Help me pick a zoom lens

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_AnGeL_

Senior Member
As the title states, I need a bit of help choosing a zoom lens for my D3100. As of now, I have the kit lens (18-55mm), a 50mm prime, and an 8mm fisheye. I am wanting to add something with a bit more zoom. I've looked into these two lenses and would like to know which one of the two you guys would recommend, and why.

The first is a Sigma 70-300mm
Amazon.com: Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lens with built in motor for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

And the other is the Nikkor 55-200mm
Amazon.com: Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens: NIKON: Camera & Photo

I look forward to the help! Thanks in advance.
 
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riverside

Senior Member
I spent a great deal of time researching the same question and settled on the Tamron 70-300.

Don't forget the Sigma you're considering doesn't have an optical stabilizer and as noted in several reviews:

"Impressive throughout most of its zoom range, the Sigma's sharpness drops off at the long end of the zoom range, especially towards the edges and corners of the frame. Sharpness at 300mm is poor across the whole frame with small apertures of f/16-32, which you might want to use to increase depth of field in macro shooting.Despite its APO badge, chromatic aberrations are quite noticeable. Sigma's newer, non-APO 70-300mm OS actually performs rather better in this respect. In some of our tests under dull lighting conditions, image contrast was also a bit lacking."
 
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_AnGeL_

Senior Member
Looking at the 55-300mm VR, they have refurbs for ~215 which isn't too bad. I've never purchased a refurb lens before, I know one of the downsides is the warranty, but is there any other concerns I should have?

How do you like the tamron? Does it have an equivalent to VR?
 
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riverside

Senior Member
_AnGeL_ said:
Looking at the 55-300mm VR, they have refurbs for ~215 which isn't too bad. I've never purchased a refurb lens before, I know one of the downsides is the warranty, but is there any other concerns I should have?

How do you like the tamron? Does it have an equivalent to VR?
Click to expand...

Just ordered, waiting to receive it. Yes, it has Tamron's version which they call VC for vibration control. It was discussed in this thread.
 
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ShallowShannon

Senior Member
I bought the Nikon AF-S 70 -300 VR II for my 3100. For the price of a refurb I can't complain. Its been a great lens. I have no experience with the ones you listed but the 70-300 I bought has been great. I used the 55-200 non VR kit for a while before buying this one. You may want to look at the Nikon AF-S 70 -300 VR II before you decide. (Just as another option). Knowing your budget would help also as far as suggestions.
On a side note, from what I've heard the Nikon VR II seems to be better than the VR I for some reason.
 
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shakur

New member
good luck
moh.png
:)
 
Nero

Nero

Senior Member
I would agree with WileyCoyote about the Nikon 55-300mm lens, it's worth the money for the extra 100mm and looks like a great lens for the price.
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
_AnGeL_ said:
Looking at the 55-300mm VR, they have refurbs for ~215 which isn't too bad. I've never purchased a refurb lens before, I know one of the downsides is the warranty, but is there any other concerns I should have?

How do you like the tamron? Does it have an equivalent to VR?
Click to expand...

This place offers a 1 year warranty on all their refurbs. I got my D5100 form that and have been very happy with it.

Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR DX AF-S ED Zoom-Nikkor Lens - Factory Refurbished includes Full 1 Year Warranty

[h=1]Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR DX AF-S ED Zoom-Nikkor Lens - Factory Refurbished $209.95[/h]
 
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MinnBen

Senior Member
I have spent hours and hours researching this and (I think) I have settled on the Tamron 70-300. It's gotten great reviews and, after having looked at it in the store, it seems lie a great lens. My only concern is that it's a bit on the heavy side. There's currently a $100 rebate on it, which makes it substantially cheaper than the Nikon version. Good luck.
 
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