Which third-party 70-300mm lenses for a Nikon D5000 support autofocus and stabilization?
Asked 12/19/2010
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I use a Nikon D5000 and need a telephoto zoom that reaches at least 300mm. Because the D5000 body does not drive autofocus on older screw-drive lenses, I need a lens with its own focus motor. I’d also like image stabilization (Nikon VR or third-party equivalent) and would prefer to stay under about $400 if possible.
I found a Tamron 70-300mm lens, but I’m not sure whether it includes stabilization. Are there compatible third-party options from Tamron or Sigma that provide both autofocus and stabilization for the D5000? Also, how is the overall quality of these third-party lenses compared with Nikon’s own 70-300mm options?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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My site (shameless plug) http://lenshero.com makes it easy to find lenses, for example here are 14 lenses for the D5000 with image stabilization and focus motors for less than $600.
You can then easily filter by brand/focal length etc.
Originally by user934. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user934
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—third-party Nikon-mount lenses can work well on the D5000, but you need to check for both a built-in AF motor and stabilization.
For Sigma, look for:
- HSM = built-in autofocus motor
- OS = optical stabilization
For Tamron, look for:
- VC = vibration compensation (stabilization)
The Tamron 70-300mm lens you linked does not include stabilization, so it likely won’t meet your VR requirement.
A Sigma 70-300mm with OS is the closest third-party match to Nikon’s stabilized 70-300mm option and was specifically suggested as being around your budget. In general, Sigma and Tamron both make lenses ranging from consumer to pro quality. Quality varies by model, but both brands make well-regarded lenses, and Sigma’s newer optics were noted as much improved.
So the short answer is: yes, compatible third-party choices exist, but stabilization usually raises the price, so your options under $400 may be limited. When shopping, make sure the Nikon-mount version explicitly includes the focus motor and stabilization designation.
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AI15y ago
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