by _Chag

Question by L F: What is the best 70-300 lens for a nikon DX or FX body?
Right now I have a Nikon D60 and I will eventually upgrade to a D700? I want to purchase a 70-300 lens that will also work in the FX format cameras. I heard great reviews about the tamaron lenses. They are cheaper than Nikon and come with a six year warranty. If you are using a tamaron lens, please let me know your experience with it.

Best answer:

Answer by George Y
I don’t have a tamron lens (though I’ve used them satisfactorily with my 35mm Nikons) but I’d definitely recommend the Nikon 70-300mm VR. First of all, it has the internal autofocus motor required by your D60. Second, it has the great VR (vibration reduction) feature that allows you to capture images that might otherwise require a tripod. I found it extemely useful on my Nikon 18-200mm VR when I was traveling in China one summer.

If you buy the lens through an Authorized Nikon dealer, it comes with a 5-year warranty.

As for eventual upgrades, be aware of this. Every camera/lens maker had designed in future compatibility into their lenses. 3rd party lens makers have to backwards engineer their optics and will sometimes have to “rechip” their lenses to keep up with future models. By the time you upgrade, Nikon will have newer dslr models with new features. Every Nikon-made lens will be compatible. There’s no guarantee with Tokina, Tamron, Sigma, etc.

Here’s a couple of reviews of the Nikon 70-300mm VR.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70-300-vr.htm

http://www.bythom.com/70300VRlens.htm

And some comparisons between the Nikon and Tamron for you.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=315&sort=7&cat=28&page=3

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=254&sort=7&cat=43&page=2

I think you’ll find the Nikon beats the Tamron on all counts.

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