70-300...or 100-400?

[Timppa]

Hi!

I have been using the 200-500 nikkor for a while now, and altough i love it,... It is big and bulky. I like to photograph alot but somehow this feels like a step to far sometimes. I am a traveler and i want to be more compact, yet, try to get the best results. I also miss the reach on the lower end.
I have been looking around and i was thinking of a 70-300 lens.
The thing is, there is a DX and FX version. The FX has my preference, but i know that that might actually have less in quality then the one made specialy for DX. The FX also has max f5.6, while the DX has f6.3.

Another lens that got my interest is the sigma 100-400.

Any opinions, ideas, experiences?

I would start using on a D7100, but the idea is for in the future to go for a D7500 or a D500.

Edit:, i forgot to mention that having a. Reduction from 500 to 300, will also make me upset, but then I have converters in mind, but ofcourse this would probably only work on the FX version i suppose...

Thanks

 

[astroNikon]

There's 3 NEW AF-P (note: AF-"P" not AF-S) versions of the 70-300
70-300 DX *with* VR f/4.5-6.3
70-300 DX *without* VR f/4.5-6.3
and 70-300 FX with VR f/4.5-5.6

A big price difference between the DX and FX version.
If you are staying with DX then just go with the DX version. BUT the FX version will have all button controls on the lens, versus it being software/menu driven. ALSO the AF-P lenses may not work well on the D7100 (looks like it is compatible after a firmware upgrade - see below). They have a compatibility listing for that ...

from NIKON USA.com
**The lens will default to VR on when attached to models released prior to the D3400: D3300, D5500, D5300, D5200, D7200, D7100. These cameras will also require a firmware upgrade to access the menu to turn off the VR.

The number of cameras compatible with both lenses is limited. Even for compatible cameras, firmware update may be required*. Fully compatible models: D7500, D5600, D5500, D5300*, D3400, D3300*, D500 and later models

Compatible models with limited functions: D5, D810 series, Df, D750, D7200, D7100, D5200, Nikon 1 series with the FT1

Incompatible models: D4 series, D3 series, D2 series, D1 series, D800 series, D700, D610, D600, D300 series, D200, D100, D7000, D5100, D5000, D90, D80, D70 series, D3200, D3100, D3000, D60, D50, D40 series, film cameras

 

[Timppa]

Thank you for your input, seems like for me the sigma 100-400 might be the better option at this moment.

 

[astroNikon]

btw a used 70-300 DX non-VR AF-P goes for as low as $100 on eBay .... just in case you are curious about them. Not much for what supposedly is a high quality lens.

 

[Timppa]

I am in Europe, so shipping is huge xD. But i really need VR, specially on the long range lenses. But good tip tough, currently there is a deal going on at a store , a sigma 100-400 for 700euros. I am really doubting now! Reading generally good stuff about it. Specially for that price. The biggest worry I have at this moment is that i need to let go of my 200-500, and I am not sure if I want to because i waited for so long for it,and now it gives me mixed feelings...

 

[astroNikon]

someone here has experience in the sigma 100-400 ... need to search for that.

 

[jaomul]

On top of that extenders are usually crap unless you have excellent fast lenses