orrie smith wrote:
if budget is a concern, try someplace like b&hphoto online and buy used or refurbished. i have purchased several lenses from bhphoto, they rate the condition of the lens, and if you stay with 8.5 to 9 or higher, i have never had a problem.
My 55-300 dx and my 18-55 dx were both refurbs earlier this year (either BH or Adorama- can't recall, at least one was Adorama).
I got total coverage from 18-300 for $300.00. They seem/feel brand new to my hands and eyes.