Aboutsanjay bajaj Expertise I can answer questions relating to Digital Cameras, how to choose, whats right digital camera various usage of digital camera I would not be able to comment on the Photography software for editing
Experience I have 7 years of experiance in the digital camera field
Organizations I am associated with Retail chain of stores IIIrdi
Publications Local newspapers
Education/Credentials I am a Bachelor of Fine arts
Awards and Honors We are honored with the Wings of Glory award from Canon for being the best retail outlet in India
Past/Present Clients I have beenadvicing my sales clients from Microsoft, Sumtotal systems
I have a Nikon D80 with standard 18-55mm VR lens
And I think it’s time I have a 70-300mm reach in my arsenal.
Areas of interest – Bulk of my photography revolves around landscapes ( which can range from photos in high altitude desert / snow filled mountain regions to waterfalls and rivers to plain desert to lush green plains of India ) followed closely by animals ( as in wildlife ) probably say 20 percent or so depending upon how often I go for safaris and so – off course the occasionally snap shot type photography during outings
Unfortunately my options are limited with regards to my budget (ceiling of $400) though the preferred range is between $ 200 to $ 300
Naturally I love photography but my interests are at achieving great quality amateur photos than great quality professional photos – so even though I want to get the best lens I don’t want to go overboard with an expensive version - if you get the jest of my requirement. I don’t pickup my camera and go out looking for photo opportunity but I do have my camera whenever I am out trekking or on trips.
The 3 closest choices that are available to me are listed below and I would be grateful if you could guide me towards the best one in the lot , suited to my needs.
1) AF NIKON 70-300mm f/4-5.6G ZOOM-NIKKOR ( Rs. 6,900.00 / $ 150 ) – I have read kenrockwells report where he has praised this and have mentioned his displeasure with regards to the “ ED “ version.
2) SIGMA 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO LENS (Rs 14000 / $ 295 ) – cant seems to find any worthwhile review – though the “APO” factor seems to be good kind of “ED” which gives better image quality.
3) TAMRON AF 70-300mm F/4-5.6Di LD MACRO 1:2 LENS ( Rs. 8,350.00 / $ 175 ) – few reviews that I saw seems to be in its favour– though I believe “LD” is equivalent to APO and ED
What surprises me is the fact that both Tamron and Sigma is priced higher to Nikon – does that mean their quality is better – usually we have this saying you get what you pay for?
Naturally I am looking at 70-300mm to get the best reach therefore I would be working in 200-300 range most of the time while using the lens but mostly for landscape or to get closer to dangerous animals during safaris.
Almost in all the above lens review it has been pointed out that at around 300mm there might be issues – so I am a bit confused because everything comes back to square 1 again
Taking sharp photos with high DOF , photos with focus on Infinity , being able to take good sharp photos hand held are some of my requirement.
All of these lens does not have VR – is it that important – I have a tripod and use it most often but we all know that there are occasions when using a tripod is not feasible especially when shooting a wild animal or sports action. Will lack of VR be a big handicap as it seems ? I would say I would be using these lens hand held 50% of the time.
I am looking at lens which is best suited for this and does not go soft or too slow on me.
One last option though as a last resort would be the
Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR Zoom
Which gives VR option though at a price between $ 520 to $ 610 ( Rs 27,000)
I know the advantage of VR but do I really need to go overdrive at say double or triple the price of the above listed lens just because this has VR.
I am not a professional, but I do want to have the best possible gear in terms of IQ and reach but at the same time I don’t want to needlessly spend money on something that I use occasionally mostly depending upon the number of trips I make but I also don’t want to end up with an below par lens wishing that if only I had the 70-300 VR version
Please feel free to voice your honest opinion as direct as possible even if you are biased – I wont hold you responsible for any purchase I make based on your feedback….But I need to know your honest opinion – because sometime I feel Sigma will do then after reading few other review I feel I should expand and pull thje string and go for the more expensive Nikkor VR version
Please please please help
Thank you
Answer Dear Vinod,
Delay is regretted but the question required a little bit of analysis hence delay.
My Choice would be a sigma 70-300 APO-DG Macro because of better dispersion ratio as compared to Nikon G Series lens while i respect the kenrockwells report but still confused as to why he must have compared a G series to APO-DG if at all.
Your last choice though you find expensive 70-300 Nikor VR Lens suggest why dont you look at Nikor 50-250 VR lens this would not just fit in your budget but also be better if it suits you since I prefer this is just a suggestion.
if any more confusion do write to us at all expert will try to do our best to help you.
