camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"If you care about image quality and know about Nikon lenses, Nikon lenses would be your only choice."
--Bob

I agree with this but there are times Bob when the budget does not allow for the more expensive Nikon lenses. There are times also when the lens needed is not manufactured by the OEM.
The 70-300 VR made by Tamron is a less expensive alternative to the excellent Nikon lens. This lens offers very good quality at a fraction of the Nikon lens. If budget does not allow for a more expensive lens then the Tamron will do the job.
I have a friend who has been shooting excellent studio portraits with his Tamron 28-75 f2.8. He is very happy with it. He bought it when he could not afford the Nikon 28-70 f2.8 and I do not believe he is looking back.
All of my lenses are Nikon made lenses for their cameras. As I said, if budget allows Nikon is the lens that performs at its best with Nikon bodies.

racerrich3 Loc: Los Angeles, Ca.

Chris, just curious. Since OP was mentioning 70-300 range did you mean 18-300 ? i have this one and its good also. :-) Rich

Designdweeb Loc: Metro NYC & East Stroudsburg, PA

The advantage to buying the Nikon brand over other contenders, in my experience, is that their build is more robust and can take a lot more (unanticipated) insult and abuse. Ecellent off- brand lenses have succumbed to drops and impacts, dust, sand, moisture and temperature extremes where my Nikons have survived, or at least were repairable.