Which High Power Zoom Lens to consider?

[htx]

Hi

I am thinking of getting a high power zoom lens and have a few lens as listed below for consideration. Please share with me your thought as this will be my first high power zoom lens.

I am more into portrait and indoor shoots. I would like to venture and try out a zoom lens for a different angle. I have 2 lens at the moment (AF 50mm f/1.8 D and AF 85mm f/1.4 IF).

1. AF 80-200mm f/2.8 ED
2. AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 ED or AFS VR 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IF ED
3. AF 70-210mm f/4-5.6 D (Used)

No. 1 is rated very well by most people, please share your thoughts on 2 and 3. I do not mind getting a used unit and may consider to couple with a teleconverter too.

Regards
htx

[photobum]

I don't mean to be rude. Mind if I ask what do you mean 'high power' zoom lens? The 70mm to 300mm range is not considered 'high power'. Nikon custom make a military-grade 2000mm f4. That is what I call a 'high power' lens.

Back to your question. If you are buying a telephoto zoom lens to take portraitures, my recommendations are the 80-200mm f2.8 ED AF-S and the 70-200mm f2.8G ED AF-S VR. You cannot go wrong with either of these fine zoom lenses.

If you like something with more 'reach', try the 80-400 f4.5-5.6 ED AF VR. It has a 9-blade diaphragm, so the bokeh is nice.

[calebk]

IMHO, your 85 f/1.4 takes really really good portraits already. You have one of the best portrait primes in the Nikkor lens series.

[htx]

Hi photobum

Thanks for the insights. Wrong selection of words I guess, still learning from you guys.

My budget for this zoom lens not more than $2000.

Any comments on No. 3???

Calebk, thanks. It is indeed a fine lens (the 85mm f/1.4).

Regards
htx

[photobum]

Originally Posted by htx Hi photobum Thanks for the insights. Wrong selection of words I guess, still learning from you guys. My budget for this zoom lens not more than $2000. Any comments on No. 3??? Calebk, thanks. It is indeed a fine lens (the 85mm f/1.4). Regards htx

Get an used 70-200mm f2.8G ED AF-S VR for about S$1,900.

[kyo86sg]

Originally Posted by htx Hi I am thinking of getting a high power zoom lens and have a few lens as listed below for consideration. Please share with me your thought as this will be my first high power zoom lens. I am more into portrait and indoor shoots. I would like to venture and try out a zoom lens for a different angle. I have 2 lens at the moment (AF 50mm f/1.8 D and AF 85mm f/1.4 IF). 1. AF 80-200mm f/2.8 ED 2. AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 ED or AFS VR 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IF ED 3. AF 70-210mm f/4-5.6 D (Used) No. 1 is rated very well by most people, please share your thoughts on 2 and 3. I do not mind getting a used unit and may consider to couple with a teleconverter too. Regards htx

For tele lens, VR is recommend as you then to shake. thus breaks down to
70-200mm VR f2.8 (2k)
70-300mm VR f4-f5.6 (900)

Well, its up to you le.

[htx]

Hi

Thanks for the replies. I will consider a used AFS 70-200mm VR f/2.8G ED or AF 80-200mm f/2.8 ED.

Happy snapping.

Regards
htx

[Robbie J]

If you need the speed and can afford the price - the 80-200 f2.8 or better still 70-200VR f2.8 is the way to go. Otherwise the 70-300VR is the other one to go for. VR really works and will enable you to shoot at the long end hand-held. The older 70-300 (non VR) is not a contender - the newer VR version is streets ahead in terms of image quality.

[chngpe01]

A 70-200mm f2.8VR or a 80-200mm f2.8. My 70-200f2.8VR is one of the 2 "workhorses" lenses that brings in a good income for me. (the other is my 17-55mm).

With the full frame D3, the 70-200mm will still be he workhorse (except 17-55mm switch to 24-70mmf2.8)

[zac08]

One more consideration... option 2 and 3 can't be used with a TC. You'd lose too much light.

You'd need f2.8 lenses for TC usage.

[photobum]

The image quality between the 80-200 f2.8 ED AF-S and 70-200 f2.8G ED VR at all aperture settings other than 2.8 are very, very similar. Once you go to f2.8, the latter is sharper.

For me, I don't shoot at f2.8 very often, therefore I chose the 80-200 ED AF-S instead. Furthermore, I can handheld my lens firmly at 200mm at 1/4 seconds without much problem, I don't need the VR either.

[htx]

Dear All

Thanks for the inputs, very much appreciated.

Will go for a used AFS 70-200mm VR f/2.8G IF ED or a new AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED.

TC will come later as I need some time to play with the lens.

Have a good day.

Regards
htx

[mart65]

I thought that the 80-200 AF-S is out of production. Do our shops still sell this lens?

[htx]

Originally Posted by mart65 I thought that the 80-200 AF-S is out of production. Do our shops still sell this lens?

Hi mart65

Yes, you are right. To get one of those, it has to be a used unit. Try B&S section, ebay, etc.

Regards
htx

[Ambious]

Originally Posted by photobum I don't mean to be rude. Mind if I ask what do you mean 'high power' zoom lens? The 70mm to 300mm range is not considered 'high power'. Nikon custom make a military-grade 2000mm f4. That is what I call a 'high power' lens. Back to your question. If you are buying a telephoto zoom lens to take portraitures, my recommendations are the 80-200mm f2.8 ED AF-S and the 70-200mm f2.8G ED AF-S VR. You cannot go wrong with either of these fine zoom lenses. If you like something with more 'reach', try the 80-400 f4.5-5.6 ED AF VR. It has a 9-blade diaphragm, so the bokeh is nice.

Does it mean that the 80-400 f4.5-5.6 ED AF VR with VR on can handle indoor concert shooting? What's the bokeh like for this lens?

[photobum]

Originally Posted by Ambious Does it mean that the 80-400 f4.5-5.6 ED AF VR with VR on can handle indoor concert shooting? What's the bokeh like for this lens?

This lens is OK for indoor concert shooting. The bokeh is hexagon-smooth shaped, though not as good as the 70-200 f2.8.

[calebk]

Originally Posted by Ambious Does it mean that the 80-400 f4.5-5.6 ED AF VR with VR on can handle indoor concert shooting? What's the bokeh like for this lens?

If the stage lights are good, yes. I've pushed f/4 and f/5.6 with ISO 800 for indoor stage shooting before. You'll be getting shutter speeds like 1/125 to 1/200 if lighting is strong.

As long as the lighting is strong and good, then it'll be fine. If it's flashing, irregular and dim, then fat chance of your f/4.5-5.6 cutting it to stop motion.

[shocky]

The 80-400 is not bad but the quality and sharpness isnt like the 70-200 or 80-200...

I used a TC whenever required..

[Ambious]

Originally Posted by photobum This lens is OK for indoor concert shooting. The bokeh is hexagon-smooth shaped, though not as good as the 70-200 f2.8.

Originally Posted by calebk If the stage lights are good, yes. I've pushed f/4 and f/5.6 with ISO 800 for indoor stage shooting before. You'll be getting shutter speeds like 1/125 to 1/200 if lighting is strong. As long as the lighting is strong and good, then it'll be fine. If it's flashing, irregular and dim, then fat chance of your f/4.5-5.6 cutting it to stop motion.

Originally Posted by shocky The 80-400 is not bad but the quality and sharpness isnt like the 70-200 or 80-200... I used a TC whenever required..

Ok, so any of u guys still holding on to the 80-400mm or sold liao?

[calebk]

Originally Posted by Ambious Ok, so any of u guys still holding on to the 80-400mm or sold liao?

Never had one. Haha. Canon user here.