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Nikon 70-300 4.5-5.6 vs 70-200 2.8
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Mar 17, 2014 09:05:33   #
Joshr Loc: Rockland County NY
 
Hello everyone. I have been considering upgrading my a kit 70-300 4.5-5.6 lens. I have a D90. I have been considering the Nikon 70-200 2.8 prime as a replacement. I enjoy the performance of the 70-300 kit lens but have been frustrated with it's indoor performance particularly when shooting stage plays. Getting fast enough shutter speeds is a real challenge unless I bump up the iso to say 1600 and then it gets pretty grainy. Do you think the extra stops gained by the 2.8 prime lens would make much difference in these low light situations i.e, lower iso'/faster shutter speeds. Sharper pictures? Also would this prime be that much better for outdoors? Of course I realize I would be sacrificing my 300mm reach for 200. I know I could use a teleconverter but won't that compromise quality too? I would appreciate your thoughts and thanks to the list and folks for being here.

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Mar 17, 2014 09:07:35   #
Pine1 Loc: Midland & Lakeway
 
I have the 70-200 f2.8 and I love it especially in low light situations. It's a great lens.
Joshr wrote:
Hello everyone. I have been considering upgrading my a kit 70-300 4.5-5.6 lens. I have a D90. I have been considering the Nikon 70-200 2.8 prime as a replacement. I enjoy the performance of the 70-300 kit lens but have been frustrated with it's indoor performance particularly when shooting stage plays. Getting fast enough shutter speeds is a real challenge unless I bump up the iso to say 1600 and then it gets pretty grainy. Do you think the extra stops gained by the 2.8 prime lens would make much difference in these low light situations i.e, lower iso'/faster shutter speeds. Sharper pictures? Also would this prime be that much better for outdoors? Of course I realize I would be sacrificing my 300mm reach for 200. I know I could use a teleconverter but won't that compromise quality too? I would appreciate your thoughts and thanks to the list and folks for being here.
Hello everyone. I have been considering upgrading ... (show quote)

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Mar 17, 2014 09:17:38   #
boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander
 
Joshr wrote:
Hello everyone. I have been considering upgrading my a kit 70-300 4.5-5.6 lens. I have a D90. I have been considering the Nikon 70-200 2.8 prime as a replacement. I enjoy the performance of the 70-300 kit lens but have been frustrated with it's indoor performance particularly when shooting stage plays. Getting fast enough shutter speeds is a real challenge unless I bump up the iso to say 1600 and then it gets pretty grainy. Do you think the extra stops gained by the 2.8 prime lens would make much difference in these low light situations i.e, lower iso'/faster shutter speeds. Sharper pictures? Also would this prime be that much better for outdoors? Of course I realize I would be sacrificing my 300mm reach for 200. I know I could use a teleconverter but won't that compromise quality too? I would appreciate your thoughts and thanks to the list and folks for being here.
Hello everyone. I have been considering upgrading ... (show quote)


Just a tiny bit of a correction. A prime lens is a lens with a fixed focal length as opposed to a zoom which has a range of lenghts such as 70-200mm.

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Mar 17, 2014 09:34:11   #
Ponce Loc: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
 
I shoot a lot of indoor action with sometimes horrible lighting and you can't so wrong with the 70-200 2.8. You'll love it and it will do the job for you. Later you may want to upgrade your camera and you will really se great results from that lens.

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Mar 17, 2014 09:37:34   #
Haydon
 
The 70-200 2.8 is one of the finest. I've always believed glass makes huge differences especially the high end. Bodies come & go, good glass has a much longer life. Two extra stops of light is 2 extra stops of iso.

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Mar 17, 2014 11:36:25   #
DigitalDon Loc: Calgary, Alberta
 
Its a great lens. For outdoor you can use the 2x converter and would be impossible to see any loss of quality. Yes, there would be the loss of 2 stops of light which normally is not an issue.

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Mar 18, 2014 08:01:38   #
Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC
 
Why not keep the 70-300mm and get the 70-200mm, the 70-300mm is a good lens and you will not get much money selling it if that is what you are thinking. I have both lenses and the picture quality is great on both.

This is with the 70-300
This is with the 70-300...

This is with the 70-200
This is with the 70-200...

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Mar 18, 2014 08:50:09   #
Joshr Loc: Rockland County NY
 
Thanks for the input. Yes I planned on keeping the 300 as I think it is a decent lens. I have shot some great outdoor photos with it. For outdoors, the gain of going to the 200 f2.8 is so close that it's hard to justify the purchase price, however for indoors I think it's a no brainer.

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Mar 18, 2014 20:36:25   #
hikercheryl Loc: Madison, NC
 
Just one thing to consider about the 70-200. It weights a lot which might be a problem if you plan to handhold it. The 70-200 has a great reputation.

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Mar 18, 2014 21:39:16   #
juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida
 
Have both lenses and use them on my D90 and D5100. You won't regret the purchase!

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Mar 18, 2014 22:07:22   #
amehta Loc: Boston
 
Joshr wrote:
Hello everyone. I have been considering upgrading my a kit 70-300 4.5-5.6 lens. I have a D90. I have been considering the Nikon 70-200 2.8 prime as a replacement. I enjoy the performance of the 70-300 kit lens but have been frustrated with it's indoor performance particularly when shooting stage plays. Getting fast enough shutter speeds is a real challenge unless I bump up the iso to say 1600 and then it gets pretty grainy. Do you think the extra stops gained by the 2.8 prime lens would make much difference in these low light situations i.e, lower iso'/faster shutter speeds. Sharper pictures? Also would this prime be that much better for outdoors? Of course I realize I would be sacrificing my 300mm reach for 200. I know I could use a teleconverter but won't that compromise quality too? I would appreciate your thoughts and thanks to the list and folks for being here.
Hello everyone. I have been considering upgrading ... (show quote)

Step 1: 70-200mm f/2.8
Step 2: Nikon D610 (shoot ISO 1600/3200 with minimal grain)
Each will give you about 2 stops of light improvement, so that can take your shutter speed from, for example, 1/30 to 1/500. I basically did this for my indoor volleyball shots, and the difference was stunning.

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Mar 18, 2014 22:39:27   #
Diveboss Loc: Miami
 
Joshr wrote:
Hello everyone. I have been considering upgrading my a kit 70-300 4.5-5.6 lens. I have a D90. I have been considering the Nikon 70-200 2.8 prime as a replacement. I enjoy the performance of the 70-300 kit lens but have been frustrated with it's indoor performance particularly when shooting stage plays. Getting fast enough shutter speeds is a real challenge unless I bump up the iso to say 1600 and then it gets pretty grainy. Do you think the extra stops gained by the 2.8 prime lens would make much difference in these low light situations i.e, lower iso'/faster shutter speeds. Sharper pictures? Also would this prime be that much better for outdoors? Of course I realize I would be sacrificing my 300mm reach for 200. I know I could use a teleconverter but won't that compromise quality too? I would appreciate your thoughts and thanks to the list and folks for being here.
Hello everyone. I have been considering upgrading ... (show quote)



I got my 70-200 f/2.8 Nikon lens in January in anticipation of getting a new Nikon D4. That was delayed when I found that Nikon was releasing the D4s. I've only had the D4s about a week and I am still getting familiar with the camera. This is my second DSLR. I didn't have the funds to get what I wanted (the D4) when I purchased my D3100, but it renewed my interest in photography.
Anyway, I don't think you'll be disappointed with this lens.

Attached is an attempt to shoot the moon, using the 70-200 at 200mm, ISO 80, f/20, 1/10s.

Moon over South Florida March 13 2014
Moon over South Florida March 13 2014...
(Download)

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Mar 18, 2014 22:45:36   #
Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC
 
I just picked up the D4 and love it already, coupled with the 70-200 f2.8 it is an awesome combination, I know you will love the D4s.

Diveboss wrote:
I got my 70-200 f/2.8 Nikon lens in January in anticipation of getting a new Nikon D4. That was delayed when I found that Nikon was releasing the D4s. I've only had the D4s about a week and I am still getting familiar with the camera. This is my second DSLR. I didn't have the funds to get what I wanted (the D4) when I purchased my D3100, but it renewed my interest in photography.
Anyway, I don't think you'll be disappointed with this lens.

Attached is an attempt to shoot the moon, using the 70-200 at 200mm, ISO 80, f/20, 1/10s.
I got my 70-200 f/2.8 Nikon lens in January in ant... (show quote)

Reply
Mar 18, 2014 23:04:49   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Joshr wrote:
Hello everyone. I have been considering upgrading my a kit 70-300 4.5-5.6 lens. I have a D90. I have been considering the Nikon 70-200 2.8 prime as a replacement. I enjoy the performance of the 70-300 kit lens but have been frustrated with it's indoor performance particularly when shooting stage plays. Getting fast enough shutter speeds is a real challenge unless I bump up the iso to say 1600 and then it gets pretty grainy. Do you think the extra stops gained by the 2.8 prime lens would make much difference in these low light situations i.e, lower iso'/faster shutter speeds. Sharper pictures? Also would this prime be that much better for outdoors? Of course I realize I would be sacrificing my 300mm reach for 200. I know I could use a teleconverter but won't that compromise quality too? I would appreciate your thoughts and thanks to the list and folks for being here.
Hello everyone. I have been considering upgrading ... (show quote)


You need to be thinking a better body ( higher ISO capable) and the a 70-200 F4 - you will not like the cost/size/weight or shallow DOF of the 2.8 for what you want IMHO.

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Mar 18, 2014 23:07:44   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
P.S. Ditch the 70-300 and put a 1.4X with the 70-200 F4.

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