I have scoured the net for a zoom lens to use on my D70 Nikon. I believe about 100-300mm would be just fine. At this time, I am hesitant to go for the 300 telephoto without zoom and need advice!! I need advice big time. Nikkor offers a zoom but the one I see often is a cheap lens and I doubt the performance. So, what to do! I need advice from you who have and do use 300mm or so for nature shots. Is zoom the way to go or better a dedicated 300mm? I hesitate on the non-zoom since the digital equivalent is 450mm and I want to be "less close" at times. Budget is limited but under perhaps $800 US will work(dreaming!). I suspect but "do not know" if manual focus is generally used at 300mm or so. I would suspect MF is best but a lens with digital compatible stuff would be nice. I have the tripod and head...need the lens to get the little "eastern phoebe" up close and other critters. Frustrated...that is TomDart at the moment. I want a lens and will save for it but which one? Helpful advice is really appreciated.(even if from the south, USA, I did manage to say "frustrated" and not flusterated! : )

This is one shot with my D 70 and 70-300 4/5.6 ED Nikkor

I know it could be better and this one was relatively my new trials with this lens.
Besides the downsize and crop it is right out of cam.

Message edited on: 05/09/2005 23:08

Then this guy who was way up there.Again I am sure sttings could be done to improve.

Fixed focal length leses tend to be sharper than Zooms I know this one is considered by many to be the best but unsure of the price here is the URL http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/300EDIF.htm Those images from Doug look great so maybe thats your choices narrowed down!!

I have just recently started shooting with a prime lens. I used and still do, a 100-400 zoom I have gotten excellent results with the zoom. You have much more flexibility with it. There are a couple of big differences. The prime lens has made me a better photographer sounds a little far fetched but it's true. The prime lens forces me to set the shot up better it slows me down getting it set up but that time allows me the time to take more things into consideration lighting, angle, background ect. As far as being sharp at f8 and above my 100-400 is very sharp, I would recommend that you get a zoom with LD glass it will cost you more but in the long run you will be very happy with the difference. I'm simply amazed in the difference in color between lens my prime lens (LD) color qualities are vastly superior to the zooms I mean night and day. Bottom line if you working on a budget get the zoom maybe a little longer than 300mm but set a side a little savings account for a prime lens down the road then you will have the best of both worlds. Randy

A friend of mine has just purchased a Sigma 80-400 for his D70. He is happy with it and it gets good reviews. I believe this lens sells in the $900.00 range, but not sure.

One more note the above lens has OS that helps when hand holding.

Well I can't really add much here, esp since I am from the UK and we work in sterling. hehe. I have the nikon 70-300mm G lense for my D70. This is a budget choice I know, but I couldn't resist it for 99 new. It is the budget version of what dbgrafix has (without the ED glass) but still great value for money. But my advice would be of course, if you have the money, spend of much of it as possible :) I would still buy a zoom if I had more money, just for the flexibility really. Mr Seagull above is at 300mm, just cropped.

Not so confused now, still many choices...the bedraggle is gone. The pics taken with these lenses help for certain.