BriceJohnson From Canada, joined Mar 2012, 44 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 months 1 week 3 hours ago) and read 2644 times:
Hey Everyone!
I was wondering what zoom I should buy for my camera. I have a Nikon d3100, and am currently using a 55-200mm lense for my spotting. So which one should I purchase... the Nikon 55-300mm or Nikon 70-300mm? I also noticed that the 70-300mm is a more expensive model, why?
DL747 From United States of America, joined Nov 2012, 273 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (5 months 1 week 1 hour ago) and read 2620 times:
Hello. I also have a D3100 and the 55-3000, but I would suggest the 70-300 for its superior build quality and faster AF, along with its better long end sharpness. The 55 is really soft beyond about 225. I have heard the 70 is less affected, but still soft, as many cheaper zooms are. My
Just like the shirt says, Boeing Builds It Better!
Other than what DL747 and Yerbol have written above, the 70-300 is a lens designed for full frame sensor (FX) cameras whereas the 55-300 is only for cropped sensor (DX) cameras.
An alternative to Nikon 70-300 VR is Tamron 70-300 VC USD. It's cheaper but according to reviews I've read the quality is neck and neck compared to the Nikon.
DL747 From United States of America, joined Nov 2012, 273 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (5 months 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 2516 times:
Quoting afterburner (Reply 3): 70-300 is a lens designed for full frame sensor (FX)
Good point. To Brice: this lens will work fine with your camera. Any Nikon lens will work with any Nikon body, but put a DX on an FX camera, and you get the sensor crop even though you have a full frame body. FX will work fine on DX and FX, so if you are considering going full frame, then get the 70-300.
Quoting afterburner (Reply 3): An alternative to Nikon 70-300 VR is Tamron 70-300 VC USD.
I have also heard that, but some say that is softer wide open and at the far end of the zoom.
Just like the shirt says, Boeing Builds It Better!
Tomskii From Belgium, joined May 2011, 453 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (5 months 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 2479 times:
Quoting DL747 (Reply 4): I have also heard that, but some say that is softer wide open and at the far end of the zoom.
Hi,
I own the Tamron 70-300mm for the Nikon and maybe I'm in luck but I have one that stays quite sharp till 270. Between 270 and 300mm it gets soft like most lenses. The only issue with the tamron is that in Aperture or shutter priority it might choose a setting which does not allow enough light on the sensor. Solution is to manually tell your camera to overexpose the picture (+/- sign) with 1 stop. I have not got this issue with my Tamron on the D90 but I tend to shoot manually these days so..
Most tests say the Tamron is a bit better than the Nikon for the price you pay. (More bang for your buck). So do read some of the tests and honestly I can recommend this lens when your looking for a good telezoom in the cheaper price range of lenses. (330 EUR isn't that much imho)
Sponsor Message: 
From Canada, joined Mar 2012, 44 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Nov 2012, 273 posts, 
From Kazakhstan, joined Feb 2010, 183 posts, 
From Indonesia, joined Jun 2005, 1102 posts, 
Good point. To Brice: this lens will work fine with your camera. Any Nikon lens will work with any Nikon body, but put a DX on an FX camera, and you get the sensor crop even though you have a full frame body. FX will work fine on DX and FX, so if you are considering going full frame, then get the 70-300.
From Belgium, joined May 2011, 453 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
