Telephoto Suggestions

C

Canadia-Nikon

Senior Member
I really like some of the shots that I have seen from the Tamron 150-600mm but it is simply out of my league at this point in time.

Any suggestions on a telephoto that would make a decent wildlife lens that can be found at a lower price point?

It will likely be paired with a D7100/D7200.

Thanks.
 
D

Dxer

Senior Member
Well, the only one that I can comment on through research and the one I am going to be buying next is the Sigma 120-400mm. I have read quite a bit about it and seen a lot of examples. This lens will compete with higher priced lenses. It just might be a little soft wide open, but at F/7.1 and smaller, it is sharp as a tack. This won't break the bank either compared to that Tamron. You can get these second hand from about $500-$600 or so. Other than that, than you may have to go with a older AI-S lens or something. Some of which are quite good if you don't mind manual focusing.
 
R

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
It's not the reach of the 150-600mm, but the Nikon 70-300mm VR is less expensive but equally popular. It'll work with your DX body, as well and FX bodies.
 
B

Bill16

Senior Member
Though it's a bit slow the Nikon AF 80-400mm vr d !lens can be found for about $600 or so! I have this lens and it has some real positives though it isn't what I would choose for birds in flight! It is very well built and it's a lot bigger than my pre vr 70-300 Nikon lens! I figure right now any problems with the photos I've taken with it was my error not a lens issue! Lol :)
 
M

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
As a cheaper alternative i would consider the Sigma 150-500, secondhand it should be be about half the price of the Tamron.
 
J

J-see

Senior Member
RocketCowboy said:
It's not the reach of the 150-600mm, but the Nikon 70-300mm VR is less expensive but equally popular. It'll work with your DX body, as well and FX bodies.
Click to expand...


The 70-300mm is nice indeed, especially on a DX. I gave mine away but it did a good job while I used it. 300mm is short for wildlife but lately I'm shooting 300mm FX all the time and the main difference with 600mm is effort and patience.

The longer the lens, the lazier you can be. ;)
 
E

Elliot87

Senior Member
How does the sigma 150-500 IQ stack up against the Tamron 150-600? I guess the Tamron will be sharper at 500mm but what about 400mm? How about when both compared shooting wide open. Is the Tamron only better because of the extra reach or is it all around a better lens?
 
Woodyg3

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
The Tamron 150-600 is a sharper lens than the Sigma 150-500 according to all the MTF data I've seen. More importantly, in practical real life shooting photographers are getting very sharp results with it. For a lot more money you could get a prime or the new Nikon 80-400 and get a lens that will probably perform even better, but the Tammy 150-600 is really a great lens. The reports I've seen of the Sigma 150-600 seem to indicate it is a great lens, as well.

I can certainly say that I'm very happy with my Tamzooka.

Meanwhile, if you want to keep costs down and think you would be happy at 300mm, the good old Nikon 70-300 VR really is a great lens. You can find them used for $300 or even less. Mine stays in a drawer these days, but I can't get myself to put it up for sale. It would be like selling an old friend. :)
 
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