[voyageur]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

All three have two version of 70-300 lens. One version is cheaper (costs around 6 - 8,000) and lacks VR + many other other things.

E.g.: Nikkor has a 70-300 that costs around 7,000

http://www.flipkart.com/nikon-af-zoo...mdxsrgndw8fbag

Other 70-300 from Nikkor is more expensive (Around 32k), but has better image quality and has VR.

Tamron also sells a version with VR (called VC). That costs 30.

Tamron's cheaper version is around 7k, it lacks VR and uses simpler glass.

Originally Posted by tsk1979

The Nikon 70-300 VR is actually the cheapest good quality 300mm lens you can buy. You can go for the 10-12000 versions, but they do not cut in terms of image quality. Its better to save up and get a decent lens(if not top of the line 60-70000 lens), than get an entry level 70-300

I have used entry level 70-300, and results were rubbish

I would never buy a telephoto without VR if its Nikkor, but it looks a bit expensive at 32k. Hence I was looking for a lens by other manufacturers like Sigma or Tamron which would be cheaper than 70-300 VR (32K) and which would give me almost the same results as the 70-300 VR.


Thanks

Edit : I did a small research and the reviewers vote for 70-300 vr.

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by voyageur

I would never buy a telephoto without VR if its Nikkor, but it looks a bit expensive at 32k.

Given the cost of lenses, now I am leaning towards renting instead of buying.

Rent for 70-300VR is around 1000 Rs. per day in Mumbai.

[voyageur]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

Given the cost of lenses, now I am leaning towards renting instead of buying.

Rent for 70-300VR is around 1000 Rs. per day in Mumbai.

I was researching all this while and looks like Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di USD VC Lens is the cheaper one compared to nikon and actually gives good results.

I might consider buying this, it's 27k in ebay.


Cheers

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by voyageur

Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di USD VC.. 27k

This is also a good lens but stay away from Tamron+ Ebay combination. Buy online only if it is Amazon fulfilled or WS Retail on Flipkart.

Ideally, buy it locally and test prior to payment.

Reason is QC issues and variance from piece to piece. This thread has an example of Tamron 150-600mm being sent back. Tamron will eventually fix things, but it is easier if you check before paying for it (or if you can return it easily as is the case with Amazon fulfilled orders).

[dre@ms]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

Buy online only if it is Amazon fulfilled or WS Retail on Flipkart.

How about Snapdeal? The lens i am looking for is only available there, cheap.

[nilanjanray]

I have used the 70-300mm VR extensively. Can vouch for it - majority of my photos have been taken with it.

I haven't tried the Nikon non VR versions, but I did try a Canon non-IS one. Was disappointed.

B/w 70-200mm - when stopped down - it even gives its expensive cousins a run for their money.

There is a blog by Brad Hill, a wildlife photographer based out of Canada. He has done some extensive tests about various telezoom and primes, for different distances. E.g. there is a very interesting article about various ways to get to 400mm. He uses top Nikon gear - D4S, 400mm f/2.8 etc., and his photos are good - so one can trust his judgement.

Re Nikon, Canon and Adobe: AFAIK, Nikon still wants to keep NEF as a proprietary format (wrong strategy IMO - since Nikon has stopped supporting Capture NX2 - so no more money to be made selling SW). But Canon shares all data with Adobe.

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by dre@ms

How about Snapdeal?

I do not have much experience with Snapdeal myself.

[ajay_satpute]

Guys, are there any issues on purchasing lenses from Singapore? One my friends is visiting Singapore and asking me if he can get any equipment from there, which is either expensive in India or not available.

Can you help?

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by ajay_satpute

Guys, are there any issues on purchasing lenses from Singapore? One my friends is visiting Singapore and asking me if he can get any equipment from there, which is either expensive in India or not available.

Can you help?

Nikon warranty will not be valid in India. Check the prices in Singapore, as in many cases now a days you may get them cheaper from e-tailers in India.

[navin]

Originally Posted by Aroy

Nikon warranty will not be valid in India. Check the prices in Singapore, as in many cases now a days you may get them cheaper from e-tailers in India.

Don't know about Nikon, but Canon fixed my 17-55 for almost free (few hundred rs) and I had NOT got it from an authorised store. It was over 6 years old when I sent it. I dropped it and that's what I told them. Sometimes I guess you just get lucky, or is Canon's policy different from Nikon?

[kaushik_s]

Originally Posted by navin

Don't know about Nikon, but Canon fixed my 17-55 for almost free (few hundred rs) and I had NOT got it from an authorised store. It was over 6 years old when I sent it. I dropped it and that's what I told them. Sometimes I guess you just get lucky, or is Canon's policy different from Nikon?

Not sure about Nikon but Canon service have been exemplary all the time I have been there. They are pretty awesome when it comes to customer satisfaction and delivery of the repairs.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by navin

Don't know about Nikon, but Canon fixed my 17-55 for almost free (few hundred rs) and I had NOT got it from an authorised store. It was over 6 years old when I sent it. I dropped it and that's what I told them. Sometimes I guess you just get lucky, or is Canon's policy different from Nikon?

Recently did service for my Canon 18-55 lens and the charges came upto around 1100. The service charge for an entry level DSLR is also around the same range.

Good experience overall.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by navin

is Canon's policy different from Nikon?

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Good experience overall.

Dont know about policies. But in general even I was very happy with Canon services in Bangalore. Gave 550D for maintenance after 4 years. Similar charges, but very professional. I have heard similar good feedbacks from some of my friends who much more aware than me.

[manas27587]

Do canon have a service centre in Mumbai?

[kaushik_s]

Originally Posted by manas27587

Do canon have a service centre in Mumbai?

Canon have Level IV service centers in Bangalore, Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai. Their website gives me this address :
Mumbai
Canon India Pvt. Ltd
4th Floor & 5th Floor,
Natraj by Rustomjee,
194, Junction of Western Express Highway
& Andheri Kurla Road,
Andheri East.
Mumbai 400069
Telephone : 022-67145000