so i've been looking into getting a decent zoom for my d5600 because i really want to get some shots of my daughter playing soccer this spring. i'm in portland so it's always gray and i'm worried about lighting. my budget is pretty tight like $300 max. i saw a lot of people recommending the af-p 70-300mm dx ed vr but then i saw a used tamron 70-300 di vc usd for around the same price and got stuck. my logic was that the nikon one is newer but the tamron seems way beefier? plus i read some stuff about af-p lenses not working on older bodies but mine should be fine i think. is the nikon actually better for sports or should i go for the third party stuff?
Honestly, for soccer in Portland, you need speed. I would suggest the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR over the Tamron.
- The AF-P focus motor is way faster for kids running around.
- Make sure to get the VR version or your shots will be blurry in that gray PNW light.
- Be careful with the Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD since the autofocus might not keep up with sports.
I remember being so nervous about lens compatibility when I first started shooting my kids sports games. Honestly, sticking with the same brand as the camera body just feels safer for long-term reliability. Results have been great with the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR because it just works every time without any weird glitches or lens errors. Here are a few reasons I'm satisfied with the native Nikon option:
- The autofocus is basically silent and incredibly fast, which is a life-saver when kids are sprinting.
- It is much lighter than that beefy Tamron, so you wont get tired holding it for a full hour.
- You can save a ton of money buying it used, often finding it for under $200. Staying under budget is always the goal, and that extra cash you save can go toward a rain sleeve for those Portland showers.
> my budget is pretty tight I've been very satisfied with the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II. It's a great cheaper alternative that works well for soccer without breaking the bank.
