Need help with new lens
- Thread starter Smforbes
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Don Kuykendall_RIP
RIP :(
You might look at the Tamron 150-600 or the Nikon 200-500
There are 2 versions of the Sigma 150-600 lens. The Contemporary and the Sports version. The Sports version might be out of your budget however. I don't know what the exchange rate is now but it is close to 2000.00 USD. Unless there is a deal that you can find. I shoot with a Nikkor 200-500mm F/5.6. All the other 150-600mm lenses that are mentioned here are f/6.3 on the long end, which may not seem much, but with you shooting with a D300 you need every bit of light that you can gather. (Just one point to consider)
All I can suggest is that you do a very thorough research into the matter at hand.:encouragement:
This thread ...
http://nikonites.com/photography-q-and-a/35691-150-600mm-telephoto-lens-sigma-vs-tamron.html
... might be of interest. I just got the Sigma and am delighted with its performance at first blush. A quality tripod is a must, by the way.
http://nikonites.com/photography-q-and-a/35691-150-600mm-telephoto-lens-sigma-vs-tamron.html
... might be of interest. I just got the Sigma and am delighted with its performance at first blush. A quality tripod is a must, by the way.
If you want a zoom, the suggestions above are great. I use a 300mm f/4 with a 1.4x teleconverter for a 420mm f/5.6 equivalent for most of my bird and wildlife stuff. If you are willing to forego VR and are not afraid to buy used, you can stay well under $2000 (USA) with this combo. It gives very sharp results, nice color and contrast, and isn't very heavy. It's certainly lighter than my Tamron 150-600. It's also a sharper lens. It autofocuses a little faster and more accurately, as well.
That said, the VR (or VC as Tamron calls it) of the Tamron 150-600 is a nice feature when things get really dark. Also, the convenience of a zoom can come in handy. Yesterday, using the Nikon set up, a Blue Heron walked up so close to me that I had to keep moving backwards to keep the bird in the frame.
That said, the VR (or VC as Tamron calls it) of the Tamron 150-600 is a nice feature when things get really dark. Also, the convenience of a zoom can come in handy. Yesterday, using the Nikon set up, a Blue Heron walked up so close to me that I had to keep moving backwards to keep the bird in the frame.
Fortkentdad
Senior Member
I just bought the Nikkor 200-500 (paid $1600 CDN in Edmonton) add $200 for a protective 95mm filter if you want to protect that expensive glass.
If you are more price conscious the Tamron and Sigma super zooms come in a few hundred less. I'm 'frugile' but after trying all three I decided that even though the 200-500 is shorter on both ends than the other two, it was worth the extra few hundred.
If you want just a little more reach to save even more, have you considered a good 70-300? I like my Tamron 70-300 and at about $500 it is a lot less.
I also looked at a used Nikkor 300mm for about a grand and I think it came with a teleconverter, they can be had for $700-$1,000ish. Henrys.com has a good listing of warrantied used glass. Including some long lenses. Used is fine if the vendor has a guarantee. They have a Nikon 80-400 used for $800 - half the price of the new 200-500.
But that is not the end of it.
I was lucky an old heavy duty hard body case I had bought back in my film days fit my new lens - otherwise I'd have to drop another hundred or so on a new lens case - the sock Nikon gives you is useless.
I'm now thinking I'll be dropping another $400-$600 or more for an upgraded tripod and gimbal head as I'm leary of a lens this big on my 'travel angel" tripod.
If you are more price conscious the Tamron and Sigma super zooms come in a few hundred less. I'm 'frugile' but after trying all three I decided that even though the 200-500 is shorter on both ends than the other two, it was worth the extra few hundred.
If you want just a little more reach to save even more, have you considered a good 70-300? I like my Tamron 70-300 and at about $500 it is a lot less.
I also looked at a used Nikkor 300mm for about a grand and I think it came with a teleconverter, they can be had for $700-$1,000ish. Henrys.com has a good listing of warrantied used glass. Including some long lenses. Used is fine if the vendor has a guarantee. They have a Nikon 80-400 used for $800 - half the price of the new 200-500.
But that is not the end of it.
I was lucky an old heavy duty hard body case I had bought back in my film days fit my new lens - otherwise I'd have to drop another hundred or so on a new lens case - the sock Nikon gives you is useless.
I'm now thinking I'll be dropping another $400-$600 or more for an upgraded tripod and gimbal head as I'm leary of a lens this big on my 'travel angel" tripod.