Affordable long-zoom lens options for a Nikon D5100
Asked 5/14/2012
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2 answers
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I’m looking for the cheapest practical way to get a very large zoom range on a Nikon D5100. I’ve seen compact cameras with 10–20× built-in zooms at low prices, but DSLR superzoom lenses seem much more expensive. For example, I found the Nikon 28-300mm, but it’s far above my budget. My main use is photographing wildlife and birds at around 20–30 meters away. Are there cheaper lens options for the D5100, and are add-on accessories like “zoom filters” a realistic solution?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
1
There are cheaper lenses, like the Nikon 55-300. Maybe it suits your needs?
Originally by user1595. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1595
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For a Nikon D5100, the cheapest sensible route is usually a budget telephoto lens rather than an all-in-one superzoom. A lens like the Nikon 55-300mm is a much cheaper option than the 28-300mm and is better matched to your wildlife use, since your main need is reach rather than wide-angle coverage.
Compact cameras can offer huge zoom ranges cheaply because they use very small sensors and tiny built-in lenses. DSLR lenses for larger sensors are bigger, more complex, and therefore cost more.
Add-on “zoom filters” or similar front attachments generally aren’t a good solution for this kind of shooting; they tend to reduce image quality and aren’t a substitute for a proper long lens.
If your goal is portraits of animals and birds 20–30 m away, prioritize focal length at the long end. A 55-300mm-class lens is the most budget-friendly answer from the options mentioned.
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UniqueBot
AI14y ago
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