Nikkor AF 70-300mm f, 4-5.6 Lens

[gemini]

Hi everyone

I know where there's a second-hand one of these lenses going for £50 and wondered if anyone could help me a little bit please.

I've got a Nikon D90 so first of all will it fit my camera?

Is it a good lens for a newbie like me to have a play with - I would like to have a go at taking some photos of birds & wildlife and I only have the kit lens(18-105mm) at the moment.

If anyone has any pics they have taken with this lens please feel free to show me what it can do.

Any help much appreciated.

Alison :)

[Flash In The Pan]

Hi Alison, yes it will fit your camera, it's not the best of lenses, but if you could knock the price down a wee bit then you couldn't really go far wrong at that sort of money. It's worth having a look at some of the offerings from Tamron and Sigma too though.

[gemini]

Hi Alison, yes it will fit your camera, it's not the best of lenses, but if you could knock the price down a wee bit then you couldn't really go far wrong at that sort of money. It's worth having a look at some of the offerings from Tamron and Sigma too though.

Hiya Flash

Thanks for the quick response.

I've got a credit voucher for this second-hand store and don't think I will be using it for anything else there so just thought it might be worth giving this lens a go.

Could you tell me which Sigma/Tamron lenses are better please?

Thanks

Alison :)

[Flash In The Pan]

I don't know if "better" is the right word, but both companies do budget lenses with a similar range, I'm sure someone here will have owned one or the other and be able to offer some advice.

Does the shop have a good range of lenses or is the Nikon the only one they have that suits?

[gemini]

Does the shop have a good range of lenses or is the Nikon the only one they have that suits?

No they don't - I think it's just a "one-off" they've had in.

Alison :)

[Flash In The Pan]

Comparisons are meaningless then :lol: As long as it's in nice nick (ideally with it's box etc) then you should still be able to sell it on again for the same money if you don't like it.

[Tulipone]

I had one of these initially - it was okay but if you plan to use it at the longer end, plan on using a tripod always. The VR variant is far better. You may find it is better to crop output from your 105 than handheld 300.

I think the comment Flash put above is right. At that money it will always move on if you don't like it, but I am starting to think that it is far better to strive for something you want rather than something you can have.

Chris

[Greenie]

I've got it, and I'll admit its not a great lens-Build quality is average and the AF is pretty slow sometimes, but optically it can be okay, especially when the lights good.

http://photos-g.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v2109/135/21/526637342/n526637342_1819846_841.jpg

An example of a shot I took using it a couple of weeks ago.

I mainly bought it as a cheap(cause I'm a student) telephoto and its served me well enough. I do fancy an upgrade to the 70-300 VR but thats not happening soon, especially with price increases.

[gemini]

Comparisons are meaningless then :lol: As long as it's in nice nick (ideally with it's box etc) then you should still be able to sell it on again for the same money if you don't like it.

Haha :lol: I think I'll just throw caution to the wind and just go and get it, then if it's no good I'll just blame you :lol: :lol: ...... only joking :D

[gemini]

I had one of these initially - it was okay but if you plan to use it at the longer end, plan on using a tripod always. The VR variant is far better. You may find it is better to crop output from your 105 than handheld 300.

I think the comment Flash put above is right. At that money it will always move on if you don't like it, but I am starting to think that it is far better to strive for something you want rather than something you can have.

Chris

Hi Chris

I know what you're saying about the VR being better. I just thought this lens is cheap enough for me to get used to the longer lenses - me being a newbie and all that.

You're not too far up the road from me by the way.

Alison :)

[gemini]

I've got it, and I'll admit its not a great lens-Build quality is average and the AF is pretty slow sometimes, but optically it can be okay, especially when the lights good.

http://photos-g.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v2109/135/21/526637342/n526637342_1819846_841.jpg

An example of a shot I took using it a couple of weeks ago.

I mainly bought it as a cheap(cause I'm a student) telephoto and its served me well enough. I do fancy an upgrade to the 70-300 VR but thats not happening soon, especially with price increases.

Hi

Thanks for posting a pic, which I think is really good BTW, and the info.

That would be my reason for buying it as well - cos' it's cheap .

Thanks

Alison :)

[Flash In The Pan]

Haha :lol: I think I'll just throw caution to the wind and just go and get it, then if it's no good I'll just blame you :lol: :lol: ...... only joking :D

Everyone else blames me anyway....for everything :lol:

[gemini]

Everyone else blames me anyway....for everything :lol:

:lol::lol::lol:

[gemini]

Well, I went out and got the lens.

I've just had a little try with some flowers and it all seems ok.

Can't wait to have a go with some birds or wildlife now.

Thanks for your help everyone.

Alison :)

[Tulipone]

Hi Chris

I know what you're saying about the VR being better. I just thought this lens is cheap enough for me to get used to the longer lenses - me being a newbie and all that.

You're not too far up the road from me by the way.

Alison :)

...if you ever want to try out my stuff, let me know.

Chris

[gemini]

...if you ever want to try out my stuff, let me know.

Chris

Hiya Chris

:thankyou:

Thank you, that's very kind of you, I might just take you up on that offer one of these days. I'm in Cambridge so not too far up the road.

Alison :)