300mm+ for general purpose hobbyist

I'm wondering if you guys could recommend a 300MM+ lens for general all around use. I currently have the 55-200 that I'm just not pleased with the results. I have a Nikon AF-S 50mm 1.8G lens that I really like the pictures it takes. I want something that I can get the same detail of shots with. I have a Nikon D3200 and I know my camera is pro quality, so I just need to find the sweet spot of a lens that will take my camera to it's full potential.

Do you guys recommend the 55-300? Or is the 70-300 from Nikon better? Or if I gonna get a better deal going Tamron or Sigma? I will probably be saving a while for this lens so I haven't really set a budget yet.

Thanks in Advance,
Jeffrey

If you not in a hurry Nikon have just launched a new version of the 70-300 wait untill the results come in on it.If you want it for wildlife think about going longer than 300mm.

https://nikonrumors.com/2017/07/11/nikon-af-p-nikkor-70-300mm-f4-5-5-6-ed-vr-lens-officially-announced.aspx/

drummerJ99 said:

I'm wondering if you guys could recommend a 300MM+ lens for general all around use. I currently have the 55-200 that I'm just not pleased with the results. I have a Nikon AF-S 50mm 1.8G lens that I really like the pictures it takes. I want something that I can get the same detail of shots with. I have a Nikon D3200 and I know my camera is pro quality, so I just need to find the sweet spot of a lens that will take my camera to it's full potential.

Do you guys recommend the 55-300? Or is the 70-300 from Nikon better? Or if I gonna get a better deal going Tamron or Sigma? I will probably be saving a while for this lens so I haven't really set a budget yet.

Thanks in Advance,
Jeffrey

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The 70-300 is much better than the 55-300. I shoot the 70-300 on my D7100 and my D750 and it does a great job.


Did you mean to say "I have a Nikon D3200 and I know my camera is pro quality" ?

Ok thanks guys. So 70-300 before the 55-300, that's what I figured. Can anybody tell me how the 70-300 Nikon compares to the Sigma version? The Sigma has a Macro function that intrigues me. Of course have to find the motorized version. It's about the same price as a used Nikon. Would I be better off saving for the Nikon?

drummerJ99 said:

Ok thanks guys. So 70-300 before the 55-300, that's what I figured. Can anybody tell me how the 70-300 Nikon compares to the Sigma version? The Sigma has a Macro function that intrigues me. Of course have to find the motorized version. It's about the same price as a used Nikon. Would I be better off saving for the Nikon?

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https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/549304-REG/Sigma_5A8306_70_300mm_f_4_5_6_APO_DG.html

This is the one with the built in motor, however I would strongly suggest to stay away from this lens.

The 70-300mm VR Nikon is lightyears ahead of this lens.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/449088-USA/Nikon_2161_AF_S_VR_Zoom_Nikkor.html

Now, if you have time to wait. I would also look into the new AF-P 70-300mm lens. There are two versions.
The 70-300mm AF-P for DX bodies, https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1275036-REG/nikon_20062_afp_dx_nikkor_70_300mm.html (this will only work with a DX camera. Something to concider if later on you're planning on purchasing a full frame body)

and the 70-300mm AF-P for full frame(which will also work on the DX). https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1349415-REG/nikon_20068_af_p_nikkor_70_300mm_f_4_5_5_6e.html

EDit! I am not certain however that the last two lenses I linked to will even work with your D3200.

Blacktop said:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/549304-REG/Sigma_5A8306_70_300mm_f_4_5_6_APO_DG.html

This is the one with the built in motor, however I would strongly suggest to stay away from this lens.

The 70-300mm VR Nikon is lightyears ahead of this lens.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/449088-USA/Nikon_2161_AF_S_VR_Zoom_Nikkor.html

Now, if you have time to wait. I would also look into the new AF-P 70-300mm lens. There are two versions.
The 70-300mm AF-P for DX bodies, https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1275036-REG/nikon_20062_afp_dx_nikkor_70_300mm.html (this will only work with a DX camera. Something to concider if later on you're planning on purchasing a full frame body)

and the 70-300mm AF-P for full frame(which will also work on the DX). https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1349415-REG/nikon_20068_af_p_nikkor_70_300mm_f_4_5_5_6e.html

EDit! I am not certain however that the last two lenses I linked to will even work with your D3200.

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Thanks a ton. Is there any certain reason you'd stay away from the Sigma? The reviews seem to be decent online but it's hard to always trust those. Guess time to do more research.


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drummerJ99 said:

Thanks a ton. Is there any certain reason you'd stay away from the Sigma? The reviews seem to be decent online but it's hard to always trust those. Guess time to do more research.


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Just going by my experience with that lens. It was slow focus, not very sharp. Just pretty blah looking shots. When I bought the Nikon version it was day and night.

Blacktop said:

Just going by my experience with that lens. It was slow focus, not very sharp. Just pretty blah looking shots. When I bought the Nikon version it was day and night.

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Ok thanks a ton. Looks like Nikon 70-300 it is.


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Is it just image quality you are disappointed with or reach? The 300mm is not big difference in reach. If you can test one before purchasing.

Needa said:

Is it just image quality you are disappointed with or reach? The 300mm is not big difference in reach. If you can test one before purchasing.

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Mainly image quality. It's just not as sharp as my 50mm prime. Which I understand zooms aren't but was hoping there was something better out there that wouldn't kill the bank.


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I will

drummerJ99 said:

Mainly image quality. It's just not as sharp as my 50mm prime. Which I understand zooms aren't but was hoping there was something better out there that wouldn't kill the bank.


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That being the case I think you will be happy with the 70-300.

Having owned the 55-300 (it was a kit lens with my D5300), the FX 70-300 is a much better lens.

But you did ask about 300mm+ ... have you looked at either the Tamron 150-600 or Nikon 200-500?

RocketCowboy said:

Having owned the 55-300 (it was a kit lens with my D5300), the FX 70-300 is a much better lens.

But you did ask about 300mm+ ... have you looked at either the Tamron 150-600 or Nikon 200-500?

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I did...but just for a split second. Lol both those are a little out of my price range right now. Gonna start with 70-300 and see what I think about it. The Tamron 150-600 looks awesome, just can't do it right now.


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drummerJ99 said:

I did...but just for a split second. Lol both those are a little out of my price range right now. Gonna start with 70-300 and see what I think about it. The Tamron 150-600 looks awesome, just can't do it right now.

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You can probably find a used Tamron 150-600 G1 for the price of the 70-300 new. But yeah, unless you need the extra reach, I would probably stay with the 70-300 for the faster focusing.

Shot these birdies yesterday on my wife's D5100 with the Tamron 70-300 Di SP F4-5.6
It is $450 US at B&H - or at least that's what the Google ad says.
I have used it with the Kenko 1.4 extender and been satisfied with the outcome and extra reach
Add's $175 to get the extender. So on an APC camera 300 has a FOV of a 450mm on an FX, then x 40% more with a teleconverter you are at 630mm
If you really want I could go shoot with that combo this weekend - just ask.

A little while back when I first decided to go longer I bought a Tamron 200-400 for about $150 from a used shop in the US. I see them from time to time. It is a good starter for shooting long. Eventually I bought a 200-500 and got rid of the 200-400. But for a while it was my birding lens. It is a poor man's long lens. Google up reviews and youtubes of it if you are interested.

Fortkentdad said:

Shot these birdies yesterday on my wife's D5100 with the Tamron 70-300 Di SP F4-5.6
It is $450 US at B&H - or at least that's what the Google ad says.
I have used it with the Kenko 1.4 extender and been satisfied with the outcome and extra reach
Add's $175 to get the extender. So on an APC camera 300 has a FOV of a 450mm on an FX, then x 40% more with a teleconverter you are at 630mm
If you really want I could go shoot with that combo this weekend - just ask.

A little while back when I first decided to go longer I bought a Tamron 200-400 for about $150 from a used shop in the US. I see them from time to time. It is a good starter for shooting long. Eventually I bought a 200-500 and got rid of the 200-400. But for a while it was my birding lens. It is a poor man's long lens. Google up reviews and youtubes of it if you are interested.

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Funny you should mentioned that lens. After doing more and more research many people said that lens was actually better (barely) then the Nikkor 70-300. I found a great deal on a used one at KEH in like new condition (their wording). It's suppose to be in today and really looking forward to trying it out.

I'll have to check into that extender. That sounds really useful.



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Fortkentdad said:

I have used it with the Kenko 1.4 extender and been satisfied with the outcome and extra reach

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Interesting ... the Kenko TCs have worked fine on my Nikon lenses, but didn't seem to like any of my Tamron lenses. But it works (AF didn't function for me with either the 150-600 or the 70-200) for you on the 70-300?

RocketCowboy said:

Interesting ... the Kenko TCs have worked fine on my Nikon lenses, but didn't seem to like any of my Tamron lenses. But it works (AF didn't function for me with either the 150-600 or the 70-200) for you on the 70-300?

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Yes - the Kenko 300 has worked on everything I've tried it on.
What model are you using - I have the Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 DGX 1.4x AF version.
Including my Nikkor 70-200 (works very well) and my 200-500. On the D610 it is silent, but on the D7100 with the 200-500 it does make a bit of a sound (been told that is normal and not to worry about it) have not tried it with my D500 yet - will give that a whirl soon.

Fortkentdad said:

Yes - the Kenko 300 has worked on everything I've tried it on.
What model are you using - I have the Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 DGX 1.4x AF version.
Including my Nikkor 70-200 (works very well) and my 200-500. On the D610 it is silent, but on the D7100 with the 200-500 it does make a bit of a sound (been told that is normal and not to worry about it) have not tried it with my D500 yet - will give that a whirl soon.

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I have the same (Teleplus PRO 300 DGX 1.4x AF). I know I tried it on both the 150-600 and the Tamron 90mm VC Macro. I don't have the 150-600 anymore, but will go back and try it on the 70-200 and 90mm again to verify.

I posted a few photos and comments about my evening shoot with the Tamron 70-300 F4-5.6 Di lens, on my D7100 with the Kenko 1.4.

Worked well for stationary, or slower moving subjects, but could not get focus on a quick moving hummingbird. But that may have been my skills more than the equipment? I did find that it hunted for focus - a lot. But it did nail it quickly sometimes too - a little hit and miss.

I have not had a lot of experience with this combo. I will try again and post and update.

Maybe I try with one of my other cameras - D500 or D610?

see my evening efforts here:

https://nikonites.com/general-lense...1-4-tc-tamron-70-300-d7100.html#axzz4oC2kYfXp