Sigma 100-300mm f4 or Nikon 70-200mm f2.8VR

[Trig's]

I have the Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX DG APO & 1.4x teleconverter.. Is the Nikon 70-200mm vr a better option than the Sigma 100-300mm f4?

I was thinking in selling the Sigma & 1.4x in order to get the Ninon 70-200mm vr & prob a 1.4/1.7 tc to go with it or should I stay with the current set-up.

It just seems pointless in getting the Nikon vr + tc as wouldn't that be virtually the same as the sigma 100-300mm f4 (without the 1.4x tc)

I have the Nikon D300s (updated it from the D90 2mths ago) and should doubt that I will upgrade to full frame as am quite happy with what I have.. I dont really shoot sports (incase anyone ask's) but do like the wildlife & macro etc side of photography..

So I am really asking peoples views on this

 

[pete.rush]

I have the Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX DG APO & 1.4x teleconverter.. Is the Nikon 70-200mm vr a better option than the Sigma 100-300mm f4?

I was thinking in selling the Sigma & 1.4x in order to get the Ninon 70-200mm vr & prob a 1.4/1.7 tc to go with it or should I stay with the current set-up.

It just seems pointless in getting the Nikon vr + tc as wouldn't that be virtually the same as the sigma 100-300mm f4 (without the 1.4x tc)

I have the Nikon D300s (updated it from the D90 2mths ago) and should doubt that I will upgrade to full frame as am quite happy with what I have.. I dont really shoot sports (incase anyone ask's) but do like the wildlife & macro etc side of photography..

So I am really asking peoples views on this

Quick answer, NO autofocus on the 70-200mm would be seriously effected by the TC's. The 100-300mm f4 would out perform the 70-200mm + TCs and take sharper images. TC's are designed for the fast primes not zooms, although they have been used more and more to enhance zoom capabilities as well.

The 100-300mm f4 a great lens, only limitation is no (VR, OS, IS), even the performance with a 1.4x TC v the 70-200mm f2.8 and 2x TC would still be better.

 

[JohnD76]

The 70-200 VR f2.8 is a stonking lens and incredibly sharp, I have no focusing issues using the nikon TC2E converter with it and it is still tack sharp.

Why are you looking to change though if you are happy with what you have got?

 

[dunganick]

I've recently, bought a 70-200 f2.8, whilst its obviously a canon not Nikon, so slightly better , i cant say ive actually found it any faster to focus than my 100-300 f4 ex dg hsm. Infact i would say the sigma is the better lens except for being f4 not f2.8

In my opinion IS/OS/VR is over rated and i've never missed it or used it on any IS lenses i've used.

 

[davekiddle]

Don't have the Sigma, but I do have the Nikon 70-200 VR f/2.8 which I use with a Kenko Pro 300 1.4TC with absolutely no focus issues and I still get super sharp images, even wide open (effective 280mm @ f/4)

 

[Richard Peters]

Quick answer, NO autofocus on the 70-200mm would be seriously effected by the TC's. The 100-300mm f4 would out perform the 70-200mm + TCs and take sharper images.

A very long time ago I had a 100-300 and I borrowed a friends 70-200 VR and 1.4x TC to compare the two. The 70-200/TC combo was faster to focus and sharper than the Sigma 100-300, which until that point I had always thought was a very good lens...it just took using a fantastic lens to see what I was missing.

That's not to knock the 100-300, for the money it's a good lens (I think I paid £550 when I got one years ago) but IF overall quality is your game and you are happy to pay for it then the Nikon combo is better, although obviously 20mm shorter.

P.S. I don't have the test shots anymore unfortunately. It was back just before I got really serious and keeping test shots at the time seemed pointless :bang:

EDIT: Oh my god, they go for over £1k new now for the Sigma. That's insanity. Get the 70-200 if you can find a good deal second hand!!

 

[raider2727]

I do have the Nikon 70-200 VR f/2.8 which I use with a Nikpn 1.7 TC, i am delighted with the lens both with or without the TC.
I find the 1.7 TC gives me great IQ, no focus problems and pin sharp images.

I had a Sigma 100-300 h4 back in my Canon days which was the APO non DG version and i did not like it at all.

 

[Trig's]

The 70-200 VR f2.8 is a stonking lens and incredibly sharp, I have no focusing issues using the nikon TC2E converter with it and it is still tack sharp.

Why are you looking to change though if you are happy with what you have got?

was thinking of changing as after I went thru reviews on the Nikon lens due to it being the dogs danglies mainly & that it was the "best" one to have...

I am happy with the sigma & have got some great shots with it.. (had sigmas "bigma" before that) but you know what it's like, when something is highly rated it makes you think " Mmmmm should I be owning one:shrug:"

I had the Nikon 18-200mm vr as well due to the "its thee lens to own" but found it nothing special & sold it on soon after...

Spose in away that I thought that the Sigma was mainly for "wildlife" & not " an everyday " lens as well really..