Lens Help, Yes Another

KieranSLR

KieranSLR

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Name
Kieran
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Yes
never had any type of zoom lens before but wanting to extend my collection of lens and take some action shots, i dont need the lens to have auto focus because of the d7000 focus motor in it,

currently have
D7000
Sigma 17-70 HSM
50mm 1.8G nikon

but im lacking that extra reach on these lens

NOW SUGGESTIONS OF OTHER LENS PLEASE

Nikon70-300mm AF-S VR f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED Lens
Sigma70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS (Stabilised) Nikon AFD Fit Lens
Sigma70-300mm APO f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Nikon fit lens
Nikon55-200mm f/4.5-5.6G AF-S DX Lens - Black
Sigma70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro - Nikon AF fit lens

there is alot of price difference between them so im wondering which would be the best value for money

im completely new to the zoom lens' so any advice and shots would be much appricated

thanks
 
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Action = fast shutter speed and these aren't going to be the fastest, so don't expect miracles.

What sort of action are you going to be shooting?

You've got the Nikon 55-200mm listed, but not the 55-300mm.

Are you looking at new lenses or are these lens names you've got off ebay? The Sigma lenses look like different versions of the same lens.

The Nikon 70-300mm VR would be the best out of those, but don't forget the 55-300mm.

There is also a good 70-300mm Tamron I believe
 
That's because sigma have several different versions of the 70-300 lens!

The tamron is the 70-300 usd vc and it is supposed to a belter but I have no experience using one I've just read reviews on it!
 
Dale_tem said:
Action = fast shutter speed and these aren't going to be the fastest, so don't expect miracles.

What sort of action are you going to be shooting?

You've got the Nikon 55-200mm listed, but not the 55-300mm.

Are you looking at new lenses or are these lens names you've got off ebay? The Sigma lenses look like different versions of the same lens.

The Nikon 70-300mm VR would be the best out of those, but don't forget the 55-300mm.

There is also a good 70-300mm Tamron I believe
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i ordee all my camera gear off very, people wont agree i pay a little more then i should, but its the way i do it and use the money i make to pay them off,

the lens ive listed are the ones availble for under £500

im unsure on the difference between the sigmas

the "action" shots would mainly be cars and children the nikon 70-300mm is also triple the price of the nikon shutter speeds are most likely going to be under 1/300th
would that be worth it? as its a major jump,

i appricate all advice, pictures would be great
 
ozyboyross said:
That's because sigma have several different versions of the 70-300 lens!

The tamron is the 70-300 usd vc and it is supposed to a belter but I have no experience using one I've just read reviews on it!
Click to expand...

im unsure on what the differences is, is it simple due to having the AF in the lens?
 
No I believe the dg macro is the cheapest then it's the APO dg macro as it has an APO coating, then the top one is the one with OS which is optical stabilisation!

They like to make it easy for you don't they! I used to work for a photographic company and picking these off the shelf for customers when it was busy and you were in a rush could be a nightmare!
 
ozyboyross said:
No I believe the dg macro is the cheapest then it's the APO dg macro as it has an APO coating, then the top one is the one with OS which is optical stabilisation!

They like to make it easy for you don't they! I used to work for a photographic company and picking these off the shelf for customers when it was busy and you were in a rush could be a nightmare!
Click to expand...

so if you dont require OS and simply put a UV filter on it there is no point im buying the APO version
 
thanks for the pictures still unsure which to go for

my options are only the ones ive stated
 
The Nikon then


No idea why you've limited yourself, but out of those, the Nikon 70-300mm
 
I have the Nikon 70-300 VR lens and the Sigma 70-200mm lens (first version) so maybe I can help

For reach the Nikon lens would be the answer, it can also take the Tele converter although everywhere says it can't because it depends on the f stop on being auto or manual use. There is sufficient room at camera end of the lens inside so that the internal movement doesn't hit the TC. Therefore you could use it with a TC ( below shows lens result with a sigma 1.4 TC ) and get up to 420mm. This lens is great for everything except fast moving subject (ie animals)


DSC_6530_edited-1.jpg


Taken with TC as described above the animal was the far side of a field in a zoo something just using the lens alone wouldn't reach. Ok its a cheats way of extra length but it worked. Taken hand held so not the best possible example of this combo.

dsc7791.jpg



AS for the Sigma 70 -200 this lens is a completely different kettle of fish. Being an F2.8 lens really lets you capture fast moving subject ie birds in flight -animals running

but not so good at distance it just hasn't got the range


dsc0234oq.jpg
but not so good for those long shots.

Taken as it was flying overhead. Impossible with the Nikon lens its far to slow

So to make up your mind its a question of distance versus speed and only you can do that

Realspeed
 
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realspeed said:
I have the Nikon 70-300 VR lens and the Sigma 70-200mm lens (first version) so maybe I can help

For reach the Nikon lens would be the answer, it can also take the Tele converter although everywhere says it can't because it depends on the f stop on being auto or manual use. There is sufficient room at camera end of the lens inside so that the internal movement doesn't hit the TC. Therefore you could use it with a TC ( below shows lens result with a sigma 1.4 TC ) and get up to 420mm. This lens is great for everything except fast moving subject (ie animals)


DSC_6530_edited-1.jpg


Taken with TC as described above the animal was the far side of a field in a zoo something just using the lens alone wouldn't reach. Ok its a cheats way of extra length but it worked. Taken hand held so not the best possible example of this combo.

dsc7791.jpg



AS for the Sigma 70 -200 this lens is a completely different kettle of fish. Being an F2.8 lens really lets you capture fast moving subject ie birds in flight -animals running

but not so good at distance it just hasn't got the range


dsc0234oq.jpg
but not so good for those long shots.

Taken as it was flying overhead. Impossible with the Nikon lens its far to slow

So to make up your mind its a question of distance versus speed and only you can do that

Realspeed
Click to expand...

great insight much appricated! but the only issue is the sigma is f4-5.6 all the lens are the same is regards to that
 
Opps sorry missed reading that however an f/4.5-5.6 lens can never compete for" speed" shots compared with an f2.8. If its only for distance work the Nikon 70-300VR then add the TC as I mentioned you will be hard pressed to find better.

Now if you had asked about a walkabout lens which is my favourite and goes everywhere with me and more often than not on my camera is the 24-120mm f3.5-5.6 lens. Ok some give it a bad writeup which doesn't do it justice, Infact my Egypt - Brazil- and med cruise holidays was about the only lens I used.

Realspeed
 
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i have the 70-300 VR that I use for drag racing shots, including lots of panning shots where the cars are going 200mph+. I've used it handheld down to 1/25s ( i think ) at 300mm at Mercedes Benz World. There's photos in the sets bit of my flickr in my signature

A great lens IMO
 
Also consider the 50-500 from sigma.... 300 might not be enough reach...

I have a 300mm tair m42 (manual) lens and I find that it still doesn't get as close as I would really like.

Probably best to meet someone with one for a test run, or hire one for a few days to see whether its worth investing a lot of money in one?
 
swaying towards the nikon 70-300mm but now ive seen tamron do a nice 300mm?

any other simular lens out there?
thanks
 
You have 2 options...


Reach - 300mm, go for the Nikon 55-300 or 70-200 or the ramrod 70-300 mentioned earlier

Speed - f/2.8, go for the Sigma 70-200mm, you lose out reach, but gain speed.

Bear in mind the 70-200mm is a much bigger, heavier lens.
 
KieranSLR said:
what about a sigma 50-150 mm f2.8 EX DC APO
Click to expand...

Seen various reports on here about poor quality.
 
KieranSLR said:
will go up to £350
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At that sort of money you have to go with the Nikon 70-300vr. Still miss mine even though I have replaced it with a 70-200 f/2.8 O.S sigma. Other than my 50 1.4g it is the only lens I have ever missed after selling.
 
Soda Farl said:
At that sort of money you have to go with the Nikon 70-300vr. Still miss mine even though I have replaced it with a 70-200 f/2.8 O.S sigma. Other than my 50 1.4g it is the only lens I have ever missed after selling.
Click to expand...

any other ones im now open to more also 2nd hand now a option
 
KieranSLR said:
any other ones im now open to more also 2nd hand now a option
Click to expand...

I would skip the Sigma options at the sort of money you want to spend, they have a poor reputation. So I would suggest waiting until you have more cash and getting the Siggy 70-200 O.S or buying the Nikon 70-300vr. The Tamron 70-300vc is well rated and is supposed to be better than the Nikon between 200-300mm but you are taking a chance on it not having any focusing issues.
 
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