honestly im just about ready to give up on this whole photography thing because my gear is failing me so hard right now. i bought a used 70-300mm lens last month off some guy on facebook and it is a total disaster. it just clicks and hunts for focus for like five seconds and by the time it actually locks on the bird is gone or my kids already moved across the field. its so frustrating because i spent my last $150 on it and now im back at square one with nothing but my 18-55mm kit lens which is useless for sports.
im getting really anxious because his regional soccer tournament is coming up in two weeks and i promised i would get some good shots for the team parents but right now i have nothing. i have maybe $250 max to spend and i cant afford another mistake. i keep seeing stuff about different models but its so confusing:
- the old af-s g lenses
- those newer af-p ones that might not fit
- third party stuff like tamron
i have a d3400 so im just lost on compatibility and im terrified of buying another paperweight. i just need something reliable that actually works on a dx body without costing a fortune. what is actually the best budget telephoto lens for nikon dx that wont fail me the second a subject moves?
Unfortunately, used gear can be a nightmare. I had issues with slow focus too.
- get the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR
- its safe and fast
FB marketplace is a gamble... sorry you got burned. On a D3400, those newer AF-P lenses actually work perfectly, so dont worry about them being paperweights. Just watch the model names.
- get the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR
- or the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II for a cheaper option
- avoid any lens without VR for sports That AF-P glass is way faster for tracking soccer.
that focus hunting is literally the worst! i once missed a huge play because my gear motor was just way too slow. spent hours on dpreview and the nikon compatibility charts after that. totally changed how i shop.
- check firmware updates first
- verify those mount pins understanding the tech specs saves so much cash. the speed difference with a modern motor is just amazing!
Ugh, I feel your pain so much. Honestly, gear failure is the absolute worst part of this hobby. In my experience, it always happens at the most high-stakes moments. I remember back when I was shooting my sisters graduation and my main lens just... died.
- The motor started making this high-pitched grindy noise
- It kept throwing an error message on the screen
- I was stuck with a short prime for the entire walk across stage It was a total nightmare and I felt like a complete failure. You spend all this time preparing and then some piece of glass decides it is done for the day. Over the years, I have had more than a few heart-stopping moments where my equipment just gave up on me right as the action started. It really makes you want to chuck the whole bag into a lake sometimes, ngl. Just totally ruins the mood.
Man I wish I found this thread sooner. Would have saved me so much hassle.
> i bought a used 70-300mm lens last month off some guy on facebook and it is a total disaster ^ This. Also, sorry you got burned on that sale, that really sucks. Before you totally give up on it though, which specific 70-300mm model is it? If you accidentally grabbed an older AF-D version, it wont autofocus at all on a D3400 because that body lacks an internal focus motor. It might not even be broken, just the wrong tech for your camera. One DIY thing you should try before spending more cash is cleaning the gold contacts on the lens mount with a clean cloth and some rubbing alcohol. Sometimes gunk on the pins makes the focus hunt like crazy because the lens and camera arent talking right. If it is definitely a goner, the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR is honestly your best bet for soccer. I have used it and the focus speed is night and day compared to the older glass. You can usually find them used for around $180-220. Just double check it has the VR initials on it or your shots might be blurry at the long end. It is a solid, reliable piece of kit for the price. Dont let one bad experience stop you from getting those team shots.
