Sponsor Message:
Aviation Photography Forum
My Starred Topics | Profile | New Topic | Forum Index | Help | Search 
Would This Be A Good Starter Lens?  
User currently offlineBushpilot185 From United States of America, joined Mar 2011, 8 posts, RR: 0
Posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 1473 times:

Hi ya'll, quick question...
I'm going to buy the Nikon D5100 soon and need a starter lens for spotting at LAX. Would the Nikon 55-200 VR be enough zoom or should i step it up to the 70-300? Any other suggestions would be appreciated as well. Thanks!

9 replies: All unread, jump to last
 
User currently offlineDL747 From United States of America, joined Nov 2012, 273 posts, RR: 0
Reply 1, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 1468 times:

I would highly recommend getting the 70-300. It has superior build, image quality, VR, basically everything to the 55-200. You won't regret it. The 70-300 is fantastic lens.


Just like the shirt says, Boeing Builds It Better!
User currently offlinevikkyvik From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 8215 posts, RR: 28
Reply 2, posted (3 months 4 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 1435 times:		 AIRLINERS.NET CREW
PHOTO SCREENER

Quoting Bushpilot185 (Thread starter):
I'm going to buy the Nikon D5100 soon and need a starter lens for spotting at LAX. Would the Nikon 55-200 VR be enough zoom or should i step it up to the 70-300?

I'm not a Nikon shooter, so can't comment on the specific lenses, but...

Where will you be shooting from? 200mm is a bit short for Imperial Hill; you'd do better with 300mm there.


"Two and a Half Men" was filmed in front of a live ostrich.
User currently offlinescott8424 From United States of America, joined May 2012, 33 posts, RR: 0
Reply 3, posted (3 months 4 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 1381 times:		 Support Airliners.net - become a First Class Member!

Which 70-300 are you considering? I have this one:

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Pro...-NIKKOR-70-300mm-f%252F4-5.6G.html

I've used it to get shots from Imperial Hill at LAX and agree with Vik that you need something more than 200mm from this location. For the most part it's a good lens for the price, but just be aware that you will likely never get sharp enough images using it at the full 300. Even at 250 I've had mixed results but am sure lighting conditions played a factor as well. All of the shots I have on here from JFK were taken with this lens if you want to see some samples.

I also have the 55-200 VR and have good results with it.

[Edited 2013-01-24 05:13:16]

User currently offlineBushpilot185 From United States of America, joined Mar 2011, 8 posts, RR: 0
Reply 4, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 1340 times:

Quoting scott8424 (Reply 3):

For the 70-300 it would be the Nikon 70-300 AF-S f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR lens...
Is it worth the extra money for the 300mm or should i just get the 55-200mm? Mostly I will be shooting from Imperial Hill so im thinking I would need the extra 100mm???

User currently offlineDL747 From United States of America, joined Nov 2012, 273 posts, RR: 0
Reply 5, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 1337 times:

Definitely get the 70-300. You will find 300mm way more useful than 200, especially at airshow type screnarios.


Just like the shirt says, Boeing Builds It Better!
User currently offlinescott8424 From United States of America, joined May 2012, 33 posts, RR: 0
Reply 6, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 1336 times:		 Support Airliners.net - become a First Class Member!

Agree with DL747 - go with the 300. The specific lens you're looking at is different from the 300 I have and from what I've read about it should be better at the upper end. Was looking at getting one myself so will be curious how you like it.

User currently offlineBushpilot185 From United States of America, joined Mar 2011, 8 posts, RR: 0
Reply 7, posted (3 months 4 weeks ago) and read 1330 times:

Okay 70-300 it is! Thank you to all for the reply! - Justin

User currently offlineDL747 From United States of America, joined Nov 2012, 273 posts, RR: 0
Reply 8, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 1323 times:

Quoting Bushpilot185 (Reply 7):
Thank you to all for the reply!

Don't mention it! If you need anything else, feel free to ask me or anyone else in the forum. Make sure to get the $589 version of the 70-300, NOT the $172 one.


Just like the shirt says, Boeing Builds It Better!
User currently offlinevikkyvik From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 8215 posts, RR: 28
Reply 9, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 1304 times:		 AIRLINERS.NET CREW
PHOTO SCREENER

Quoting Bushpilot185 (Reply 4):
Mostly I will be shooting from Imperial Hill so im thinking I would need the extra 100mm???

For anything smaller than a 767-300, you'll want the extra reach, yes.


"Two and a Half Men" was filmed in front of a live ostrich.
Top Of Page
Forum Index

This topic is archived and can not be replied to any more.

Printer friendly format

Similar topics:More similar topics...
Would This Be A Double Rejection?(VX Cabin Shots) posted Wed Oct 31 2007 02:13:25 by Deaphen
Would This Be Double? posted Tue Oct 9 2007 05:23:02 by AirKas1
Would This Be Considered As A Double? posted Thu Aug 30 2007 16:04:05 by KLM772ER
Would This Be Rejected For Motiv? posted Mon Jun 18 2007 06:01:54 by Jetmatt777
Would This Be Acceptable For Here? posted Sat Jun 16 2007 15:29:00 by Walter2222
Would This Be Acceptable? posted Sat May 19 2007 01:15:27 by Walter2222
Would This Be Considered Double? posted Fri May 18 2007 19:43:54 by Walter2222
Would This Be Allowed? posted Tue Feb 27 2007 01:16:49 by Fiveholer
Would This Be Acceptable? posted Sun Oct 15 2006 23:24:42 by Walter2222
Would This Be Rejected For Motive? posted Thu Sep 21 2006 20:47:41 by San747