Telephoto lens: I am looking into buying a telephoto lens for my Nikon D5600 and it appears that there is a bewildering array of choices between Nikon and aftermarket lens of that...

trapper1 Loc: Southside Virginia

I am looking into buying a telephoto lens for my Nikon D5600 and it appears that there is a bewildering array of choices between Nikon and aftermarket lens of that nature. I am concerned about being able to hand-hold the longer of two types, 200mm and 300mm. Both will need to have VR but aside from that , how much steadier is it to use a 200 mm than a 300mm for casual shots?

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

You didn't mention zoom telephoto lenses. Only prime lenses? Either a 200mm or a 300mm prime, in Nikon Brand will be expensive. Even a used one. I own the AF-P 70-300mm with VR. Or, you could consider the FX 28-300mm. A friend I know uses it on a DX D7100. You can choose a quality third party lens, such as Tamron or Sigma. The choices are many, if you have the money to spare. Good luck.

Moondoggie Loc: Southern California

I have a Tamron 18-400mm on my D5300. It’s reasonable priced and not too heavy. It has good reviews from others on this site.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

Nikon 28-300 will not work on a DX D5600

fotobyferg

I second the 18-400 suggestion.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Moondoggie wrote:

I have a Tamron 18-400mm on my D5300. It’s reasonable priced and not too heavy. It has good reviews from others on this site.

My wife has several thousand shots with a D7100 and has been quite pleased...from flowers to wolves.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

queencitysanta wrote:

Nikon 28-300 will not work on a DX D5600

Why not?

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

queencitysanta wrote:

Nikon 28-300 will not work on a DX D5600

Nikon AF-P and AF-S lenses will work on a DX D5600 DSLR. Necessary, because the D5000 series do not have the internal focus motor. Nikon also makes an DX version 18-300mm that is popular too. My friend elected to buy the 28-300mm over the 18-300mm, because there was a possibility of going full frame in the future.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

trapper1 wrote:

I am looking into buying a telephoto lens for my Nikon D5600 and it appears that there is a bewildering array of choices between Nikon and aftermarket lens of that nature. I am concerned about being able to hand-hold the longer of two types, 200mm and 300mm. Both will need to have VR but aside from that , how much steadier is it to use a 200 mm than a 300mm for casual shots?

The AF-P 70-300 VR is a good choice for your described needs, balancing weight, cost, and capability for your D5600.

kmpankopf Loc: Mid-Michigan; SW Pennsylvania

CHG_CANON wrote:

The AF-P 70-300 VR is a good choice for your described needs, balancing weight, cost, and capability for your D5600.

I've been using this lens for just over a year. Great lens. I've used it on the D500 and the D7200.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

trapper1 wrote:

I am looking into buying a telephoto lens for my Nikon D5600 and it appears that there is a bewildering array of choices between Nikon and aftermarket lens of that nature. I am concerned about being able to hand-hold the longer of two types, 200mm and 300mm. Both will need to have VR but aside from that , how much steadier is it to use a 200 mm than a 300mm for casual shots?

The Nikkor 300mm F4 PF is an outstanding lens. You can get one for around $2000 new or a used 300mm F4 AF-S for around $600. Both will provide excellent results, are hand holdable and would both work well on your D5600. Going back to a discussion about hand holding and longest shutter speed, the rule of thumb is 1/effective focal length. So that would be 1/300 for a 200mm lens and 1/500 for a 300mm lens. If the lens has optical stabilization - VR/OS/IS - then you can add from 2-4 stops additional exposure. These are very broad suggestions. You'd have to see what works out for you.

FWIW - any super zoom - 18-300 or 18-400 or 28-300 will not be as sharp as either prime lens I have suggested.

Also repair parts are getting scarce for the AF-S lens without stabilization, so I would be careful getting a lens that old.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

trapper1 wrote:

I am looking into buying a telephoto lens for my Nikon D5600 and it appears that there is a bewildering array of choices between Nikon and aftermarket lens of that nature. I am concerned about being able to hand-hold the longer of two types, 200mm and 300mm. Both will need to have VR but aside from that , how much steadier is it to use a 200 mm than a 300mm for casual shots?

Try this one on for size, and it won't break the bank.
The difference between the 200 and 300 for casual shots is that you will have to shoot at a higher shutter speed with the 300 to get good results.
The minimum shutter speed to hand hold any lens used to be 1/focal length of the lens.
So, a 200 mm would be a minimum of 1/200 sec. and for the 300mm it would be 1/300 sec. Now with VR that is no longer the case as you are SUPPOSED to be able to shoot slower than these mentioned minimums. But for me, I still go by the old rule and have not been disappointed yet.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1365789-REG/nikon_20062b_af_p_dx_nikkor_70_300mm.html?sts=pi&pim=Y

JanSIrons Loc: Central Illinois USA

Hi newbie amateur here.

Back in May, I switched from years of Canon Rebels to a Sony A7iii. Like you I wanted either a 70-200 or 70-300 telephoto. We live 2-3 hours from the closest good camera shop. If you live close to a good camera shop, you could go put both lenses on your camera & at least get an idea of feel.

I chose to rent both lenses from LensRentals.com and test them head to head for a week. Both lenses were Sony. As I spend a lot of time hiking and exploring, I wanted something handholdable for an extended time. After shooting the same shots with both, I decided on the 70-200 F4 (I really wanted the F2.8, but weight and $$$$ convinced me to go for the F4). The 70-200 was sharper even though I had to crop, it focused quicker and was marginally smaller. I also liked the weather seal being inside rather than the extend zoom on the 300.

Just some thoughts on how I went about making a similar choice. Good luck!

Cheers!

ELNikkor

If you have a D5600, you have a nice, versatile, lightweight camera. The AF-P VR DX series was made for that camera. If I had the D5600, I would get the 10-20 AF-P, it should already have the 18-55 AF-P on it, and top it off with the DX AF-P VR 70-300. Don't like the 18-300 do-it-all lenses. You only shoot at one focal length at a time, and it only takes seconds to change lenses. You pretty well know when you go out what focal length you'll be needing. (Those on this site who say the AF-P line won't work on the D5600 need to update their photo knowledge!)

harleridr Loc: S.Texas

Which ever lens you pick be sure the zoom motor is in the lens as the 5600 does not have a motor for the lens in its body!
Harle