Which camera lens is better? Want to upgrade!

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rocky89

Senior Member
I have D7000, which is great, my current lens is a Nikon AF NIKKOR 70-300mm, which is also great, but I'd like to upgrade. I come here to ask y'all which lens you would suggest I consider upgrading to?

1. Amazon.com: Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR Nikkor Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: NIKON: Camera & Photo

2. Amazon.com: Tamron 200-400mm f/5.6 LD Minolta Mount SLR Zoom Lens: Electronics

3. http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-70-300...8&qid=1368405333&sr=1-4&keywords=tamron+300mm

4. Amazon.com: Tamron AF 200-500mm f/5.0-6.3 Di LD SP FEC (IF) Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Model A08N): TAMRON: Electronics

5. Amazon.com: Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: SIGMA: Electronics
 
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TedG954

Senior Member
Well, there's quite a cost spread.

If cost is no issue, number 2 is the best choice.

Personally, I'd choose #1 (I actually have one) to see how much I would ultimately use it, and whether the photo quality was adequate for the user's purposes.

​I don't use a long lens very often, and my 70-300VR is fine for my needs. But, that's me. You have to decide for yourself what's important.
 
Fred Kingston

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
When you say you want to "upgrade"... what exact feature are you talking about???? The focal length, or the Speed... Quite honestly, I wouldn't think your first 4 picks produce any cost/benefit for what's gained... the 500mm selection would be a gain, simply from the focal length perspective...
 
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rocky89

Senior Member
TedG954 said:
Well, there's quite a cost spread.

If cost is no issue, number 2 is the best choice.

Personally, I'd choose #1 (I actually have one) to see how much I would ultimately use it, and whether the photo quality was adequate for the user's purposes.

​I don't use a long lens very often, and my 70-300VR is fine for my needs. But, that's me. You have to decide for yourself what's important.
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What made you decide on #2? :)

My current lens did great in Vancouver, but the dude at Henry's said I could do better with another/newer Nikon lens.

crashton said:
Since you have the 70-300 Nikkor I'd advise to keep it. Use your upgrade money on something else. Or leave it in the bank.
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I'm saving for a trip to Australia next year, so I'm thinking of changing lenses next year.

FredKingston said:
When you say you want to "upgrade"... what exact feature are you talking about???? The focal length, or the Speed... Quite honestly, I wouldn't think your first 4 picks produce any cost/benefit for what's gained... the 500mm selection would be a gain, simply from the focal length perspective...
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Which lens would you suggest is best for a D7000? A friend has a Sigma and Tamrom, and I guess I just want what will provide better quality. :)
 
Fred Kingston

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
rocky89 said:
I guess I just want what will provide better quality. :)
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Both Tamron and Sigma produce quality products... Your question and concerns are still unclear... You're asking who makes the best automobile? There are a lot of companies that make great automobiles, but the question is, which automobile and for what purpose do you want one????

None of the lenses you listed is a better quality than what you already have... Unless you define a specific task that you want the lens to perform...

You can buy a lens with a longer focal length, or you can buy a lens with a faster speed... and you can get crazy and buy a lens with both a longer focal length, and a faster speed... increasing either the focal length or the speed only increases your costs, but doesn't improve your quality...
 
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rocky89

Senior Member
Dave_W said:
By all means, this one - Amazon.com: Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR Nikkor Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras: NIKON: Camera & Photo
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Very good, but for what reason to you think this would be a worthy pick? :) The man at Henry's said this is actually an upgrade to the one I already have. :)

FredKingston said:
Both Tamron and Sigma produce quality products... Your question and concerns are still unclear... You're asking who makes the best automobile? There are a lot of companies that make great automobiles, but the question is, which automobile and for what purpose do you want one????

None of the lenses you listed is a better quality than what you already have... Unless you define a specific task that you want the lens to perform...

You can buy a lens with a longer focal length, or you can buy a lens with a faster speed... and you can get crazy and buy a lens with both a longer focal length, and a faster speed... increasing either the focal length or the speed only increases your costs, but doesn't improve your quality...
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I'm still somewhat new at all this, so I guess I want one with a better focal length. :) I asked a friend which would be better, and she said if I want to really upgrade, get something other than a 300mm. Perhaps a 400mm or 500mm. :)
 
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rocky89

Senior Member
Tracsoft - Don Kuykendall said:
One question. What are you shooting where you would need a lens that long?
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FredKingston said:
Okay Rocky... We're making progress... :)

​but now it's late... Tomorrow, we'll find you a 500mm lens
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Well, my main use of the camera and the lens are when I go conventions, as well as the scenery when I travel. As happy as I am with my lens, I would like to improve by getting one with longer range, as well as quality is that is possible. :)
 
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pedroj

Senior Member
rocky89 said:
Well, my main use of the camera and the lens are when I go conventions, as well as the scenery when I travel. As happy as I am with my lens, I would like to improve by getting one with longer range, as well as quality is that is possible. :)
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Birds...Sports....Nikon AF-S 300mm F4 for a quality upgrade then add a Nikon or Kenko 1.4 tele converter for a bit more length
 
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rocky89

Senior Member
WileyCoyote said:
How about this lens for you, the Sigma Big Ma 50-500m. It covers more range than your #4 & #5 choices.
Amazon.com: Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital DSLR Camera: Electronics
It only costs $1500 and only weighs 7 pounds.:eek:
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Haha, that's a little out of my price range right now,but it looks great. ;)

pedroj said:
Birds...Sports....Nikon AF-S 300mm F4 for a quality upgrade then add a Nikon or Kenko 1.4 tele converter for a bit more length
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Not bad, thank you. :)

Since the 500mm lenses seem a bit high at the moment, I'm looking for some good 400mm lenses right now. :)
 
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kirbfucius

Senior Member
Just how far out are you wanting to shoot? Your current 70-300mm gives a pretty long reach on a D7000. That camera has the image quality to allow crops for when you can't get close enough already, and you're essentially shooting at the image frame of 450mm on the long end already.

You mentioned shooting at conventions as well. I'm not sure what conventions you're going to, but most of the ones I've been to are indoor affairs with not a whole lot of room to maneuver or set up and most of the shots are short-range. Getting a monstrous 500mm lens wouldn't do you much good in that kind of a setting.
 
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rocky89

Senior Member
kirbfucius said:
Just how far out are you wanting to shoot? Your current 70-300mm gives a pretty long reach on a D7000. That camera has the image quality to allow crops for when you can't get close enough already, and you're essentially shooting at the image frame of 450mm on the long end already.

You mentioned shooting at conventions as well. I'm not sure what conventions you're going to, but most of the ones I've been to are indoor affairs with not a whole lot of room to maneuver or set up and most of the shots are short-range. Getting a monstrous 500mm lens wouldn't do you much good in that kind of a setting.
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Thanks for the input. :) I go to sci-fi conventions, my recent one was in Vancouver. I've attached some sample photos I took with the D7000 and my current 70-300mm lens. I'm saving to go to Australia next year, and I'm from Canada, so that's not cheap, therefore I am thinking of upgrading to a more advanced 300mm lens. Here are my 2 choices.

1. Nikon 70-300mm VR
2. Nikon 55-300mm VR
 

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slowpoke

Senior Member
Hey,Rocky89.Try Kijiji for some great deals here in Canada.I bought 2 lenses bothe mint condition and the prices didn't break the bank.There's nothing wrong with the lens you have now.Maybe look into a super wide angle lens for indoors,like a Tokina 11-16 F2.8.
Remember those big lenses like alot of light and shotting indoors you will probably need a good flash like a sb700.lol Good luck.
 
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