so many versions of these its driving me nuts. im torn between the AF-P 70-300mm DX and the old 55-200mm VR II. my logic was the 70-300 has better reach for my kids soccer game next Sat but my budgets super tight... is the extra money for the 300 actually worth it?
Honestly, i would suggest you go for the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR if you can squeeze the budget just a bit more. its basically the gold standard for budget sports photography on those crop bodies. i used the older Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II for a few seasons and it honestly felt a bit short for soccer. heres a few things you might want to consider before you buy:
- focus speed is the biggest deal here. that af-p motor is way faster than the old af-s tech. if the kids are running toward you the 200mm might struggle to keep up whereas the 300mm just snaps into place instantly.
- reach matters more than you think. 200mm is okay if they are right in front of you but once they move to the other side of the field you are gonna be cropping your photos like crazy.
- you gotta be careful with compatibility tho. the af-p lenses only work on newer bodies like the d3300, d5300, or d7100 and newer. if you have a really old body it might not even be able to focus the lens at all.
- make sure to get the vr version! there is a cheaper non-vr version of the 70-300 but at that focal length you really need the stabilization or every shot will be blurry unless you use a tripod. feel free to ask if you arent sure about your camera model... i can look up the compatibility list for you if it helps. good luck at the soccer game!
Coming back to this, in my experience the AF-P motor is basically non-negotiable for sports. I've tried many lenses over the years and i always tell people to skip the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II for soccer. It just isnt fast enough and the reach is disappointing. The Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR is a much safer bet. Focus is instant. Just make sure your camera is compatible with AF-P tech or it wont work at all.
> is the extra money for the 300 actually worth it? Building on the earlier suggestion, i would suggest being super careful. check the compatibility first. i once bought a lens that didnt focus right and it was a total waste of cash. it sounded like a steal on paper but ended up being a paperweight for my kids recital. honestly, just search youtube for 70-300 vs 55-200. i saw a great video there once. what camera body are you using tho?
