Best telepohoto for Nikon?

Colin_da_Killer · 3 Nov 2006 at 16:29

So I have my d70 and I have my 18-70mm, now I need a good telephoto lens. The question is which one?

the sigma 70-300? the tamron 70-300? the nikon 70-300?

OR

do I go for something like the sigma 135-400 ? Will I really miss that 70-135 that i won't have?

Advice please.

King_Boru · 3 Nov 2006 at 16:37

Going by th title I would say the Nikon 70 - 200 f2.8 VR but your price range would be the Sigma 70 - 300 DG APO.

King.

Shoei · 3 Nov 2006 at 17:14

How about this lens:

Tokina AT-X 828 AF Pro 80-200mm f/2.8 SD

I know its not a current model, but can be found.
Looking at getting a D80 with the 18-70kit lens and finding one of the above to go with it.

Slime101 · 3 Nov 2006 at 17:32

The new nikon 70-300 AF-S VR is a pretty good starting point, or the sigma EX 100-300 F4 is an excellent choice too.

Joe T · 3 Nov 2006 at 18:49

Of those you have chosen go for the Sigma 70-300 APO.

woodsy2k · 3 Nov 2006 at 19:01

King_boru said:
Going by th title I would say the Nikon 70 - 200 f2.8 VR but your price range would be the Sigma 70 - 300 DG APO

In a nut shell, exactly my thoughts. Good call sir

King_Boru · 3 Nov 2006 at 20:10

I forgot to add, I use a Sigma 100 - 300 f4. It rivals, even betters the image quality produced by the OEM's equivilents. Only this it lacks is OS. Highly recomended.

King.

Sol · 6 Nov 2006 at 13:28

I bought the Nikkor 70-210 for use with my D70s which I am pretty happy with. Cost me about £80 or so off a popular auction site...

My flickr page has some examples of shots taken with it at:

www.flickr.com/photos/danwr81

All the ones of animals are with it.

Colin_da_Killer · 6 Nov 2006 at 18:37

I went in to a well known high street dealer and had a feel with the Sigma 50-500mm lens and my first impression was that it was huge, then i picked it up and was surprised out how easy it was to handle.

Think I might save up for that lens :eek:

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 6 Nov 2006 at 19:59

Colin_da_Killer said:
I went in to a well known high street dealer and had a feel with the Sigma 50-500mm lens and my first impression was that it was huge, then i picked it up and was surprised out how easy it was to handle.

Think I might save up for that lens

one of my best friends has it.

Colin_da_Killer · 7 Nov 2006 at 16:29

Fstop11 said:
one of my best friends has it.

and....

Good / bad?

Does he have a website I can see some examples from it?

bigredshark · 8 Nov 2006 at 03:22

King_Boru said:
Going by th title I would say the Nikon 70 - 200 f2.8 VR but your price range would be the Sigma 70 - 300 DG APO.

King.

I have the 70-200 and I can confirm it is a superb bit of kit!

Examples here

http://homepage.mac.com/gary.mackenzie/pulborough/

though you'll have to excuse small full size images and horrific compression on this set

EDIT: of course you have to sell your soul and it's only worth it if you *really* want f2.8 and VR and AF-S all in one lens

King_Boru · 8 Nov 2006 at 08:54

Have you considered the 80 - 200 f2.8? Lacks VR and its oldish but it produces wonderfully sharp images. Can be had for about £500 from a particular Hong Kong import site.

King.

reddeathdrinker · 8 Nov 2006 at 12:24

Or the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8? Great lens, I use it with a 2* TC as well, giving me an effective 140-400mm f/5.6 lens, which gives excellent results. As a 70-200, its only downside is the lack of VR, but at the price, I was not going to be fussy

If you fancy a 1.4*teleconverter for a bit more reach, I'm selling one in the MM at the mo......

bigredshark · 8 Nov 2006 at 23:13

King_Boru said:
Have you considered the 80 - 200 f2.8? Lacks VR and its oldish but it produces wonderfully sharp images. Can be had for about £500 from a particular Hong Kong import site.

King.

true, it has a very good reputation as a second hand lens, then again, I got my 70-200 VR for £800 second hand (like new condition, seriously, unless I knew i'd have thought it was from the factory...

Wile E. Coyote · 8 Nov 2006 at 23:43

King_Boru said:
Have you considered the 80 - 200 f2.8? Lacks VR and its oldish but it produces wonderfully sharp images. Can be had for about £500 from a particular Hong Kong import site.

King.

Have used one also, friend has one, compared to my sigma 70-300mm its in a different class, fast focus and good image quality

King_Boru · 9 Nov 2006 at 11:02

Wile E. Coyote said:
Have used one also, friend has one, compared to my sigma 70-300mm its in a different class, fast focus and good image quality

Thats like comparing a lada to range rover though. No offense.

Wile E. Coyote · 9 Nov 2006 at 12:55

King_Boru said:
Thats like comparing a lada to range rover though. No offense.

I know, but carn't afford to shell out about £600 for a second hand one at the mo.

i know nothing · 9 Nov 2006 at 16:03

King_Boru said:
Have you considered the 80 - 200 f2.8? Lacks VR and its oldish but it produces wonderfully sharp images. Can be had for about £500 from a particular Hong Kong import site.

King.

I've got one and I personally think it's fantastic, sharpness is great.