vanzo1234

I understand that my camera will come with a 18-55mm basic lens. I want to add a telephoto lens. I am not a birder, but sometimes I see birds and want to take their pictures. We do travel and although Africa and Alaska are in the rear-view mirror, I imagine there will be other opportunities. Sedona and the Grand Canyon are our next trip. Although there is a kit with a 55-200 mm lens. I think it would be best to get a 300mm. What do I really lose with a 200mm?


1. I am NOT married to the 300 mm lens. When I bring $$ (list price - B&H will give me a discount if I buy this lens with my kit so the deltas below will be even smaller) so the $ looks like this:

Nikon 55-200mm $247
Tamron70-300mm $351
Nikon 55-300mm $396
Nikon 70-300mm $586


For a difference of less that $100 I can move from teh Nikon 55-200mm lens to the Tamron 70-300mm and for a difference of less than $150 to the Nikon 55-300mm. Why is the Nikon 70-300mm $200 more expensive than the 55-300mm (Is it better or just FX?) ?. Is the reason not to buy the Tamron only resale in that quality and durability are similar?

Are there other brands of lenses I should consider e.g. Sigma?

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

Nikon 18-200

Ctrclckws

One opinion for you.

Skip the 55-200, it's ok on lower resolution sensors but loses out at 24mp

Tamron, no comment.
Nikon 55-300 vs 70-300.
55 dx vs 70 fx
55 has a "slower" focusing motor

If you are going to stay dx then skip the 70-300 and enjoy.

jlrivera Loc: Round Lake, Illinois

Tamron 16-300

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I have a D7100. Nikon 18-200 f/3.5 is a wonderful lens and it stays on my camera all the time. Good luck.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

If it were me I would do a body only and buy the Nikkor 18-300mm f3.5-5.6 ED VR lens at $999.95. That way you only have one lens to carry. On a trip to the grand Canyon though I believe I would also like to have the 10-24mm f3.5-4.5G ED lens as well.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

My walk around is the Nikon 28-300. It is a little pricey, but a great lens.
Erv

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Is there some reason you feel compelled to ask this question again?
You already have a long thread going with the exact same question, have you bothered to read the replies given to you there?
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-227844-1.html

Dragonfly Loc: Indianapolis

I have the 55-300 Nikon lens and love it....
99% of my pictures are taken with that lens...

josie horne Loc: new orleans LA

Nikon 35mm 1/8 for about 200.00 can't beat it."............................................

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Go with the 55-30mm if you include the 18-55mm kit lens mentioned. Otherwise, I would skip the basic 18-55 lens and get an 18-200 mm lens.

architect Loc: Chattanooga

For travel, it is really hard to beat the Nikon 18-200 VR lens. Fairly compact, very versatile and you can avoid changing lenses in adverse conditions. You can correct the minor distortion easily in Photoshop/ACR.

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

Does the D3300 have a focus motor in the body? If not, take care to make sure lenses you consider have focus motors on board.

jlrivera Loc: Round Lake, Illinois

No; the D3300 doesn't have a focus motor in the body.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

Get the 55-300mmVR and quit farting around.