Nikkor 18-300mm lens question

[kgreen]

A while back I was thinking about buying a lens that would give me more zoom than my 18-105mm. I would love to buy the nikkor 18-300mm lens, but so far it is still way out of my budget. Is there a lens that you could recommend for the extra reach, & less expensive. $500.00 or less. I love my 18-105mm, & don't want to replace it. However there are times that I could really use the extra reach, for example when I took my kids to the zoo last summer. There were times I just couldn't get in close enough, & just had to crop in later. Any help in the right direction would be great! Thanks

 

[iheartmickey1111]

I LOVE the Nikkor 18-300!!! Went on a 6 day solo Disney photography trip last Oct. with it and while I LOVE the reach and the photos... that thing is a BEAST. It is SO heavy! I definitely won't lug that around on any more future Disney trips...love the lens though!

 

[kgreen]

I had read on a review about it being really heavy. So deffiently not one to keep on the camera all the time, just when you need the extra zoom. Which worries me, because the thought of spending $1,000 on a lens that would stay in my bag maybe more often than not is really hard to justify to my husband that "I need it" lol I think I may be digging my own grave!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I was very lucky to be able to get the Nikkor 18-300 lens last month when Nikon put them on sale. I saved $300. I bought it primarily for my Alaskan cruise next year so I wouldn't have to keep changing lenses while on board. It is heavier than my 55-300 lens so I won't use it for a walk around lens.

 

[havoc315]

I recommend against "super zooms" like the 18-300.... For "all in one convenience" -- you pay a massive price, take on excess weight, and you give up image quality.

For less money, less weight, and with MUCH better image quality, get a telephoto zoom lens.... The trade off, is that you will need to change lenses when you need the telephoto.

For the price, especially with current rebate, it's hard to beat the Tamrom 70-300 VC usd. Super high quality, ultra silent focusing, great image quality, $350 with current rebates.
So about $700 less.... and all around, a much much better lens than the Nikon 18-300.

 

[kgreen]

I recommend against "super zooms" like the 18-300.... For "all in one convenience" -- you pay a massive price, take on excess weight, and you give up image quality.

For less money, less weight, and with MUCH better image quality, get a telephoto zoom lens.... The trade off, is that you will need to change lenses when you need the telephoto.

For the price, especially with current rebate, it's hard to beat the Tamrom 70-300 VC usd. Super high quality, ultra silent focusing, great image quality, $350 with current rebates.
So about $700 less.... and all around, a much much better lens than the Nikon 18-300.

Thanks for the info, & recommendation! I'm going to check it out now. I don't mind having to switch lenses, if it means having the right lens for the situation. I would rather not lug around a super heavy lens. Thanks again!

 

[havoc315]

Not sure how the 70-300 compares to the 18-300 in size... It may be comparable in terms of size alone.

But the Nikon 55-300 is much smaller than the Nikon 18-300. And much cheaper. And truthfully, also probably gives superior image quality. I don't have experience with the Nikon lenses, though I do have positive experiences with that Tamron lens.

 

[kgreen]

Thanks again! I did look around for the Tamron 70-300 last night, found one for $350.00. Sounds like a pretty good deal!