Nikon lens advice

[Kirk]

Would someone mind giving me a steer here? Just back from hols in the Arctic and while my D300/18-200 performed admirably, there were times when a better lens (read: telephoto) would have helped with the less helpful wildlife.

What should I do - blag it with a 2x converter or fork out for an even more expensive lens? Still learning about Nikon and DLSRs so apologies if there is an obvious answer.

[GetCarter]

The 70-300 has three incarnations... the G is pi55 cheap and optically is almost as good as the other two. The ED is built a bit better, but is still cheap.

G: (From HK - so you might have to pay a few quid tax)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GENUINE-Nikon-AF-Nikkor-70-3...

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 8th August 17:44

[Simpo Two]

I have a 70-300mm ED for sale - PM me for pix etc if you're interested.

[GravelBen]

I tried a 70-300ED (for motorsport), didn't get on with it at all so sold it on and stuck with the 80-200 f/2.8 which is quite superb. May have been a lemon though, was a cheap second-hand buy.

[DanH]

You can't use a 2x tele with that lens IIRC. The elements will collide with the tele.

Personally I'd wait 6 months, there is a leaked road map suggesting they have a 120-450 alledgedly coming Q1 2010.

[RobDickinson]

2.0 tele drops you 2 stops, on an f5.6 lens already thats not wise, any TC is for fast (f2.8) zooms or primes typicaly.

[Simpo Two]

GravelBen said:

I tried a 70-300ED (for motorsport), didn't get on with it at all so sold it on and stuck with the 80-200 f/2.8 which is quite superb.

Different league - the 70-300ED was the Nikon's only offering in that range when I got it and I'd say it was 'good amateur' (£225) as opposed to a professional lens. However it is screw-drive, which may or may not be important to the user.

[Ravell]

Like RobDickinson pointed out, your lens at 200mm will go from a max apeture of f5.6 to f11 with a 2x teleconverter. Anything above f5.6 and the metering and AF won't work and your viewfinder will become extremely dark. The 2x converter has very limited applications mostly restricted to fast primes and even then you tend to lose AF. Get the 80-400mm or 70-300 if you don't mind slow apeture or get a long prime if you want a fast apeture.

[condor]

I recently bought the 70-300 and although good ( as in binocular type wise) I did find the lens very heavy, and got arm ache after 20 mins....so would suggest a tripod as an accessory as well .

[Ravell]

condor said:

I recently bought the 70-300 and although good ( as in binocular type wise) I did find the lens very heavy, and got arm ache after 20 mins....so would suggest a tripod as an accessory as well .

hehe, if you think that's heavy, try a fast pro telephoto, something like the 600mm F4: http://www.digiscoped.com/misc/600mmafs2.jpg

[condor]

:lol:
...was just a head's up to say telephoto lens are very heavy after just a short while.

[Kirk]

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated. I think I will look into the 80-400 and find out more about the 125-450, which does sound ideal.

[chris.mapey]

Another option is the Sigma "Bigma" - 50 - 500mm.

Not the fastest lens optically, but could be ideal for your needs on holiday - with one lens that can do most situations...(it is a big lump though)

HTH

[_dobbo_]

Have you got a Bigma Chris? I'm trying to find a shop that stocks them so I can get my hands on one and see how it handles compared to my existing 80-400VR.

I've given up on waiting for Nikon to bring out a replacement for the 80-400!