marty wild Loc: England

you are correct. My mistake is it a bottom end F.X.

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

Not all of us have that option. I live in a small town in the mountains. it would be a 80-100 mile drive to rent one and then take it back, drat. But then, give me the mountains rather than the city.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I use the Nikon 28-300 almost exclusively on my D800. The combination is very sharp. I still have my D7000 and have a 10-24mm wide angle on it. I have a Tamron wide angle but if I could, I'd get the Nikkor 10-24mm instead. Both are DX. Nothing wrong with that. If you have the bucks and want a full frame wide angle, there is the 14-24mm. I think Nikkon also has a 17-35mm.

James Eslinger Loc: Kentucky

I'd love one of those, and if I win the PCH sweepstakes this weekend, I'm getting one!

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Take a look at the 70-300mm f4.5. Tack sharp and a great lens for outdoors.

jbosman Loc: Southwestern Michigan

I have the Tamron lense, and although I am very happy with it, and use it all the time, I have noticed it is not quite as sharp as the Nikon lenses. That have been said, it was also a lot cheaper. I am not a highly talented professional, so most of the pictures I get with the Tamron are just fine. Would I buy it again? Yes.

PaulaBrady Loc: Havre, Mt

I have a 18-270mm Tamron Lens. I use it with my canon 40D. Just starting out with photography this lens served my needs. After over a year now I'm am wanting an upgrade with both my camera and my 40D. But my Tamron has served me well. If you are new at photography you will be OK with it, but your desires will outgrow it over time - if you continue progressing with photography that it. I think it is a great all around lens since you don't have to change lens every time you turn around.

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

I used a tamron 8-300 some years ago on a Pentax body and was very happy with it.

umm that would be an 80-300

photonphysicist Loc: Texas

Using a tripod, you can get some good low-light photos.

Dave66 Loc: Vancouver, Canada

I was looking around for the same thing - trying to reduce the weight of my camera bag for casual outings. After some review of available lenses I settled on a Sigma 18 - 250 with Macro. My camera is a D7000.

I will be the first to admit that any specific shot might be made better with a certain OEM lens of the appropriate length, but I feel that I have covered about 80% of my needs, at quite reasonable quality, for a fraction of the cost and weight of a battery of lenses.

As always, you get what you pay for. If general convenience is very important, then slight compromises may have to be made in absolute quality. There is no perfect answer. Good hunting!

Mousie M Loc: Coventry, UK

I went through the same exercise (for D600) and became convinced (MT Shooter and others) that the Nikon 28-300 would suit me. Then I spotted a Sigma 28-300 on Ebay and thought well, give it a try, and got it for less than 1/4 price of the new Nikon. I thought if I don't like it I can resell it or even park it on my D70.
Actually I really like it. This is definitely a good choice to leave on the camera when you go out and don't know what to expect, or need to travel light. So I would say along with the others above, this is a good answer to the question.
But what about the Sigma one? I like it too. Design very similar also same aperture & closest distance etc, sharp, not too much distortion anywhere, good build quality. The downsides
1 Heavier (more metal?)
2 Zoom a bit stiff (may be my lens)
2 Older screwdriver auto drive not HSM/SWM motor but fast and accurate
3 may not focus as close or be as well optimised for close up? seems to do a good job though
4 The main one - no image stabilisation.

The trouble is, without buying it I cannot try the Nikon one to compare; maybe I don't know what I am missing in image quality, and how much of a benefit is the VR? I am going walking in Madagascar later in the year to try to catch some wildlife. Would anyone like to comment please?

SteveR Loc: Michigan

That's why I have the nifty 50 f1.8. Can't afford anything more right now.

lgilds

the Nikon 70 to 300 4.5 5.6 vr is great lens fast sharp focus great lens for the money.I use it on the D7000 for show choir ,senior pictures and Eagles in flight .