Lens for D50

Jason_77

Hello All,

Has anyone used the following lens with their Nikon D50 camera?

Nikkor 70-300 F4/5.6 AF G Lens

There is a special offer on this lens at the moment for €150 and I was wondering if it is worth my investment.

My only criteria is I am looking for a lens with a good zoom.

Any comments/recommendations/downfalls on this lens would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jason.

DamoKen

Hi Jason, yeah I've got that lens and have to say I've been quite pleased with it. Used it for a lot of wildlife photography in the main, and have got some shots I've been really pleased with. Haven't got any of the wildlife shots on my work pc, but here's a link to a shot I took from my bedroom window . I'll throw up a few of the wildlife shots if you're interested tomorrow evening when I'm home.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80548615@N00/171912995/

Dundhoone

I have the cheapo 55-200mm for my D50, I am sorry i didnt go for the 70-300 as i'd love the extra zoom!!!

Jason_77

Hi DamoKen,

Thanks for the advice. Can I ask where you purchased your lens and how much you paid for it?

If you could upload some of the wildlife shots that would be great.

Thanks,

Jason.

DamoKen

Hi Jason, no worries. I got it in Gunns on Wexford St in Dublin, just opposite Whelans. Great camera shop, family run place and always get top notch unbiased advice as well as very competive prices. Can't remember off hand what I paid as I got it along with the camera as well as a few accessories in December.
The number for the shop is on this forum though, think it's under the places to buy equipment sticky. Though I did see a thread earlier mentioning something about them being closed for holidays, not sure if they're back yet. I'd give them a call if I were you though for pricing and would highly recommend them.
Going to go back within the next 2 weeks for my next purchase, a decent tripod. Can get decent shots with the zoom without it, but will definitely increase the number of shake free shots!

[edit] just called and no answer so they may still be closed. here's the number anyways if you want to give them a call - (01) 478 1226[/edit]

johnny b

[QUOTE=Jason_77
Nikkor 70-300 F4/5.6 AF G Lens
There is a special offer on this lens at the moment for €150 and I was wondering if it is worth my investment.[/QUOTE]

where's this offer on ??- well interested in a new zoom....

Oriel

I have the lens. It's ok for the price. It's handy having the zoom, but unless you're in great light, it's very not quite fast enough. Not great sharpness either unless you go for a smaller aperture, at which stage you'll nearly have to use a tripod...

melekalikimaka

i think i saw it cheap in birminghams's, tho tbh ya get what ya pay for, tis the bottom of the barrel stuff, cheap and cheerful at best

bobk

I got the Sigma 70-300 APO lens for €195 from Conns Cameras. (€232 on pixmania.co.uk)



Note: it's the better quality APO Macro DG lens in Conns and not the standard AF

TempestSabre

What other lenses would be comparable or even preferrable.

Jason_77

Would this be a better lens?

SIGMA 70-300mm F4-5.6DG MACRO

Or can anyone recommend a good lens for zoom with the D50?

Thanks.

DamoKen

Hi Jason, stuck up a few shoots as promised on flickr, same address as in my post above, best way to get an idea of the detail is to go to all sizes and choose large. That's still about a third of the size of the shot itself but should give you an idea of what you can do with the lens. Also selected a variety of focal length shots and put in the exif with each to give you a better idea.

So far for me anyway it's done what I want. As Sinecura says though it's not the fastest plus it can be tricky getting a sharp focus. Having said that, to get a good fast lens with that zoom at that price though would be tricky. I found with a bit of practise I started getting decent enough shots, didn't have a tripod with me at the time which is a pity as it would have been really handy. As I was travelling though seemed a bit like overkill on the baggage side.

Anyway hope this helps in giving you an idea

P.S please excuse the titles, too knackered to come up with something better

Jason_77

Some great shots. Looks like it was a fantastic trip.
Wouldn't mind being able to shot some of those wildlife scenes myself.

Thanks for the advice,

Jason.

DamoKen

cheers mate, yeah was a fantastic trip alright, which is why I think I'm heading back for good in a few months .

best of luck on the lens!

melekalikimaka

so what ya go for in the end?

antifuse

Ken Rockwell absolutely loves it (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70300g.htm). Though he has a tendency to love lenses if they are super cheap and work even reasonably well.

halenger

Take practically everything he writes with an often large pinch of salt.

Reviews of Nikon lenses are done better by the big guns who will often hammer this stuff - honesty and the like.

Look up bythom.com, www.naturfotograf.com (look for 'lens survey'), imagepower.de and photozone.de.

You'll get a lot more in-depth, better quality reviews there. Anyway I think the general consensus on here about this range is that the Sigma 70-300 APO is better. The Nikkor 70-300 ED is the dearer and possibly better version of the 70-300G.

That said, I've seen some pretty damn good results from the 70-300G. Once you learn the limitations (it doesn't work so well with high contrast situations I think) etc then you'll be able to get some good results.