Telephoto lens

[sukunda87]

I want to buy telephoto lens, not much money in my current budget.

-Nikon 70-300 f/4-5.6G
-Tamron 70-300 f4-5.6 Di LD macro
-Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 DG
-Nikon 55-200 f/4-5.6 G

They are all around 150 dollars. Your suggestions? Thanks.

 

[jcdeboever]

I would probably go with the 55-200 if it's VR.

 

[ruifo]

Nikon 70-300 f/4-5.6G

 

[Dave442]

The Nikon 55-200mm G VR, about $350 new
I would look for a used 70-300mm G VR, abut $350 used. (I have this so a bit partial).

If you have to stay in the $150 range then it might just be a toss-up between those listed.

 

[KmH]

The Nikon AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6G is one of Nikon's worst lens values.

If you have a Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D3x00, or D5x00 the lens will not auto focus because those are Nikon 'compact' DSLR camera bodies and do not have a focus motor/screw-drive system in them to help make them 'compact.

I would recommend Nikon's AF-S 55-200 mm f/4-5.6 G without the VR.
VR should be turned off for most shooting situations.

 

[fmw]

I have used all of them except for the Sigma. I recommend the Tamron. The Nikkor is OK but has a plastic lens mount. The 55-200 does too and is softer than the others. Understand that VR has a trade off. While it can help fight motion blur it also underperforms regular lenses in terms of sharpness. I would go with the Tamron and put some money in your budget for a tripod.

 

[coastalconn]

I would try to stretch the budget to $200 and try to find a used Tamron 70-300 VC or a Nikon 55-300. The Tamron VC would be the best and I see them used at $200 sometimes.
I started with the Tamron you listed. And it's an OK lens.
I would not recommend the Sigma or the Nikon 70-300 you have listed.
You should also be able to find the 55-200 for $100 used/refurbished