Help Please - Lens Upgrade Dilemma

Andysnap

Andysnap

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Andy Grant
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Morning all,

At the moment I am using the Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO DG which, for the price, is a nice lens. However, I'm thinking of upgrading to something better in the near future and after spending the past couple of days researching I've come to the conclusion that I don't know what I want :bang:
I want to be able to shoot some wildlife and maybe sport (rugby and cricket mainly) so could go a little longer than 300mm. My budget is over £400 and I don't mind waiting a little while so probably upto £1000.
Oh I've a Nikon D90 by the way.
Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. (y)

Cheers

Andy
 
Andysnap said:
I want to be able to shoot some wildlife and maybe sport (rugby and cricket mainly) so could go a little longer than 300mm. My budget is over £400 and I don't mind waiting a little while so probably upto £1000.
Oh I've a Nikon D90 by the way.
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How wedded to Nikon are you? The obvious answer that springs to my mind is the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM..... but there's nothing similar available for Nikon.
 
To get longer within that price, I would maybe look at a second hand bigma. I've never used one but have seen many that do recommend them.
 
StewartR said:
How wedded to Nikon are you? The obvious answer that springs to my mind is the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM..... but there's nothing similar available for Nikon.
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Hi Stewart,

Joined at the hip I believe. I was considering the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 and maybe 1.7TC to give me the extra reach as I believe they are well matched, but this would mean going s/h (which I don't mind).

GarynLea said:
To get longer within that price, I would maybe look at a second hand bigma. I've never used one but have seen many that do recommend them.
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Hi Gary,

Have considered it but I really want something fast and its only f5.6 I think.

Thanks for your thoughts guys.

Andy
 
Anyone else got any thoughts on this? Would be glad of any ideas.

Andy
 
The Bigma is f6.3 at 500, but is a fantastic lens. you can probably pick one up 2nd hand for £500 is you look. What about the Nikon 80-400?? You could also look at trying to get a 2nd hand Sigma 300 f2.8, which can go for £1100

Oscar ;)
 
BirderOzzie said:
The Bigma is f6.3 at 500, but is a fantastic lens. you can probably pick one up 2nd hand for £500 is you look. What about the Nikon 80-400?? You could also look at trying to get a 2nd hand Sigma 300 f2.8, which can go for £1100

Oscar ;)
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Thanks BirderOzzie I think that the Bigma may be a bit too heavy to lug around all day but I'll look into the 80-400mm option.

SussexBlue said:
Nikon 300mm f4 + TC may suit, should be able to pick up second hand for around that price
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Thanks SussexBlue, I have considered primes but I feel the need for the zoom option, still neither the Nikon nor the Sigma primes are out of the question.
More research needed I think. :thinking:

Cheers
Andy
 
Ok, after considering all the input so far and my own ideas it looks like this :
I want a fast zoom lens with quick A/F for sport (mainly rugby & cricket, rugby will be sometimes under floodlights) so will need to be handheld at times.
I want it to take a teleconverter for increased reach when taking wildlife.
I don't want to spend more than £1100 in all (less if possible) but secondhand is ok.

These are the options as I see it :

Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 with T/C
Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 VR
Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 with T/C
Sigma 100-300 f4
Sigma 200-500mm f2.8 :)lol: £19399 at WHE, I think I'll have 2)
Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 with T/C

I keep hearing about how good the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 is and that it is just as good with a 1.7x T/C and this is the favourite so far.

Any thoughts?

Cheers

Andy
 
awp said:
Look at the Nikon 80-400mm
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I did, but I kept seeing mention of slow A/F and for rugby it needs to be fast. Don't know how slow slow is mind, might be just slow compared to lightning fast? Also its a big heavy bu**er.

Andy
 
It probably is too slow for rugby - AF speed depends on the body too though - maybe the D90 would be OK.
 
Good point, I have found the D90 to be quicker than my previous cameras, might be worth a try.

Andy
 
I think you need to throw in to the mix a siggy 120-300 F2.8, works great with a 1.4TC (but not so well with a 2.0TC), it's this combo I use for most of my sport/bird shots.

It's a highly regarded lens, but a bit of a beast.

You should be able to get a s/h MK1 (the one I have) within your budget.
 
Thanks Les, thats made things easier......:bang: I'll go and do some more research then.

Andy
 
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