200mm+ for a D90, which one?

[dubstar]

looking for something 200mm (or more), £600ish budget. ideally a fast lens would be nice but what the budget allows etc.

i've been looking at:


Nikon AF-S DX 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR II

Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM

Like the range on the Sigma, some of the reviews sound promising, but it does have a bit of a flaring issue it seems? Some reviews on the Nikon are good, some are ok.....

All thoroughly confusing sitting for hours reading reviews on lenses lol!

So, what can you recommend for me? Not too fussed about wide angle lower end, but it can be handy not changing lenses.....

[OldBoy]

Have a look at the Nikon 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G AF-S VR as it's regarded as super sharp. RGB Photo have it for £379.99. Spoke to a Pro tog yesterday and he uses it all the time on his D700.

[chris-p]

Another vote for the 70-300 G, it's a cracking lens which is nice and sharp at 300mm as well.

[Sue Allen]

The Nikon 18-200 is OK and very handy but not that special. Have'nt used the Sigma 120-400 but have read a few reports of quality control problems. The Nikon 70-300 vr really is exceptionally good for a lens of its type. Best value and quality if 70-200 would suffice is probably the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 - heavy and big but focusses quickly and silently and produces great results. Would'nt bother with the Tamron 70-200 f2.8 if you're into any kind of action - the Nikon version has very slow AF [the Pentax version is nice though!]
a few snaps taken with these - http://www.flickr.com/photos/greypoi...7603344633592/

[dubstar]

ok so Nikon 70-300mm sounds good then. ill read a few reviews on that tomorrow night. anymore for thought?

good value that Nikon too....

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by dubstar

anymore for thought?

Not really. There is a Tokina 80-400mm for about £570 but it's not stabilised (which would be a must have for me on a 400mm lens) and the reviews (like those for the 80-400mm Sigma) are lacklustre at best.

The only other option, and it's £100 over your budget, is the Sigma 150-500mm. Really depends on what you're shooting but 500mm is overkill for most people.

Originally Posted by dubstar

good value that Nikon too....

Considerably better value than when I bought mine about a year ago as it was £500 then!

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by Sue Allen

Best value and quality if 70-200 would suffice is probably the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 - heavy and big but focusses quickly and silently and produces great results. Would'nt bother with the Tamron 70-200 f2.8 if you're into any kind of action - the Nikon version has very slow AF [the Pentax version is nice though!]

Are you referring to the Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 VR, as this is super fast on AF or the Nikon 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 AF, which can be a bit slow?

[Sue Allen]

No - never mentioned the Nikon 70-200 as the budget was £600 and would'nt stretch to one of those - I was referring to the Tamron 70-200 which has lovely optics and is reasonably light but very slow AF in the Nikon version. Swapped mine for a Sigma which has nice fast AF and good quality for those who can't afford the Nikon. If the lens is going to be used as a 'walkaround' then the Nikon 70-300 has many advantages in terms of weight.

[dubstar]

basically, as i'm just an amateur tog, with the odd shot for friends, and as i'm an right geek when it comes to tech, i just want the best for my money....

my only other lens is the nikon (kit lens) 18-105, which i find a very good lens, and quite versatile. but i would like something around 200mm preferably more... for the occasional wildlife and moving car shots....

i could do with a new flickr/cleanout sometime lol....

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by dubstar

basically, as i'm just an amateur tog, with the odd shot for friends, and as i'm an right geek when it comes to tech, i just want the best for my money....

my only other lens is the nikon (kit lens) 18-105, which i find a very good lens, and quite versatile. but i would like something around 200mm preferably more... for the occasional wildlife and moving car shots....

i could do with a new flickr/cleanout sometime lol....

Sounds exactly like me. I started with the 18-105 on my D90, then bought the 70-300. Since then I've bought some second hand stuff but the 70-300 remains a staple part of my kit...