sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

Agreed AND take a look at used glass. I got my Tokina 80-210 2.8 for $200 and it is AMAZING! There's a small Minnesota chain that has the NIKON AF 70-210MM F4 lens for $150 right now. (I believe this is it on Ken Rockwells site: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70210f4.htm) Why so cheap? No focus motor and no VR... Since you have a D7000 you can use older lenses that don't have a built in focus motor. You have LOTS of options...

Nana Jules Loc: Iowa

can i do it with the f/4??

Nana Jules Loc: Iowa

I really like to get full body and families at times. I do have a large great room, but that's what scares me about the 70-200. thanks for your reply. For nicer weather it's a none issue and we will go outside, but as you can see i live in Iowa!!

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

looks to me you just simply need both of them!!!

it's only money.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

It's a compromise. I've found I only use 2.8 if I absolutely have to for the sake of shutter speed. The depth of field gets pretty narrow at 2.8 so depending on what you're shooting you may not get the focus you desire. When possible I bump up to 3.5 or 4 even if it means bumping up the ISO to gain some focus depth. It really really boils down to what you will be shooting.

Shop around, like I said my Tokina 80-200 2.8 only cost me $200 and because I've got a D7000 (like you) the lack of a focus motor wasn't an issue, just sayin...

You might be able to get both lenses with some careful used shopping... That's what I did.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

Here's a link to KEH with the Tokina 80-200 2.8:
http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Autofocus-Non-Mfg-Zoom-Lenses/1/sku-NA09009042573K?r=FE

And here's a link to some user reviews of the lens:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=237

One review talks about slow focus. The lens depends on the cameras focus motor and thus speed changes by body model. On my D7000 it focuses quite fast...

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

geee put the subject in the living room and the camera in the dinning room.

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Note worthy when concerning a lens purchase there are reasons why lenses made by independent manufacturers cost less Nikon and Canon use higher standards for the lens construction and nhan there is the glass ( some even use plastic elements) Nikon and Canon use ED glass with nano coatings so their lenses create the best posible images
If this isn't enough cameras today are capable of such high resolution they can out perform lenses so when making that decesion to save cash on lens only to spend big bucks on a superb body your nit helping yourself or your pictures by send your photos through sub standard glass
So all of my glass is the best quality posible and some of my glass is out dated but because I did get better quality I am able to in PP correct for lens abrations and croma effects
Jeffcs

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

All manufacturers have been known to use aspheric (plastic) elements to lighten the weight & curtail aberrations. Here's a link to a page on Nikon's website concerning this
http://www.nikon.com/about/technology/rd/core/optics/aspherical_lenses_e/index.htm