I'm looking for a good all around big zoom lens. Other than Zoo Animals and the various birds in my yard, I'd like the flexibility to shoot airshows and birds in flight. The BIF and Airshow probably rules out the Nikkor due to its slow focus but from what Ive read it's sharper than the sigs which is a +. I know most peoples preference is the 70-200 plus 2xTC or but that is out of my budget since the VR is a must and I'm not interested in a prime because as I mentioned above, I need/want flexibility. I welcome your input.
i've had good experience with the sigma products i have used, took the old 80-400os to tanzania and it performed well. i have heard nothing but good things about the 150-500os as well, and that would be my choice in the price range. the only other thing i might consider would be a combo of the 70-200vr1 with a tc 1.7 or the new tx 2.0...but that would be pushing the price range. if you got the 150-500os you would have enough money left over to get something like the sigma 10-20 which is also a good value lens...good luck!
I voted for the Nikkor 80-400 because I have a very high regard for mine. However, whether or not that means it's right for somebody else is a big leap. The lens is very sharp, in its sweet spot, and has great bokeh. For zoo animals and animals in your backyard, look no further. For air shows, I think I'd do fine with this lens--though I'd probably use it on manual focus, which I prefer on all lenses. I've done some BIF with mine, and find my MF ability to be return adequate results. The lens' autofocus capability is not up to my manual focus approach, but but does work OK for big bigs such as hawks and herons. That said, I decided a while back that if one wishes to be a BIF specialist, the appropriate gear is very expensive. For me, BIF is an occasional shoot, not a passion, so I decided not to center my gear choices around BIF
So though I consider the NIkkor 80-400 an outstanding lens for the money, it may or may not be the one for you. By the way, it's also a plumb wonderful portrait lens. For tripod mounting, I'd recommend replacing the Nikon foot with the Kirk.
I used a rented Nikon 80-400 at an airshow, first time I'd shot an airshow and the shots were great. I used the focus limit switch to keep it from trying to focus too close during the flights.
Now if I could get over my NMFAS, I would save up and get a used one for sure.
Chris S. wrote:
I voted for the Nikkor 80-400 because I have a very high regard for mine. However, whether or not that means it's right for somebody else is a big leap. The lens is very sharp, in its sweet spot, and has great bokeh. For zoo animals and animals in your backyard, look no further. For air shows, I think I'd do fine with this lens--though I'd probably use it on manual focus, which I prefer on all lenses. I've done some BIF with mine, and find my MF ability to be return adequate results. The lens' autofocus capability is not up to my manual focus approach, but but does work OK for big bigs such as hawks and herons. That said, I decided a while back that if one wishes to be a BIF specialist, the appropriate gear is very expensive. For me, BIF is an occasional shoot, not a passion, so I decided not to center my gear choices around BIF
So though I consider the NIkkor 80-400 an outstanding lens for the money, it may or may not be the one for you. By the way, it's also a plumb wonderful portrait lens. For tripod mounting, I'd recommend replacing the Nikon foot with the Kirk.
I too would only shoot BIF on occassion, most would be stationary or slow moving with the exception of air shows but I can track them fairly well across the sky
