New Sigma or Second hand Nikkor?

Which lens would you pick?

  • NEW Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG MACRO HSM II

    Votes: 25 39.7%

  • USED Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8d af if-ed

    Votes: 38 60.3%
  • Total voters
    63
  • Poll closed .
HelineB

HelineB

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Name
Heline
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Hi Everyone,

I really need your advice please :) I want to buy myself a better zoom lens. I have a budget of £700 and I'm stuck between 2 lenses (both the same price).

Please give me your advice and tell me what lens you think I should go for:

A NEW Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG MACRO HSM II

or

A SECOND HAND Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8d AF IF-ED

Thanks!
 
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I have had to vote for the Nikon only because I know it to be a cracking lens.
 
Hi Heline,
No experience of the sigma but I recently bought a Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 AFD for £675 mint with one years warranty from Grays of Westminster.Its heavy and the tripod collar is not removable but as far as I'm concerned focusing is fast and accurate and its tough as old boots.
 
I'd go for the Nikon, it's a mile better built and the residual value is significantly better, the Sigma will depreciate like a falling brick. That's all apart from the hit and miss QC of the Sigma.
 
How about trying to get a usef Sigma, should be around the £400 mark.
 
I think personally you would be better off trying both these lenses... Esp weight/size wise & what you would feel comfy holding...

Everyone has a personal preference - like smarties say "only you have the answer"

Maybe you could hire both if you dont know of anyone that can help you out trying either lens...

I've had the siggie 100-300mm f4 - cracking lens (owned it for 2yrs) & now have the Nikon 70-200mm VR (for 2 months)... Not that helps you out here but it just to say that I'm not set to owning just Nikon lenses...
 
Nikon for me.

I've just had a horrendous Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 HSM II in - dire, went back. Probably faulty, at least I hope so... You'll never have that problem with a Nikkor 80-200.
 
new nikon 80-200 is the same price as the new sigma, no contest!
 
I have an 80-200 f2.8 Nikkor, a 10-20 Sigma, a 150 f2.8 Sigma, and a 24-70 f2.8 Sigma and evey one of them is pin sharp and exceptionally well built and would recommend any of them. Why some people have such a downer on Sigma lenses is beyond me? :shrug::shrug:
 
diggerz said:
I have an 80-200 f2.8 Nikkor, a 10-20 Sigma, a 150 f2.8 Sigma, and a 24-70 f2.8 Sigma and evey one of them is pin sharp and exceptionally well built and would recommend any of them. Why some people have such a downer on Sigma lenses is beyond me? :shrug::shrug:
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Have to agree with you here... Loved my Siggie 100-300 f4 & the siggie 150mm 2,8 macro both were awesome (did buy the 60mm nikon AFD macro but sold that within 2days after & brought the siggie 150mm)
 
I hate to sound like a lens snob, but the 70-200 Sigma is clearly outperformed by a 80-200 AF-D optically.

The Sigma 150mm f/2.8 is exceptional - first one I bought was faulty (very hazy), but Sigma UK sent me a brand new one in under a week.

The HSM II Sigma is definately not going to be as good as a 80-200 - no matter how good your "copy" is - I'd lay down £50 of my own dosh on that that a Nikkor will be sharper at 200mm f/2.8. I'd guarantee it.
 
Optically, the Nikon has it, although the AF speed on the Siggy is better. However, as a general lens the 80-200mm is top class and is plenty fast enough (in AF terms) for everything but the zippiest subject matter. Mind you, I use it with a D2x so would be interesting to see if the AF is improved with newer bodies.

I bought mine new off ebay for £650 BTW.
 
Without being snobby, I think the biggest issue with Sigma is that it's hit and miss, I've had 4 sigma lenses and none of them perfomed particularly well even after being calibrated. If you get a good one I'm sure they are among the best in the world. The resale values worry me a bit too.
 
I find that the finish on Sigma bodies wears badly and you always see examples with flaking paint etc. You won't have that problem with the Nikon.

The only thing I don't like about the Nikon is that the AF seems to SLAM into position.
Is that me or does anyone else find that?
 
SparkUK said:
Without being snobby, I think the biggest issue with Sigma is that it's hit and miss, I've had 4 sigma lenses and none of them perfomed particularly well even after being calibrated. If you get a good one I'm sure they are among the best in the world. The resale values worry me a bit too.
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on the flip side, we've got 4 (a 50mm f1.4, 2x 70-200mm f2.8 macro I and a 120-300mm f2.8) and they're all spot on.. :thinking:
 
Paddysnapper said:
Always get the best. Nikon glass for Nikon cameras. The rest however good are "second run"
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I dis-agree with that as a black and white statement.

The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 HSM is class leading...as are the Sigma 70mm and 150mm f/2.8 macro lenses.

For many people a Sigma 10-20 is a better choice than a Nikkor 12-24 as well.
 
if you were buying new it would be an easier decision .
if you had a bad sigma copy you could send it back same with nikon
but with 2nd hand its a chance you take unless you can try it out.
or maybe seller will give you a small warranty on it
i may be in the same boat soon
canon 300 f4 or sigma f2.8 some good deals in the 2nd hand market
 
Paddysnapper said:
Always get the best. Nikon glass for Nikon cameras. The rest however good are "second run"
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I agree with that as a 'Black and White' statement, having used several Sigmas in the past, I'd never part with my own money for one...

However...

"Other opinions are available"
 
I have an 80-200 f2.8, the latest model before the 70-200 came in. It is a stunningly good lens and only surpassed by the AFS 70-200 f2.8. I paid about £500 for mine so you would have some change BUT can you manage any more? I have seen 70-200 vr1 lenses changing hands for under £1000 so you might not be that far away.

The sigma is not a BAD lens but the Nikon is just better. Sigma have this deserved reputation for inconsistency and having owned a good 20mm version it was a decent lens but others have had poor ones.
 
cowasaki said:
I have an 80-200 f2.8, the latest model before the 70-200 came in. It is a stunningly good lens and only surpassed by the AFS 70-200 f2.8. I paid about £500 for mine so you would have some change BUT can you manage any more? I have seen 70-200 vr1 lenses changing hands for under £1000 so you might not be that far away...
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I concur with this as well: I was issued an 80-200 after my 70-200 VR-I got trashed last year.
A bit 'sturdier' as well as being equally sharp, the only downside was a lack of the VR function, which with care is no downside at all most of the time.
 
The other problem I'm having now is that the used Nikon I saw at Grays of Westminster is now sold. I have to get a lens in the next week or so and don't really have the time to wait for a used one to come on the market again at Grays. And I only have £700 MAX. I also don't want to buy from 'overseas' as it can be a real pain if you have to send the item back.

So I guess it's got the be the Sigma....... OH, I DON'T KNOW!!!! LOL!
 
I don't know...all this Siggy bashing...:)

I do find it interesting that people think that Nikon lenses are best for Nikon cameras when if optical quality was the only thing that mattered would you really choose Nikon at every focal length? :lol:
 
keep trading to the classifieds please :)
 
woof woof said:
I don't know...all this Siggy bashing...:)

I do find it interesting that people think that Nikon lenses are best for Nikon cameras when if optical quality was the only thing that mattered would you really choose Nikon at every focal length? :lol:
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Yes...your point please, caller?
 
i've got the nikon 80-200 - paid about £590 from ebay for it - absolutely love love love the lens - its heavy, really sturdily put together - you almost feel that you can hit things with it and it'll still survive. tbh I think for the quality this is probably the best value for money lens out there.
 
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