Mike OConnell
Second Unit
In 2011 the active participants of this forum were helpful in helping me select a new camera and appropriate lenses for a gift for my wife (and I) based on the planned uses of the camera. This forum provided more help versus just being "fanboys" of various brands, etc. like the photography forum replies tended to do...
I ended up purchasing a Nikon D5100 kit that included the Nikon AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens and the Nikon AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens.
I have been very pleased with the camera/lenses, except that I find during certain events I have some issues with low lighting. (I have adjusted ISO settings and used different progrma and manual modes). I had issues particularly with early morning starts and evenings under the lights during action sporting events and during high school choir concerts and theatrical performances where the stage is well lit, but in a dark auditorium.
I am interested in upgrading to a “faster” telephoto zoom lens and have had a chance to research four particular lenses:
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Lens - $2,397 (fantastic lens, fast focus, weather sealed, best of the best, but you pay for it).
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM - $1,249 (fantastic lens, a little soft at 200mm, not as fast focus as Nikon but still fast, funky zoom ring location that can’t be used with hood reversed, much better price than Nikon).
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro AF Lens - $769 (great optics, slow compared to the other lenses and not that good for action sports, great bang for the buck).
Nikon 70-200 2.8 Edif Afs-g Vr Lens – Used – Like New - $1699 Previous Version of above Nikon Lens from Adorama, which puts 30 day return policy on the used lenses.
I realize that through my DX format camera my longest zoom will be 300mm effective on the above lenses versus 450mm effective on my current zoom lens, but the speed will definitely help.
Thoughts?
Thanks, Mike
I ended up purchasing a Nikon D5100 kit that included the Nikon AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens and the Nikon AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens.
I have been very pleased with the camera/lenses, except that I find during certain events I have some issues with low lighting. (I have adjusted ISO settings and used different progrma and manual modes). I had issues particularly with early morning starts and evenings under the lights during action sporting events and during high school choir concerts and theatrical performances where the stage is well lit, but in a dark auditorium.
I am interested in upgrading to a “faster” telephoto zoom lens and have had a chance to research four particular lenses:
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Lens - $2,397 (fantastic lens, fast focus, weather sealed, best of the best, but you pay for it).
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM - $1,249 (fantastic lens, a little soft at 200mm, not as fast focus as Nikon but still fast, funky zoom ring location that can’t be used with hood reversed, much better price than Nikon).
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro AF Lens - $769 (great optics, slow compared to the other lenses and not that good for action sports, great bang for the buck).
Nikon 70-200 2.8 Edif Afs-g Vr Lens – Used – Like New - $1699 Previous Version of above Nikon Lens from Adorama, which puts 30 day return policy on the used lenses.
I realize that through my DX format camera my longest zoom will be 300mm effective on the above lenses versus 450mm effective on my current zoom lens, but the speed will definitely help.
Thoughts?
Thanks, Mike