Nikon 80-200 or Sigma 70-200.....?

[Longers]

Hi all,

Apologies that my only post in this forum for ages is to ask a question but.... I've been thinking about the Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 for a while and seeing as the new macro version is now available some bargains for the non-macro version are turning up. However I have just seen this alternative
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/nikon-AF-80-200-2-8D-ED_W0QQ...

Any opinions / alternatives?

Cheers, Longers

[VxDuncan]

I have the old version of that (nikon) lens and it is fanstaic, if heavy. I challenge you to find a bad review of it!

Very, very sharp and built like a tank!

WOuld swap mine for a 70-200 AF-S VR but am buying a house. Darn it.

Edited to add:
The nikon really isan't much more than the sigma (from HK at least) and will hold its value far better. Thst said the close focus distance is a pig.

Edited by VxDuncan on Tuesday 31st July 18:22

[lowdrag]

I have both the 80/200 ED (10 years and counting) and the 70/200 VR. The 80/200 served valiantly in my film days and continues to do so on my D2X. The 80/200 was and is a stellar lens being extremely sharp and IMHO slightly better balanced than the 70/200. For portraiture I still prefer it over the newer lens.

I've never used the Sigma so forgive me here but the only question I have about them is quality control. It seems from forums and reviews that Sigma are built down to a price and so you either get a very good or very bad one, but with the Nikkor professional lenses (and the 80/200 is surely that) they are built up to a quality hence the higher price. Personally I'd buy a used 80/200; I know you will never need to reproach the quality of the photos unless of course, it is your fault!

One final point; buy the latest posssible 80/200 you can afford purely because of auto focus etc. Don't be tempted to go for the older push pull variety.

[Britcarfan]

I used to have the Sigma, it proved to be faulty and after 3 trips back to Sigma I requested and was given a refund. I purchased the Nikon as a direct replacement and I believe the picture quality is at least as good as the Sigma. I mainly shoot motorsport and have never had any focus speed issues with the Nikon despite it not being an AF-S lens. I would thoroughly recommend it for sure. I purchased mine from www.digitalrev.com and it was delivered from Hong Kong to Cambridgeshire in just 4 days after traveling on 6 flights lol!

[Longers]

Thanks for the comments

Longers