Telephoto Lenses: I need to pick your brains

[jacob12_1993]

When travelling my set-up is usually 12-24 f4, 50mm f1.4 and 80-200 f2.8.

However I am finding more and more that the 80-200 f2.8 get very little use and for this reason I am contemplating letting it go as the 1.5kg weight is more of a hindrance.

I was considering a possible swap of the 80-200 f2.8 for a 35mm f1.8 and an 85mm f1.8. This would give me more coverage in the range that I use regularly . The downside is that I would lose the very long end of the range which is pretty much the only reason I use the lens.

Does anybody know if it is possible to use a TC on an 85mm f1.8 and if so what is the IQ like? With the 85mm f1.8 + 1.4TC + 1.3x Crop (If I change a D7000 to D7100) I would get 180mm and save a lot of weight. f2.8 doesn't matter hugely as I use my primes for that anyway

If not, does anybody have any other suggestions as I am struggling to come up with any alternatives?

 

[StuartH]

Have you considered a 105mm vr?..works fine with converter and you would have reasonable focal length and a macro lens to boot! You could also still get the 35mm 1.8.

 

[jacob12_1993]

My other two options are:

135 f2 DC/105 f2 DC or 180 f2.8

 

[jacob12_1993]

Have you considered a 105mm vr?..works fine with converter and you would have reasonable focal length and a macro lens to boot!

Actually I haven't, i'm going to look into it now! Good shout

 

[srichards]

How about a sigma 105mm macro instead of the 85mm? Slightly longer reach and with macro ability you have something extra flexible. At 1.5x of the D7000 crop you'd have 150mm which is possibly long enough.

Check through your current images when you used the 80-200 and see where you are using it. If it is about the 100-120mm mark then the 105 would be a good choice. If it is off at the 200mm end then it wouldn't.

Sigma also do a 150mm macro too. I think one or the other, depending on which length you use the 80-200 at the most would be one solution.

Or get a sony, they have the inbuilt digital zoom

 

[StuartH]

Actually I haven't, i'm going to look into it now! Good shout

No worries,the 105mm vr is still quite a beast of a lens but not as heavy as the 80-200mm

 

[jacob12_1993]

Check through your current images when you used the 80-200 and see where you are using it. If it is about the 100-120mm mark then the 105 would be a good choice. If it is off at the 200mm end then it wouldn't.

Just had a look and from my most recent work I have:

12-24 - 5170
50mm f1.4 - 3193
80-200 f2.8 - 2620 (1475 was on one story)

The 80-200 can be split (1211 between 80-140mm) (1409 between 140-200) which doesn't really help :bonk:.

However if I start to look at what made my portfolio/website it changes to:

12-24 - 575
50mm f1.4 - 121
80-200 f2.8 - 50 (30 between 80-140mm) (20 between 140-200)

So I feel if I can get 150mm I will have enough to play with, especially if I get the D7100 as I will have another 1.3x to get out of it

 

[StuartH]

As you mentioned the 105mm dc as well heres a video you might like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl18GrVyzw0

 

[jacob12_1993]

As you mentioned the 105mm dc as well heres a video you might like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl18GrVyzw0

Thanks Stuart, I am probably going to pick up a 105mm VR and a 1.4x or 1.7x TC for the rare occasion I need a longer lens.

Now to decide if I want to get a D7100 or D600

 

[StuartH]

you wont regret it the 105mm vr is fantastic.

 

[Cagey75]

I had a similar dilemma recently. I sold off my barely used 70-200 lens, and 105mm and got a 150mm macro to pretty much replace both. Less weight in the bag, and I find it does the job the other 2 were doing. I was only using the 70-200 at the longer end whenever I did, and the 105 for macro, the Sigma 150mm does both in one, lighter package If I need more reach I can add a TC at any point. Haven't felt any need for that yet. I also added an 85mm to fill the gap between my 24-70 and the 150. And was able to get a 35 1.4 sigma with the change! I got 3 lenses for 2.