YOWza From Canada, joined Jul 2005, 4781 posts, RR: 17 Posted (3 years 10 months 4 days ago) and read 2055 times:
After falling in love with my Dad's D90 I took the plunge and got myself one. The bought the kit with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f3.5-5.6 G ED VR lens. So far I'm still loving it and am getting some "decent" shots, both av and non-av.
I'm looking to get something with a little more range but don't feeling like sacrificing a kidney to get it. So should I:
a) get the Nikkor 70-300 AF with no VR? It would mean carrying two lenses and no VR.
b) get the Sigma 70-300 AF with VR. Two lenses but cheaper than Nikkor and and with VR
c) get the Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG. One lens, lots of flexibility but I've some bad things about the 300 end
I'm leaning towards B but I would very much appreciate any and all of your input with regards to shortcomings, reliability, softness etc.
NIKV69 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (3 years 10 months 4 days ago) and read 2045 times:
Sigma is a great value but once your skill increases you will outgrow the lens and crave better results. I am of the opinion of spending more money the first time because you will have the lens longer and get much better shots over a longer period of time. VR is overrated. I sold my 400VR and got a prime and still have my 200 2.8 that if you practice you can get crisp shots with a monopd or handheld.
I would not buy anything but Nikkor equipment for my Nikon body. In your case the 300 VR would make more sense.
AKE0404AR From United States of America, joined May 2000, 2534 posts, RR: 50 Reply 4, posted (3 years 10 months 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 2030 times:
If you search older threads where similar questions were posed, the replies are pretty much the same.
From my own experience I would do the following:
Buy once, that is the key! It might be more expensive in the first place but you won't regret it. Your skills will improve and you'll get the hang of it sooner or later. You will outgrow your current equipment in very little time.....
Josuek6 From Costa Rica, joined Oct 2006, 12 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (3 years 10 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2010 times:
I own a 70-300 VR. Couldn't be happier. I tested a 70-300 VR version of a friend before I got mine, have to say that it wasn't that sharp on the 200mm-300mm but still gave it a chance and bought a new 70-300 VR.
When the lens arrived the first thing I noticed was the sharpness it had in the 200mm-300mm range, even at f/5.6. Guess I got quite a good copy of it, as I've heard, there are some quite sharp models of the 70-300 VR model out there.
I trully recommend you getting a 70-300 VR, you will not regret. Have to say that sometimes in bad weather it is quite difficult to shoot at f/5.6, but it is this or spending quite some $ for a 70-200 f/2.8 which I hope I can get soon!
Not in very dark conditions it isn't. It's very useful on larger, long range lenses (especially at 500mm or more). I didn't start using VR lenses, so when I got my first one I immediately noticed the difference.
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