automatically give you discounts. Well at least for most shops.

If you want a suggestion, you might want to try John 3:16. Very friendly stuff and you can try the stuff out before buying.

 

[armchairsurf]

Yea, gt ALmost ALL my stuff there.

Very steady one. Go find the person who calls u "Hey Brother, how can I help you?" the moment u step in and says "God bless" when u leaves his shop. HAHAA

Thats Samuel. He don't sell the cheapest in terms of pricing but trustworthy I feel.

 

[doom102938]

Lol ya! He got tonnes of "brother" first time went in and he called me brother The pricing is decent la. After O's i'm going down there

 

[thismarlasinger]

Yeah, I will be saving up for a 70-300 mm lens VR myself! Getting my d90 next week!

 

[photosansar]

Let me check out the place...But not buying it so soon..Need to save mah!

 

[photosansar]

Hi Guys
Went causally at John 13:6 at Funan and was enquiring about the price. It was really very crowded. Price for 70-300VR is $780 and 55-200 is $380
Then I saw a shop named ??? just few shops away from it. The price there is so much difference. He told me that it would cost $700 for 70-300VR and $350 for 55-200VR.
I was wondering why the price is so much difference? Anything special about John 13:6?

 

[armchairsurf]

Thats pretty surprising thou... Maybe its 700 without GST? Did you enquire about that?

Hi Guys
Went causally at John 13:6 at Funan and was enquiring about the price. It was really very crowded. Price for 70-300VR is $780 and 55-200 is $380
Then I saw a shop named ??? just few shops away from it. The price there is so much difference. He told me that it would cost $700 for 70-300VR and $350 for 55-200VR.
I was wondering why the price is so much difference? Anything special about John 13:6?

 

[ianwurn]

Couple of comments....

The AFS VR 70-300mm is really an excellent lens. Very good IQ and darn clear. I dont think the 55-200 VR is going to be comparable in terms of IQ. Regards to whether you need the extra 100mm reach, that's a good question. If you don't have anything now, why not just get a 18-135mm (Old D80 kit). It's not bad and has good reach. Alternative would be the newer 18-105mm VR.

IMO, if reaching to 135mm is not sufficient zoom for you, then might as well supplement that with the 70-300mm VR. Going to 200mm is like neither here nor there for me really..... But that's just me.

Cheapest place for the 70-300mm VR ? HK. Got it at $6XX. But I excluded the air tix, hotel, train tix....etc.... haha.... See if you can get someone to carry back one for you ? One thing though, you gotta hunt for the deal. Not all shops are created equal in HK......

Locally speaking, I think $750 thereabouts is an excellent price already. Checked this in May and the 70-300 VR was going for $900 or so. But then, heard that Nikon dipped price of late. Good news for all of us.

Anyways, unless you need larger apertures, otherwise, dont think you'd regret getting the 70-300 VR ....

Cheers !

 

[JeffryZ]

I find that the 70- 300mm VR focuses faster than the 18- 135mm on my D80. Vibration reduction definately helps when you are using a longer lens like that (on a DX size camera you are basically using a 450mm lens!). It will not help in freezing action like a faster lens can, but the camera shake helps in shots like this panning shot I took with it a couple of weeks ago. I have never had such a sharp panning shot and I am convinced that it would not have been posssible without VR. This was hand-held and the boat was travelling at about 135 mph. For the money, the optics are excellent too. You would have to spend a lot more money and carry around something a lot heavier to do better.

 

[Mok CS]

In my opinion, 70- 300mm VR is a wonderful lens. The VR makes the following shots (cropped) possible.

Cheers.

:bsmilie:

 

[ianwurn]

Nice pics Mok CS & JeffryZ !

Yeah, these showcase the 70-300 VR's strengths ! I love the IQ !

 

[La Fontaine]

Got this lens a few weeks ago.

Went to SIN and then to the Motor show for the lens test. I am entirely delighted with the performance of this lens.

Now, the thing to considering is how lasting are the SWM and the VR. These mechatronic gear are not deemed to be as durable as the old school mechanical lenses. I guess, for amateur use, it should last at least 3 to 5 years. Er, unless you're so very unlucky ........:think:

But then, why worry so much? Just have the toy and enjoy shooting.......;p

 

[diediealsomustdive]

Well.. do you need the extra 100mm?

Fella wants to do birding...

Sorry 300mm too short. Min 400-500mm.

 

[diediealsomustdive]

Hi Guys
Went causally at John 13:6 at Funan and was enquiring about the price. It was really very crowded. Price for 70-300VR is $780 and 55-200 is $380
Then I saw a shop named ??? just few shops away from it. The price there is so much difference. He told me that it would cost $700 for 70-300VR and $350 for 55-200VR.
I was wondering why the price is so much difference? Anything special about John 13:6?

Be very careful when the price difference from an established and well regarded shop by CSers is big. Probably have some catch. Like grey set.

 

[zac08]

Fella wants to do birding...

Sorry 300mm too short. Min 400-500mm.

Yeah... I agree.

But for a pinch, he can try with the more common birds with 300 first.

 

[f1fan]

the shot looks great! how would the 70-300mm lens compare with the 18-200 afs vr lens in terms of iq?