I have never used the 70-300mm for fish shots. It's a zoom telephoto...not really meant for that. Used it for birding and outdoor shots (zoo and garden stuff) and it performed well. Focus is not bad. Not lightning quick by any means (like my 80-200 f/2.8) but acceptable for the range that it covers in my book. Mrs VR likes it on her Fuji S2 Pro because it is very lightweight (which balances well on her camera) and has never complained about it.
So how do I feel about the focus? Good/Acceptable. Can it be used for fish shots? Would not recommend it. Hence, no, I have no fish shots with it.
I guess my overall comment...as I stated in the last post...is that I would hate to see you buy that Tamron or Sigma and find the focus sharpness lacking for what you want to do and then you've just spent $120-$140 on a 3rd party lens that you might only get $50-$80 "used" for and then have to spend $$$ again to get something more along the lines you want. If it will only take you, say, three more months to save up for something like the 28-105mm I would rather see you do that then jump on one of the lenses you initially asked about.
Photography is just like reefing....you get what you pay for when it comes to glass...most times. The only difference is that some of the "entrance fees" into different types of photography (like macro) can be really steep.
Case and point...here is my current lens "amazingly insane wish list". I say "amazingly insane" because, well, you'll get the idea. Ignore the "off" numbering....there was a bunch of other equipment in front of the lenses. I also have to plan for lens overlap 'cause, well, I'm sure my wife will swipe a couple periodically to use (like she did with my 28-105mm the last time we were out shooting...grrrr).
8) Nikon 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR $514.95
9) Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VRII DX $749.95
10) Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8D G-AFS ED-IF VR $1,614.95
11) Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR $529.95
12) Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Lens for Nikon AF-D $999.00
13) Nikon Zoom Telephoto AF VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED $1,429.95
14) Nikon 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR $5,099.95
15) Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX $1,199.95
16) Tokina 12-24mm f/4 AT-X 124AF Pro DX $499.95
17) Nikon Telephoto AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR (Vibration Reduction) Autofocus Lens $759.95
In short, if you thought reef keeping was expensive....welcome to photography! It doesn't have to be, but if you want the good stuff it will cost a little. And my list doesn't include any "primes" except for the 105mm Macro, I prefer zooms right now. But primes can get even pricier!
So how do I feel about the focus? Good/Acceptable. Can it be used for fish shots? Would not recommend it. Hence, no, I have no fish shots with it.
I guess my overall comment...as I stated in the last post...is that I would hate to see you buy that Tamron or Sigma and find the focus sharpness lacking for what you want to do and then you've just spent $120-$140 on a 3rd party lens that you might only get $50-$80 "used" for and then have to spend $$$ again to get something more along the lines you want. If it will only take you, say, three more months to save up for something like the 28-105mm I would rather see you do that then jump on one of the lenses you initially asked about.
Photography is just like reefing....you get what you pay for when it comes to glass...most times. The only difference is that some of the "entrance fees" into different types of photography (like macro) can be really steep.
Case and point...here is my current lens "amazingly insane wish list". I say "amazingly insane" because, well, you'll get the idea. Ignore the "off" numbering....there was a bunch of other equipment in front of the lenses. I also have to plan for lens overlap 'cause, well, I'm sure my wife will swipe a couple periodically to use (like she did with my 28-105mm the last time we were out shooting...grrrr).
8) Nikon 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR $514.95
9) Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VRII DX $749.95
10) Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8D G-AFS ED-IF VR $1,614.95
11) Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR $529.95
12) Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Lens for Nikon AF-D $999.00
13) Nikon Zoom Telephoto AF VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED $1,429.95
14) Nikon 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR $5,099.95
15) Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX $1,199.95
16) Tokina 12-24mm f/4 AT-X 124AF Pro DX $499.95
17) Nikon Telephoto AF Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR (Vibration Reduction) Autofocus Lens $759.95
In short, if you thought reef keeping was expensive....welcome to photography! It doesn't have to be, but if you want the good stuff it will cost a little. And my list doesn't include any "primes" except for the 105mm Macro, I prefer zooms right now. But primes can get even pricier!
Last edited:
