[fungus-fingers]

I have a Nikon D70s with 18-70 kit lens and I would like to extend my current zoom range capabilities. I have been looking at the 70-300 VR as a possibility and my wife is off to New York in a couple of weeks where this can be had in B&H Photo for about £240 ( I will take my chances with tax and import duty). Most of my photography is hand held and varies between portrait and landscape, animals, buildings and just about anything that looks interesting to me. This appears to be a well regarded lens and I think the VR would be useful.

Should I go ahead and buy or consider something like the 18-200 f/3.5-5.6G ED IF-ED AF-S VRII lens as a one stop shop (won't have to change lens)? This is a more expensive option of course.

Is this a good price?

Will this lens have a Nikon International warranty or USA only?

How much tax/duty would be payable if I get unlucky?

Any thoughts or comments are very welcome.

Cheers

Fungus

[PaulBoy]

F-F my take on this would be that to go for the 18-200mm would mean offloading the 18-70mm - the 18-200mm is a great "one lens" solution & I had one when they first launched last summer however I missed the 200-300mm end & when Nikon announced they were going to release a 70-300mm VR I got rid of my 18-200mm & returned to three lenses (12-24mm / 35-70mm / 70-300mm)
I use my 70-300mm a lot especially along the local canal & for shooting at zoo's etc - quality wise its very good and most reviewers rate it highly especially for its price - I took the ones below with mine ... HTH - Paul

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/4...4f81b07c_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/150/4...1108ec1e_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/145/3...d1aeced8_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/198/4...f90964ef_b.jpg

[Yandros]

I've got the 18-200VR and it's the best museum (ie low light static subject) lens out there, but too short for wildlife. The word on the 70-300VR is all sounding very positive.

[sparkymark75]

I'm off to New York next month and was going to get the 55-200VR for my D40 as I didn't see the 70-300 on the B&H site, but if they have it when I get there I may have to change my mind

[sparkymark75]

Excuse the daft question but does this shop accept cash?

[fungus-fingers]

PaulBoy
Thanks for the advice and some great shots there, the two lens solution is appealing to me, however I do worry about introducing dust when changing lens.

Yandros
I have seen some of the shots you have posted with this lens and the low light stuff looks magnificent, so I guess I need to consider that aspect.

mparter
As stated they have the 70-300VR for $480 so I think it is a good buy, not sure if they accept cash but I don't see why they would'nt.

Any of you guys know if the warranty would be international or US only?

Cheers

Fungus

[fungus-fingers]

mparter
Did you find any other good camera shops in NY when you were searching? I think I will email B&H to check about lens warranty. Also told by a friend who lived in NY that they may deliver to the hotel that my wife is staying in, not sure if they will, but it would be handy. I wonder if they can be persuaded into some price negotiation, may give it a try.

Cheers

Fungus

[sparkymark75]

Originally Posted by fungus-fingers

mparter
Did you find any other good camera shops in NY when you were searching? I think I will email B&H to check about lens warranty. Also told by a friend who lived in NY that they may deliver to the hotel that my wife is staying in, not sure if they will, but it would be handy. I wonder if they can be persuaded into some price negotiation, may give it a try.

Cheers

Fungus

Stopped looking to be honest after finding this store. A friend of mone says that there are tons of camera shops in that area but some of them are a bit iffy.

It states on their site (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...r/Shipping.jsp) that they do not ship to hotels, motels and resorts.

Can you let me know what they say about warranty? As I've emailed enough lately and they'll be getting sick of my emails

[fungus-fingers]

mparter

Got the following reply from B&H Photo:

Q. Can you do this lens at a lower price? (A bit cheeky I know!)
A. Not at this time.

Q. Is the warranty on the lens US only or international?
A. A Nikon USA lens warranty should be reciprocally honored at any local authorized service facility worldwide.

Q. Could my wife pick up in store and pay by Visa card?
A. Yes.

Hope this helps. I am assuming that I won't have to pay state tax when my wife shows her passport (i.e. non resident). Checked a few more websites and couldn't find anyone cheaper than B&H, so it looks like I will buy there.

Cheers

Fungus

[jont]

Think that you need to claim back sales tax at the airport (or point of departure) rather than not get charged at the point of sale ... but could be wrong

Jon

[sparkymark75]

According to their site, the sales tax cannot be reclaimed.

See http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...r/SalesTax.jsp

[fungus-fingers]

It looks like State sales tax has to be paid at point of sale (will add about £20). My wife is under the impression that on previous visits she did not have to pay this (God forbid she may be wrong). Guess I will have to wait and see.

Fungus

[fungus-fingers]

mparter

I have been reading some reviews on the 55-200VR and this appears to be quite a good lens for the money. Are you still considering it or will you go for the 70-300VR? I am thinking that the 55-200VR may be a good solution and I will keep my 18-70. If I go this route I can also buy an SB600 speedlite from B&H. Any thoughts?

Cheers

Fungus

[sparkymark75]

I think given that it's cheaper in the US, I'll still go for the 70-300 option I think. If I wasn't going to the States I would've probably went for the 55-200 option purely based on costs.

[fungus-fingers]

My wife goes to NY next Friday so I will have to make my mind up over the weekend. I have a few concerns over the weight and size of the 70-300 and whether the 55-200 will cover the range I need adequately. If the 18-200 was cheaper I would go for it, so better be clear about what I want.

Cheers

Fungus