help me decide please

[section8joe]

I was looking into buying this lens. When I called my local camera shop they told me that the VR isn't really that great and that I can get this lens instead. Which lens is the better buy?

[ARKreations]

Given that you have one Nikon and one Canon lens selected, the answer depends on what camera you have.

As a Nikon user, I would recommend the Nikon 70-300 VR or the Tamron 70-200 f/2.8.
I would also not recommend the Gray-market Nikon. Stick with the US version and get the 5 yr. warranty
(assuming you are in the USA)

[Murtasma]

LMAO I would stop going to that shop if they claim VR is a waste like that. What lens were you looking at? My guess is they want to move something they make more profit on or have a hard time selling.

[section8joe]

Sorry, I didn't realize I had a linked to a canon lens. I have a NIKON camera.

[section8joe]

Originally Posted by Murtasma

LMAO I would stop going to that shop if they claim VR is a waste like that. What lens were you looking at? My guess is they want to move something they make more profit on or have a hard time selling.

My first choice was the 200mm vr. They suggested the tamron 300.

[prince]

What a coincidence... I was fighting the same question for last 2-3 weeks.. finally I ordered Tamron 70-300mm Di LD (without VR) for my Nikon D40.. reason being as discussed in this thread

I couldn't afford a $500-600 VR lens with that zoom range, which is why I went without VR.

[RexK_Cozumel]

What are you going to be using the lens for?

[Murtasma]

VR on a long telephoto like this is handy and since both these lens aren't exactly fast; VR is even more important if you are going to hand hold this camera. You need to take that into account with the price difference between the lens. I don't know what prices he was quoting you for each lens but it's best to stretch yourself when getting a lens instead of getting something that "will do". You will just end up buying a better lens down the road and that money is now wasted.

[section8joe]

I believe I will be holding the camera rather than using a tripod. Thats the main reason I was looking at the VR.

[JerInTheBox]

For a telephoto I can't imagine getting a lens without VR, now that VR exists. Don't even consider it.

NO! Hey, I saw you considering it for a second there. Knock it off.

Unless you'll be doing a lot of bird watching on a tripod, and it doesn't sound like you will, get the VR. You'll be thanking yourself down the line when your pictures aren't all blurry and the extra couple hundred bucks won't haunt you, I promise.