Nikkor 70-300mm G and ED version

[smallaperture]

Is there any disadvantages for using 3rd party lens such as Sigma, Tamron
and Tokina beside the optical quality.
Any comment on Sigma 70-300/4-5.6 APO Macro Super?

I am using this lens. Mostly for close-ups, like flowers, insects and so on. Seldom use it with larger aperture, but at smaller aperture from F8 to F16, the colours, the contrast and the sharpness really pops. Even in low contrast situations like in overcast sky and under thick foliage, the orchid looks fabulous. I have even tried adding the 25mm Uniplus tube to get even larger magnification - works wonderfully, especially at 150 to 300mm, giving you a comfortable distance from the insect.

 

[alff]

How much did you get it?

bought it 4 years ago for like $320.

 

[showtime]

in terms of optics, there is only one ed element in the ed version of the lens... so any performance improvement would be hardly noticible... int he case of the more expensive ed lenses, there are more ed elements.

overall, build is better in the ed version and it has an apperture ring. and there are distance markers on the focus ring.

 

[WideZoom]

NIKKOR Lens has the "Distance Information" on the lens itself. So if using
SIGMA or TAMRON lens on NIKON DSLR, do we miss out this feature?
Or how useful is the "Distance Information"?

 

[Winston]

alff, is it this tamron -> Tamron AF 70-300mm, F/4-5.6 ??

I read the nikon is actually produced by tamron .. dunno if it is true or not
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70300af.htm

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70300af.htm
[Quoted from the website]
If you ever hear salesman in a camera store try to tell you that Tokina (or Tamron or Sigma or Spooginar or Amway or anyone) really makes the lenses for Nikon, just walk out. That's the oldest trick in the book for trying to sell you a discount lens at a fatter markup for the salesman. (See that explained here.)

 

[Winston]

NIKKOR Lens has the "Distance Information" on the lens itself. So if using
SIGMA or TAMRON lens on NIKON DSLR, do we miss out this feature?
Or how useful is the "Distance Information"?

The Sigma, Tamron, Tokina.....etc all have the "distance information" for your information.

All the lenses are labeled AF-D equilvant for Nikon F-mount.
The AF-G also provided distance information like the AF-D, but w/o the aperature ring.

The "distance information" is supposed to allow the lens to provide the distance to subject info to the camera and the camera to the flash to provide a "better" flash control...

Something like that.... (maybe someone more knowledgeable should explain)

 

[WideZoom]

The Sigma, Tamron, Tokina.....etc all have the "distance information" for your information.

All the lenses are labeled AF-D equilvant for Nikon F-mount.
The AF-G also provided distance information like the AF-D, but w/o the aperature ring.

The "distance information" is supposed to allow the lens to provide the distance to subject info to the camera and the camera to the flash to provide a "better" flash control...

Something like that.... (maybe someone more knowledgeable should explain)

Thanks for your advise. Do correct me if I'm wrong.
We could control the aperture on the camera so Aperure ring is redundant right?
Any comment on the Tamron 70-300/4-5.6 LD 1:2 Macro lens?

 

[justarius]

Thanks for your advise. Do correct me if I'm wrong.
We could control the aperture on the camera so Aperure ring is redundant right?
Any comment on the Tamron 70-300/4-5.6 LD 1:2 Macro lens?

Yup, aperture is redundant for most of the modern AF Nikon cameras, but if a person still shoots with the older AF cameras or any MF Nikon cameras, he would still need the aperture ring.