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? asked in Consumer ElectronicsCameras · 11 months ago

What is a good zoom lens that I can get for a Nikon APS-C camera ?

I am looking for 70-200mm ish range.

I rented the 55-200mm VR1 version. Image sharpens was not the best.

So What other options can I look for ?

It seems like there are not mnay native Nikon zooms for DX format.

I am open to Sigma , Tamron as well

any help thank

2 Answers

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    11 months ago
    Favorite Answer

    You leave out something very important for choosing a lens... your budget.

    I can recommend lenses all day long, but none of them are free. The current model of the Nikon 70-200 F/2.8 VR runs about $2,100 retail. If you have that kind of cash lying around, it is the best possible choice in the range you want.

    Being for a Nikon, the model of your camera is also important. There is a very good lens in the 70-300 AF-P VR model, which runs about $400, but not all Nikon cameras can use it. Nobody would call it a "pro" lens, but it has very good image quality and focus is very fast. The issue is that some older digital will not even recognize that it is there, and some that it will recognize the lens will not autofocus. There is another, non-VR version of this lens that is much cheaper, but the VR is worth the cost. 

    The older 70-300 AF-S model is still out there, something like $500 or so, but compatible with all models of Nikon digital cameras. Before the AF-P model, this was the lens most popular with those that just couldn't swing the cash for the 70-200 F/2.8.

    Tamron ($800-ish) and Sigma ($1,100-ish if I remember correctly) also do 70-200 F/2.8 models that will work with your Nikon. There is a 70-300 Tamron that I would avoid, decent image quality but takes about 30 minutes to find focus... less than $200.

    Also avoid the Nikon 70-300 G model, usually also less than $200. Just don't.

    There is a huge used lens market out there, and you can buy them with confidence from places like B&H Photo and KEH Camera. A 70-200 F/2.8 is still going to be a lot of money, just not as much as a new one.

  • qrk
    Lv 7
    11 months ago

    70-200 lenses will generally be FX (works great on DX).

    The 70-200 f/2.8 is a wonderful lens.

    The 70-200 f/4 is also good, but not as fast as the f/2.8.

    Avoid the Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 since it has horrible spherical aberration at closer ranges.

    Third party lenses, beware of focus mechanism. Many 3rd party lenses require a focus motor in the body. D3xxx and D5xxx bodies don't have focus motors in body.

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