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Photography

In reply to the discussion: Opinions on lenses [View all]

Major Nikon

(36,925 posts)
15. You'll have to copy and paste the links
Sun May 11, 2014, 11:52 PM
May 2014

DU evidently doesn't like the @ symbol

Assuming you want new, autofocus, and Nikon, the relatively new Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED VR is a good bet. It's a solid performer for a consumer grade lens and is within your budget. It will complement your 18-55 very well and although you'll loose everything inside of 55-70, I don't think you'll miss it. What's really nice about this lens is that it performs very well on a APS-C camera (like your D3200) even at the maximum aperture. Many consumer grade lenses really need to be stopped down for good to excellent sharpness, but this lens doesn't suffer much of a penalty at maximum aperture. That's a very good thing. Since it's relatively new, it's going to be harder to find on the used market. Here's a good review for it:
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/250-nikkor-af-s-70-300mm-f45-56-g-if-ed-vr-review--test-report

One thing you should know about consumer grade long telephoto lenses is they inevitably have a maximum aperture of f/5.6 on the long end and are limited by that aperture typically halfway or less of their extent. Where you will notice this most is with focusing in all but the best lighting conditions. Autofocus will tend to hunt more if it works at all and manual focusing won't be much better. This is the tradeoff for lenses that are lighter and cheaper. Professional grade long lenses tend to have maximum aperture in the f/2.8-4 range. Focusing performance is greatly improved in lower lighting conditions, but for this you pay a premium in price, weight, and size.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Opinions on lenses [View all] ohheckyeah May 2014 OP
Here's a review of it jmowreader May 2014 #1
Thank you very much ohheckyeah May 2014 #14
I own both lenses Major Nikon May 2014 #2
Since sharpness is a main ohheckyeah May 2014 #4
Of the two the 55-200mm is the sharper. ManiacJoe May 2014 #7
I can get it ohheckyeah May 2014 #10
For the extra $150 price for new, you get a five year warranty. ManiacJoe May 2014 #11
The 55-200 is a good value Major Nikon May 2014 #12
Your links don't work. ohheckyeah May 2014 #13
You'll have to copy and paste the links Major Nikon May 2014 #15
I have the 18-200 and a 60 macro NV Whino May 2014 #3
I want as sharp as I can get. ohheckyeah May 2014 #5
This quote from SlrGear.com seems... ManiacJoe May 2014 #6
Why do you like the 70-300? ohheckyeah May 2014 #8
It is a little sharper than the 55-200mm ManiacJoe May 2014 #9
I decided to go with the 55-200 ohheckyeah May 2014 #16
The Nikkor 70-200/2.8 is an amazing piece of glass Major Nikon May 2014 #17
I wrote a reply to you and it ohheckyeah May 2014 #18
For the extension tubes, go with Kenko and go new, not used Major Nikon May 2014 #19
Will do. ohheckyeah May 2014 #20
I know I'm a bit late to the thread justiceischeap May 2014 #21
Thanks for the reply.... ohheckyeah May 2014 #22
Thanks! justiceischeap May 2014 #23
I found that out the hard way with the ohheckyeah May 2014 #24
Nope, it's probably in the 3.5 range. nt justiceischeap May 2014 #25
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