Nikon zoom lens advice, Help Please!!!!

[Obie303]

I recently purchased a Nikon D80 camera.  Along with all the other bells and whistles, I purchased a Nikon 70-300 mm zoom lens.  The lens was supposed to be a "f/4.5-5.6G  IF-ED".  This is the lens with the VR II technology.  

The problem was that when the camera lens arrived, I ended up with a "G".  Apparently the salesperson quoted me the wrong price.  (I knew it was too good to be true, dammit!)  So my options are to swap out the lens and pay an additonal 400 dollars for the VR lens or take a 100 dollars for the grief and keep the "G".  

I need some help in deciding since I'm just an amature photographer.  Most of my pictures with the zoom are outdoor wildlife.  What is the difference between the technology and do I really need it?  Again, I'm a moron when it comes to photography jargon.  Are the changes noticable between the performance of the two lenses and do you think I'll be better off paying the extra cash for the better lens.  

Thanks,
Obie

[68Raptor]

Being a Canon guy myself I'm not to sure but I use the http://www.dpreview.com site for just about all my camera info. Here is a link to the forum on Nikon lenses.


http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1030

Good luck and good hunting!

[john9001]

the 70-300 G is a good inexpensive lens, but if you are going for outdoor wildlife you would be better off with the VR lens.

[straffo]

You would better get the VR version

I don't know the law in the US but here if they make an error like selling the VR at the price of the G they just have to shut up and deliver the product they sold..

[ramzey]

G is a rubbish, any zoom lens under 300$ new will be rubbish

what other lenses do you have?
mby insted of getting 70-300 poor quality , tamron 18-250 VR around 500$ would suit your needs? and its good all purpose lens

[Ripsnort]

You won't regret the additional money for the ED glass. The G glass is okay for a consumer lens but you won't get the color saturation you'll get out of the ED lens. I use mine only when I plan on taking my back up camera (D70s) skiing, hunting or some activity that theres a chance damage.

[Fishu]

Originally posted by ramzey
what other lenses do you have?
mby insted of getting 70-300 poor quality , tamron 18-250 VR around 500$ would suit your needs? and its good all purpose lens

For wildlife photography 18-250 has too great zoom range. It's would be a  nice walkaround lens, but it's not made for detailed photography. Quality isn't either much better than with 70-300G ED, but likely worse due to the zoom factor (even more than my Nikon 18-200 VR lens ).

There really isn't any "all purpose lens", just walkaround lenses.

Problem with zoom lenses is that they're somewhat expensive for even mediocre quality.

[ramzey]

Fishu, problem is , nothing under 850$ will give him  semi pro quality as u suggest he need.
D80 with 1.5 crop and not so bad 250 on tamron give him 375mm.
Of course as every zoom  no matter its 70-300 or 18-250 will be soft on far end.
Thats why they make excellent 70-200 2.8 and add 2x adapter to it.
So imo better to have mid range all purpose lens then one crappy tele zoom
http://www.pixel-peeper.com/lenses/?lens=12718&p=5
http://www.pixel-peeper.com/lenses/?lens=221&perpage=12&focal_min=none&focal_max=none&aperture_min=none&aperture_max=none&res=3

Obie if you going to get this lens get VR version, its sharper

[Obie303]

Thanks for the fast replies everyone!  You really helped me make up my mind.  The VR it is.

Straffo, I wish the guy would honor the original deal.  But there is no way he's going to sell me a 700 dollar lens for 300 dollars.  Just not going to happen and I didn't expect him to  (although it would have been nice).

Ramzey, I did purchase two additional lenses.  One is a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF and the other I plan on using as my all purpose lens is a Nikon 18mm-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX.  Pretty basic lenses.

I decided on this camera and lenses because they seemed more diverse in they type of amature photography I'd like to take.  I also thought it would make an excellent Christmas gift for my wife and I.  We just finished watching the instructional DVD.  I think I'll be coming to you guys for more help real soon.  This camera is a huge difference to the old SLR cameras I'm used to.  

Once again, Thanks everyone for your advice and input!

Obie