Which len to get?


Sunnymau

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Jul 15, 2011
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Hi all,

Newbie here.. I just got my D90 Kit in april to shoot my baby, but got poison and thinking of getting a tele to shoot animals.. however cant decide which one to buy

1)sigma 150-500 OS series (seems very popular! But do i really need such a range?)
2)sigma 120-400 OS series (this is the one i feel like buying, cover the range after my kit lens and smaller in size)
3)Nikon 70-300 VR (chpest among the others, but slightly overlap with my kit lens and shortest in zoom length)
4)Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 (love the F stops, but seems too short and most expensive)

Pls advise on IQ, focus speed, versatility and which is most value for money..

TQ
 

Hi all,

Newbie here.. I just got my D90 Kit in april to shoot my baby, but got poison and thinking of getting a tele to shoot animals.. however cant decide which one to buy

1)sigma 150-500 OS series (seems very popular! But do i really need such a range?)
2)sigma 120-400 OS series (this is the one i feel like buying, cover the range after my kit lens and smaller in size)
3)Nikon 70-300 VR (chpest among the others, but slightly overlap with my kit lens and shortest in zoom length)
4)Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 (love the F stops, but seems too short and most expensive)

Pls advise on IQ, focus speed, versatility and which is most value for money..

TQ

Do consider weight and bulk. (1) is not a lens you can sling around the neck and then carry your baby when he/she needs carrying.
 

Do consider weight and bulk. (1) is not a lens you can sling around the neck and then carry your baby when he/she needs carrying.

OH! thank you for the advise, I totally forgot abt my babay! lol.. will bear that in mind...
 

I feel if u should let ur wife carry your kid when u shoot. The swinging of the camera body might hit ur poor baby.
 

Most likely will go to snap alone, so if baby is not of a concern, which lens to go with?
Bro Cowseye, any comment on the 150-500 you got?
 

With f6.3 at the longest end, the 150-500mm isn't really fast. However, in good sunlight, it shouldn't be a problem.
 

With f6.3 at the longest end, the 150-500mm isn't really fast. However, in good sunlight, it shouldn't be a problem.

So 120-400 would be faster right, f5.6 at the longest end, for newbie like me is 120-400 a good starter? I some how find 500 overkill for me(although not tested myself). What about IQ between these 2 lens?
 

Sunnymau said:
Most likely will go to snap alone, so if baby is not of a concern, which lens to go with?
Bro Cowseye, any comment on the 150-500 you got?

Not Cowseye here... But I do have the lens. I love it. BUT you really we'd a tripod or monopod to work the lens. It is just too heavy for hand holding. Of coz I old uncle, you young man so may be stronger arms.

And yes, good light conditions a must. Evening or heavy overcast then got problem. Then again, you get what you pay for - a 500mm f4 will be nearly 10 times the price, and probably twice the weight.
 

Not Cowseye here... But I do have the lens. I love it. BUT you really we'd a tripod or monopod to work the lens. It is just too heavy for hand holding. Of coz I old uncle, you young man so may be stronger arms.

And yes, good light conditions a must. Evening or heavy overcast then got problem. Then again, you get what you pay for - a 500mm f4 will be nearly 10 times the price, and probably twice the weight.

Thank you for your input.. one question, in order to cover the range after my kit (108mm), would 120mm better than 150mm?
 

I suggest u go rent 1 set and try it out.
And very likely such a tele len,imho, 95% of the time will be hibernating in your dry cabi.

Anyway u probably need at least 200mm and above. Local zoo/ birdie park, afs vr 70-200 f/2.8 will be good. But darm pricey. Alternatively try th older 80-200 f/2.8 , but iirc , it doesnt have vr, u definitely need a mono/tri- pod. :)
 

I suggest u go rent 1 set and try it out.
And very likely such a tele len,imho, 95% of the time will be hibernating in your dry cabi.

Anyway u probably need at least 200mm and above. Local zoo/ birdie park, afs vr 70-200 f/2.8 will be good. But darm pricey. Alternatively try th older 80-200 f/2.8 , but iirc , it doesnt have vr, u definitely need a mono/tri- pod. :)

yah, i find it pricey too.
what about 70-300 vr? My friend borrow one to me without vr, without tripot really diff to take sharp pics..
 

How abt Sigma 120-300 f2.8 OS?

I cant find the lens from DD site. is this what you talking abt:Sigma APO 120-300/2.8 EX DG HSM Nikon
way out of my budget leh.. 2k+
 

So 120-400 would be faster right, f5.6 at the longest end, for newbie like me is 120-400 a good starter? I some how find 500 overkill for me(although not tested myself). What about IQ between these 2 lens?

The fastest in your list of lenses is the 80-200 f2.8 but that might not meet the focal length that you want. 500 might or might not be overkill depending on how far you want the reach to be. The focal length a person use is not dependent on their experience but rather by necessity.
 

80-200 f2.8 couple with a TC 2.0.
 

The fastest in your list of lenses is the 80-200 f2.8 but that might not meet the focal length that you want. 500 might or might not be overkill depending on how far you want the reach to be. The focal length a person use is not dependent on their experience but rather by necessity.

Most likely will use that zoom lens to take pics at zoo, bird park, sugai buloh, ubin, dont think I will bring it for travel... any idea where can I rent one?
 

80-200 f2.8 couple with a TC 2.0.

This will burst my budget.. btw I am noob to TC. TC2.0 means I am able to reach 400mm with 200mm? What about the IQ and speed of focus comparing using TC and a zoom lens itself, which is better?
 

80-200 f2.8 couple with a TC 2.0.

bear in mind that the AF-D 80-200 is incompatible with nikon's latest TC line(will have to break a tab on the TC to affix the lens. and also no auto focus). Also, the 2.0x series has been known to give a lower IQ performance than its 1.4x counterparts. Suggest you get Kenko 1.4 if you want to go with this pairing.

Also, please see my signature.
 

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bear in mind that the AF-D 80-200 is incompatible with nikon's latest TC line(will have to break a tab on the TC to affix the lens. and also no auto focus). Also, the 2.0x series has been known to give a lower IQ performance than its 1.4x counterparts. Suggest you get Kenko 1.4 if you want to go with this pairing.

Also, please see my signature.

After browsing through the web and find out more abt TC, I decided not to get one as it usually lower the f stops and might affect IQ. Most importantly, is not cheap for a good TC. I will get a zoom lens instead. Thank you for correcting my typo..

Any more advise? So far no one comments on 70-300 vr, how come? I thought it cover a reasonable length?
 

After browsing through the web and find out more abt TC, I decided not to get one as it usually lower the f stops and might affect IQ. Most importantly, is not cheap for a good TC. I will get a zoom lens instead. Thank you for correcting my typo..

Any more advise? So far no one comments on 70-300 vr, how come? I thought it cover a reasonable length?

You keep talking about 500 and 400mm as if longer focal length = better, so naturally most would assume 300mm is insufficient for you ;)
70-300VR isn't that fast as well, but the VR system is pretty good. I suppose it's a good 'bang for your buck' lens :)