Spec me a Nikon zoom lens

Greebo · 23 Nov 2015 at 12:20

Mate's wife finally bought a serious/decent camera recently (Nikon D5300) and she loves it but already wants a lens with a bit more reach (95% of pics are wildlife) but she is on a very tight budget.

She got a 18-55mm lens with the camera so what lens should she be looking at (budgetwise) for the longer zoom please?

I did a quick google and got lost as there seems to be 3 or 4 Nikon lens alone which fit her camera all around 55-200 and f4-f5.6 but varies in price from £100 to over £300 yet all look the same to me.

And thats before we start with Sigma/Tamron etc.

vanandjuanunited · 23 Nov 2015 at 12:21

Nikon 55-200 or 55-300 if budget really tight
Nikon 70-300 vr or Tamron 70-300 VC if not

Also look second hand

MichaelAwkward · 23 Nov 2015 at 12:31

If buying new, the Tamron 70-300 VC is less than/the same as the 55-300 and only £50 more than the 55-200.

It's a no brainer.

If buying used however, the 55-200 VR can be had for less than £100, with the 55-300 around £150 and Tamron 70-300 VC around £180. If she needs 300mm, the Tamron is worth the extra. If not, go for the 55-200 VR.

vanandjuanunited · 23 Nov 2015 at 12:35

Tamron also comes with 5yr warranty if that makes a difference

Didn't realise there was as little between them these days - price wise

Armageus · 23 Nov 2015 at 12:46

For the Nikon lens you will need the AF-S version e.g.

http://www.jessops.com/online.store...5-300mm-f4-5-5-6-g-ed-vr-lens-78033/show.html

for Tamron I believe you need the USD version of their lenses e.g.

http://www.jessops.com/online.store...s - Nikon AF&gclid=CLLs_o_IpskCFRBmGwod9JgHMw

Personally I would go for a 300mm rather than a 200mm, as I currently have a D3200 with a 55-200mm that I use for motor sports, and there are always situations where I would benefit from more zoom - I would assume Wildlife would be fairly similar.

Greebo · 23 Nov 2015 at 14:48

Thanks for the quick answers. I suspect second hand will be the way to go as keeps the price down even lower.

By Nikon 55-200 you mean this one? http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-...kydooghnncwhuu8rdx0emn6xw21s2uuej0aamve8p8haq

MichaelAwkward · 23 Nov 2015 at 14:52

Nope, you want the VR version.

https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/used-equi...f-s-55-200mm-f-4-5-6g-if-ed-vr-dx/sku-603701/

Greebo · 23 Nov 2015 at 14:54

Thanks. I take it VR is Nikon's image stabiliser version?

MichaelAwkward · 23 Nov 2015 at 14:59

Yup. The newer version of the lens is smaller and it's VR offers an extra stop (4) over the original version. Probably the same effectiveness in the real world though.

If you're not bothered by grey import status, you can get the newer one for £90 on the auction site.

Greebo · 23 Nov 2015 at 16:10

Cool i'll put her that direction then

D.P. · 23 Nov 2015 at 16:50

FYI the lens you are looking for is called a telephoto lens, not a zoom lens, it is a very common mistake. A zoom lens just means it has a variable focal length, the 18-55mm is a zoom lens that can zoom form 18mm at the wide end to 55mm at the long end. A 300mm f/4.0 is not a zoom but a prime lens but is a telephoto lens and will make distant subjects much bigger in the frame.

Your wife would be very disappointed with a 10-20mm zoom but would love a 300mm prime non-zoom telephoto.

Anyway, I agree with the other's suggestions. Tamron 70-300mm VC is the pick of the bunch at a budget, make sure it is the VC version as the older non-VC is terrible.
I also agree that you should really get 300mm if wildlife and birds are to be photographed, 300mm is the minimum but is the most you can get on a budget

Greebo · 23 Nov 2015 at 22:11

Technically 18-55 on a APS-C goes into the telephoto range anyway but I know what you mean

I should have a said a telephoto zoom lens and not jsut a long zoom lens