Nikon DSLR telephoto

[trackdemon]

I'm looking for a good quality, reasonably fast 70-300 or similar for my D100 as an upgrade from my current Sigma 70-300. A quick browse of Ebay throws up the following possible's:

Looks good value but not sure its fast enough. Need something with excellent AF, how would this do: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3343&item=3869703058&rd=1

Or this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30035&item=3869620025&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30035&item=3869623582&rd=1

Of course, this is what I'd really like but it's just a little out of budget

www.jessops.com/search/viewproduct.cfm?PRODUCT=NIKAF8040045VRD&BRAND=NIK&CONTINUE=false&FEATS=&FIRSTPRICE=0&KEYWORD=&LEVEL=&MODELNUMBER=&NEWQUERY=True&NODE=143&ORD=ASC&ORDERBY=&QUANTITY=10&RECENT=0&REFINE=&SEARCH_FOR=&SEARCHNODE=0&SEARCHURL=dointellisearch.cfm&SECONDPRICE=999999&SHOWCASEID=&STARTROW=11&SUBS=52583,52764,271,256&WORD_SEARCH=N&
+
www.jessops.com/search/viewproduct.cfm?PRODUCT=NIKAFS2004004VRG&BRAND=NIK&CONTINUE=false&FEATS=&FIRSTPRICE=0&KEYWORD=&LEVEL=&MODELNUMBER=&NEWQUERY=True&NODE=143&ORD=ASC&ORDERBY=&QUANTITY=10&RECENT=0&REFINE=&SEARCH_FOR=&SEARCHNODE=0&SEARCHURL=dointellisearch.cfm&SECONDPRICE=999999&SHOWCASEID=&STARTROW=11&SUBS=52583,52764,271,256&WORD_SEARCH=N&

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

Sigma 80-400 OS too much? Around £800 I think, new.

[trackdemon]

'fraid so - was thinking more along the lines of a decent s/h AFS Nikor os some sort....

[beano500]

Difficult to meet all your requirements in one go - the 80-400 VR is obviously a brilliant lens, which you might find secondhand.

Course a secondhand 80-200 f2.8...

(such as www.rcomputers.co.uk/mxv/detail.asp?f_type=D&Submit=Submit&hf_fit=nikon+af&offset=25 )

...is a great piece of glass for your £££s?

[-DeaDLocK-]

I throughly recommend the Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VR. The image quality is outstanding (corroborated by the fact that have I not read a single bad review on it), and if coupled with a Nikon 1.4x TC (which by all accounts when used with this lens produces no loss in image quality whatsoever) you have a range of 280mm, which jumps to an effective 420mm on a digital body.

It's not the cheapest piece of glass going (£1100 new), but believe me - it is simply fabulous. It's slated by the pros as being one of the very best Nikon lenses ever and is destined to be a much-desired classic.

[trackdemon]

Alas 1100 quid is too much at the moment - I'm looking more towards the 300-400 range (s/h)

[beano500]

I know I am a luddite but a Nikon 300 F4 or a Tokina 400 F5.6 ATX Pro would be my first choice in the secondhand market.

I can't help it I just think you get better images for your money and weight if you go for the fixed lens. Also, because they're not so "fashionable" you can find some great bargains. then if you want something better you can always swap it in and get some dosh towards the next purchase.

Also the Tokina 80-400 F4.5-5.6 ATX, if you must have a zooooooooooooooooooom.

All worth considering, IMHO.

[CVP]

80-400 VR is a simply great lens (apart from slow focussing) but I think you'll find it difficult to get one in your price range.

How about Nikkor 80-200 f2.8 AF or AFS? You should be able to get one of the AF ones pretty easily (in fact I know of a good one - my old one!) tack sharp images. Grays of Westminster have one with case graded as "mint -" which from them means pretty much perfect in anyone else's books - £395.

If you can find one I'd really try and get the AFS version to get that fast focussing speed. There will be lots of second hand stuff as a lot of pros have switched to the 70-200 AFS VR. Downside is it'll have had a hard life but the upside is you might be able to get AFS for AF prices. A quick search shows the AFS holding at about £600.

Only you can decide if you need the difference between AF and AFS focussing speed. I really notice it for my favourite subject of wildlife, but also sports or any other fast moving subject e.g. motorsport you will probably want to push the boat out that little bit further and get AFS.

If you decide the Af version is for you email me off-line as I've got my old 80-200 f2.8 AF ED at home which doesn't get many outings since replacement with the 80-400 VR. A good price to a loving home.

Chris

[GetCarter]

70-300/4-5.6D ED not fast enough? (Probably not)

It's a great lens for the price (£250 new)

I'm not really a telephoto sorta' guy, but all my track photos and wildlife photos have been taken with it.

www.SteveCarter.com

[_dobbo_]

I've read a couple of good reviews of the Nikkor 70-210mm f/4 5.6D lens... Might not be long enough for you but it's apparently quite fast focusing and can be had cheap as chips;

on ebay

edit Just realised the muppet on ebay has lied and said it's an AFD when it's not... SO you can ignore this link, sorry...



>> Edited by _dobbo_ on Wednesday 2nd February 16:03

[trackdemon]

GetCarter said:

70-300/4-5.6D ED not fast enough? (Probably not) It's a great lens for the price (£250 new) I'm not really a telephoto sorta' guy, but all my track photos and wildlife photos have been taken with it.

Actually Steve, it probably is (fast enough). I'd love to have an f2.8-4.0 or somesuch but they are too pricey for me at the moment. The main problem I'm having with my current lense is that the AF isn't fast enough and hunts quite a lot; none of my other (admittedly better quality) lenses do this so I'm convinced its a lense issue. Will keep my eyes open for a bargain ED on Ebay....

[GetCarter]

trackdemon said:

GetCarter said: 70-300/4-5.6D ED not fast enough? (Probably not) It's a great lens for the price (£250 new) I'm not really a telephoto sorta' guy, but all my track photos and wildlife photos have been taken with it. Actually Steve, it probably is (fast enough). I'd love to have an f2.8-4.0 or somesuch but they are too pricey for me at the moment. The main problem I'm having with my current lense is that the AF isn't fast enough and hunts quite a lot; none of my other (admittedly better quality) lenses do this so I'm convinced its a lense issue. Will keep my eyes open for a bargain ED on Ebay....

Hmmm.. I have to say that unless I'm pretty accurate with the initial 'pointing' my 70-300 has been know to hunt (which is really annoying as the eagle easts the salmon, takes off and leaves the country before you get focus on the rock on which it was sitting).

[LongQ]

GetCarter said:

Hmmm.. I have to say that unless I'm pretty accurate with the initial 'pointing' my 70-300 has been know to hunt (which is really annoying as the eagle easts the salmon, takes off and leaves the country before you get focus on the rock on which it was sitting).

Does that make it more of a scavenger lens, hoping to pick up any scraps of fish the eagle leaves behind?

.... on my way to the cloakroom for me coat ...

[dcw@pr]

I have the 80-400 VR which I love, but it doesn't work so well on the D100 as it does on the d1x. It is still OK, but you have to use a bit more anticpation to work around the focussing. Something with AF-S will always be a better bet on the D100