paulandbecs
Member
Hi all
Have been researching options for my first telephoto lens. I have a D90 with the standard 18-105mm lens. Also have a Panasonic FZ50 with a 1.7 tc that I have previously used for wildlife photography with some good results (see eg http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulandbecs/sets/72157604361984351/).
Will be shooting in Namibia this April, then back in the UK in the usual mixed conditions we have. "Static" birds mainly (as opposed to in flight) but also wildlife in general (especially in Namibia!). Use a Manfrotto 190xb tripod with their 222 joystick head. Unlikely to be doing handheld, but have done handheld with the FZ50/1.7tc with acceptable results.
So, I've distilled the "sensible" options to:
Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VRII + Nikkor AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III
£1400 + £450
Nikon 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF AF-S + Nikon TC-14E II 1.4x AF-S TC
£750 + £300
Sigma 150-500mm
£750
Tamron 200-500mm
£800
I feel that the Nikons are just too expensive for me at the moment, so I'm pretty sure that I'll be getting the Sigma. The F4/300mm + 1.4tc might just be possible in terms of budget.
The reviews/comments on here and elsewhere aren't ecstatic when compared to the Nikons but it seems like it does an OK job for the price, and would be a sensible first telephoto. Namibia is going to be bright, so I don't need a desperately fast lens.
Would be good if someone can provide some reassurance that this is a sensible decision before I purchase!
Cheers
Paul.
PS have read about the QC issues with the Sigmas, so am thinking of purchasing new so I have warranty, rather than risking 2nd hand.
Have been researching options for my first telephoto lens. I have a D90 with the standard 18-105mm lens. Also have a Panasonic FZ50 with a 1.7 tc that I have previously used for wildlife photography with some good results (see eg http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulandbecs/sets/72157604361984351/).
Will be shooting in Namibia this April, then back in the UK in the usual mixed conditions we have. "Static" birds mainly (as opposed to in flight) but also wildlife in general (especially in Namibia!). Use a Manfrotto 190xb tripod with their 222 joystick head. Unlikely to be doing handheld, but have done handheld with the FZ50/1.7tc with acceptable results.
So, I've distilled the "sensible" options to:
Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VRII + Nikkor AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III
£1400 + £450
Nikon 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF AF-S + Nikon TC-14E II 1.4x AF-S TC
£750 + £300
Sigma 150-500mm
£750
Tamron 200-500mm
£800
I feel that the Nikons are just too expensive for me at the moment, so I'm pretty sure that I'll be getting the Sigma. The F4/300mm + 1.4tc might just be possible in terms of budget.
The reviews/comments on here and elsewhere aren't ecstatic when compared to the Nikons but it seems like it does an OK job for the price, and would be a sensible first telephoto. Namibia is going to be bright, so I don't need a desperately fast lens.
Would be good if someone can provide some reassurance that this is a sensible decision before I purchase!
Cheers
Paul.
PS have read about the QC issues with the Sigmas, so am thinking of purchasing new so I have warranty, rather than risking 2nd hand.