confused about lens options....

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traceyjj

Senior Member
I am in the market for a telephoto lens, but I haven't a clue which one to buy!

I recently went on holiday and it became apparent that 70mm isn't long enough for some of the shots I would take while travelling... We went to an airshow, but pretty much most of my images were unusable, despite being in prime position (the official RAF photographer was less than 6ft away from me)

I would like the Nikon 70-200 f2.8, but the recent large price jump in the UK has made me think twice... (and put it on hold)

I have a 28-300, but the image quality is nowhere near as good as the 24-70 Nikon, and as the UK weather is "iffy" quite often, I often found that the autoISO pushed the ISO quite high to get a reasonable shutter speed. (maybe that was inexperience... I dont know)

What options are there for 70mm+ telephoto lenses for a full frame camera? what should I look for, and what should I avoid?

Many thanks in advance
Tracey
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
traceyjj said:
I am in the market for a telephoto lens, but I haven't a clue which one to buy!

I would like the Nikon 70-200 f2.8, but the recent large price jump in the UK has made me think twice... (and put it on hold) ...
Click to expand...
I can't tell you how much I love my Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD... Fantastic glass!
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
traceyjj said:
I see there are 2 versions of that lens... (silly question) but what is the difference?
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Not a silly question at all... The "other" version is the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) and the main differences between the two are that the Di LD (IF) version has no "VC" (Vibration Control, Tamron's version of Nikon's VR system) and it has macro focusing. The Di VC USD version does not do macro. I've not shot the Di LD (IF) version so I don't really have any opinion on it.
 
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traceyjj

Senior Member
jay_dean said:
As, usual the question kicks off with the budget. The Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 is just a sublime lens, truly fantastic, and i'd fully recommend it in a heartbeat. They do kick around on the second hand market, but hold their price well
https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/used-equi...-af-s-70-200mm-f-2-8g-if-ed-vr-ii/sku-628394/
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Unfortunately I cant justify (to myself) that amount of money for a second hand lens :( I was on a "waiting list" at my local camera shop for second hand 70-200 (I am guessing the older version), but I guess they havent had any in stock... or I am still too far down the list. So I think I need to look at options.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
traceyjj said:
Unfortunately I cant justify (to myself) that amount of money for a second hand lens :( I was on a "waiting list" at my local camera shop for second hand 70-200 (I am guessing the older version), but I guess they havent had any in stock... or I am still too far down the list. So I think I need to look at options.
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Another consideration should be the Nikon 70-200mm f/4G ED VR, especially if you feel the need to buy Nikon-branded glass and/or don't mind losing a stop.

Far less expensive than it's f/2.8 "cousin" this is an excellent 70-200mm; mostly on par with the previously suggested Tamron Di VC USD, I'd say.
 
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nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
af-s nikkor 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6 g for an everyday telephoto lens. I have a tamron 70-200mm 2.8 which is nice, for me i like the extra 100mm and price. You should be able to rent one to see if it meets your needs.
 
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Bikerbrent

Senior Member
If you can live without VR (which photographers have done for many, many years), then a used 80-200 f2.8 could be a viable option. A lot less money, less breathing, suburb IQ.
 
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Ta2Dave

Senior Member
My next big purchase will probably be the Tamon 2.8 70-200 non vc. They are hovering around $500-$650. The one I borrowed a while back really opened my eyes about the faster glass...
 
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salukfan111

Senior Member
70-300 vrg is a nice lens. The 70-210 f/4 if you can find it would be a dirt cheap good telephoto. The 70-210 has nothing at all on the 70-300vrg except being significantly cheaper and that is only if you can find it. A good used 180mm f/2.8 can be had cheap (same price as used 70-300 vrg) it is awesome but obviously you'll be limited to 180mm. The 105 and 135mm MF ai lens are nice too for the right price - you can own the model that took the Nat Geo pic of the pretty afgani girl for a little over a hundred and it'd be much cheaper if the angry photographer stopped telling folks to buy it.
 
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