Nikon 70-300mm VR VS ??

Blacktop

Senior Member
I'm looking to get a telephoto zoom under $400.00.
Must have lens stabilization, must go out to at least 300mm, and must not suck!

I used to have the original 70-300mm without the VR, and that sucked big time.
Then I had the Sigma 70-300mm Non OS, which was a little better, but slow to focus, and no OS.

Can't find anything that comes close the Nikon 70-300mm VR.

Did I miss anything?
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
I'm looking to get a telephoto zoom under $400.00.
Must have lens stabilization, must go out to at least 300mm, and must not suck!

I used to have the original 70-300mm without the VR, and that sucked big time.
Then I had the Sigma 70-300mm Non OS, which was a little better, but slow to focus, and no OS.

Can't find anything that comes close the Nikon 70-300mm VR.

Did I miss anything?
Save more and join the Tamron 150-600 club ;)
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
Save more and join the Tamron 150-600 club ;)

I don't go long that much Scott, to justify the expense.
I'm more of a wide angle guy, but sometimes when I shoot landscapes, I may see something interesting in the distance that I may want to shoot.
Maybe a bird here and there.
 
I have the Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED VR and love it. Was out shooting birds with it today. If you can find a refurbished one they are in the $400 range.

don_3063.jpg
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
I have the Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED VR and love it. Was out shooting birds with it today. If you can find a refurbished one they are in the $400 range.

don_3063.jpg

Nikon recently had a 10% off refurbished items sale--I don't see any currently listed on their site although Blacktop might be able to find one through a different seller.

Blacktop, I use this lens, too. It's an excellent lens although it is a little soft at the 300mm end; however, most zooms are a little soft at the long end.
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
I used the 70-300 VR for birds for many years until I could afford longer glass. Now the Tamron 150-600 pretty much lives on my D7100 full time since birds and wildlife are my favorite subjects. I don't think you'll find anything of higher quality at the price point than the Nikon 70-300 VR. Especially since you want the VR feature. Search for a good used one, and you might find a great deal.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Here are 3 photos taken with my Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR. I don't have many photos taken at 300mm; however, this first one is 300mm with my D610--no cropping.

023 resize.jpg



This one was taken on the same day with this lens but isn't zoomed all the way out--also taken with my D610.

034 resize.jpg



And this last one was taken the day I bought the lens. In fact, I was pretty new to using a DSLR and had been out of photography for years. It was taken with my D90. There was a yacht race on the river, and the buoy was the finish line. These two boats were vying for 2nd place (the winner already crossed the finish line).

0149res.jpg
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
I have the same lens AF-S 70-300 4.5-5.6 VR G and am happy with it but have noticed that on the higher end cameras (as per photos here) it seems sharper than on the D5100 - but that might just be me in my current learning curve which is going on for eternity.

Like you I don't often shoot at the long end (where it is soft) but it is a handy lens to have.

I think you will do it a lot of justice.
 

SkvLTD

Senior Member
VR has the best optics in this class, across the board. Used ones are still ~300 and well-worth it. I had one for lets see.... year and a half originally getting it used from FM and selling it this fall for roughly the same price. Worked like a real champ in snow and shine. I'd say until you feel the need for that 600 reach OR that pro-level optical quality, this is the only lens to fully satisfy.
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
My apologies for not getting back here sooner, to thank everyone for their help and reply.
It got delivered yesterday and I'm pretty happy with it, except for one thing. I will post a new thread about this problem.
 
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