Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register ☰
Main Photography Discussion
Upgrade my Nikon Lens
Page 1 of 2 next>
Aug 6, 2017 16:29:16   #
Tony Hayman
 
I will be taking a Train trip through the Rocky Mountains in September, and I suspect that the lens I will use most will be a long Zoom... I have a Nikon 70 - 300 which likely will get close enough, but it is the Cheap Non VR version, so shooting from a moving train will not give me great results (This isn't a great lens anyway) My question is; should I put out $500 and get the VR Version of the same lens? Or is there another lens in the same price range that would be a better alternative? Sharpness and Depth of Field are important to me.

Reply
Aug 6, 2017 16:45:29   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
Tony Hayman wrote:
I will be taking a Train trip through the Rocky Mountains in September, and I suspect that the lens I will use most will be a long Zoom... I have a Nikon 70 - 300 which likely will get close enough, but it is the Cheap Non VR version, so shooting from a moving train will not give me great results (This isn't a great lens anyway) My question is; should I put out $500 and get the VR Version of the same lens? Or is there another lens in the same price range that would be a better alternative? Sharpness and Depth of Field are important to me.
I will be taking a Train trip through the Rocky Mo... (show quote)


Why not rent something - like a 200-500 or an 80-400. Either would be preferable to the 70-300. The non VR version of the 70-300 isn't that great. But VR won't help you if you are on a moving train.

If money is tight, Sigma's 100-400 might be worth looking at.

Reply
Aug 6, 2017 16:53:38   #
rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
 
Get the new Tamron 18-400. It's not expensive and it's a really nice lens for the money and it's not really big like the 200-500

Reply
 
 
Aug 6, 2017 17:41:17   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
Gene51 wrote:
But VR won't help you if you are on a moving train..


It certainly will shooting hand held.

Reply
Aug 6, 2017 19:52:05   #
Tony Hayman
 
The Sigma looks attractive, and although it is a bit more than I would like to pay, probably the best choice since the Nikon is heavier and Much Much more expensive. The Tameron is out since I am shooting with a D750 and need a FX lens, also in my experience the Tameron lenses I have tried have not impressed me. I have not used Sigma lenses, but it seems that most are happy with them.

Reply
Aug 6, 2017 19:53:10   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
It certainly will shooting hand held.


Can't say I've tried it, but unless the lens has VR that can be used in panning, I doubt it would help much, and probably look no different than if you use VR on a tripod.

Reply
Aug 7, 2017 06:35:53   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Tony Hayman wrote:
I will be taking a Train trip through the Rocky Mountains in September, and I suspect that the lens I will use most will be a long Zoom... I have a Nikon 70 - 300 which likely will get close enough, but it is the Cheap Non VR version, so shooting from a moving train will not give me great results (This isn't a great lens anyway) My question is; should I put out $500 and get the VR Version of the same lens? Or is there another lens in the same price range that would be a better alternative? Sharpness and Depth of Field are important to me.
I will be taking a Train trip through the Rocky Mo... (show quote)


The new Nikon 70-300mm is an FX lens, but it sounds very good. Sell your current lens on ebay, but don't expect to get much for it.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=nikon%2070-300mm&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

70-300mm VR reviews -
http://www.bythom.com/70300VRlens.htm
https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-70-300mm-vr
https://www.cameralabs.com/nikkor_70-300mm_vr/

Reply
 
 
Aug 7, 2017 07:54:09   #
dynaquest1 Loc: Austin, Texas
 
jerryc41 wrote:
The new Nikon 70-300mm is an FX lens, but it sounds very good. Sell your current lens on ebay, but don't expect to get much for it.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=nikon%2070-300mm&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

70-300mm VR reviews -
http://www.bythom.com/70300VRlens.htm
https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-70-300mm-vr
https://www.cameralabs.com/nikkor_70-300mm_vr/


I've got both the 70-200 f2.8 VR (heavy) and the 70-300mm VR (light). I use the cheaper 70-300 way more often. The shot below is from this lens hand held on a D300 DX (from about three years ago).



Reply
Aug 7, 2017 08:44:56   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Tony Hayman wrote:
I will be taking a Train trip through the Rocky Mountains in September, and I suspect that the lens I will use most will be a long Zoom... I have a Nikon 70 - 300 which likely will get close enough, but it is the Cheap Non VR version, so shooting from a moving train will not give me great results (This isn't a great lens anyway) My question is; should I put out $500 and get the VR Version of the same lens? Or is there another lens in the same price range that would be a better alternative? Sharpness and Depth of Field are important to me.
I will be taking a Train trip through the Rocky Mo... (show quote)


VR can be of help for you .......and the new lens is quite a bit better - GO for it !

Reply
Aug 7, 2017 09:50:46   #
Furbugsy Loc: NJ
 
I bought the Nikon 200-500 lens and it is heeevvyyy!!! 😬 😀 But a nice lens. I'm new with it and the VR is very good for me , at over 70 I need all the help I can get 🙄

Reply
Aug 7, 2017 10:35:15   #
Silverman Loc: Michigan
 
Tony Hayman wrote:
I will be taking a Train trip through the Rocky Mountains in September, and I suspect that the lens I will use most will be a long Zoom... I have a Nikon 70 - 300 which likely will get close enough, but it is the Cheap Non VR version, so shooting from a moving train will not give me great results (This isn't a great lens anyway) My question is; should I put out $500 and get the VR Version of the same lens? Or is there another lens in the same price range that would be a better alternative? Sharpness and Depth of Field are important to me.
I will be taking a Train trip through the Rocky Mo... (show quote)


If taking photos from your Train seat, well, first moving train, second dirty or foggy windows, third K.I.S.S. (keep it simple silly.) Maybe use a 35mm or 50 mm 1.8g lens, save the Telephoto for your scenic Landscapes.
Are you traveling Coach or do you have a Roomette or Bedroom? In Coach everyone sees your stuff, DO NOT LEAVE IT ALONE, you may never see it again. So if you go to the Bathroom, take it with you, when you go to eat, take it with you.

Reply
 
 
Aug 7, 2017 10:43:00   #
PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA
 
VR compensates for camera movement by a gyroscopic technique. This includes shake/rocking that is train induced, but not the linear motion for which panning will compensate.

Reply
Aug 7, 2017 13:26:57   #
rcdovala
 
Using VR from a moving platform (car, train, boat) can have some very unpredictable results as can be seen from the image of the skyline that I took from the rear of a moving boat.

rgrenaderphoto wrote:
It certainly will shooting hand held.


(Download)

Reply
Aug 7, 2017 14:20:41   #
therwol Loc: USA
 
PHRubin wrote:
VR compensates for camera movement by a gyroscopic technique. This includes shake/rocking that is train induced, but not the linear motion for which panning will compensate.


It uses gyroscopic sensors to detect camera movement, and the lens compensates by literally moving a lens element. In my experience, its best use is extending the shutter speed you can use on the low end when lighting conditions require it. As for using it on a train, I've never tried it, but if you're bouncing around quite a bit and having trouble just pointing your camera at a particular subject, I think it may not help. A higher shutter speed with VR off might be the way to go. By the way, and I've mentioned this before, you can buy external gyroscopic stabilizers that will hold your camera in a fixed position quite well. They're primarily used for pros shooting video. I think that one which would stabilize a DSLR and lens would be quite heavy and cumbersome by itself, though possibly effective.

Reply
Aug 7, 2017 15:25:15   #
jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419
 
Tony Hayman wrote:
I will be taking a Train trip through the Rocky Mountains in September, and I suspect that the lens I will use most will be a long Zoom... I have a Nikon 70 - 300 which likely will get close enough, but it is the Cheap Non VR version, so shooting from a moving train will not give me great results (This isn't a great lens anyway) My question is; should I put out $500 and get the VR Version of the same lens? Or is there another lens in the same price range that would be a better alternative? Sharpness and Depth of Field are important to me.
I will be taking a Train trip through the Rocky Mo... (show quote)

I would use a wide angle lens to photograph the mountains and the zoom to photograph specific rocks. Have you considered what happens to your field of view and depth of field with a long zoom lens.

Reply
Page 1 of 2 next>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
Home | Latest Digest | Back to Top | All Sections
Contact us | Privacy policy | Terms of use | DMCA
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.