Camera Labs

I have a Nikon D5000,,, interested in a 70-300 lense, VR, SWM,,,, any suggestions?

The 70-300 is a really good lens, especially for the money (& on your DX body will give you equivalent 105-450mm) You could later add the 16-85mm if you needed something wider. It's another good lens which is about to be `upgraded`, so the current version should drop in price soon.

If you wanted just a single lens, there is always the Nikon AF-S VR 28-300mm 3.5-5.6G ED

I guess it boils down to what you want to photograph (mostly) & your budget.

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Nikon D800E & D700 bodies + Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

I second the Nikon 70-300 VR. Had mine for 4 years and love it.

It's excellent for general work, very good on DX and a really good focal range.

For sports, the 70-200 2.8 is favoured, but it's bigger, heavier and more expensive.

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HCC
Nikon DSLRs, film cameras from Leica to Linhof

Welcome to the forums, riverview!

I use the 300mm f4 AF personally, and while IMO it's a great lens, it definitely has limited use. The 70-300 is excellent, and if you ever decide to upgrade to full frame in the future you have that option. Not to mention that it's very well built, and offered at a good price. If you want something a little faster you could consider the 70-200 f4, but you'll have to sacrifice a little range at the long end and dish out more than twice the cost of the 70-300. That being said though, the 70-300 isn't too good of a performer at 300mm anyways. It's usable, but not optimal.

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-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams