hmm camera sorted .. need a bit of lens help
hmm camera sorted .. need a bit of lens help
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james f

Original Poster:

897 posts

243 months

Thursday 22nd February 2007
quotequote all
have finaly decided to invest in some dig kit (nikon DH2) but need some advice on what lenses as im on a tight budget as most will be blown on a meduim formant but idealy i would like 1 for everyday close ups and portrait and another for sports stuff like track days (was thinking 70 - 300mm for that ?) and then may be an inbetween say 20 - 70mm


was thinking this for track and sports www.jessops.com/Store/s9831/0/Lenses/Nikon/AF-80-400mm-f45-and-56-ED-(Vibration-Reduction)/details.aspx?&IsSearch=y&pageindex=3&CatId=143&comp=n

Edited by james f on Thursday 22 February 21:01

beano500

20,854 posts

305 months

Thursday 22nd February 2007
quotequote all
Either that or the new VR version of the 70-300 ED?


Plus how about (for a budget) a 50mm and some extension tubes - close up, portrait and low light all in one go!


Edited by beano500 on Thursday 22 February 21:10

james f

Original Poster:

897 posts

243 months

Thursday 22nd February 2007
quotequote all
nice one thanks all the new stuff is a bit over my head im still learning as ive been a black and white old school obsessive for ages while at uni and beofure now in the big world ive accepted that i need some digital kit

beano500

20,854 posts

305 months

Thursday 22nd February 2007
quotequote all
I don't think any one of my current lenses* were actually bought new, either. Some savings to be made on secondhand lenses - since they'll all fit. Just some of the latest compatability isn't there.

*(14mm Sigma; 20mm; 45mm; 55mm; 85mm; 180mm; 28-70mm Tokina; 70-300mm; 300mm - nope! all skinflint secondhand stuff )
hehe

james f

Original Poster:

897 posts

243 months

Thursday 22nd February 2007
quotequote all
i might just get the big one new as that will be used the most and thats what that camreas gonna be for relay ive had a look and theres loads of older 55mm etc on flea bay

_dobbo_

14,619 posts

278 months

Friday 23rd February 2007
quotequote all
Tight budget? 80-400VR? You and I have a very different idea of what constitutes a tight budget!

The 80-400 is a lot of lens for the money, but does fall down a bit in that it can't focus very quickly (or often not at all with a polariser on it). I haven't used mine much for motorsport so can't really say whether that will impede you at all.

I picked mine up off another Pistonheader at a too good to miss price, but I'd definately advise hiring one for a weekend first to see what it is like to live with.

fergusd

1,251 posts

300 months

Friday 23rd February 2007
quotequote all
james f said:
i might just get the big one new as that will be used the most and thats what that camreas gonna be for relay ive had a look and theres loads of older 55mm etc on flea bay


. . . most of which end up selling for far more than they are worth . . . fleabay is not what it used to be . . .

Fd

james f

Original Poster:

897 posts

243 months

Friday 23rd February 2007
quotequote all
_dobbo_ said:
Tight budget? 80-400VR? You and I have a very different idea of what constitutes a tight budget!

The 80-400 is a lot of lens for the money, but does fall down a bit in that it can't focus very quickly (or often not at all with a polariser on it). I haven't used mine much for motorsport so can't really say whether that will impede you at all.

I picked mine up off another Pistonheader at a too good to miss price, but I'd definately advise hiring one for a weekend first to see what it is like to live with.



well its not that tight i suppose but im willing to spash out on 1 or 2 very good lenses

SGirl

7,924 posts

291 months

Friday 23rd February 2007
quotequote all
_dobbo_ said:


The 80-400 is a lot of lens for the money, but does fall down a bit in that it can't focus very quickly (or often not at all with a polariser on it). I haven't used mine much for motorsport so can't really say whether that will impede you at all.


I'd agree with that. And I'd add that you have to be built like Geoff Capes to use it handheld for any length of time. hehe

I haven't used mine at all for motorsport yet, but I've used it for nature shots and suchlike. It's a fab lens. But very heavy. I've been known to wander round with it attached to the camera, but after a couple of hours I get fed up with lugging it around. But then again, I'm a girlie so that's only to be expected I suppose.

james f

Original Poster:

897 posts

243 months

Friday 23rd February 2007
quotequote all
luckily im a big lad so dont mind lugging what other dig lenses for nikkon come into that area / abliltys for the same ish money

_dobbo_

14,619 posts

278 months

Friday 23rd February 2007
quotequote all
james f said:
luckily im a big lad so dont mind lugging what other dig lenses for nikkon come into that area / abliltys for the same ish money


None in the Nikon range that I'm aware of... I wish Nikon would bring out an 80-400 with AF-S focusing and newer VR technology, priced at around £1500 it would be a great bit of kit.

The sigma equivalent scores higher than the Nikon in all respects on Fred Miranda - which is interesting given it's also a couple of hundred quid cheaper. Does appear to have the same shortcomings though.

For a bit more you could get a 120-300 sigma which is supposed to be a cracking lens, fast too at f/2.8.


james f

Original Poster:

897 posts

243 months

Friday 23rd February 2007
quotequote all
hmm might have to investigate that as i to wish the did an equivelent of cannons white 70 - 300mm that my mate has for track days