Decisions, Decisions! Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII, plus TC or Sigma 150-500mm

Gaptoothedgypsy

Hi Guys,

New Question from a new Forum Member, which has probably been asked a million times before, however I would appreciate your advice.

I am going to visit Namibia this August, I own a Sigma 150-500mm and have used this lens on my D300 and D800 on my last two trips to Zambia. I was not thrilled with the image quality of the lens. I do own a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII, plus TC-1.7eII and TC-2.0eIII. I think I'm getting better images with the Nikkor and the TC's but I miss out on the reach. Given a limited budget should I a) Take the Sigma and try to improve my technique with the lens, b) Take the 70-200mm and crop or c) buy a longer lens and if so which one gives me the best value for money, maybe the new 300 F4?

Any advice gratefully received.

GTG

sevencrossing

I do not have the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4D IF-ED
But used with your D800 plus your TCs it should give sharper results than the 70 -200
If the you budget allows. look at the AF-S NIKKOR 80–400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR. I have this lens and love it
It is much better than the 70 -200 + the TC 2 on a D800. all of which I have

spraynpray

Hi Gaptoothedgypsy and welcome to NR.

The part of your post I don't understand is what image quality problems you had with the Bigma. Could you expand on the nature of the problems you are getting please?

haroldp

If the you budget allows. look at the AF-S NIKKOR 80–400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR. I have this lens and love it
It is much better than the 70 -200 + the TC 2 on a D800. all of which I have

My experience as well.

... H

Gaptoothedgypsy

Hi Spraynpray,

I found the Bigma a little slow to focus, especially when using the 'Back Button' focus method and following Birds and fast moving Animals. The Nikon seemed to track much better. If I fired 3 or 4 frames with the Nikon + TC's the focus point stayed where I put it. With the Bigma I found that the focus point started to drift the more frames that I shot and consequently I had out of focus eyes, heads etc. But maybe its me!

sevencrossing

I have tried the Sigma 150-500mm on a friend's Canon. it simply does not cut the mustard
The AF-S NIKKOR 80–400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR. is in a completely different league
my experience with a D800 is that if you want more reach when using zooms , you are better off cropping than using a TC

autofocus

+1 for the Nikon 80-400mm G. Focus is as fast as my Nikon 70-200mm VRII and the VR on the 80-400 is great. Shame the new Sigma 150-600mm Sport isn't available yet. That might be a great lens when we see how fast the AF is on it.

Gaptoothedgypsy

Thanks very much for all your advice guys, looks like I'm off to the shops for an 80-400

spraynpray

You won't go far wrong with that lens. Great VR too.

Msmoto

Now that I have changed the thread title.....for sure...the new 80-400mm G is a very nice lens... So much more easily managed than the Sigma, most likely.

A thought..... a D7100 would give more pixel density than a D800, or shoot the D800 in DX crop mode and have the effect of a 600mm..... just my thoughts...

sevencrossing

A thought..... a D7100 would give more pixel density than a D800, .

in THEORY

But no one has yet posted an example with a set of different ISO values
comparing a D7100 image to a cropped D800 image
I think You might see a difference using, say the 400 f 2.8
but I don't think the difference would be worth trading a D800 ( which the OP already has ) for a D7100 using the AF-S NIKKOR 80–400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR.

Msmoto

I was only pointing out that info for those who might have similar interests. Of course, selling the D300 and purchasing the D7100......I might suggest that.

And once again....only my thinking....BTW, .I love my D800E

scoobysmak

I am not against the Nikon 80-400 VRII but do ask, would the Tamron 150-600 be an acceptable lens. It has an extra 200mm and with the D800 F8 focus points shouldn't have any problems focusing except in low light were even the 80-400 is not a cure for this. Here is the thread on the Tamaron:
http://forum.nikonrumors.com/discussion/2292/new-tamron-sp-150-600mm-f5-6-3-di-vc-usd-a011-tests-/p1

Here is the only bad part I think about buying third party lenses due to firmware, here is a link to an example but do not believe this affects the 150-600, just wanted people to be informed though:
http://forum.nikonrumors.com/discussion/1380/problem-with-tamron-lenses-on-d800

Photobug

Always thought Sigma 150-500mm lens was good glass. Years sho got the Tamron 200-500 had it for 6 years then sold it. Thinking of getting the Tamron 150-600mm lens. Lots of images on PAD with that lens on several DX & FX DSLRs.

Local dealer, manager, got amazing shots with D700 & D800. We were discussing Sigma 150-500 & Tamron 150-600. They are moving away from Sigma (except Arts lens) and handling only Tamron. They are seeing a lit of returns of Sigma long & mid range zoom lenses - durability issues. Especially 150-500mm.

I honestly believe him. Got to admit I have not seen many warranty complains on Sigma here on NRF. I know this will get lot of comments...don't kill the messenger. Always liked Sigma lens but his comments sure made me think about buying a long Sigma lens. I would go Nikon or Tamron.

Coastalconn

I have a pretty extensive database of what the Tamron 150-600 is capable of. It is certainly more capable then the Sigma 150-500. Maybe you should see what the new Sigma 150-600 "C" ($1089 US) has to offer, or check into the Sigma 150-600 "S" (1999 US)..

This link is my flickr thread with all of my Tamron 150-600 images. Mostly D7100 and D800 (some D7000 and D300) https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=tamron 150-600&user_id=63476818@N08&sort=interestingness-desc