Lens help ?

ifrarrow

New member
I'm totally new at this hobby. I just purchased a new Nikon (body only) d7500, it's being shipped next week. My first lens will a Nikon 55-300 type. I see there's several different models/types/styles of these Nikon/Nikkor lenses using different model numbers like AF-something DX etc etc.
My question is which 55-300 Nikon model number lens will work perfectly with this d7500 and allow both the camera and lens to work in harmony??
 

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Welcome!

What types of subject will you be photographing?

My recommendation is you go with a 70-300 instead. See information here: https://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/n...-lens-reviews/nikon-70-300mm-f45-56-af-p.html

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR would be a good choice if you want to stick with the 55-300.
You want AF-S which means it has an internal focus motor so you wont need to manual focus. The VR is vibration reduction which helps keep the image sharp.

See guide to Nikon abbreviation: https://petapixel.com/nikons-lens-abbreviations/

If you are not adverse to buying used you can save some money. Here are two.
https://www.keh.com/
https://www.mpb.com/en-us
 
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Clovishound

Senior Member
Keep in mind that a 55-300 will not give you anything in the wide angle area. The D7500 has a crop frame sensor and a common "normal" zoom that goes from moderate wide angle to short telephoto is usually in the 18-55mm range. Yes, they make wide angle to much longer telephoto lenses, such as the 18-200, and even an 18-300 lens, but these come with compromises in quality and a higher price tag. As Needa said, a lot depends on what you want to shoot, but most folks want something in the wide angle to normal range. Something like an 18-55 and 70-300 would be a good pair, and this is a common pairing for a set of kit lens sold with a body. Often the "kit" lenses are lower quality, and lower price than some mechanically and optically superior offerings, still many are surprisingly good for the money. A lot of experienced photographers advocate buying high quality lenses that will perform well and last a long time.

Also, be aware that if you are looking at focal lengths from 35mm film cameras, you will need to using the 1.5 crop frame adjustment to get a similar field of view for your crop frame camera. IOW a 50mm "normal" lens for a full frame 35mm camera, will give you the same view as a 75mm short telephoto on your crop frame D7500. That may be a bit confusing at first, but is critical to making a good decision for your camera.
 

ifrarrow

New member
I would be using this lens for outdoor photography ie large birds like eagles mainly. Again my new camera is a D7500 body only. So now I'll be checking out the 70-300mm. Thanks for the help
 

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
I would be using this lens for outdoor photography ie large birds like eagles mainly. Again my new camera is a D7500 body only. So now I'll be checking out the 70-300mm. Thanks for the help
If it's in the budget you may want to go longer maybe a 200-500 or 100-600. I use a 70-300 (my longest) it is what I would call a backyard lens. I only occasionally photograph birds but think longer would be better. Maybe some of the birders will jump in and comment.
 

Clovishound

Senior Member
I do bird photography when the insects aren't available, or the birds are just too interesting to ignore. I use the 200-500 Nikon adapted to one of my Z full frame bodies. It is an excellent lens for the money. Reasonably fast, very sharp, albeit a bit heavy, although that is the price you pay for long reach.

One nice thing about the 200-500 is that on your D7500, it will effectively be a 300-750 and still a constant F5.6. That will be a substantial amount of reach. If you go for the 70-300, it will effectively be 105-450. That is adequate for birds, but will likely leave you wanting longer reach. The upside to the 70-300 is that it is smaller, lighter and easier to handle, as well as less expensive.

The Nikon 200-500 F5.6 is currently (and often) on sale for $1060.
 

BF Hammer

Senior Member
I would be using this lens for outdoor photography ie large birds like eagles mainly. Again my new camera is a D7500 body only. So now I'll be checking out the 70-300mm. Thanks for the help
I think a 70-300mm option will give some better photos for eagles. 55-300mm is a 5.5x zoom while the 70-300mm is 4.5x zoom. There just will be less optical distortion that way. At 300mm, you may be wishing you could get closer. But we all start somewhere.

I have an eagle spot about 45 minutes away at a hydroelectric dam. I started photographing there with a D7000 and 70-300mm lens. That was an easy hand-holding setup. But I had to crop my photos pretty far. One of my happier lens purchases was a Sigma 150-600mm C lens and I have enjoyed chasing birdies with it since. Kind of heavy for hand-holding, but works great with a monopod.
 

BF Hammer

Senior Member
For a hint at what might be possible with a crop-sensor camera and a 70-300mm lens, these are from a lightly foggy morning in 2014. All JPGs straight from camera.
DSC_1543.JPG
DSC_1583.JPG
DSC_1588.JPG
DSC_1634.JPG
 

BF Hammer

Senior Member
This would be my first time out using my Sigma 150-600mm C lens. All the eagle action was happening on the far bank of the Wisconsin River that day. The other photographers were out with 200mm and 300mm lenses and pretty much did not even try much. Again, the straight JPGs.

DSC_4189.JPG
DSC_4332.JPG


Then forward to 2022 after I had upgraded body to a D750. The Sigma then started to shine for me.

DSC_3649.JPG
DSC_3656.JPG
 

ifrarrow

New member
Welcome!

What types of subject will you be photographing?

My recommendation is you go with a 70-300 instead. See information here: https://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/n...-lens-reviews/nikon-70-300mm-f45-56-af-p.html

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR would be a good choice if you want to stick with the 55-300.
You want AF-S which means it has an internal focus motor so you wont need to manual focus. The VR is vibration reduction which helps keep the image sharp.

See guide to Nikon abbreviation: https://petapixel.com/nikons-lens-abbreviations/

If you are not adverse to buying used you can save some money. Here are two.
https://www.keh.com/
https://www.mpb.com/e
Welcome!

What types of subject will you be photographing?

My recommendation is you go with a 70-300 instead. See information here: https://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/n...-lens-reviews/nikon-70-300mm-f45-56-af-p.html

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR would be a good choice if you want to stick with the 55-300.
You want AF-S which means it has an internal focus motor so you wont need to manual focus. The VR is vibration reduction which helps keep the image sharp.

See guide to Nikon abbreviation: https://petapixel.com/nikons-lens-abbreviations/

If you are not adverse to buying used you can save some money. Here are two.
https://www.keh.com/
https://www.mpb.com/en-us
So the AF-P does not have a built in focus motor? Where the AF-S does have. There's a bunch of AF-P's for sale on the websites but not many AF-S DX, interesting.
 

BF Hammer

Senior Member
Also this DX vs ED thing is driving me crazy as well as the AF-S vs AF-P ?
It is overwhelming when starting. Nikon F mount evolved over decades to accommodate new tech and at least try for backwards compatibility. Did not always work that way.

DX means a sensor that is smaller than the full-frame of 35mm film. For cost and technology reasons all DSLR makers began with DX "crop-sensor" cameras on the market. What that means for you is that you are not limited to exclusively DX lenses, full-frame projects an image that covers your sensor fully. Me using a full-frame camera, I do have to pass over those less expensive DX lenses.

AI and AIS is electronic communication between lens and camera. Looking at vintage lenses, you really need to stick to the compatibility list in the camera manual.

AF-S, AF-P, AF D, this is generational series basically. I believe a D7500 has the autofocus motor in camera body required to use D lenses. Old tech. The AF-S has motor inside lens. That really is much better as the D lenses are slower and make loud noises when focusing. Actually I do not know what AF-P is about either. But the compatibility chart in your manual won't steer you wrong.
 

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
As nikonpup said your camera is a DX. But you may also use FX lenses. DX and FX refer to the sensor size. See here: https://www.nikonusa.com/learn-and-explore/c/products-and-innovation/the-dx-and-fx-formats . ED means extra-low dispersion glass See here: https://www.nikonusa.com/learn-and-explore/c/tips-and-techniques/how-to-read-your-nikkor-lens-barrel
. That will be a substantial amount of reach. If you go for the 70-300, it will effectively be 105-450. That is adequate for birds, but will likely leave you wanting longer reach.
The part of Clovishound conversation referes to usin a FX 70-300 on your DX camera.

AF-P vs AF-S this this the type of focus motor used. Your camera can use Both AF-S And AF-P AF-P, is supposed to be quieter.
 
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Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
After some consideration and since you are starting from scratch I think you should consider a Nikon Z camera, these Mirror-less cameras are the future. Based on my usage these days I think the new Z50II would meet my needs, this may not be a good choice for you. Maybe you could start a new thread asking DSLR or Z camera. The difficult thing for you here is you are just starting and don't know what will or will not work for you. The other issue also becomes cost seem like there is always a newer better camera to separate you from your money.

PS Is there somewhere local that you can put your hands on camera to help with your descission?

jEFF
 
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