Telephoto lense to buy: Hello, Just bought my first DSLR..Nikon D-3300. I used to shoot film years ago. I only have the kit lens..18-55mm. I need a second lens..telephoto. I shoot...

Rloren

Hello,
Just bought my first DSLR..Nikon D-3300. I used to shoot film years ago. I only have the kit lens..18-55mm.
I need a second lens..telephoto. I shoot mainly outdoors, nature, landscape, etc. From my research I see a large selection
and "price differences." Want to buy a good lens, but don't want to break the bank. The biggest bang for the buck.
Don't want to buy a 200mm max and then wish I bought a 300mm or 400mm.
What would you recommend I buy.
Thank you...

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Consider a Sigma 150-600..about $1000

Rloren wrote:

Hello,
Just bought my first DSLR..Nikon D-3300. I used to shoot film years ago. I only have the kit lens..18-55mm.
I need a second lens..telephoto. I shoot mainly outdoors, nature, landscape, etc. From my research I see a large selection
and "price differences." Want to buy a good lens, but don't want to break the bank. The biggest bang for the buck.
Don't want to buy a 200mm max and then wish I bought a 300mm or 400mm.
What would you recommend I buy.
Thank you...

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

A good starter telephoto that's not real expensive is the Nikon 55-300mm f4.5. Since you already have the 18-55mm this lens just covers the next set up from there in focal length. This will give you a 35mm equivalent of 450mm focal length with your d3300.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

sigma 150-600 I just paid $809 for it.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

What Wayne said, and maybe a TC to give you little more reach. I have a 1.4 and a 2.0. They work great.

WayneT wrote:

A good starter telephoto that's not real expensive is the Nikon 55-300mm f4.5. Since you already have the 18-55mm this lens just covers the next set up from there in focal length. This will give you a 35mm equivalent of 450mm focal length with your d3300.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I am not familiar with Nikon lenses, but on my Canon when I go out to shoot wildlife I use the 100-400 exclusively. If I had a 150-600 I would possibly use that, but those (at least the Tamron that I have played with) are pretty heavy for lugging around, and I mostly walk with my camera and generally do so in broad daylight and do not take a tripod along.

BebuLamar

Rloren wrote:

Hello,
Just bought my first DSLR..Nikon D-3300. I used to shoot film years ago. I only have the kit lens..18-55mm.
I need a second lens..telephoto. I shoot mainly outdoors, nature, landscape, etc. From my research I see a large selection
and "price differences." Want to buy a good lens, but don't want to break the bank. The biggest bang for the buck.
Don't want to buy a 200mm max and then wish I bought a 300mm or 400mm.
What would you recommend I buy.
Thank you...

I think Nikon made a 2000mm but then even if you have it you still wish that you have a longer lens.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

The Nikon 1.4 TC will not support the 55-300 as far as I know plus the total cost would be more than the Sigma 150-600.

http://www.nikonusa.com/en_INC/IMG/Assets/Common-Assets/Images/Teleconverter-Compatibility/EN_Comp_chart.html

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I also have a Sigma 150-600mm Sport but I only use this lens on a tripod with a gimbal head. It's just to heavy and bulky to use in a hand hold position for me, especially at the higher focal lengths. The nice thing about the 300 is that you can carry it with you everywhere which I can't do with the 150-600mm lens. The big lens I use for birds that come to me the 300mm I use for wildlife that I have to seek out.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

BebuLamar wrote:

I think Nikon made a 2000mm but then even if you have it you still wish that you have a longer lens.

And that's the truth for many of us!!

Gobuster Loc: South Florida

Rloren wrote:

Hello,
Just bought my first DSLR..Nikon D-3300. I used to shoot film years ago. I only have the kit lens..18-55mm.
I need a second lens..telephoto. I shoot mainly outdoors, nature, landscape, etc. From my research I see a large selection
and "price differences." Want to buy a good lens, but don't want to break the bank. The biggest bang for the buck.
Don't want to buy a 200mm max and then wish I bought a 300mm or 400mm.
What would you recommend I buy.
Thank you...

My son has the 55-300 DX lens and gets great results, so I think it is worthy of consideration. However for a lens with greater range, check out the Nikon 18-300 DX lens. It costs more than the 55-300 but it's range means you don't have to change lenses much at all. Going for longer than 300mm means a larger lens, not convenient for carrying around. I have a Nikon 200-500 but only use it in special circumstances, its too big/heavy and the range too limited for general photography.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Look at the Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM. I just sold one on Ebay for $450. Great all around lens for a crop sensor camera.

ggttc Loc: TN

I have shot the 55-300 VR and its a great lens for the money. It will get you started with a longer lens and its light weight.

If you take a look at amazon they have an open box 55-300 for 43% off. Its a refurb.

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-55-300mm-4-5-5-6G-Vibration-Reduction/dp/B003ZSHNCC

Scroll down for the offer.

$240. is a GREAT price for this lens.

Yackers Loc: Norfolk, UK

Don't buy the 150mm - 600mm. Whilst you get a huge focal length range and they seem to give the best bang for the buck, the image quality is pretty poor. I shoot a Canon and I use a 100 - 400L and it is an awesome lens. I am not familiar with Nikon lenses, although I do know Nikon have an equivalent lens to this, and since it is made by Nikon I assume it will be top quality (just like the Canon lens is) and worth the money. I have bought 3rd party lenses in the past, and whilst they were okay they were no where near as good as the Canon lenses I own, and I have heard Nikon users say the same about the Nikon lenses.

Buy cheap (i.e. a third party lens) buy twice - you will end up buying a Nikon branded lens in the end which will see you spending more money in the long run. Okay, there is a market for used lenses but you never get your money back on them.

Rloren

Thank you all for your input here. I appreciate it...