Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

0007776

Suspended
Original poster
Jul 11, 2006
6,473
8,170
Somewhere
I have a D70, and I would like to get some telephoto lenses for it, I Would like to hear what people's recommendations are. I can probably spend up to $1500, but I also do not mind getting an older model off of ebay, for less money. So give me sugestions of what to get.
 

compuwar

macrumors 601
Oct 5, 2006
4,717
2
Northern/Central VA
I have a D70, and I would like to get some telephoto lenses for it, I Would like to hear what people's recommendations are. I can probably spend up to $1500, but I also do not mind getting an older model off of ebay, for less money. So give me sugestions of what to get.

80-200mm two ring push-pull used, it's excellent glass and you can find them in good condition very inexpensively.

300/4 AFS, same as above.
 

Westside guy

macrumors 603
Oct 15, 2003
6,400
4,266
The soggy side of the Pacific NW
Take a look at the Nikkor 80-400mm - it has AF and VR.

(waiting for the "no, look at the Sigma 50-500mm instead" follow-up...)

Edit: Let us know whether you're mainly looking to shoot from a tripod, or if you'll be hand-holding for the most part.
 

compuwar

macrumors 601
Oct 5, 2006
4,717
2
Northern/Central VA
Take a look at the Nikkor 80-400mm - it has AF and VR.

(waiting for the "no, look at the Sigma 50-500mm instead" follow-up...)

Glad to oblige:

The Sigma 50-500 is cheaper, sharper at the long end but doesn't have VR.

I own both, I almost always chose the 50-500 when I was picking between the two.
 

ChrisA

macrumors G5
Jan 5, 2006
12,828
2,033
Redondo Beach, California
I have a D70, and I would like to get some telephoto lenses for it, I Would like to hear what people's recommendations are.....

The 80-200 f/2.8 is the classic Nikon telephoto zoom. Good used models sell for about $650. Any of the f/2.8 Nikons are very good quality.

But what to get depends on your needs. What are you going to use the lens for. For many wildlife shots 200mm is not long enough

There are better places to buy a used Nikon lens than eBay. Look at some of the on-line Nkon forums. Post there, get to know the others and buy it off some other person on the forum. Or at a camera shop where you can see it first.
 

0007776

Suspended
Original poster
Jul 11, 2006
6,473
8,170
Somewhere
Let us know whether you're mainly looking to shoot from a tripod, or if you'll be hand-holding for the most part.

I will be using a tripod for most of the time, and it will be mostly for nature shots, with occasional use at sports games for my high school.
 

Westside guy

macrumors 603
Oct 15, 2003
6,400
4,266
The soggy side of the Pacific NW
I will be using a tripod for most of the time, and it will be mostly for nature shots, with occasional use at sports games for my high school.

Thanks. The reason I asked is mainly VR. If you're on a tripod most of the time, the VR in the newer Nikkor zooms is less compelling. If, like me, you prefer to just hold the camera - then VR is a killer feature.
 

0007776

Suspended
Original poster
Jul 11, 2006
6,473
8,170
Somewhere
So after looking around I think that I will probably go for the 300mm f/4, and look around for a used 80-200mm. Does anyone here own those lenses, and if so could you post some pictures that you took with them.
 

jlcharles

macrumors 6502
Mar 30, 2006
345
0
Wenonah, NJ
Keh has the 300 f/4 for $919 in Ex+ condition, which you most likely won't be able to tell the difference from new.

And an 80-200 f/2.8 in Bargain for $449. I've bought bargain stuff from them a lot and had no problem with it. And they have a 14-day return policy if you aren't satisfied for any reason.

I'd go Keh before touching ebay any time, you may pay a little more, but you have that return policy and they are very conservative in ratings.
 

compuwar

macrumors 601
Oct 5, 2006
4,717
2
Northern/Central VA
So after looking around I think that I will probably go for the 300mm f/4, and look around for a used 80-200mm. Does anyone here own those lenses, and if so could you post some pictures that you took with them.

I own the 300/4, but it's been lent out since I've been shooting digital, however pBase is a good resource- hit the "more" link and you can browse all day:

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/300_4_afs
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/300_45_edif_ais
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/80-200_28d_afs

I'd go with the AF-S version of the 300, though both are stellar.

You won't be unhappy with either lens, they're both fantastic and the best values out there in good condition.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.