Advice from the Clud please ref Zoom lenses for D7

[chris.mapey]

Hi there all, I've got the standard 18-70mm Zoom on my D70, and I would like something a little longer.

Looking at the Nikon 70-300mm f4-5.6G as the budget will not allow anything more...

Has anyone used this, and what's it like & is there anything else I should look at?

All advice greatfully received (apart from the buy a Canon type...;))

Thanks, Chris

[simpo two]

Hi Chris,
The G lens is excellent value and works well enough, although it feels very plasticky and cheap (probably because it is!). The ED version is over £200, but another option is to look at Sigma, who seem to be the leading independent maker at present, and also Tamron and Tokina if you want more choice.

[size13]

I have the tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR DI

Very pleased with it for the price.

most of www.sailpics.co.uk/gallery/1473484 were taken with it, and all of www.sailpics.co.uk/gallery/bsc080605 were.

[Don]

I have the 70-300mm G lens. Seems OK to me. Agree with Simpo that it looks/feels a bit cheap. Works well enough, though.

If anything I am discovering that 300mm just ain't enough. 300-800mm would really let me get close to the action. In my dreams (£5K+).

[chris.mapey]

Thanks for the feedback.

As I'm a dunce when it comes to camera compatability, if I go to a non-Nikon lens, will all the D70 controls still operate, ie aperture controls from the camera & metering??

Again, all help received gratefully...

Chris

[beano500]

chris.mapey said:

... will all the D70 controls still operate ...

With a caveat that you are looking at a new AF lens from the likes of Tamron, Sigma, Tokina, the answer is "yes". You should be able to confirm that they are Nikon AF fitting with "D" compatability in their specification.

Even if you buy a s/hand (non-D) AF model, you should find it has all the correct CPU contacts for metering.

(The "D" compatability is preferable, although not 100% necessary if you are aware that without it you will be a little restricted in getting perfect exposure as the body doesn't get the additional distance information.)

[chris.mapey]

beano500 said:

chris.mapey said: ... will all the D70 controls still operate ... With a caveat that you are looking at a new AF lens from the likes of Tamron, Sigma, Tokina, the answer is "yes". You should be able to confirm that they are Nikon AF fitting with "D" compatability in their specification. Even if you buy a s/hand (non-D) AF model, you should find it has all the correct CPU contacts for metering. (The "D" compatability is preferable, although not 100% necessary if you are aware that without it you will be a little restricted in getting perfect exposure as the body doesn't get the additional distance information.)

That's what I needed to hear - the facts spelt out slowly for a dunce like me.

Thanks

[406]

I had the Nikon 70-300mm f4-5.6G and sold it. I now have the ED version and feel more at home with it. The G lens is ideal for those on a tight budget.

HTH

406
Dave

[simpo two]

size13 said:

I have the tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR DI

The only problems with superzooms is that you lose aperture at the long end: witness f6.3. The benefit is that you may not need another lens; it depends on the kind of stuff you do. Sigma now do an 18-200, which is good becuase 28mm on a DSLR isn't very wide angle.

www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/lenses/dclenses/18-200mm.htm

I find that 18-70 plus 70-300 cover most normal things and give you more aperture.

[drea]

I've got one too.
It's a nice lens for the money (you might get it for under £70 on ebay). It has got some chromatic abberation at full zoom, but you can probably fix some of that later, if you shoot RAW.

[bernie_eccle]

I have a Nikon 70-300mm f4-5.6G which I picked up for less than £60 on eBay. It is fine for a rookie like me and I find that it gets me close enough to most things.
I do struggle a little in lower light conditions, but I think this is probably common to most lower end longer lenses.


more examples using the same lense at
www.aqsk40.dsl.pipex.com/index.htm