Zoom Lens 2.8 70-300

I hope someone here can help me. My girlfriend is a professional

photographer and for Christmas she is asking for a Nikon zoom lens. I remember

her saying she wants a 2.8, 70 by 300. I don't know the jargon well, but

hopefully you can assist me. She will be using this lens with her new Nikon

D300.

 

I've used keh.com in the past to purchase equipment for her, but I don't see

any of these lenses available.

 

Anybody know fo any websites that sell these (used preferable).

 

Thanks

Most likely, she is talking about the 70-200mm/f2.8 AF-S VR zoom:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009MDBQ/photonet

 

There is no 70-300mm/f2.8 lens. I suggest you double check with her about it.

there is no 70-300 with f2.8 Chris... There is the current 70-200 or the previous 80-200

with f2.8..

thanks guys :)

 

Can these be found used anywhere?

Have you heard of eBay? :-)

 

We also have a classified section here in photo.net:

http://www.photo.net/gc/domain-multi

 

If you would like to buy used from a store, I would try http://keh.com

Shun,

 

keh.com is awesome, but unless I'm searching wrong, I don't see a 70-200 for sale.

Chris, KEH is a reliable store for used camera equipment in general, but I didn't verify their stock beforehand.

you can check your local craigslist or recycler. this runs about 1200-1300 used.

Look for the 80-200 F2.8, as well as the 70-200 VR F2.8. Optically about the same but without VR (vibration reduction).

Try this store. They had a used 70-200 VR 2-days ago. He is honest and dependable.

 

http://www.allenscamera.com/

I was in Samy's camera in Los Angeles yesterday and they have a Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VR

factory refurbished for around $1200-1300. I don't know if it's on their web site. It was all I

could do to not buy it, but just don't have the money (and have not used a credit card in 10

years).

 

http://www.samys.com/

70-200mm for Christmas? Damn, that's one high maintenance girlfriend you got there. I hope you're a loaded lawyer or doctor or something. :)

KEH - they're awesome, but if you're looking for a relatively modern lense like the VR

lenses, you'll need to check every day to see if they have one. There are a lot of people

who want to buy recent lenses at used prices, and the used ones stay in stock at a dealer

only if (1) they are way overpriced, or (2) the dealer has a lousy reputation.

 

Beware of #1 especially. I've seen many an eBay auction approach or surpass the price of

the same item, new from B&H Photo. Similarly, on Craigslist I've seen many items offered

at the same price as a new item, once manufacturer's rebates, sales, etc. are taken into

account. "List" price is not the same as market price, try B&H, MPEX and KEH to get a

better idea of the market.

Nikon's 70-300 zooms are slower, variable aperture types not intended for heavy duty pro or serious amateur use. The newer VR version has gotten praise but, again, may not be suitable for photojournalists or wildlife photographers whose equipment may be exposed to bumps and extreme temperatures.

 

An alternative to the excellent 70-200/2.8 VR Nikkor is the 120-300/2.8 Sigma, which has also received praise. However, unlike the 70-200/2.8 Nikkor and more recent version of the 70-300 Nikkor, it doesn't feature any sort of image stabilization or vibration reduction technology ("OS" in Sigma parlance). But the Sigma is likely to be just as expensive as the 70-200/2.8 Nikkor.

 

Ya really love this gal, hmm? Sure an engagement ring wouldn't be more appropriate? ;>

This is a lens best bought new and not gray market. It is a complex and expensive lens and easily subject to costly damage by even relatively mild abuse (compared to my old Nikkor 80-200/2.8). While many gray market lenses can be repaired by independent Nikon authorized repair shops; this lens often cannot be adequately repaired anywhere but at Nikon Service, and they won't touch it if it's gray market and you won't know if you bought a gray market lens unless you buy from an authorized Nikon dealer or after you send the lens to Nikon and they either accept or reject it (they will not even give you the information over the phone prior to seeing the actual lens). As your girlfriend is a pro, it is also a significant tax deductible expense and as such not an appropriate "gift" (more like a mutually agreed upon purchase).

I should point out that there is also a 70-300mm/f4.5-5.6 AF-S VR lens that is much cheapter at below $500, but it is not a constant f2.8 zoom:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/449088-USA/Nikon_2161_70_300mm_f_4_5_6G_AF_S_VR.html

 

Again, I would double check with the photographer. I sure don't want to cause a $1600 error.