Which camera lens is better? Want to upgrade!

Rocky89 · Apr 23, 2013

I have D7000 lens, which is great, my current lens is a Nikon AF NIKKOR 70-300mm, which is also great, but I'd like to upgrade. I come here to ask y'all which lens you would suggest I consider upgrading to.

1. http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-70-300mm-4-5-5-6G-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000HJPK2C

2. http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-80-400mm-4-5-5-6D-Autofocus-Nikkor/dp/B00005LEOO

3. http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-70-300mm-4-0-5-6-Digital-Cameras/dp/B003YH9DZE

runnah · Apr 23, 2013

If you told us what you were looking to shoot it would help.

Rocky89 · Apr 23, 2013

runnah said:
If you told us what you were looking to shoot it would help.

I mainly use the camera to shoot photos at conventions, and sightseeing when traveling.

bike4fun12 · Apr 24, 2013

if you are shooting indoors (conventions), none of those lenses would be all that great. you ISO would be pretty high just to get a quick enough shutter speed. I have the 70-300mm VR and just for giggles, I shoot indoors at a family get together and gave up because I had to shoot at ISO 3200. I had the D7000 also and it didn't look all that great. now, for outdoor use, the nikon 70-300mm VR is a great lens. for the price, it is one of Nikon's best. so, if you are using the lens for outdoor only, then the 70-300mm VR I would recommend.

I've only read reviews about the tamron (good things mainly) and can't really give a hands on opinion. I would suggest going into a camera store and trying the lenses you have listed. that is the way I buy a lens. I just walk in and try it out.

Derrel · Apr 24, 2013

I saw a nice, clean,smooth-operating 80-400 VR this week for $795, walk-in retail used. The brnad-spanking-new 80-400 G-series is well over $2,000; the AF-D design is over 10 years old now. I am not sure that $1,675 is a very good price on the "old" 80-400 VR... I own one...it's probably still "okay" on a 16 MP D7000 body. Focus can be slow, and at times halting, but it can also "do okay", and as a LONG-RANGE lens for shooting in the wind or wehatnot, the 80-0400 is my favorite lens, simply due to 1)VR and 2) focal length range.

It is however MUCH larger, and heavier, and clunkier, than the much newer Nikkor 70-300 f/4.5~5.6 VR G-series, which I also have.

I dunno...for travel, I like the 70-300's SIZE...I have a couple fanny packs, and it slides right into a water bottle slot, no issues; the 80-400 VR OTOH is a much bulkier lens that is best carried in a pouch or something like that, or in a pack/case kind of deal.