Telephoto lens opinions please....

[Furyous]

Need/want a tele for the upcoming motorsport season.Not got loads of spare cash having just bought the camera.Think Im down to a choice of three.

1.The budget option.Nikon
www.parkcameras.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/316/groupID/14/categoryID/69/v/43ee5cb3-cd42-4ef7-8b9f-314ffb168bfd

2.The option I think represents best value for money over speed.Sigma
www.parkcameras.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/649/groupID/14/categoryID/69/v/43ee5cb3-cd42-4ef7-8b9f-314ffb168bfd

3.The option I really want but cant quite justify at the mo.Nikon vr
www.parkcameras.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/4830/groupID/14/categoryID/69/v/43ee5cb3-cd42-4ef7-8b9f-314ffb168bfd
Your views and alternative suggestions welcomed chaps and chappess'.
F

[GetCarter]

You missed one out. The ED - one here and much better than than the Nikkor G

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nikon-Zoom-Nikk

Edited by GetCarter on Friday 19th January 15:39

[Furyous]

Cheers Steve.Is that basically the same as the VR without the VR ?

If that makes any sense at all.....

F

[CVP]

Mrs CVP has the previous generation of the first one you mention, it's exactly the same but not a G lens, so it still has the manual apperture ring on it. Pros are it's very very light and in bright light when you can use f8 it gives good quality images. Downsides are it's very plasticy to make it light and hence feels more fragile and wide open at f5.6 it can have quite soft images.

The ED Mr Carter recommended is a bit more solidly built.

I'd be tempted with the VR version of the lightweight.

Chris

[GetCarter]

Furyous said:

Cheers Steve.Is that basically the same as the VR without the VR ?

If that makes any sense at all.....

F

no... but better glass and better built. Get the best you can afford... but I'd avoid the G unless you are strapped for cash. most of these taken with the ED www.stevecarter.com/wild/wild.htm

[beano500]

Another vote for the 70-300 ED. Easy to work with - it's lighter and smaller than my 180mm, but then it's not got the aperture. Around the £200 mark is a bargain for the non-VR. I can only expect that the VR version will be heavier, in which case it might not seem quite as good in respect of weight and handling, but will make up for it if you can really get a three or four stop advantage.

Sigma are ...OK-ish... and I now own a 14mm HSM which I quite like, but I've heard too many focussing compatability issues to go anywhere near any others in the range - especially with the D200!

The "lite" version of the Nikon isn't really worth the paper it's written on.

Just my 2d....

[Furyous]

Cheers Guys.Lens' are like cars, there is always something faster for more dollar.

Monsieur Carters ebay link for the ED seems like good value.

Will it cope with bright sunshine and fast action ALA any decent motorsport ?

Given more budget I know I can get to f2.8, but its nearly a four digit price tag, and believe me, I aint that good.

F

[GetCarter]

Furyous said:

Cheers Guys.Lens' are like cars, there is always something faster for more dollar.

Monsieur Carters ebay link for the ED seems like good value.

Will it cope with bright sunshine and fast action ALA any decent motorsport ?

Given more budget I know I can get to f2.8, but its nearly a four digit price tag, and believe me, I aint that good.

F

Tis very good for motorsport - this using said lens frm about 80 yards

[VxDuncan]

Vote for the sigma I'm afraid! Optically very good with minimal CA (big bugbear of mine), and whilst quite slow and noisy the 1:2 "macro" mode is great. Great lightweight travel lens if you don't need anyhting longer. Just avoid the cheaper (non apo) version.

The VR Nikon looks good, though no better optically is suspect and 2.5x the price without the macro ability. It's in a strange price bracket between consumer and pro lenses. For your £400 or so I'd be looking at a Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 s/h with a tele, or possibly the Tokina 80-200 f2.8 for around a hundred from the bay.

[Furyous]

GetCarter said:

I will always be a considerably better photo graffer than yo !

Ok, I think my dollar has been spent.Now, where did my mrs hide my CC ?


Cameraheads......Lens' mattter.

[V6GTO]

Did you know Sigma do a 300-800?

Martin.

[Furyous]

V6GTO said:

porn type stuff

Just stop it, any idea how hard this is ?
F

[beano500]

Yes but Nikon do one of these

NB - that thing will take a teleconverter too!!!

[angrys3owner]

I've got that sigma lens for my D50, I think it's excellent value for money, the autofocus / speed / noise isn't a patch on my brothers 18-200 VR, but then the cost is 5 times as much.

Like these two pics a lot (both taken on the APO DG lens).

[_dobbo_]

I had the sigma, it's a fantastic lens for the price, I just never really used it much. I've since replaced it with an 80-400VR which I don't really use either!