Need some quick lens advice

[Grandpaw]

If I was interested in getting a used Nikon zoom about 200-400mm that would work on my Nikon D80 what would I expect to pay? F4.5 to 5.6 range and with no VR, I do want auto focus, I would like the VR but don't think I can afford it, Jeff

What I am really after is something that will take fairly sharp pictures in about this zoom range that will work on my D80


I put this here instead of the Nikon forum to hopefully get a quicker response.

[Frog]

All the nikon lenses work on the d80, grandpaw.

[Grandpaw]

All the nikon lenses work on the d80, grandpaw.

Not all of them have auto focus or will work with the light metering system, Jeff

[another view]

A lot of zooms are a bit of a compromise - especially at lower prices. Nikon has a great 200-400 but it's about five grand... How about the older autofocus 300 f4 prime? I had one of the manual focus versions (300 f4.5 EDIF AIS) that was probably the sharpest lens I ever owned. I've seen a lot of 300 f4 AF lenses sell for under $500, or the newer 300 f4 AF-S for about $1200 new.

Downside of the AF version is the 82mm filter size, but personally I never used filters on my 300. Downside of the AF-S is the less than perfect tripod mount.

Even with a 1.4x teleconverter, any of these 300mm lenses will be very sharp.

[freygr]

If I was interested in getting a used Nikon zoom about 200-400mm that would work on my Nikon D80 what would I expect to pay? F4.5 to 5.6 range and with no VR, I do want auto focus, I would like the VR but don't think I can afford it, Jeff

What I am really after is something that will take fairly sharp pictures in about this zoom range that will work on my D80


I put this here instead of the Nikon forum to hopefully get a quicker response.

Look at this link and make sure the lens will work with the functions: http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/slr-lens.html.

Please note that there are some older Nikon lenses that can damage the D-80 camera!

[Grandpaw]

Look at this link and make sure the lens will work with the functions: http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/slr-lens.html.

Please note that there are some older Nikon lenses that can damage the D-80 camera!

Thanks for the link I will put that in my favorites for future use. It didn't take much looking to see that a Nikon zoom was out of my budget but i did go ahead and get the Sigma 135-400 APO AF lens like new for a very good price from someone I know and I also had the opportunity to try it out for a week first. I did respond to you yesterday but I see it isn't here so I will try one more time. Thanks to everyone for your help, Jeff