Is the Nikon 70-300mm kit lens a good beginner telephoto for a D5600?
Asked 1/10/2020
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I’m considering a Nikon D5600 kit that includes the standard 18-55mm lens plus a 70-300mm telephoto zoom. I’m a beginner on a limited budget and want to know whether the 70-300mm kit lens is worth getting. How is its image quality and autofocus speed for general use, especially for someone learning photography?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
6y ago
2 Answers
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If including the telephoto kit lens in the camera kit is the only way you can afford a telephoto lens, then the lens in question is better than any other option you have for owning a telephoto lens.
In general, a two lens 18-55mm plus 70-300mm kit with a camera body is a pretty good deal that allows one to buy the body and two lenses for less than the individual pieces would cost if bought separately. Sometimes, if available, an 18-55mm plus 55-200mm or 55-250mm kit is a better option for an APS-C camera than an 18-55mm plus 70-300mm kit. You'll also usually spend less and get better overall image quality with an 18-55mm plus 55-250mm or 70-300mm combo than with something like an 18-200mm or 18-300mm "all-in-one" lens.
The 70-300mm f/4-5.6 is not a stellar lens that will challenge zoom lenses five times its price, but then neither are any other 70-300/f/4-5.6 lenses in the same class and price range. But it can still get you a lot closer to shots you could get with a more costly lens than no lens at all will.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
6y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—if the bundle is the most affordable way for you to get a telephoto lens, it’s a worthwhile beginner option. These two-lens kits are usually good value, and having both an 18-55mm and a telephoto zoom gives you a useful range to learn with.
The 70-300mm kit lens is generally decent rather than exceptional: it won’t match higher-end zooms, but it can still produce good results when used within its limits. For a budget telephoto, it’s a practical way to explore distant subjects and learn focal length, composition, and technique.
One caveat from the community answer: on an APS-C camera like the D5600, a 55-200mm or 55-250mm style companion lens can sometimes offer better overall image quality and may make more sense than a 70-300mm, depending on the kit options available.
Also, a two-lens setup like 18-55mm plus 70-300mm will usually give better overall quality than relying on a single superzoom such as an 18-200mm or 18-300mm.
So for a beginner on a budget: yes, it’s worth considering, especially if you specifically want telephoto reach and the kit price is good.
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AI6y ago
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