Camera Upgrade Options

[D.P.]

I have A Nikon D70, 18-70mm kit lens, Sigma 10-20mm, Sigma 70-300 SPO Macro, Nikon 50mm 1.8.

I want to try and upgrade some gear to improve some IQ.

Been wondering about investing in good glass for the last year now. The Nikon 70-200 2.8 VR has grabbed my attention the longest, but it is so expensive!

It is cheaper to upgrade to the Nikon D300. In fact I could probably buy the D300 sell the D70 with kit lens and buy a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 and probably still have 50-150 bucks left over. The advantage of this is that all photos will be improved and with better handling/viewfinder and better high ISO performance I could get more keepers from even the 70-300m.


But then I could buy the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 instead and save a packet allowing other upgrades. I could get the Sigma 70-200mm + TC + tamron 17-50 and have enough money left over to buy another lens...

What I loose over the nikon 70-200 is softness at 2.8 and VR. But I have no idea how important VR is.


Then of course i could look for a 2nd hand D200. I could buy a D200 + sigma 70-200 sell D70 and kit lens and buy the Tamron 17-50mm for the same pricer as the Nikon 70-200...


Any thoughts?

 

[D.P.]

Just as another option, with the price difference in the US vs Europe I can buy a cheap flight to New York for the price difference in buying a Nikon 70-200m here or over there. I should be able to stay with friends for free.
Even if I get caught and have to pay import tax, here in switzerland it is only 7% and still saves me a bunch

 

[D.P.]

The Nikon 80-200 is of course an option. Bit more expensive than the Sigma but sharper at f/2.8, maybe slower focusing though.

I here the Sigma 70-200 is sharper than the Nikon at anything F4 and above...

 

[D.P.]

Another option;

D300 + Nikon 80-200mm f2.8

New camera + nice and sharp (as sharp as if not sharper than 70-200mm) lens.

£1000 for the D300 + about £400 for the 80-200 s/h.

Are there many differences in 80-200mms.
A local camera shop has a Nikon 80-200mm going for pretty cheap (about £350) . They had new 80-200mm in stock that cost 2.5x that amount. I asked what the difference was and they aaid it was an earlier model.

I tried to look for a number or model details but couldn't find much before the lens was promptly taken away. It looked to be in prime condition with no scratches. I intend to do back to the shopè with my D70 to test it.

What are the best ways to test a lens for softness issues? Is there some stanrad test targets I can print offf the web?

 

[D.P.]

Looking around it seems to be the discontinued version 3 made form 1993-1997 without the tripod collar. I'm not sure how fast focusing it is.

Will try it out anyway.

But a brand new Sigma 70-2.8 probably offers similar IQ and is maybe not really any slower.

 

[D.P.]

Just a bump asking for more opinions.

The D300 has a 300CHF discount (around £150).... but I really should invest in glass...no? Otherwise in 4 years or so the same problems arise.