Nikon 70-300mm lens - which?

[rico]

I need to add a longer lens to my kit. I'll eventually be able to afford a £1000+ long lens, but for the mean time I want to get a cheap(ish) 70-300.

I'm not sure of model codes but I'm sure my descriptions will surfice.

1) Nikkor 70-300mm... the cheapest one at around £90. I heard this is an ok lens just not very tough.

2) Sigma 70-300mm... i think this is a similar price to the Nikkor one. I used on at Oulton Park over the weekend and it seemed fine for what I need it for.

3) Nikkor 70-300mm... the one thats £250-300ish. Graham.J has one as I've borrowed that one. I couldn't tell thaaat much difference between that and the Sigma.

So which should I get? I want to keep it as cheap as poss so 1 or 2 make sense, but would the extras in 3 be worth the cash? Any other lenses to look at?

Cheers peeps,

Rico

[_dobbo_]

I've got the sigma APO jobby one. IT's ok but to be honest if I could go back I'd pay more for one with internal focussing and silent wave (or whatever it's called).

To me the sigma is noisy and slow when compared to (say) the 18-70 lens, and it makes me reluctant to put it on the camera.

Suppose I should stick it on ebay.

[white_van_man]

iv just got the nikkor 70-300 ED (the expensive one) i thought about the others but most people seem to end up getting that one in the long run im giving it, its first proper try tomorrow at silverstone but no complaints so far

[406]

white_van_man said:

iv just got the nikkor 70-300 ED (the expensive one) i thought about the others but most people seem to end up getting that one in the long run im giving it, its first proper try tomorrow at silverstone but no complaints so far

I have the same lens. Used it at Silverstone today and was very happy with it. Pity it raines and I only got 100 pics

[bernie_eccle]

I bought the cheapo Nikkor one of eBay last month for £62. Pretty happy with it. I am certain that I could not do the more expensive one justice. Whilst I haven't tried the ED lense to compare, the 70-300mm f/4-f/5.6 G doesn't work that well in low light IMHO.
Here are a couple that I have taken since getting it

[Don]

Taken with the "cheap" Nikkor 70-300mm and as good as I get.

[simpo two]

I like this one; good interest and composition. A sure candidate for the b/w treatment because the colour isn't contributing much.
[/quote]

[lake]

Hi,

all these images were taken with the cheapo Nikon 70-300 G. Its not all that bad at all I think...







Lake

[Ex-biker]

rico said:

2) Sigma 70-300mm... i think this is a similar price to the Nikkor one. I used on at Oulton Park over the weekend and it seemed fine for what I need it for.

Doesn't the Sigma also have a macro mode?

Bit more versatility . . .

[rico]

Thanks for the examples everyone. I think i'll end up going for either the cheaper Nikkor or the Sigma. I'll pop down the London Camera Exchange and see what they've got and try out a few.

Thanks again