Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR

[amigmigue]

I'm new here and love photography(not new but amateur). I have a Nikon 18-200 that I use for everything; however, I would like more zoom for soccer events (kids) and I was thinking on buying a Nikon 55-300. any coments on the Nikon 55-300 vs thisone?
Thanks for the help.

[lokerd]

Hi Miguel. Welcome aboard! Are you still using the D40x?

This is a tough question. The 70-200 is one of Nikon's finest lenses, and shooting at 2.8 is really nice at 200mm. It will make quite a big difference compared to shooting at 200/300 at 5.6.

How old are your kids? If younger, then you have a lot of years to follow them and shoot great pictures and will justify the expense of the better lens. The better lens will also survive camera upgrades.

On the other hand, the D40x is a pretty old camera. I think for a $1200, get a D7k and you get a lot more bang for your buck. It will kick (no pun intended) new life into your 18-200 for sports photography...and you pick up video of your kids. The D40 is ok, but sticking a 70-200 on it, and it is still going to be tough to follow the sports action, not to mention kind of awkward. I shoot with a D40 with the 70-200 occasionally as a 5th camera (weddings...with two other cameras around my neck and two others out to other photographers) and it is a little odd, although surprisingly light.

[amigmigue]

Thanks Drew for your input.

Yes, I’m using the D40X still, and for what I can get on your message, I think it will be better thinking on replacing the camera before getting another lens, so what is your take between the d5100 and the d7000? Does the d7k worth the extra $450?

Thank you again.

[wymjym]

if I can jump in, I have a d5100 and had a d7000. I sold the d7000 with intentions of replacing it with the yet unannounced D300s succesor. The d7000 will give you better af speed and the all critical ability to fine tune the lenses.
the d5100 has the video ability and the flippy screen is helpful.
The 70-200 will be a big asset and probably will not lose ANY value into the future.

wj

[lokerd]

I think the d7k is a much better decision. For one MUCH better lens options. Two us the front command dial. It will take some getting used too, but it makes life a lot easier. The main thing to me is that moving from a d40 to a d5100 will be nice, but moving to the d7k will be a whole new level of camera. The price will be easily mitigated if you keep the camera for any length of time, which seems likely since you are still using the d40. I haven't shot with the d5100, but the 7k is one of the smoothest cameras I have used.