Budget Z telephoto or telephoto zoom choices

Started Nov 28, 2022 | Discussions thread
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rscott900ss
rscott900ss Regular Member • Posts: 482
Budget Z telephoto or telephoto zoom choices

As a hobbyist with a somewhat low budget, I "ease into" good Nikkor glass.  In the F--mount days, that meant buying outdated but formerly top-grade lenses, like my AF 80-200 f/2.8 one-ring zoom, AF 180mm f/2.8 or AF 300mm f/4.  I still love these lenses.  I also picked up an AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E.

My lightweight zooms include the AF 70-210 f/4-5.6D and AF 70-300 f/4-5.6D which were purchased at ridiculously cheap used prices. These lenses are handy, but don't compare to the ones previously mentioned.

After buying a Z 7II and accumulating some Z-mount glass, I am anxious to expand my Z lens selection.  But the budget issue rears its ugly head; these things are pricey.  I'm happy with my 14-30/4 S, 24-70/4 S, 50/1.8 S and 40/2.  Along with my FTZII and my older Nikkor stuff, I feel almost well-equipped enough.

Except that my F-mount telephoto stuff is all screw-drive (except for the somewhat impracticably large 200-500mm).  I don't have a handy Z-mount telephoto or telephoto zoom and the affordable choices don't excite me much.  When I see the "6.3" in the max aperture figures for the Nikkor 24-200/4-6.3 or Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3, it turns me off.

Should I accept these small max apertures as my only choice?  Should I wait a while and see what comes around?

What are your thoughts?

 rscott900ss's gear list:rscott900ss's gear list
Nikon Z7 II Nikon Z 24-70mm F4 Nikon Z 50mm F1.8 Nikon Z 14-30mm F4 Nikon Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR +22 more
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