AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR or sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro

[dardar]

Hi all i am D90 user currently look to add a longer range zoom for my D90

Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2

looking at this 3 lens and cant make up my mind
i using it most likely for outdoor activity like animal shots and macro
having quite a tight budget maybe around below 500

and is VR very important for zoom lens ?

 

[ngck12]

Hi all i am D90 user currently look to add a longer range zoom for my D90

Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2

looking at this 3 lens and cant make up my mind
i using it most likely for outdoor activity like animal shots and macro
having quite a tight budget maybe around below 500

and is VR very important for zoom lens ?

I would take the nikon 55-300 VR anytime. VR will come in very handy.

 

[ijnek]

yes, VR important for long zoom, especially at the long end.

i would take the nikon anytime over these 3.

 

[weegk]

I agreed with all of them . . . VR is very important.

i tried a few 'so called' good lens without VR. At its zoom (some at only 55mm), the pictures looks a blit blur. just my 2 cents.

 

[NikF601]

I go for Nikon len...

 

[hartzdevil]

Go for nikon lens 55-300, if the lens without vr,os or vc when u full zoom at 300mm slight movement will cause the image to be blur.

 

[tormont]

:thumbsup: Nikon 55-300mm no regret.
VR veri impt long end. would choose VR over macro as i cn use raynox to add on nikon 55-300mm anytime if macro is wat u seek too. Price wise nikon more value:bsmilie:

 

[dardar]

haha thx for all for the advise i think i start saving money for the 55-300 nikon and maybe a raynox 250

 

[cteckwee]

Actually Sigma 70-300mm also has "OS" (Optical Stabilization) version. But for close-up shot, Nikon 55-300mm maximum reproduction ratio is 1:3.6 which is slightly better than this Sigma OS version (ratio: 1:3.9). The older Sigma version has the highest magnification (ratio: 1:2).

I think you should choose Nikon 55-300mm.

 

[armanisnap]

Sorry to hijack this thread.. What's the current price for the nikon 55-300mm currently? And which shop?

 

[Treetrunk]

Hi all i am D90 user currently look to add a longer range zoom for my D90

Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2

looking at this 3 lens and cant make up my mind
i using it most likely for outdoor activity like animal shots and macro
having quite a tight budget maybe around below 500

and is VR very important for zoom lens ?

For your budget, the price of a new 55-300 would fit in nicely.

See here for the price.

 

[dardar]

should i wait for VRII or VR version will work just fine
does 70-300 nikon a better choice in term of sharpness ?

 

[kennynah]

you might wana to know that this latest nikon 55-300mm VR lens does not have Internal Focusing (IF)...not that anyone would be putting on a polarizer for such zoom length.. but still a point to note

well, i guess, we can't find this on the BnS section, it being so new in the market...either pay up for a new one, or wait for some months later to buy a used one...for slightly cheaper..and miss out that tweety bird meanwhile ;p

 

[kilin009]

1: VR is very important for zoom lens too....Canon is IS.Tamron is VC.
2: S and T lens is not realy macro lens....Nikon 60mm F2.8 macro lens
better.
3: Tamron will sell [SP 70-300mm F4-5\.6 Di VC USD（Model A005）] on 1/11/2010.But The price is on 29/11/2010 will know.Maybe $600.This lens is good for you and me...

 

[dardar]

actually i got a idea for D90 is i use 35mm1.8 and replace my 18-105 with 55-300 is this advisable worth it i know i will be losing the 18-35mm but do i really need that wide ? and should i keep my 18-105 or sell it

 

[ovaltinemilo]

actually i got a idea for D90 is i use 35mm1.8 and replace my 18-105 with 55-300 is this advisable worth it i know i will be losing the 18-35mm but do i really need that wide ? and should i keep my 18-105 or sell it

then you might have prob shooting scenery/landscape then...
by the way, 35mm f1.8 fov on D90 makes you lose slightly more than 18-35mm...something like 18-50mm..

btw, most older 70-300mm are rather soft...wait for the SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 VC USD（Model A005)...most reviews I read are good so far

 

[kennynah]

today, i had a quick go at both 55-300mm and 70-300mm... i was trying out the AF speed of these 2 lenses, as to me, that is an impt criteria at 300mm...

clearly 70-300 won hands down.... really fast..and with the IF, it felt much better than the smaller, 1/2 the weight, 55-300... particularly, without IF, the focusing has to be considerably slower since the front barrel turns as the lens focuses...and that is a fact.

if AF speed is what you are after, perhaps FX 70-300 is an option...it is about 50-60% costlier than the smaller DX lens, if you buy brand new...and in case, in future you wana upgrade to a FF body, it can still be used...but this may not necessarily be a priority consideration.

enjoy....

 

[ovaltinemilo]

today, i had a quick go at both 55-300mm and 70-300mm... i was trying out the AF speed of these 2 lenses, as to me, that is an impt criteria at 300mm...

clearly 70-300 won hands down.... really fast..and with the IF, it felt much better than the smaller, 1/2 the weight, 55-300... particularly, without IF, the focusing has to be considerably slower since the front barrel turns as the lens focuses...and that is a fact.

if AF speed is what you are after, perhaps FX 70-300 is an option...it is about 50-60% costlier than the smaller DX lens, if you buy brand new...and in case, in future you wana upgrade to a FF body, it can still be used...but this may not necessarily be a priority consideration.

enjoy....

may i ask how is the contrast/sharpness at 300mm wide open on 70-300mm that you tested?

 

[ducky88]

Sorry to hi-jack ur thread. I jus wan to ask nikkor 28-300mm & 70-300 vr which is better in terms of IQ. If im not wrong 70-300 onli have 3 fstops while 28-300 have 4fstops. Correct me if im wrong.