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80-200mm f 2.8 plus tc for BIF any good? (1 Viewer)

fender

Well-known member
Hi all, I would appreciate help and advice please;

I am wondering if the older Nikon 80-200mm f2.8 lens would be good for Bif's and if so what T.C. would be best with it.

Ideally i would buy the newer 70-200mm f2.8 if suitable, but with a budget of £1000 i realize i cant.

Not sure if it's OK to mention in this forum that i had been considering the new Sigma 50-55mm DG OS HSM?...but i am keen to get a lens/lens plus t.c.combo that will give me the best I.Q. and reach for wildlife and bif's and something with a decent speed a/focus.

I will be using this with my Nikon D300.

Regards Phil.
 
A 300/4 af-s would be better and would be slightly longer than the zoom plus a tc. As for tc's the best choice would be a nikon tc14e either mk 1 or 2.

Then with a 300/4 if you get a tc14 you'll have a very nice 420/5.6 which is an excellent combination on a D300.
Check out mifsuds used listings and such like to see if you can save a bit. Both 300 lens and tc should be achievable under £1000

One on eBay at the mo for less than £500 and 3 hrs to go, worth watching to see what they make.
 
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Duke said it all.... Just got this liitle beauty this morning... 300f4 and 1.4TC mounted on a D90. Cant go wrong, and its nice and lite for walkabout....

Good luck
 

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Thanks for that guys,sounds a good set-up.Just one thing though...i have read that some folk have had a/f issues with this combo and wondered how widespread this is?

Also when i contacted Mifsuds they said that it would only be manually compatible with a tc! perhaps they mean when a 2x t.c. is used? I have mailed them to ask but not heard yet.

What do you chaps think of the newer Sigma 50-500mm OS in comparison to your suggestions

Phil
 
Lol doesn't sound like Mifsuds, no issue with a 300/4 and 1.4 tc I suppose if you need convincing apart from the members who use it just check on nikons website, you'll find no issue. I would like however to see those things you've read.
I use my 300/4 happily with a 1.4 and 1.7 tc although in poor light or low contrast the af may not be as quick as one would hope with the 1.7
As for a zoom of that range I have no idea but would doubt it's capabilities against a prime with or without a 1.4tc, what minimum aperture at 500 is it 6.3? You get 510 at 6.3 with a 1.7tc
I've no doubt the sigma is a worthy lens but your question on this thread related to bif shots and you have had answers.
I would suggest that you try before you buy, see if theres a nikon dealer near you such as Clifton cameras and give em a go
 
Lol doesn't sound like Mifsuds, no issue with a 300/4 and 1.4 tc I suppose if you need convincing apart from the members who use it just check on nikons website, you'll find no issue. I would like however to see those things you've read.
I use my 300/4 happily with a 1.4 and 1.7 tc although in poor light or low contrast the af may not be as quick as one would hope with the 1.7
As for a zoom of that range I have no idea but would doubt it's capabilities against a prime with or without a 1.4tc, what minimum aperture at 500 is it 6.3? You get 510 at 6.3 with a 1.7tc
I've no doubt the sigma is a worthy lens but your question on this thread related to bif shots and you have had answers.
I would suggest that you try before you buy, see if theres a nikon dealer near you such as Clifton cameras and give em a go

Thanks for that Duke, I'm sure the 300/4 is a fine lens...will check it out before i buy. I read about the issues whilst browsing lens reviews...looked at a good many, but once i find exactly where i will put up the links.

Phil.
 
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