Need help about Nikon lens?

[rblk]

Hello Everyone,

I have a question about lens? I recently bought a 55-200 mm Nikon lens and I have been told that if I bought a 70-300 mm or 55-300 mm that there is not much difference and not worth spending the money? I wanted to get some feedback you all to advice me what to do?

Ruby.......

[Shadowman]

Hello Everyone,

I have a question about lens? I recently bought a 55-200 mm Nikon lens and I have been told that if I bought a 70-300 mm or 55-300 mm that there is not much difference and not worth spending the money? I wanted to get some feedback you all to advice me what to do?

Ruby.......

Hi Ruby,

Welcome to the group.
To answer your question we need to know what type of photography you are interested in. Are doing portraits, wildlife, macro, etc.? These will help the group give you suggestions. Also, do you own a tripod, do you carry a lot of gear during photo shoots? Weight of equipment can also be a factor when making a lens choice.

On a personal note, I own both lenses. I purchased the 18-55mm along with my camera body and within two weeks of shooting I knew I needed a longer focal range, so after a little research I purchased the 55-200mm lens. I sort of made my decision before I knowing what type of photography I was interested in but still found myself wanting to capture a bit more where getting closer to the subject wasn't an option. Moon photography became a later obsession, and even a 70-300mm lens isn't optimal but I have captured some good images. While my desire for more lenses continues to grow, I thought about getting rid of the 55-200mm but found a circular polarizing filter that fits and now this lens is an added asset to my gear.

Check the Nikon website and look at the specifications of both lenses. There are other aspects of each lens other than focal length that might make your decision easier. If you have the 18-55mm kit lens then in my opinion going directly to the 70-300mm, it will give you a wider focal range than the 50-200mm lens.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Ruby,

Firstly welcome to the CiC forums.

If you've already bought it, I wouldn't 'beat yourself up' over what might have been, just go out and use and enjoy the 55-200mm.

I started with the 18-200mm, so didn't need the 55-200, what I would say in it's favour (not having one, but having picked a 55-200 up off the shelf in a store) is that it is very light in weight, so if your interest is wildlife, you're not being weighed down by the huge front end element that the 18mm end requires.

I also now have the 70-300mm and it is a nice lens and can produce good results at f8 (not so good wide open at f5.6, to the extent that if I can, I'll up the iso and use f8 rather than use f5.6 or f6.7).
I wasn't convinced the difference between 200 and 300 was worth having, but as I couldn't afford the Nikon longer glass and didn't want to go 3rd party, I had no choice, but I am happy with it, definitely worth having the extra 100mm and use it most of the time.

Occasionally 70mm isn't quite wide enough, so again, for you being able to get to 55mm will be a bonus, plus I think the 70-300 is about 2 or 3 times the price of the 55-200mm, although I suspect build quality is better, it certainly weighs a lot more.

Hope that helps,

[rblk]

Thanks guys,

I am a newbie and just started taking photos of birds and flowers outside objects. So I guess the 55-300 mm lens is a good choice then over the 70-300 mm?

Oh yes one more question what do you think about Sigma lens they seem to be priced a lot less then Nikon but I worry about the quality end of it, have any of you used that manufacture?

[Shadowman]

Thanks guys,

I am a newbie and just started taking photos of birds and flowers outside objects. So I guess the 55-300 mm lens is a good choice then over the 70-300 mm?

Oh yes one more question what do you think about Sigma lens they seem to be priced a lot less then Nikon but I worry about the quality end of it, have any of you used that manufacture?

Not personally, I do know that third party lenses have to be modified to fit your particular brand. However, when looking for bargains even grey market brand names need to be evaluated before committing to the purchase.

[Dave Humphries]

Oh yes one more question what do you think about Sigma lens they seem to be priced a lot less then Nikon but I worry about the quality end of it, have any of you used that manufacture?

I have (the 18-250mm) and I buy Nikon now

My problem wasn't image quality, although I think it is better on the Nikon, I had AF accuracy problems, trying two lenses and sending my camera away with it, didn't solve it.

Although other members seem to get on ok, particularly with the wider angle end of the range.

[RonH]

Oh yes one more question what do you think about Sigma lens they seem to be priced a lot less then Nikon but I worry about the quality end of it, have any of you used that manufacture?

I have the Sigma 70-300 with their version of image stabilisation. I find it fast, accurate and the IS works a treat. No regrets on choosing a lens from Sigma and saving a few dollars
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/client/ima...m_f4_56_OS.png

[rblk]

Hi Ron,

So my question is the 70-300 mm lens better the 55-300 mm lens and I have a 55-200 mm nikon lens will this be a good upgrade for me or will i see a big differnce?

PS thinking of going with Sigma

Ruby

[RonH]

Hi Ron,

So my question is the 70-300 mm lens better the 55-300 mm lens and I have a 55-200 mm nikon lens will this be a good upgrade for me or will i see a big differnce?

PS thinking of going with Sigma

Ruby

Hei Ruby,
I am not qualified to say that one lens is better than another but there will be other members whom I am sure will help you. All I can say is that I am very satisfied with the 70-300mm Sigma; I have used it fully extended at horse races, parachute displays etc and I think the results are good. But its worth getting the optical stabilised version in my opinion but this may be due to my shaky hands! I also have the Nikon 18-105mm lens and if I compare results I can not see a difference at the same settings.
Good luck with your final choice.

[Shadowman]

Hei Ruby,
I am not qualified to say that one lens is better than another but there will be other members whom I am sure will help you. All I can say is that I am very satisfied with the 70-300mm Sigma; I have used it fully extended at horse races, parachute displays etc and I think the results are good. But its worth getting the optical stabilised version in my opinion but this may be due to my shaky hands! I also have the Nikon 18-105mm lens and if I compare results I can not see a difference at the same settings.
Good luck with your final choice.

Even if you had been unhappy with your selection, prospective buyers should take negative as well as positive criticisms with a grain of salt. Always look for, and make sure the critic provides, good solid reasons for liking or disliking a product. If lack of customer service is your main issue, then include it in your commentary. If you have tried both brands of lenses and one performs better than the other, provide details why you like one over the other.

I have an issue with PSE8, it crashes everytime I try to use the help section. Would I not recommend it to another potential user, I probably would if they are a seasoned PSE user. If they are new to the software I would let them know the issues I was having and let them decide how they want to proceed.

This is a shout out for help if any has a work around or have experienced the same issues with PSE8.

[rbkenya01]

Hi All,

I have just joined CiC looking to solve a similar dillema - i have a D3000 with the standard 18-55mm kit lens,
i am thinking of buying either the Sigma 70-300mm non OS [budget] or at a stretch the Nikon 55-200 VR. what do you reckon would be more suitable for safari holidays?

Thanks,

Raj

I have (the 18-250mm) and I buy Nikon now

My problem wasn't image quality, although I think it is better on the Nikon, I had AF accuracy problems, trying two lenses and sending my camera away with it, didn't solve it.

Although other members seem to get on ok, particularly with the wider angle end of the range.

[RonH]

Even if you had been unhappy with your selection, prospective buyers should take negative as well as positive criticisms with a grain of salt. .

Agreed John. Whilst their are many experts, forums, product reviews and a miriad of other information sources, the bottom line is go with what you are happy with but taking others' opinions into some account. I chose an HP laptop 3 years ago ... supposedly not good in terms of reliability ... and it has never failed me. But I should not have said that ...

As for your crash problems on PSE Help ... sorry can't offer anything to assist. I'm sure you have been through the PSE forums.

[Shadowman]

Agreed John. Whilst their are many experts, forums, product reviews and a miriad of other information sources, the bottom line is go with what you are happy with but taking others' opinions into some account. I chose an HP laptop 3 years ago ... supposedly not good in terms of reliability ... and it has never failed me. But I should not have said that ...

As for your crash problems on PSE Help ... sorry can't offer anything to assist. I'm sure you have been through the PSE forums.

Ron,

Same here regarding computers. I purchased a Dell 5150 laptop back in 2005 and this unit seemed to have numerous problems. Apparently, the manufacturer placed the fan in backwards and it was pulling in rather than blowing out and causing the unit to overheat as well as pulling all kinds of dust bunnies. There were numerous websites constructed to criticize Dell on their quality and there was a class action lawsuit and it resulted in the owners of the laptop getting an additional one year on their warranty.

Regarding the PSE8 issue, I have visited the forums and most recommend re-installing the software but that hasn't helped.

[Letrow]

Hi All,

I have just joined CiC looking to solve a similar dillema - i have a D3000 with the standard 18-55mm kit lens,
i am thinking of buying either the Sigma 70-300mm non OS [budget] or at a stretch the Nikon 55-200 VR. what do you reckon would be more suitable for safari holidays?

Thanks,

Raj

Not sure about the Sigma lens Raj, haven't used it personally. The added length though would probably come in handy when you go on a safari. You won't miss the bit between 55 and 70mm I think.

[LeoLeo]

Hi All,

I have just joined CiC looking to solve a similar dillema - i have a D3000 with the standard 18-55mm kit lens,
i am thinking of buying either the Sigma 70-300mm non OS [budget] or at a stretch the Nikon 55-200 VR. what do you reckon would be more suitable for safari holidays?

Thanks,

Raj

Hi Raj,

I may tell you one single thing: no matter how is called, IS, VR, OS... you gonna need it. If you have allready 18-55 (IS/Non IS), 55-200 comes to pair with existing one. I didn't went to safari yet, but I have my personal safari at home trying to take pictures of my son...

Leo
PS: have you consider renting some lenses for this ?