I've always been a Canon shooter, but I recently picked up a D7000, 24-120 (the variable aperture one), and a SB800 off of ebay, and a Sigma 30 and Tamron 60mm 2.0 macro off of B/S. Essentially this will be my travel kit - replacing a 60d. (I am keeping my Canon full frame and L lenses.) This is a bit random and I've done some of the searching/review reading, but am finding the options a bit dizzying as I am just not as familiar with the Nikon system.

I'd love to get an older 2.8 lens if there are any that are good and cheap, but would also consider any of the 200-300mm length zooms if they are reasonably compact and sharp. In a nutshell, what's the best, affordable telephoto Nikon offerings?

As an aside, I was originally planning on getting a 50 1.8(g), but love macro and thought the Tamron 2.0 might kill 2 birds with one stone. Anyone have any experience/comparison with those?

After travelling with the 70-200 f/2.8 VRI on a few occasions, I brought the Nikon 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR on my last trip. It's oviously not in the same class of lens, but it weighs far less and doesn't have much to apologize for under the 200mm mark. Given how much more convenient it is to carry around all day, I also tend to use it more than I would the 70-200.


Methoni Castle and the Bourtzi, The Peloponnese
Nikon 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR (D700)
200mm f/8 1/160s
processed via Capture NX2, Color Efex 3

70-300 VR gets my vote, its cheap ($340ish used) and has great quality. Make sure to get the VR version. Very important.

The 70-300 VR is highly thought of by many street shooters.

How does it compare with the Tamron version? They look pretty similar...

I gather from the banter that they're comparable.

In addition, if you want a faster lens, there's the perpetually recommended 105 f/2.5 AI or AIS manual focus lens (used only) that does some things better than my 70-200 f/2.8 VRI.

And hey, if we're talking lenses for travel, I've found that the 14-24 f/2.8 is my favorite. It's not for everyone, but if there are reasons to shoot Nikon at the moment, that lens one of them.

From Nikon I think the 70-300 VR is a great choice. I had one for a while and was very happy with it, I sold it when I got my 70-200 2.8 which is wonderful but in a different class...

You mentioned older 2.8 zooms, I had a Nikon 80-200 F2.8 AFD(the two ring version) and it was an awesome lens. Quality was just as good as my 70-200 VR just didnt have the VR which I needed...

On a third party note, I've always been intrigued by the Tokina 50-135 2.8... Not quite the same reach but a very useful range and relatively compact lens too...

Some people have mentioned the 70-300mm VR and other have referred to the 70-200mm VR f/2.8. Another option would be the 28-300mm VR that is more expensive than the 70-300mm but less than the 70-200mm. I do have the three lenses and you can get good results with any of them. This is a photo of people hiking a mountain at Acadia National Park (Maine). I used the 28-300mm for the shot.

As mentioned, if you can find a Tokina 50-135, grab it! The only lens I miss from when I shot DX.