Beginner question - AF-S DX 55-300mm VR Lens or AF-S DX 55-200mm VR II

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wj209980

New member
Hi

I very recently ventured into the SLR world purchasing the Nikon D3300 camera. This came with the 18-55mm lens.

I wish to purchase a lens with greater zoom to supplement this, and i'm looking at a choice of these:

AF-S DX 55-300mm f4.5-5.6 G ED VR Lens
AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II NIKKOR Lens

I will only ever really be doing point and shoot type photography, and one of the main reasons for the purchase is for taking some good shots during a trip to Disney World next year.

Being a total beginner I have no 'feel' for how much zoom the 300m lens gives compared to the 200mm. What I want to understand is whether the 300mm is overkill for my requirements?

Would the 200mm lens give better quality images within its range than the 300mm?

As most of my shooting will be done via hand (no tripod) would the VRII technology of the 200mm lens give me better results than the 300mm lens?
 
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SteveH

Senior Member
Welcome to the forum!
You don't say if budget is an important factor when deciding between the two lenses, but I would always recommend going for the 55-300 over the 200, even if it means saving a bit longer. I used my 55-300mm a lot, and never regret buying it - For the cost it is a great lens. If you were to go for the cheaper 55-200, I would be willing to bet that after a few months you were trading for the extra 100mm... It does make a difference for things like zoo visits etc and also the 55-300 has a metal mount, where the 55-200 is plastic.

Another lens to consider depending on budget is the 70-300mm - The image quality is superior to the 55-xxx's.
 
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RocketCowboy

Senior Member
Howdy and welcome to Nikonites!

I've got the 55-300mm as part of the D5300 kit I got. Most of the feedback I've heard is that the 55-300mm is a noticeable improvement over the 55-200mm. You can also search here in the telephoto lens forum for sample images taken with that lens.
 
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wj209980

New member
Thank you all for the warm welcome and useful tips!

Budget wise, obviously we all like to spend less, but from your replies it is looking like spending a bit extra now would probably be worth it (otherwise I would probably end up having to buy again).

So I am now definitely leaning towards the 300mm :)

Thank you again! No doubt i'll be making a lot more posts around here over the next few months.
 
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SteveH

Senior Member
wj209980 said:
I am itching to buy now ha ha!

Would you say this is a good price / place to buy from? (seems to be direct from Amazon, so should be a legit purchase and not a dodgy import?):

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR Lens: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo
Click to expand...


That's not a bad price at all! Make sure you post up your results with your new toy... My fave I got with my 55-300 was this one:--

~
_dsc2504-edit.jpg
 
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wj209980

New member
Wow that looks amazing!

2 weeks ago I had little interest in photography. Then I bought the D3300 just as an upgrade over using an iPhone. Now I've developing a serious interest in it all :)

Thanks again!
 
Roy1961

Roy1961

Senior Member
Contributor
i sold my 55-200 to buy the 55-300, no complaints at all, welcome to the forum, look forward to seeing some of your shots, dont be afraid to post them up.
 
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SteveH

Senior Member
wj209980 said:
Wow that looks amazing!

2 weeks ago I had little interest in photography. Then I bought the D3300 just as an upgrade over using an iPhone. Now I've developing a serious interest in it all :)

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Thanks :)
That's exactly how I started too not that long ago - I just wanted better than a camera phone. I borrowed my mum's old battered D70, then a month later bought a D3100.... That was just over 3 years ago. It's a learning journey you will love!
 
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SteveH

Senior Member
wj209980 said:
It's only been delivered already! :D

May have to find some random objects to snap this weekend now :p
Click to expand...

Congrats! Depending where you are in the UK, the example pic I posted up was taken at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster.... The perfect testing ground for any telephoto zoom!
 
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wj209980

New member
RocketCowboy said:
It's been over an hour! :D I hate days when I have to work right after new camera gear has been delivered.
Click to expand...

Ha ha - so true! Making things worse is that it has been delivered to my Mrs place of work, so I've not even been able to see the box yet, never mind use it lol. Not long until I finish though.

Work really gets in the way hey :)
 
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jay_dean

Senior Member
I had my last lens delivered to my workplace. It was to use it straight away, and nothing to do keeping it from being delivered to home and being asked the question of "how much did that cost?" at all!:friendly_wink:
 
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