Long lens for Nikon D100?

Mark. You could, in effect, "lease" an exotic lens. The key here is that
unique, specialty lenses command great value on eBay. All you need to do is
buy whatever high-end lens meets your needs, then sell it, once the trip is
over. You won't recover all your costs, but I suspect you'd recover enough
to make this strategy work. It would be far more affordable than renting a
long lens from a camera store. I would consider something like the AF-S VR
Zoom-Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED. If I were a Nikon user, that would be my
dream lens.

Rob

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Mark wrote ...
I am planning a trip for late summer to Greenland and northern Canada.
It was suggested that we will see whales and other ocean life along the
way, and should bring a long lens to get decent images of them.

Nikon wants close to the
price of the whole trip for some of their long lenses (the vibration
stabilization one). Any recommendations for 2nd line lenses that are
more reasonably priced (Sigma. Tokina, etc.)? Or must I talk myself
into a Nikon lens?

Agreed. This has worked very well for me. I had the EF 100-400 for one
year and only lost $200.00. Some have done even better.


My numbers might help: bought Feb '04 $1450, sold Feb '05 $1250.

wrote in message
ups.com...
I am planning a trip for late summer to Greenland and northern Canada.
It was suggested that we will see whales and other ocean life along the
way, and should bring a long lens to get decent images of them. The
longest lens I now own is 85mm, hardly very long even considering the
adjustment for the less-than-35 mm-size sensor in the camera.

I would guess 300 mm should be satisfactory. Nikon wants close to the
price of the whole trip for some of their long lenses (the vibration
stabilization one). Any recommendations for 2nd line lenses that are
more reasonably priced (Sigma. Tokina, etc.)? Or must I talk myself
into a Nikon lens?

Thanks.
Mark Schupack

If you're gettting a lens for a single trip, you might look at renting. In
many cities, there is usually at least one place to rent. Renting can be
risky, make sure you read what you are responsible for in case of
loss/damage. Or get a used one from EBay. I picked up a Nikon 300MM F4 for
$375 in good mechanical/optical condition. It looks pretty used, but works
perfectly. If you make a decent purchase, you could probably resell it on
your return for what you paid, making the use of it almost free. This is of
course assuming you decide not to keep it ;-)