New Long Zoom Advice

justinitus

justinitus

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Justin
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Having recently bought the Nikkor 17-55 f2.8 I'm now in the market for a longer zoom to complement it.

I have a 18-200VR but it has hardly been used at all, I just seem to prefer the 2 lens option, and will probably sell it :lol:

I've been thinking over the Nikkor 80-200 or the Sigma 70-200. I know the Nikkor is well rated, but does anyone here have any experience on the Siggy? It would be a new purchase, so it would be the Macro HSM II version.

I haven't completely written off the 70-300VR either, but it's 3rd on the list right now as I just think I want a faster lens as I love my 17-55 so much. The lighter weight is tempting though...

I don't have any particular bent (sorry - couldn't spell penchant confidently:lol:) other than general - a bit of candid, wildlife etc. No sports.

I find myself using the 17-55 most of the time, the new zoom won't be used an awful lot, but when I do use it I want good results.

:help:
 
From that list, my preference, in order, would be 80-200, 70-300, 70-200.

Not that I have any of them but from all the pictures I've seen posted on here that would be my choice :)
 
I did have the 70-300VR and though it was great value for money and good IQ too. I traded up to the 70-200 2.8 Nikon a while back. The extra zoom on the 300 would have been handy at Duxford at the weekend, and it doesnt weigh too much so you can take it out all day, the 200 is heavy when on all day as I found out. From what I know, the 80-200 is a very good lens and IQ wise very close to the 70-200.

The big BUT or me is the 2.8 speed. I dont think I could have a lens slower than that. While I dont shoot wide open that much, I like to have the option and often shoot at 3.2 or 4 which I couldnt do with the 300.
 
Thanks Both :thumbs:

Simon, I wish I could persuade myself to get the 70-200VR but I have to be strict with myself - my photography is not up to a standard whereby I can justify £1600 on a lens that will be used maybe 25% of the time. My "budget" at the moment is max £750.

Simon, were you really happy with the image quality from the 70-300VR? Is there much noticeable difference between it and the 70-200? Although I really want f2.8 for the same reasons you did, the weight and focal length of the 70-300VR are appealing. I think I can live with the slightly slower focussing..
 
I don't really do sports in any form and I really want the flexibilty of a zoom. Thanks for the suggestion anyway :thumbs:

I only do wildlife on occasions, I really just need a general purpose long zoom. An f2.8 would be luuuurvly but would I carry it in the bag?

I think maybe I'm starting to answer my own question.....:lol:

Edit: Such a shame we have no shops in NI that have the 70-300VR in stock for me to try.
 
I picked mine up SH and around £950/£1k should be enough. The 80-200 Nikon though is very close I believe in terms of performance so while it may lack VR it wont lack much else, so was trying to say in your position the 80-200 would be my choice.

I used the 300 mainly on holiday last year. Obviously great light so no prob with aperture, on a cloudy day here things could be different. The canoe one I think was at 270 or 300mm and the close-ups were at 300mm with me as close as I could get (poor mans macro!)

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Alistair - thanks, a friend has the Tokina 11-16 and I was pretty impressed with it build wise. I'll investigate this further, but my gut feeling is that if it's not a fast zoom, I'll stick to one with VR or OS etc.

Simon, thanks for posting those shots. I would have no problem with IQ like that, in fact the last "macro" one was quite impressive! But there lies my problem... Northern Ireland. As beautiful as it is here....Sun?? :shake:

Ok, so thanks to you all I have knocked one off the perch so to speak, the Sigma. So it's now between the 70-300VR and 80-200....

I'm in no major panic but I want to buy before the wife spots my wad of cash in the sock drawer..

I have my ideal lineup so far - D300s, MB-D10 grip, 17-55 f2.8 :love:, 35mm f1.8 (for lightweight travel), Sigma 50mm f2.8 Macro and Sigma 10-20 for when I'm feeling a bit reckless, although it doesn't get out that much.

Edit: Forgot my 18-200VR!! Jeez, I really don't need that do I?
 
Thanks all for the advice, after much consideration I opted for the Nikkor 70-300VR for the focal length/weight rather than the low light ability.

For me, it was more important it was in the bag for when I need it and I think a more weighty lens might often be left at home.

It arrived on Friday and I dropped by Belfast zoo on Saturday to give it a quick test. Am more than happy with the results. Heck, even wide open at ISO1600 in the lounge it was excellent :)

Here's a quick one I took, shot RAW and a wee touch of sharpening.

F8 @ 180mm, ISO250, 1/500sec, -0.7 exp comp
 
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