70-200 vs. 80-200: I am trying to decide whether to buy a Nikon 80-200mm f2.8 or an off brand - Sigma, Tamron - 70-200mm f2.8. Aside from the price difference, I would like to know...

lizzy5553 Loc: FL

I am trying to decide whether to buy a Nikon 80-200mm f2.8 or an off brand - Sigma, Tamron - 70-200mm f2.8.
Aside from the price difference, I would like to know which one would better suit my needs. Yes, I have done birthday parties, one wedding (with 2 more fast approaching), and mainly concert photography.
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. I have followed a lot of recommendations here - to other members as well as to myself and have grown tremendously with the knowledge I have here acquired.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Lizzy, a zoom is hard to beat for versatility, but they are slow. Don't discount looking at a couple of fast primes instead.
At JuzaPhoto, he compares the Sigma, Tamron and Canon zooms. You only have to determine how the Nikon fits in with the Canon. Check it out.
Good luck
SS

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I bought a used Nikkor 80-200 F2.8 D ED (later 2 ring version) from KEH...One nice, sharp lens...I don't have the AFS version though...If you have one of the base models from Nikon, you will need the lens to have a focus motor in it...

amehta Loc: Boston

lizzy5553 wrote:

I am trying to decide whether to buy a Nikon 80-20... (show quote)

Which body are you using?

I assume the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 is off the list because it is significantly more expensive?

The Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 does not have any image stabilization. The Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD ($1500) and
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM ($1250) do have image stabilization, but they cost more than the Nikon 80-200 F2.8 D ED IF AF-S ($900-1000 used).

The other option is the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VRI, which is available used in about the same price range as the Tamron ($1300-1500).

Any of them would be a good component in your wedding lens set. I would strongly recommend having image stabilization, there will be shots you'll be taking hand-held in low light where the stabilization will help.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Just remember that image stabilization helps stabilize movement you may make. It will not stop subject movement...with a wedding, you normally can't use flash during a ceremony. Formals, before or after, are not problem using flash & most images are not during the ceremony anyway...It would help to know your budget though...Concerts normally don't allow pro shooters. At least as far as I remember...I have shot concerts, but that was many years ago & the later ones I went to specified no cameras...Birthday parties, you can use flash, so the need for VR is up to you & your budget. The 3rd party brands with stabilization will be between the 80-200mm F2.8 Nikkor & the 70-200mm F2.8 VR1 Nikkor

IsoBob Loc: Hamilton, NJ

Look up Matt Grainger"That Nikon Guy"" on You Tube. He does many reviews and shoot outs of various lenses. Check out his review of the Nikon vs Tamron vs Canon 70-200 f2.8's. I just purchased the Tamron one great lens for the money. Good luck in your search.
Bob

amehta Loc: Boston

Screamin Scott wrote:

Just remember that image stabilization helps stabi... (show quote)

In the wedding, there are still shots during the ceremony where VR is useful. If you're near the back of the venue near the end of the ceremony, the couple may not be moving much, so a shot at 1/60 would be enough to catch them. Shooting at 200mm, camera shake would be the biggest source of blur, and VR would help with that. If you're going to shoot events, VR for this zoom just makes sense.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

If you have a press pass at a concert to shoot from the "orchestra pit area" any of the lenses will work as there should be enough illumination- use spot metering. I have the older 80-200 Nikor D IF ED and love the sharpness of the lens, and haven't found the lack of external focus motors a problem. It is a bit smaller and lighter than the AF-S D version was, which is an advantage in my opinion. For weddings a 50 and an 85mm would be my choices besides the wide optics.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

While that is true, there are means of preventing camera movement other than VR. After all, what are tripods & monopods for? After all, it does add a lot to the cost factor. They were used long before VR came to be & those types of shots are the minority in wedding albums. Plus I have shot a few weddings in my 40+ years where I braced myself on pews, et al...Bottom line is whether or not the OP feels they need it. If they are not a working pro, chances are they don't.

amehta wrote:

In the wedding, there are still shots during the ceremony where VR is useful. If you're near the back of the venue near the end of the ceremony, the couple may not be moving much, so a shot at 1/60 would be enough to catch them. Shooting at 200mm, camera shake would be the biggest source of blur, and VR would help with that. If you're going to shoot events, VR for this zoom just makes sense.

amehta Loc: Boston

Screamin Scott wrote:

While that is true, there are means of preventing camera movement other than VR. After all, what are tripods & monopods for? After all, it does add a lot to the cost factor. They were used long before VR came to be & those types of shots are the minority in wedding albums. Plus I have shot a few weddings in my 40+ years where I braced myself on pews, et al...Bottom line is whether or not the OP feels they need it. If they are not a working pro, chances are they don't.

And since they aren't a working pro, they don't know all the tricks to make the best pictures, so having the best tools gives us more room for error.

I shot a wedding last month, I used a monopod during the rehearsal, and realized I just couldn't use it during the ceremony, I needed to move around too fast. The amateur wedding photographer like me has enough to think about that a pro has in their photographic "muscle memory", this doesn't need to be one of them.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

The church didn't allow flash during a "rehearsal".... As I said before, it's a choice the OP has to make. If they are not doing weddings on a consistent basis, they may not want to lay out the extra monies involved...

amehta wrote:

And since they aren't a working pro, they don't know all the tricks to make the best pictures, so having the best tools gives us more room for error.

I shot a wedding last month, I used a monopod during the rehearsal, and realized I just couldn't use it during the ceremony, I needed to move around too fast. The amateur wedding photographer like me has enough to think about that a pro has in their photographic "muscle memory", this doesn't need to be one of them.

lizzy5553 Loc: FL

Thank you all for such useful information!
I presently own a Nikkor 18-200mm F3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II, a Nikkor 85mm f1.8 AF-S, a Nikkor 35mm f1.8 AF-S DX, a Tamron AF 17-50mm f2.8 SP XR Di II VC, and a Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM. A Nikkor 50mm 1.8 D AF is on its way as we speak. Cameras: Nikon D7100 and D5100.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

lizzy5553 wrote:

I am trying to decide whether to buy a Nikon 80-20... (show quote)

I suspect any of these options will be worthwhile, but for what it's worth, I have a used 80-200 f/2.8 D, fresh from a factory refurbishing at Mellville, available for sale.

PM me if you are interested.

sportyman140 Loc: Juliette, GA

lizzy5553 wrote:

I am trying to decide whether to buy a Nikon 80-20... (show quote)

I have the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8, Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8, & the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 and I absolutely love em. they are some great lenses I would stick with Sigma. I will keep these lenses for a long long time. You will enjoy the Sigma

pauleveritt Loc: Erie, Colorado

I would definitely go with the NIKON 80-200. DON'T get a push pull version. Get the twist version. Expect to pay between 600-700 for a used one. B&H will sell you a brand new one for $1100. Make sure that your camera will auto focus with it. You have to have a focus motor in your camera to auto focus this lens. I shoot with a D90 and life is beautiful. If you have a D3100 or D5100, not internal focus motor will mean NO auto focus.

Nikon 80 - 200 used $600 - $700 used $1100 new.
Nikon 70 - 200 VR I used $1400
Nikon 70 - 200 VR II used $1800ish New $2200ish without buying a camera body.

All three are GREAT lenses. Tamron not so much.