Nikon lens question

[alixgaul]

I am an amateur photographer soon to become a student. i'd need to expand my collection of lenses (considering that i only own a 18-55!) but i'm clearly on a budget. i have found the Nikon AF NIKKOR 70-300mm f4-5.6 G for £150; while the Nikon Zoom-Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED would cost 350£+..

considering that i'm still fairly at the beginning would you advise to buy the more expensive one or shall i stick to the older one even though i realise that it has no Vibration reduction hence quality may be poorer?

thanks...
Alice

 

[manicmike]

First thing is it depends on which camera you're using. Lower end nikons don't have a focus motor in the body, so you'd need the af-s lens which has the motor in the lens.

As far as VR goes, just because the lens doesn't have VR doesn't mean the quality of pictures will be worse. Edit: VR doesn't affect quality.

If you're shooting with a d40, d3000, or d5000 and want autofocus get the af-s lens. If autofocus isn't an issue, get the AF lens.

You could also look into off brand lenses much cheaper. I know tamron makes a 70-300 that autofocuses that is actually a pretty good lens for around $150(I just sold it).

 

[kundalini]

Here's a few places I go to for gear reviews............

Thom Hogan's Nikon Field Guide and Nikon Flash Guide
Welcome to Photozone!
Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ
FM Reviews - Main Index
Great Values in Used Nikkors


KenRockwell.com

 

[alixgaul]

thanks. i bought the nikon D3000 just few months ago.. problem is that even tho i can get the grasp of the technicalities i struggle understanding the difference between all components.. i assumed AF stood by auto-focus, so what's the difference with the AF-S?
it'll probably sound a silly question, but....

 

[kundalini]

If you take a look at Thom Hogan's website, there is a wealth of information about Nikon. For instance....

Nikkor Lens Information by Thom Hogan

 

[manicmike]

thanks. i bought the nikon D3000 just few months ago.. problem is that even tho i can get the grasp of the technicalities i struggle understanding the difference between all components.. i assumed AF stood by auto-focus, so what's the difference with the AF-S?
it'll probably sound a silly question, but....

The af-s and af-i lenses have the motor in the lens, the AF lenses don't.

Each manufacturer has a different name (other than af-s) for their lenses with the internal motor.

I don't remember them all off the top of my head, but when you look at each lens just read the specs and make sure it has the motor in it.

 

[Derrel]

The 70-300 AF-G is a dog. I own one. I bought it as a Nikon refurb for $99. It has a lot of color fringing at longer focal lengths,and is not a very good lens. It's light, and plasticy. The 70-300 ED lens is now no longer the top dog in the category, but is markedly better optically than the AF-G model. The current top lens is a 70-300 f/4.5~5.6 AF-S VR-G model. If you have a D50,D70,or soemthing like that, the 70-300 AF-G model, the 150 Pound one, would autofocus.

The Nikon Zoom-Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED would cost 350£+ is currently the "top dog" from Nikon is the 70-300 class,and is the best lens they have ever made in that category. I would definitely check the Thom Hogan reviews Kundalini referred to earlier in this thread.