Tele lens for D3000 for kids' sports

coming late to this party ...

If I recall correctly the default jpeg output of the D3000 was reputed to be a bit soft. That could tweeked a bit in settings. It has the 9 point AF module (not sure if is the same as the D90?)

I had the 55-300 for a time shooting on a D90 and D3300 at the time. It wasn't a bad lens but I on sold it (and got an AF-P DX 70-300).

I have heard good things about the 55-200 VR ii, so I would think that would be a very good place to start. Depending on the sport and the ground/venue layout 200mm may be more than adequate.


Only then would I start to think about 'heavy artillery' like a 70-200 lens, which will cost more and weigh (much) more, after having tried out the smaller, less expensive lens. 70-200 very good lenses no doubt and I expect that their f2.8, very good internal AF and sharpness should give good results.

I haven't used either of the 18-300s but I started with a D60 (immediate predecessor of D3000) and the Nikon 18-200. I found the 18-200 quite a versatile lens. I still have the lens though I don't use it as much.

Howard V said:

David, you are exactly right about that last 100mm. I bought the 55-300 for extra reach, while owning the 55-200, which ended up being the sharper lens, less bulky and easier to haul around. The 55-300 got sold.

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Well there we go Howard, thanks for the endorsement. What I wrote was based on theory but you have tried it out in practice and we come to the same conclusion.

I suspect it’s ok, but I’ve never heard many good things about the 55-300. If the 55-200 is too short for the sports you are shooting the 70-300 VR is probably the best choice. It’s a LOT larger than the 55-200. That’s a Goldilocks lens for me. Sharp, small, light. And due to VR, you won’t need super high ISO, so even if the lens is a tad short, you can crop a bit.

mmditter said:

I suspect it’s ok, but I’ve never heard many good things about the 55-300. If the 55-200 is too short for the sports you are shooting the 70-300 VR is probably the best choice. It’s a LOT larger than the 55-200. That’s a Goldilocks lens for me. Sharp, small, light. And due to VR, you won’t need super high ISO, so even if the lens is a tad short, you can crop a bit.

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The AF-S 70-300 VR is not one of the better lenses today, the AF-P 70-300 VR is far better, in another league, but will not work with a D7000.

The solution is the Sigma 100-400 C, a lovely lens, all the way to 400mm!

I have owned (or own) all three lenses, plus the Tamron 70-300 VC which is light and nice, but does not accept any kind of back-lighting, which makes it problematic for shooting sports.

So go with the Sigma 100-400 C, a lens I use with my Nikon 1 cameras, my D3300, D7500, and my D600!

Tord S Eriksson said:

So go with the Sigma 100-400 C, a lens I use with my Nikon 1 cameras, my D3300, D7500, and my D600!

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I looked at the Sigma 100-400 very closely at one point a few years ago. I liked it and very nearly bought one but went instead with the Nik 300/f4 prime. Of course, that is a lot less flexible but the image quality is terrific.

Flying peregrine falcon


D300 (I think); Nik 300/F4

This is the fastest bird on the planet. No child playing sports can be faster. These are not cheap lenses though.

David Lal said:

Tord S Eriksson said:

So go with the Sigma 100-400 C, a lens I use with my Nikon 1 cameras, my D3300, D7500, and my D600!

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I looked at the Sigma 100-400 very closely at one point a few years ago. I liked it and very nearly bought one but went instead with the Nik 300/f4 prime. Of course, that is a lot less flexible but the image quality is terrific.

Flying peregrine falcon


D300 (I think); Nik 300/F4

These are not cheap lenses though.

Click to expand...

I almost bought that lens, too, took some test shots, but instead bought the D3300.

--
tordseriksson (at) gmail.....
Owner of a handful of Nikon cameras. And a few lenses. DxO PhotoLab user.
WSSA #456

either a 55-200 or the 55-300 DX lenses.

They're inexpensive and should pair well with the D3000's sensor. Don't expect autofocus wonders, but the D3000 isn't exactly a speedster either.