2 replies to this topic

[JT's D3500]

My Kit:

Nikon D3500

AF-P Nikkor DX 18-55 1:3.5-5.6 G Zoom

AF-S Nikkor DX 18-140 1:3.5-5.6 G Zoom

 

Sooooo, I'm already thinking that I might want a little something more to 'reach out and touch something' when I'm taking pictures.

 

Any thoughts about the NIKON AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f4.5-6.3G AUTO FOCUS ED ZOOM LENS? I'm seeing a lot of these used, or open box, on eBay. Any cautions when buying a used lens?

 

Looks like 'G', like my other lenses; no aperture ring. Looks like no VR.

 

I'm guessing if I can afford it, the Nikon 70-300mm VR AFP f/4.5-6.3 DX ED would be the way to go?

 

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

John

[Snorky]

I recently upgraded to a D5600 kit which came with an 18-55mm AF-P VR and a non-VR 70-300mm DX ED lens. I would prefer the VR series for both, but was very impressed how "tack sharp" the images are, even hand held.

 

Both lenses are extremely light and plasticy though--not what I expected. 

 

Anyway, with my first test of the 70-300mm, I went to a local park by a river and photographed geese, ducks and... amazingly enough, a blue heron. I shot everything in RAW+JPEG and developed/edited the RAW files. Stunning. I highly recommend this zoom for the price.

 

Watch out for eBay though as it's possible to end up with up with gray market lenses. It's legal, but in most cases, Nikon will not honor any warranty of gray market equipment.

[JT's D3500]

@Snorky - had read that some of these lenses had plastic bodies. Guess that's what you get when you don't pay $800 for a lens? <grin>

 

Watched a photographer's YouTube video about shooting with a 70-300 lens toward the 300mm end of things, with and without tripod. The gist of it - if you have VR, you can probably get away with shooting without a tripod.

 

Ted's Electronics on the Bay has a brand new Nikon 70-300mm VR AFP f/4.5-6.3 DX ED, with some accessories for $187.98. Very up front about it being 'Grey Market':

 

 

 

Every item purchased through TEDS Electronics has a 1 yr. warranty covering manufacturer defect starting date of purchase which can be upgraded to a 3 yr. Mack warranty at a min. fee.


This item may be grey market, but since it has a warranty it does not necessarily matter…. 

 

There are also Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR Lens - Refurbished by Nikon and sold by Adorama; 90 factory warranty and 1-year protection plan from SquareTrade - $14.99. That might be the way to go.

 

John