Asked for advice from friend on best budget zoom for use with D60 body

theMusicMan

theMusicMan

Messages
3,838
Name
John
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi All

Wonder if you good folk can advise please.

A work friend who knows I am interested in photography has come along to my desk and asked me about which budget zoom lens he could purchase for use with his D60. Now, I explained the important things that he should consider; VR, speed, range et al, but I don't have knowledge of Nikon lenses or bodies so I am wondering if you good folk could help please.

He had, I think he said, an 11-55mm zoom as the kit supplied lens, but is disappointed with the zoom range and wants to be able to get up closer. He wants to use the lens primarily for taking shots of his kids, his family, when he's on holidays etc. and has asked about what lens would be best suited for this purpose. He mentioned a tamron lens (he spotted this on Amazon - not sure which one this was, but he only spotted it because it was cheap - around £150) so that gives an idea of budget. I'm sure he could go more for the right lens - so if you good chaps and chapesses could suggest some lenses in the range of 50-200mm or perhaps 70-300mm budget range, I'd be most grateful.

Ta.
 
thats a very limited budget John, as you are aware. A couple of suggestions might be the Sigma 70-300 APO or the Nikon 55-200 VR, both around the £170 mark on amazon and similar. Neither are particularly quick lenses, definately in the bargain basement category, but as long as he isn't planning any low light stuff they will give good enough picture quality for family holidays and general use. As an alternative, would he be prepared to up the budget slightly and maybe look at s/h options?
 
Thanks Yv.

Yes, I'm sure he'd be willing to go a little more on the budget - for either a new or second hand lens.

Is the IQ on both of those lenses poor then...?
 
This may not be the world's best quality - but then nor is his kit lens - but this is available NOW on TP's own 2nd hand supplier MPB's site for £84 !!!

And despite the odd Canon ref - it IS a Nikon :D

DD



Nikon AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6 DX

Stock Code: 05417
image #2image #2


Price: £84.00

Availability: In Stock

Add Nikon AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6 DX to basket [Add to basket]

* Description
* Features
* Condition

Manufacturer: Canon eh???
Categories: Nikon AF & AF-S Lenses
Related categories: Filters, Lens Cloths

Condition: Exc++
The Nikon 55-200mm f4-5.6G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Zoom Lens is an ultra compact, lightweight telephoto zoom lens with a 3.6x and 55- to 200-millimeter focal range that offers a remarkable cost-to-performance ratio. Optimized for use with Nikon digital SLRs.

This affordable and powerful zoom offers the performance equivalent to an 82.5- to 300-millimeter lens in 35mm format and is suitable for everything from candid portraits to sports, nature, and wildlife photography. Featuring a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) that offers smooth and quite auto focus performance, this lens comes in black and measures a compact 2.7 inches in diameter by 3.1 inches in length and weighs approximately nine ounces.

For optics, the lens employs two ED glass elements that achieve a high resolution and contrast while minimizing chromatic aberration and other forms of distortion. By using this lens along with the Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f3.5-5.6G ED lens (sold separately), photographers can achieve a focal length range from 18-millimeter wide-angle to 200-millimeter telephoto, providing a picture angle equivalent to a 27- to 300-millimeter lens in 35mm format. This range allows you to cover an extremely wide variety of subjects and shooting situations.
 
The 55-200mm VR is usually the lens I'd recommend for a D60, if he can stretch the budget a bit then a new or secondhand 70-300 VR is a far superior lens.
 
theMusicMan said:
Thanks Yv.

Yes, I'm sure he'd be willing to go a little more on the budget - for either a new or second hand lens.

Is the IQ on both of those lenses poor then...?
Click to expand...

They are what you'd expect for the price - my 70-200 is better, but then it's now £1,600 or thereabouts

I think the 55-200 will do very nicely for a normal hobby/family chap - and at £84 2nd hand it's a steal IMO

If he doesn't like it, he could probably get that back selling it on

DD
 
theMusicMan said:
Thanks Yv.

Yes, I'm sure he'd be willing to go a little more on the budget - for either a new or second hand lens.

Is the IQ on both of those lenses poor then...?
Click to expand...

not poor at all. imho the 55-200 punches above its weight as a lens. Its not as good as the 70-300 though.

Hugh
 
boyfalldown said:
not poor at all. imho the 55-200 punches above its weight as a lens. Its not as good as the 70-300 though.

Hugh
Click to expand...

Hugh,

I presume you're referring to the VR versions of both lenses?

My recommendation for that budget would be a 55-200mm VR however as Flash said, the 70-300mm VR is a step up in every respect.
 
Very useful information here folks, thanks very much. Can I ask is there anything perhaps between these two made by an alternative manufacturer...? Sigma/Tamron etc...?
 
sdb123, I was refering to the VR versions.

MM Sigma make lenses in both the 55-200 and 70-300, I think neither are anything like as good as the Nikon versions

Hugh
 
I've got the 55-200 VR lens , its a great lens for the money and i've had some very pleasing results with it

I bought mine secondhand (as new condition) and its been faultless
 
OK, this is great advice folks, thanks so much. Now, again - knowing nothing about Nikon bodies or lenses - will these lenses auto-focus on the D60...?
 
theMusicMan said:
Thanks Yv.

Yes, I'm sure he'd be willing to go a little more on the budget - for either a new or second hand lens.

Is the IQ on both of those lenses poor then...?
Click to expand...


As already said, its a relative thing, yes, poor compared to say the Nikon 70-200VR, but then that costs well into 4 figures. Of the two I would go for the Nikon 55-200 based on what I have read and seen of it, though I had a siggie and the original nikon 70-300 [non vr] and they were pretty similar in terms of IQ, but I beleive the newer nikon 70-300 is a way superior beast.
 
the S means it has the built in silent wave motor , without this it wont autofocus on your mates D60
 
Hehe... I realise now though - thanks for the info.

He's also just mentioned to me that he will create a list of lenses and ask for an opinion - I'll post them here when he provides me with this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top