70-300mm Lens - Nikon or Sigma?

jammy_c

jammy_c

Messages
991
Name
James
Edit My Images
Yes
Ok, slightly misleading header, but what I really mean is:

I already own (and absolutely adore) the Nikkor 70-300mm VR.
the problem is that the wife and I are rather short on funds at the moment and could really do with a bit of cash, so I was thinking of parting with my beloved 70-300 in exchange for a cheaper, third-party alternative, and in-turn freeing up some cash from the sale of the Nikkor.

Does anyone have any knowledge of how they compare? I paid £460 for my lens, and the sigma I have been looking at are around half that price. I understand that I'll lose the VR function. :'( but is there anything else to consider?
 
You'll need the HSM version of the Sigma to AF on the D40.
 
I wonder how much cash you will gain from the swap? U can buy the nikon 375 new now. I personally consider vr a must on that focal length.

The nikon is ovbiously going to be better in most aspects.

Could sell the nikon and make do without then buy used again when cash flow improves?
 
mh photography said:
I wonder how much cash you will gain from the swap? U can buy the nikon 375 new now. I personally consider vr a must on that focal length.

The nikon is ovbiously going to be better in most aspects.

Could sell the nikon and make do without then buy used again when cash flow improves?
Click to expand...

The one I have is in absolutely perfect condition, and just over 12months old. I should be able to get £350. it's over £400 at most retailers still. plus there's a decent CPL on it.

I can't see the cash flow being at a point anytime soon where I'll be able to just go out and spend £400 on my hobby. after all, that's all it is at the moment. :( There always seems to be more important things to shell out money on. Bills & cars mainly.

I just thought if I could downgrade a notch and still keep the functionality of the 70-300, which I love, then it would free up some funds. :thinking:
 
£350 for a Nikon 70-300 VR is more than a dealer will charge. I would expect to get about half their resale price as a part ex allowance. Of course, a private sale should get you more than P-exing but does involve extra hassle (and the possibility of disputes, extra costs with postage etc.).
 
By the look of it you will be raising something like £80 by selling one and buying the other. I would be asking myself if £80 is going to make that much difference financially. As Cherokee said, '.....you'll only compare anything else .....'
 
so as you're making a sacrifice I assume the wife is too? selling off some shoes or something? ;)
 
I would be interested in trading my Tamron 70-300 with you or must it be the Sigma?
 
Scotty B said:
Not to be blunt, but if you really need the cash, don't replace the lens. :-(
Click to expand...
But I use it a fair bit and don't really want to be without a decent telephoto as I tend to shoot motorsport & nature mainly. :thinking: I'd have to get a work nice bonus to be able to replace it anytime soon.
 
timmygcsc2308 said:
so as you're making a sacrifice I assume the wife is too? selling off some shoes or something? ;)
Click to expand...
Lol. Shoes! she'd never part with them!!! lol. it's the handbags you want to worry about, too :lol:

to be fair to her, she's selling up her fancy phone for a cheapy, hopefully will get 130-ish for it, so i can't moan.

surprisingly she keeps telling me that I shouldn't sell and of my camera gear, but I always get an ear bending when I buy more. :nono:
 
tramp92 said:
By the look of it you will be raising something like £80 by selling one and buying the other. I would be asking myself if £80 is going to make that much difference financially. As Cherokee said, '.....you'll only compare anything else .....'
Click to expand...

I'd begrudge selling it to raise 80-odd quid, it's worth more to me, but if third party is almost as good and it frees up £100-ish, maybe it's worth it?
 
Last edited:
Englishman said:
I have that lens on my D90 (came with the kit). I find it works very well in good to fair light. In poor light it really struggles.

I've done football, motorsport and macro (insects and wargame figures) and found it very good.
Click to expand...

Cheers. I do a lot of motorsport and macro with my 300mm too, so that's worth considering.
 
quick question on these lenses, how is it that the filter size on the Siggy is 58mm and on the Nikkor it's 67mm, yet the Sigma goes down to f/4 and the Nikkor only goes to f/4.5? that seems backwards to me. Is the lens shorter, therefore it can take in more light? maybe i'm missing a basic principle of lenses. :thinking:
 
jammy_c said:
I'd begrudge selling it to raise 80-odd quid, it's worth more to me, but if third party is almost as good and it frees up £100-ish, maybe it's worth it?
Click to expand...

None of the lenses mentioned are anywhere near as good as your Nikon.

If you really wanted to raise some cash you could get the Nikon 70-300G, which ain't that bad (certainly on a par with the Sigma and way better than the Tamron) and you can pick them up for £60.

edit, scratch that, I've just realised you have a D40 so it won't autofocus.
 
I was going to suggest one of the non auto focus lenses too..... the Nikon is ok and the Sigma APO is ok too. My surplus Sigma should be for sale in Real Camera in Manchester by this afternoon if it all goes to plan LOL
 
Nawty said:
If that's a deal I'll buy a NEW Tamron, or hell, Sigma APO and add £100 :D
Click to expand...


:thinking: The £100ish was quoted by James.

I was merely letting him know that i'd be interested in a deal. Depending on exactly how much he'd want added to the lens of course. ;)
 
sell the 70-300mm for £300, lose 100mm off the top but gain 15mm at the bottom and buy the excellent 55-200mm VR :thumbs:
 
I've got Sigma 70-300mm which autofocuses on D40 (as I have one). it's as mint as new. Hardly used it. It's called macro lens but TBH it's not true 1:1 macro. I have recently bought another macro lens. So don't really need its macro facility. So I may be interested in trading with your nikon lens if you are interested.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top