Good Zoom lens

siaclick · Mar 23, 2015

Hello All,
I am planing to buy a telephoto zoom lens for my Nikon D7100. I have narrowed down
55-300 VR
70-300VR from Nikon
Can someone suggest me which one to go for as 70-300mm is a bit pricier then the 55-300mm
Or any other suggestion or lens that will beat this pricing.

480sparky · Mar 23, 2015

The advantage to the 70-300 is it's an FX-format lens, where the 55-300 is DX only. That might sway your decision if you ever want to jump onto the FX bandwagon.

Dollar-for-dollar, it's tough to beat the 70-300 in terms of image quality for the price.

Braineack · Mar 23, 2015

Buy mine in the fs section.

using tapatalk.

Mr.Photo · Mar 23, 2015

As mentioned above the 55-300 is strictly for DX cameras and the 70-300 will work on either FX or DX cameras. However the big difference is with the optics, and the build quality between the two. The 70-300 VR is a much better lens than the 55-300 is. Another option to consider is the Tamron 70-300 VC lens. I own this lens and actually prefer it over the Nikon 70-300 as it's a bit sharper when shooting at large apertures on the long end. Also the VC on the Tamron seems to provide a bit better stabilization at slower shutter speeds than the Nikon.

Dave442 · Mar 23, 2015

I have been using my Nikon 70-300mm VR for about five years now. It has held up to a lot of travel, fits in my small backpack bag and uses the same 67mm filter as a couple of other lenses I have. The autofocus has kept up with things like soccer, dogs running at me, and other such outdoor events. I have shots at 1/15 at 300mm so the VR works. Quarter turn to go from 70 to 300mm and easy to stop at the common focal lengths like 100, 135 and 200mm which are marked on the barrel and will usually show up as such in the EXIF.

It is noted as soft at the long end so if it is not a portrait then I find it helps a bit to stop down to f/8. Neither lens is fast and the 70-300 drops to f/5.6 by 240mm (stays at f/4.5 from 70mm to 110mm). If you take the lens off the camera with the camera on the VR can stay activated (happened to me one time), just put the lens back on and then take it off properly with the camera turned off.

I think this lens has a decent price as new and a very good price used.

goodguy · Mar 23, 2015

480sparky said:
The advantage to the 70-300 is it's an FX-format lens, where the 55-300 is DX only. That might sway your decision if you ever want to jump onto the FX bandwagon.

Dollar-for-dollar, it's tough to beat the 70-300 in terms of image quality for the price.

Another vote for the 70-300mm VR

nerwin · Mar 23, 2015

I have the 70-300 VR, its an excellent lens. Very sharp and VR actually works very well. It is more expensive because its an FX lens, but it has better build quality, faster auto focus and better manual focusing. If cost is a problem, you can get a used one in good shape for around the same price of the 55-300 or even less! I got lucky and picked up a NEW one for $280.