New member seeking lens purchase advice (Page 2): try renting the lenses you are thinking about and compare the results, then check with Nikon, b&h photo, or adorama and look at their...

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

garcritt wrote:

Hi, my name is Garry and I live in Grande Prairie, Alberta. This is my first posting and I am looking for advice on the purchase of a 70-200mm lens. My camera is a Nikon D750 and I can't afford the Nikon 70-200 F2.8 but the equivalent Sigma, Tamron or the Nikon 70-200 F4 fall with in my price range. Your recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

try renting the lenses you are thinking about and compare the results, then check with Nikon, b&h photo, or adorama and look at their refurbished or used lenses for a better price. happy shooting.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Welcome Gary. My suggestion is to go to a local brick and mortar store and touch, feel th weight, balance, controls and which makes sense for you. I think the 3 you suggested are good lenses that you can be happy with.

garcritt wrote:

Hi, my name is Garry and I live in Grande Prairie, Alberta. This is my first posting and I am looking for advice on the purchase of a 70-200mm lens. My camera is a Nikon D750 and I can't afford the Nikon 70-200 F2.8 but the equivalent Sigma, Tamron or the Nikon 70-200 F4 fall with in my price range. Your recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Nothing bad about my Sigma. Great combo with my camera.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Gene51 wrote:

A used Nikon is only slightly higher in cost than a new third party lens, and it will have considerably higher resale value. And it's a great lens. Otherwise, take a look at the 80-200 F2.8 AF-D - older design, but still a great lens - used price is around $500 USD.

This was a very good lens, if not a bit bulky. It is, however, lacking the VR. At it's current price used, it's a steal!

In addition, if you're looking to save money and get a Nikon, the F4 version seems to be well liked here, at least enough to make me consider one for its reduced weight as I age (gracefully).

Please edit your profile and add your location so we can better suggest sources! WELCOME TO THE HOG!

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

garcritt wrote:

Hi, my name is Garry and I live in Grande Prairie, Alberta. This is my first posting and I am looking for advice on the purchase of a 70-200mm lens. My camera is a Nikon D750 and I can't afford the Nikon 70-200 F2.8 but the equivalent Sigma, Tamron or the Nikon 70-200 F4 fall with in my price range. Your recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

Sounds like you answered you own question Sigma,Tamron what's stopping you pick one it can't be that difficult if it is flip a coin. My bad lol

Buckeye Loc: Dayton, OH.

speters wrote:

Don't forget about the Tokina, which according to tests beats the Sigma and Tamron very easily in all categories!

Looking at the Tokina at B&H it appears the tripod ring is a $229 extra.

INshooter Loc: Indiana

garcritt wrote:

Hi, my name is Garry and I live in Grande Prairie, Alberta. This is my first posting and I am looking for advice on the purchase of a 70-200mm lens. My camera is a Nikon D750 and I can't afford the Nikon 70-200 F2.8 but the equivalent Sigma, Tamron or the Nikon 70-200 F4 fall with in my price range. Your recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

I have been very satisfied with my Nikon 70-200 F4. It has received very good reviews and some pros use this rather than their F2.8 version to save on the weight (when low light isn't an issue).

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

garcritt wrote:

Hi, my name is Garry and I live in Grande Prairie, Alberta. This is my first posting and I am looking for advice on the purchase of a 70-200mm lens. My camera is a Nikon D750 and I can't afford the Nikon 70-200 F2.8 but the equivalent Sigma, Tamron or the Nikon 70-200 F4 fall with in my price range. Your recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

Yes, you can afford a Nikon. Nikon still produces the 80-200 f/2.8 D AF ED lens. New it is about $1200.00. I got mine, mint in the box with everything as new for about $550.00 on ebay last month. It works perfectly in every way. I have owed and sold the Nikon 70-200 2.8 VRII. In my experience with both lenses I do not see a difference in IQ in the two. That is not only my opinion but may others as well. And, two years down the road, as long as I take care of this lens, I can sell it for about what I paid for it. It sure beats renting. Good luck, and remember, always ride with the brand!!!!!!!!!! A tripod collar is attached. I shoot this lens on my D750 along with my Nikon 200-500 5.6 attached to the Nikon D4s, this is my everyday wildlife shooting combo. The D750 with the 80-200 is attached to my spider holster via the tripod collar. Easy travel and ready to shoot.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

My best advise: make sure you need those focal lengths in your photography which is equivalent to needing that specific zoom in your photography.
In my case I prefer Nikon to other lenses and the 70-200 f4 could be a very good choice if you do not need f2.8.

Toddzzilla Loc: Modesto california

Hey there, I have a tamron 70-200mm f2.8 and I really do like it a lot! Awesome photos from, my only real complaint is the weight of the lens, but being an f2.8. Not real sure you can get around that one. It took me about a year to finally break down and purchase it, my first choice was the Sony f2.8 which is top shelf in my onion and also Sony's opinion obviously because by the time I was ready to buy, the new and improved model came out and jumped a 1000 in price, so it tamron for me. The next issue is the use of the lense. I don't seem to use it nearly as much as I had intended to use and there now, am having delayed buyers remorse. Love the lens, probably won't part it any time soon but it doesn't get used enough to justify the cost. Good luck and choose wisely!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Garry, welcome to da Hog!! ;-)
SS

aammatj Loc: Zebulon, NC / Roscoe, Ill

garcritt wrote:

Hi, my name is Garry and I live in Grande Prairie, Alberta. This is my first posting and I am looking for advice on the purchase of a 70-200mm lens. My camera is a Nikon D750 and I can't afford the Nikon 70-200 F2.8 but the equivalent Sigma, Tamron or the Nikon 70-200 F4 fall with in my price range. Your recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

I've got the Nikon 70-200 f/4 on my D800 and love it. It's the lense I use most outside. It's VERY sharp and focuses rapidly. I'd look at a used/refurbished one before I bought new.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

It used to be there was Nikon and Canon and then the rest. That has changed dramatically. Those old horror stories no longer apply with the newer lenses. Tamron and Signma are no longer running behind but neck and neck with the big boys. Any differences that exist are subtle. The reviews on the new are impressive but you need to educate yourself in understanding lenses and what makes them different. Sharpness is not the only criteria

Elements and groups
Aperture blades, number of, rounded or square
Elements to reduce distortion and vignetting
Elements to reduce chromatic aberration
Coatings to reduce flares and increase contrast and saturation
Transmission rate
AF
Stabilization 2-4 stops
Manual override
Internal or external zoom
metal mounts
weather sealing
guarantee
resale value
build plastic or metal ?

You might as well learn this now and it will pertain to every purchase of every lens you aquire

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Suggest looking up Tony Northrup on youtube for several 70-200 lens comparisons.
One of the main gripes he had was that the Sigma and Tamron came up short on an actual 200mm on the long end. They may have fixed that by now.

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

DaveO wrote:

Check: http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side

Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD looks good and on sale at B&H.

Welcome aboard! Be patient buying lenses! If you don't get what you want,you most likely won't stay happy. Take your time and make your decision using your reasons. :-)

I agree with Dave the Tamron has the best ratings.
Craig