Yet another long lens question
Jan 11, 2012 08:40:35 #
I'm gearing up for a trip to S. Africa (actually, using that as an excuse to buy equipment :) I have the Nikon D200. My long lens right now is the Nikon 80-400 f4.5-5.6. I describe the lens as 'sloppy'. I get a lot of lens flare, the zoom mechanism is not as tight as I like and focus is difficult to get right. (I'm assuming focus is more difficult on any long lens, though)
In an effort to be as far away from hungry lions as possible, I've been looking around at longer lenses. One possibility that's come up is the Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO IF HSM Autofocus lens. Does anyone have any input on this one? Also, suggestions for an alternatives would be helpful. (including 'suck it up and use your current Nikon 80-400)
Thanks.
In an effort to be as far away from hungry lions as possible, I've been looking around at longer lenses. One possibility that's come up is the Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO IF HSM Autofocus lens. Does anyone have any input on this one? Also, suggestions for an alternatives would be helpful. (including 'suck it up and use your current Nikon 80-400)
Thanks.
Jan 11, 2012 11:09:55 #
Take a look at this site, they have reviews on most current lenses and you can select and compare several of them side by side. Might help
www.dpreview.com
www.dpreview.com
Jan 11, 2012 14:15:47 #
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Jan 11, 2012 14:17:59 #
Sigma usually has good quality items. I love my Sigma 18-250 for everyday use most situations.
Jan 11, 2012 15:35:07 #
That sigma looks like a hand full. If that is the budget you have why not go primes and get really good glass? The Nikon 300 2.8 is around $5000-6000 and the 400 2.8 is in the same ballpark. With a 2x TC I think you are talking less money. You get better glass and with the 300+ TC you go out to 600. And with the 400+ TC you get to 800. And you can almost hand hold some of your shoots.
I have never been on one of these, but from the pictures I see. They get you pretty close to most of the animals.
Erv
I have never been on one of these, but from the pictures I see. They get you pretty close to most of the animals.
Erv
Jan 11, 2012 15:53:01 #
Jan 12, 2012 06:37:57 #
Zerbphlatz wrote:
I'm gearing up for a trip to S. Africa (actually, ... (show quote)
If you can afford $2,898.95, the best combo to get you to
600 mm will be the Nikon 70-200 f2.8 AFS VRll + NIkon TC50Elll tele-extender. Here is a sample of what this combo can do:
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Jan 12, 2012 06:40:18 #
ephraim Imperio wrote:
quote=Zerbphlatz I'm gearing up for a trip to S. ... (show quote)
Excuse me. i meant to say AF-S TC20E lll
Jan 12, 2012 07:04:39 #
ephraim Imperio wrote:
quote=ephraim Imperio quote=Zerbphlatz I'm geari... (show quote)
DARN, I was almost to the car, going to the camera store to get the TC50 :) Oh to dream.
Erv
Jan 12, 2012 07:23:33 #
For many years I shot the nikon 300 f4 with tc1.7 and was quite happy and it was a cheap way to get long.
2 Years ago I got the nikon 200-400 and added a tc1.4 and have never looked back. I love my photos. The lens is much better than the nikon 80-400 and the big difference is how fast it acquires focus.I like the zoom for composition more than the fixed primes but I will note that the 300 2.8 is really great for low light. I normally shoot my D300s body, I have a D200 as a back up and will note that the lenses all preform much better on the D300 than on the D200 so that might be a consideration.
Larry
2 Years ago I got the nikon 200-400 and added a tc1.4 and have never looked back. I love my photos. The lens is much better than the nikon 80-400 and the big difference is how fast it acquires focus.I like the zoom for composition more than the fixed primes but I will note that the 300 2.8 is really great for low light. I normally shoot my D300s body, I have a D200 as a back up and will note that the lenses all preform much better on the D300 than on the D200 so that might be a consideration.
Larry
Jan 12, 2012 09:37:09 #
Thanks for all the advice, and I certainly welcome the suggestions for not spending all that money (which, in reality, I couldn't afford anyway :)
On the D300 Vs D200, The D300 body came out less than a year after I bought my D200. I figure I'll use up the D200's 100,000 photos about when they come out with the D400
On the D300 Vs D200, The D300 body came out less than a year after I bought my D200. I figure I'll use up the D200's 100,000 photos about when they come out with the D400
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Jan 12, 2012 09:48:17 #
Zerbphlatz wrote:
Thanks for all the advice, and I certainly welcome the suggestions for not spending all that money (which, in reality, I couldn't afford anyway :)
On the D300 Vs D200, The D300 body came out less than a year after I bought my D200. I figure I'll use up the D200's 100,000 photos about when they come out with the D400
On the D300 Vs D200, The D300 body came out less than a year after I bought my D200. I figure I'll use up the D200's 100,000 photos about when they come out with the D400
I have many nikon cameras. But I always come back to shoot with the D200 camera because I like the color quality of the photos coming from its native Iso of 100.
Jan 12, 2012 11:05:11 #
That sigma is a great lens it it is huge. For the money the Nikon 200-400 is your best zoom lens far sharper than others. I agree with your focus statement on the 80-400 it is one of Nikons slowest focusing lens. I bought and sold one in the first week I had it . Bought a sigma 120-400 5.6 and the jury is still out on this one. Enjoy your trip.
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