Sigma 70-200 f2.8 (Nikon) & Kenko 1.4TC

[Swanseajack]

I'm thinking of chopping in my Nikon 300mm f4 for the Sigma. I am finding the prime a little restrictive for me and I think I will be better off with a zoom.

For the time being I will be using it with a D7100 and I will be getting another D750 in a few months.

Has anybody have any experience of this lens on either body?.............. Also, I have a Kenko 1.4TC and I have read somewhere that Sigma lenses only like Sigma TC's due to the firmware of lens, is this true and anyone using a Kenko TC with the Sigma?

And any general thoughts of the lens?

Thanks

 

[BillN_33]

I do not have the SIGMA but I have a Nikon

Bird photography - Simon, I hardly even get good shot with my NIKON 70 200mm f2.8VR - even on a tripod and with the Nikon TC14Ell the results have been mixed

I originally thought the the 70 200mm with the x 1.4TC would be a good alternative giving 280mm at f4 and VR to my 300mm f4, but in my hands I was wrong - the 300mm f4 was much better.

I do however find the 70 200mm really good and effective for general stuff especially with my D700

just my opinion for use of both, (Nikon lens)

Unless you can pick up one used Sigma TC's are quite expensive ....... cost wise have you considered the new Nikon 80 400mm - unless you really want f2.8

 

[Swanseajack]

I do not have the SIGMA but I have a Nikon

Bird photography - Simon, I hardly even get good shot with my NIKON 70 200mm f2.8VR - even on a tripod and with the Nikon TC14Ell the results have been mixed

I originally thought the the 70 200mm with the x 1.4TC would be a good alternative giving 280mm at f4 and VR to my 300mm f4, but in my hands I was wrong - the 300mm f4 was much better.

I do however find the 70 200mm really good and effective for general stuff especially with my D700

just my opinion for use of both, (Nikon lens)

Unless you can pick up one used Sigma TC's are quite expensive ....... cost wise have you considered the new Nikon 80 400mm - unless you really want f2.8

Thanks for the reply, it's food for thought.

As you probably know it's only for wildlife photography in the garden, I wouldn't take the lens out as it will be too heavy for me to lug around and Clare is usually controlling the dog so it would be too heavy for her.. I struggle to handhold as it's a little too heavy for me so it's mainly on the tripod at the back door. With the Sigma it doesnt seem bad value @ £749 but if I can't use my TC I'm not going to buy another Sigma one @ £198.00 at the time being. The Sigma weighs roughly the same as the 300mm f4 but with the OS it may help me compared the Nikon if I wanted to try handholding.

The new 80-400mm is out of my price range and I believe the old one is very slow to focus?. I am saving to re-buy the D750 so I dont want to spend too much on glass, a grand is about my limit. I was thinking of the Sigma because it's f2.8 and it would also give me flexability if I want to use for portraits of the dog etc..... I'm not in the financial position to have a good tele prime and zooms so I am looking for one which would hopefully cover me for both situations

Why cant you get good shots with the Nikon 70-200vr, is it because of the extra glass and it's slow to focus?

I'm okay with the length providing I can use the TC as it's just for the garden, and thats with the D7100 or the D750 which I returned for debris in VF.

 

[BillN_33]

Hi Simon - no idea why my bird shots with the 70 200mm f2.8VR are not good .... must be me as it's a good copy on the D700 ....... maybe others can comment on the combination .......

you should be able get a good used Nikon 70 200mm f2.8 VR for £600 to £700 and used Nikon TC14Elll's are usually on sale for under £200

I use(d) the Nikon 70 300mm VR f4.5/5.6 quite a lots - it's light and the IQ is not bad - I saw a used one on here for under £300

lots of stuff to consider

Good luck

I'll try to find some images and post them - D7100 plus Nikon 70 200mm - best I've got - in fact I don't have many

admittedly the first two were taken from a canoe, but I was near to them - you seem to be able to get closer in a canoe than you can do on foot - strange?

 

[pingu666]

with the older non os one itll judder and focus hunt, then give up and be out of focus, atleast on the sony system

 

[odd jim]

I have the Canon mount Sigma (HSM II non OS) and its a great lens. I also use a Kenko x2 TC with it which, other than slowing down the AF and a slight loss of corner sharpness (which all TCs do to a degree) it works flawlessly with the Sigma.

 

[Swanseajack]

Thanks for the replies folks.

I will be buying the newer one with OS, I pressume this is the latest version as I believe they are going for the newer 120-300mm f2.8 lens now? Wex have offered me a good price on my prime which is valued for 28 days, so I will look at other alternatives but the Sigma seems favourite at present. http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-sigma-70-200mm-f2-8-ex-dg-os-hsm-nikon-fit/p1519642

@odd jim what body do you use yours on and how do you find it for wildlife? Do you have similar thoughts as Bill?

 

[BillN_33]

I've nothing against the Sigma Simon - it is just that I always buy Nikon, used if I can get good ones,

It would appear however that the Sigma's are getting better and better

if you feel you need f2.8 and it is good to have then I would think that you will not be disappointed

If cash is a little tight, it is a pity that you cannot pick one up on here, (or a Nikon - there is also the 70 200mm f4 Nikon which is lighter, very good and should work well with the x 1.4TC), used at a good price ………. people are always looking to buy a Nikon 300mm f4

 

[odd jim]

Thanks for the replies folks.

I will be buying the newer one with OS, I pressume this is the latest version as I believe they are going for the newer 120-300mm f2.8 lens now? Wex have offered me a good price on my prime which is valued for 28 days, so I will look at other alternatives but the Sigma seems favourite at present. http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-sigma-70-200mm-f2-8-ex-dg-os-hsm-nikon-fit/p1519642

@odd jim what body do you use yours on and how do you find it for wildlife? Do you have similar thoughts as Bill?

I use it mainly on a Canon 6d, 50d. Not sure who Bill is on the phone app (can't see names on profiles?) but if it's whether the combo is too short, it really depends! Personally I'd go for a longer lens even with the x2 TC for wildlife.

 

[BillN_33]

Not sure who Bill is on the phone app (can't see names on profiles?) but if it's whether the combo is too short, it really depends! Personally I'd go for a longer lens even with the x2 TC for wildlife.

I'd agree with that Jim, but Simon seems to have set his heart on a 70 200mm f2.8

 

[Swanseajack]

I've nothing against the Sigma Simon - it is just that I always buy Nikon, used if I can get good ones,

It would appear however that the Sigma's are getting better and better

if you feel you need f2.8 and it is good to have then I would think that you will not be disappointed

If cash is a little tight, it is a pity that you cannot pick one up on here, (or a Nikon - there is also the 70 200mm f4 Nikon which is lighter, very good and should work well with the x 1.4TC), used at a good price ………. people are always looking to buy a Nikon 300mm f4

Thanks for the replies Jim & Bill.

Bill, I dont need f2.8 and I haven't got my heart set on it, it just seems good value for the type of lens and why it's on my Radar.

After using the f4 I dont know if I would like anything slower. I haven't tried the superzooms like the Tamron 150-600 but with them being at something like f6.3 will the lens be too slow for AF compared to the 300 f4?? The problem here, is there's no camera dealers to try out so I usually buy on-line.

I like the 300mm f4 and I am more than happy with its performance even with the 1.4 TC. The problem I'm finding is I am missing shots due to there being no zoom and when I try to take photos of the dog he has to be at the end of the garden to get a full body shot. I feel a little frustrated with there being no zoom and missing some shots.

It has crossed my mind what you mentioned earlier about buying the Nikon 70-300mm which I have owned in the past along with the Tamron 70-300 VC which I prefered over the Nikon. Perhaps this maybe the way I will go. Also, the Nikon 70-200 f4 seems interesting and is within budget, I hadn't looked because I thought it would have been over budget, I thought it was like £1400, I have got it mixed up with something else probably.

Edit: I forgot to mention, with the superzooms with some of them being around 3kgs they will be too heavy for me to handhold due to my problems with shoulders and left arm. Another reason why I havent considered them so far. With the Summer coming I can sit out the back and try handheld shots and OS or VR would be beneficial for me.