Zoom Lens recommendations

Shane422 · April 15, 2006

I have a Nikon D50 with the standard 18 - 55MM Nikkor lens. I'm looking to compliment that with something a little more far reaching. My budget is <$200, so I've been looking at the 70-300MM and the 55 - 200MM. My hunch is that the 55- 200MM would be a bit sharper and more useful. I don't often carry a tripod, so I worry that the 300MM shots would be too blurry or dark anyway since I would have to be in the 1/450 exposure range. Any comments on the quality of the two lenses, and while we are at it, which brand: Tamron, Sigma, or Nikkor? They are all within my price range, but which is really the best brand?

ian408 · April 15, 2006

Of the three, probably Nikkor followed by Sigma and Tamron.

But since I haven't shot Nikon for a while, I might be wrong.

Shane422 · April 19, 2006

Maybe I should have asked for bag advice instead. It seems to generate more replys.

David_S85 · April 19, 2006

Shane422 wrote:

Maybe I should have asked for bag advice instead. It seems to generate more replys.

Shane, besides just asking about the glass itself, perhaps you could tell us more about what you like to shoot. That can open up discussion a bit sometimes.

Mitchell · April 19, 2006

Not a lot of replies because there's not enough information here. What are you looking to shoot with these lenses? If you need speed and low light performance, none of these will fit the bill.

You may want to save up your pennies and wait until you can purchase something more suitable.

Shane422 · April 19, 2006

I want to shoot mostly Portraits and Travel snapshots, but I want the ability to reach out to a distance every once in a while as well. But not neccessarily anything with a lot of fast action. I do want a crisp image though, or as much as I can get for <$200.

What are the thoughts on Nikon, Tamron, and Sigma? In this price range, is there really any difference in quality.

pathfinder · April 19, 2006

Shane, I don't want to be a party pooper here, but it is hard to get great long glass in your budget limit of $200, especially in a zoom. Zooms consist of a lot of compromises, that prime lenses do not.

You will get a far better optic if you buy a prime lens, especially in this price range. I can't find a new optic by Tamron, Sigma or Nikon for less than twice the $200 budget you listed. I would begin searching for used prime lenses here or FM.

Most folks think zooms will be cheaper, because they are several different focal lengths, but most telephoto zooms are used at the long end of their range most of the time, and they do not compare to a prime lens of the same focal length, if optical quality is a serious concern of yours.

Harryb · April 19, 2006

Neither lens is a world beater but the 70-300 is the best pick of the two.

You can find reviews of both lenses here. http://www.bythom.com/nikon.htm

ziggy53 · April 19, 2006

Shane,

Sigma makes an APO version of the 70-300mm that has a total of 3 LD elements and at 300mm provides a 1:2 closeup (Marketing Macro) capability. Pretty good versatility for around $190.

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Nikon AF

One source here:

http://www.sigma4less.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=154429b433d4e7a/shopdata/0020_Lenses/0010_Zoom/0040_Tele+Zoom/product_details.shopscript?article=0420_Sigma%2B70-300mm%2Bf%3D26slash%3D3B4-5%3D252E6%2BAPO%2BDG%2BMacro%2Bfor%2BNikon%2BAF%2B%3D28SG70300F4ADNI%3D29

Samples:

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/70-300_4_apo_macro_super_ii

A fairly nice 300mm image:

http://www.pbase.com/image/36222056

It gets pretty good user reviews:

http://www.photographyreview.com/cat/lenses/35mm-zoom/sigma/PRD_83600_3128crx.aspx

With a more comprehensive user review:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1385282&postcount=5

Although they wound up getting the Tamron, but admitted the Sigma was better than the Tamron at 70-200mm range and with more apertures, which would be more important to me.

ziggy53

Red Bull · April 19, 2006

I think my uncle has the 70-300 Sigma APO with the 1:2 macro and he has taken some very good photos with it. If I were to go with one it would be that lens.

peestandingup · April 19, 2006

Well, dont know how much this means, but Ken Rockwell says this about the D50 w/ the 18-55mm lens kit:

"[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If you have $700 then just get the Nikkor 18 - 200 mm VR. If not, keep the Nikkor 18 - 55 kit lens and get the $99-$150 Nikkor 70 - 300G. You'll save half and never miss the 55 - 70 segment."

Now, take that with a grain of salt, but I have the exact same setup as you do now & am considering this combo to start me out. I need a zoom and im also on a budget. I know budget lens = not great quality, but this lens combo doesnt look that bad to me, but im a noob.
[/FONT]

Shane422 · April 19, 2006

peestandingup wrote:

Well, dont know how much this means, but Ken Rockwell says this about the D50 w/ the 18-55mm lens kit:

"[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If you have $700 then just get the Nikkor 18 - 200 mm VR. If not, keep the Nikkor 18 - 55 kit lens and get the $99-$150 Nikkor 70 - 300G. You'll save half and never miss the 55 - 70 segment."

[/FONT]

Yeah I read that too but I'm still looking. I did find a Tamron 28-200 for $169 that I like. http://www2.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=TM28200XRNA. For some reason, B and H is selling the same lens used for $159. Both have the same model #AF03N700

Red Bull · April 20, 2006

In my photography class there is a Tamron 28-200 on the 10D and I'm not too fond of it. Never really taken any test shots with it though because I take my photos with my 20D and other lenses at home (When she gives us a digital project):):

LuckyBob · April 20, 2006

I'll also throw in my recommendation for the Sigma 70-300 APO Super Macro lens. I've owned one since shortly after I got my EOS 300D and although you can't mistake it for anything other than a budget lens (the focus speed makes the kit lens that comes with the Digital Rebel look like a dream), it's still been great overall.

A lot of people over on the Canon DPReview forums were clamoring over it when the Digital Rebel came out, and several of their "famous" people have owned one at one point or another, including Daniella (at http://www.pbase.com/zylen); it was generally considered the best budget zoom lens available at the time. Granted this was a few years ago that I was researching the lens (I've seen that Sigma has come out with a newer version of it since), but I doubt things have changed *that* radically in the ~$200 range. Good luck

Update: I went through some of my old (and I do mean old) stuff and found some pictures from the lens. More in the gallery at http://www.cardboardtech.com/gallery/view/LuckyBob/Sigma_70-300/

CRW_3068.jpg?g2_itemId=404&g2_serialNumber=1

CRW_3068.jpg?g2_itemId=404&g2_serialNumber=1

CRW_3524.jpg?g2_itemId=397&g2_serialNumber=1

CRW_7109.jpg?g2_itemId=410&g2_serialNumber=2

Full size available in gallery, unretouched other than RAW processing.

CRW_8378-1.jpg?g2_itemId=414&g2_serialNumber=2

IR shot sample

Some full size ones:
http://www.cardboardtech.com/gallery/download/CRW_3505_raw.jpg?g2_itemId=390&g2_serialNumber=1

Zoom Lens recommendations

Comments