O2Ra

My old Nikkor afs 80-200-d f/2.8 died after a portrait shoot . Best shoot ever by the way until the autofocus motor slowly quit working.
I was told by two camera shops they could get my 80-200 fixed and Nikon had new motors for it. So I sent it in to get fixed and a month later was told it can't be fixed Nikon doesn't have the parts. ( maybe it's more than the motor) .
I'm going to replace the lens and I'm really considering the New 70-200 E Fl VR . I really used the 80-200 at f/2.8 almost exclusively. And this lens was one of my mainstay lenses. Probably 40% of my pictures come from this lens over all. And when doing portraits depending on the shoot it was much higher.
I shoot bands/concerts in very low light , events ,action sports and portraits mainly as my paying gigs. I'm just also getting into doing video for bands . I'll be doing live concerts and music videos. Videos that tell a story.
Here are the bodies I have : the d810 , d500 and d7000. And here is the dilemma I'm torn between getting the new Nikkor 70-200 E or (2) Sigma lenses. The new 85mm f/1.4 art and the 50-100mm f1.8 dc art.
I'm throwing this out there to get opinions from the folks who have used the Sigmas. I've experienced autofocus inaccuracies on the Sigma lenses. I've been reading a lot about both of these lenses and heard the 50-100 still has these problems and the new 85 art doesn't.
What does my hogger friends think?

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Sadly, I have heard these stories, "Nikon cannot service due to no parts available." So far they are the Nikon D300 camera, the SB-800 flash unit, and now the 80-200mm lens. I'm sure there are parts you can purchase on EBay, and that an unauthorized camera repair shop can possibly repair it. If the cost of the part, and labor to repair it is too much, you may want to attempt to purchase a replacement used lens on EBay, or just buy a new lens altogether. Such as the 70-200mm you are considering.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I just saw this today about the 85mm art lens.

http://www.ronmartblog.com/2016/12/review-sigma-85mm-f14-dg-hsm-art-yeah.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ronmartblog+%28Ron+Martinsen%27s+Photography+Blog%29

O2Ra

I've been looking at other used lenses and have decided to go with new. I for some reason really loved the afs 80-200 d pics. The oof area seemed very special to me. That is one reason I'm looking at these three lenses in particular. I know the Nikon is going to out perform the other two in the autofocus area.

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

If you like the 80-200, why not get a replacement?

https://www.keh.com/shop/nikon-80-200mm-f-2-8-d-ed-if-af-s-autofocus-lens-77.html

O2Ra

Just read that last night. That is kinda what threw me back towards this post. And I've read some others on super performance of the 50-100 and it's use on the d810 in 1.2 crop mode. Saw some of the pics and they were just soooo beautiful.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Get the new 70-200 2.8 FL; and you know you will be using the best--no compromise.

O2Ra

Don't want to put out another $1000 for another unrepairable lens. I almost did this then changed my mind.

O2Ra

From what I've seen it's phenomenal and I really like the switch up with the focus and zoom rings. I prefer the focus closer for when I need to manual focus action sports or wildlife. With the focus ring out front it's too unstable. You don't need all that stability for zooming. Zooming is not a precision movement but focusing is. Take an animal or person moving through brush and timber and try and focus with your arm stretched out. This was a problem I had with the 80-200. On my Nikon 300 f/4 with the focus ring in closer it was simple.

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi O2Ra,
I was recently faced with the "expense dilemma" after buying my D750 and settled on an older (no VR) 28-200 Nikon lens. It is very sharp and focuses to 18" all through the zoom range. Below is a link of one for sale on eBay if you are interested. Take care & ...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-ED-AF-Nikkor-28-200mm-G-FX-lens-2143-for-D7200-D600-D810-D800-D610-D750-DF-/311755208678?hash=item48960ef7e6:g:e70AAOSwA3dYR3qs

O2Ra

Thanks for the info. This lens isn't gonna work for what I'm doing but very much appreciate the link

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I was lucky enough to get that lens from them a little over a year ago. It cost a bit over $600, and I was the first owner. It had never been sold. Amazing. You can buy with confidence from KEH. They under-rate their lenses, and the prices and service are very good.

Flash Falasca Loc: Beverly Hills, Florida

And what if you're not doing ART ??

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

50-100 and 85 seems like paying for close overlapping lenses to me. But I'm not a Nikon shooter either.

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

This is my humble take on this. If you have been using the 80-200 f2.8 AF-D lens so successfully why not a similar lens and I am sure you know the 70-200 f2.8 VR, AF-S is an excellent optics.
By the way, anything wrong with the 85mm f1.8 G Nikon lens for portraits? If you go that route you are saving a bundle and simplifying your gear. I could even be very happy with the old 85mm f1.8 D lens.
I guess it is your decision.