Nikon 70-300mm AF Zoom or Sigma 70-300 APO

[EasyJimbo]

Hi Guys

I have a D300s and want a good zoom lens but I am on a budget. I do alot of motorsport photography and want a 70-300mm lens. I cant decide between the 2 above, would apreciate any advice. They are both around the £150 mark new

thanks
J

[chris-p]

Which Nikon 70-300 are you looking at as the current one isn't £150, its more like £500?

Reviews of the Sigma are generally poor. The Tamron 50-200 and Sigma equivalents do better.

[EasyJimbo]

I am looking at the Nikon 70-300 without VR which is around £150.

I have heard good things about the Tamron lens

J

[chris-p]

It really depends on what you consider acceptable. None of the cheap 70-300's get very good reviews. They all suffer from a lot of CA and distortion and they're not very sharp.

What other lenses do you have for your D300? I would expect most people who've upgraded to the D300 to have a selection of lenses already. This seems like an odd choice for that level of camera.

[EasyJimbo]

Hi
I upgraded from a D50 recently and have 2 lenses the 55mm kit lens and the Nikon 55-200mm VR lens.

J

[chris-p]

Well personally I'd go for the Tamron or the Nikon simply because they get the least bad of the reviews! I would consider part exchanging your 55-200 into it but you're not likely to get much for it.

Have you had a look around at used lenses?

[pgenon]

Hi,

I also have a D300, I also do motorsport photography and I used to have the non-VR Nikkor 70-300. I had it since my film SLR days (it's not exactly a new lens!) and only used it also with a D70 DLSR. I have since updated to the VR version.

If you have the 55-200 VR I would not bother with the 70-300 non-VR.

The VR comes in really handy in motorsport photos and having compared directly I am fairly confident in what I am saying. I know equivalent photos are much better with the VR, or whatever other improvements the VR lens has.

Also don't forget that quality of such zooms drops towards the long end so you it is often best to avoid going over 250mm.

If I was you I would be patient and save up either for the 70-300 VR or even for the longer Sigma tele zooms as I just don't think the non-VR 70-300 is a worth while expense in your situation.

In the meantime remember focal length is not everthing. You can take good shots with a 200mm, maybe not at Silverstone but most other UK tracks or rally stages.

Hope you find this useful.

Pierre

[andrewinpompey]

I have previously owned the 'G' version of the Nikon 70-300mm (the oldest one), and currently have the VR version. From memory, I think it is the 'ED' version that you are talking about, which in quality is meant to be somewhere between the two, but I can't speak from personal experience of it. However in quality I have the impression the ED is nearer the G than the VR version? I found the VR significantly better than the G, for example in autofocus speed, which would be important for you in motorsport perhaps. But I never found the G to be as bad as people say in terms of sharpness etc.

But as people say above, if you have the 55-200 VR, I'd pass over the 70-300 and look to save up for something like the Sigma 140-400mm. A camera like the D300S deserves a good lens!