telephoto lens recommendation?

Question

i have a nikon d50. budget under 1000.00 preferably.

Answer 1

For close to $1000 my first choice would be a used Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8. This lens was made for a long time and eventually came in about 4 versions. The earlier models all had a push-pull ring for the zoom. The latest model, and the one you should look for, has a twist ring for the zoom. The 80-200 used to be the professional lens of choice until Nikon introduced the 70-200mm f/2.8 a few years ago. The 70-200 is a tad better and it has image stabilization. That lens costs around 1600 retail, and not much less used, however.
For $999 you could also get a 'Bigma'. This Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 lens is incredibly versatile but at the cost of light sensitivity and image quality. Still, it's a great lens.
Both of these lenses are heavy and huge.
If you'd rather get something compact, look at the new Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 for $750. The D50 comes with the 18-55mm as a kit lens, and if that's what you've got, the 18-200 will give you the same or better image quality for that range. Just slap the 18-200 on and keep a small 50mm f/1.4 in your camera bag for low light situations.
Oh man, I can feel my own lens lust starting up again -- must get that 85mm f/1.4... Is this hobby fun, or what?!

Answer 2

I would choose Tamron over Sigma. Tamron bought the Medium format company Bronica for its lens making plants. They are now making lenses for Nikon. So the quality has to be good and there is no question of compatibility as with Sigma. Sigma does not license the lens communications to body electronics like Tamron does. May cost a bit more than Sigma but the quality is worth the difference.

You did not say ZOOM so in strict camera terms a telephoto is a single fixed focal length lens.

here is a small list of strictly Nikon telephoto lenses for around $1000:

1. Nikkor AF DC (Defocus Control) 105mm f/2.0D Lens ~$950
2. Nikkor AF DC 135mm f/2.0D Lens ~$1080
3. Nikkor AF 85mm f/1.4D IF Autofocus Lens ~$900
4. Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D ED-IF Autofocus Lens ~$950
5. Nikkor 180mm f/2.8D AF ED-IF Autofocus Lens ~$760

Now remember that these lenses will be longer with your camera and the smaller sensor. So the focal length (FOV) needs to be multiplied by 1.5 or 50% bigger than listed for 35MM.

I believe in getting the best glass possible. Lenses hold their value and bodies are disposable. You will apprecieate better lenses in the future when full size sensors become the norm and APS sensors are old news. If you invest in the "digital" lenses you will have a worthless piece to try and unload along with all the others that made that mistake. Demand drives prices. Canon EOS 35mm used lenses went up when the 1Ds Mark II came out and really went up when the 5D hit the street. Full sized sensors meant that better glass was required.

Answer 3

I agree with the last person, 80-200 f2.8 is the most gorgeous lens I've ever owned. I shot Nikon for 10yrs before switching to Pentax DSLR. The best Telephoto zoom I've ever owned was that lens.

Answer 4

Look at SIGMA.

They make excellent lenses for much less than Nikon.