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Archive 2013 · Nikon 135mm DC F2.0 For Sports ?

  
 
hanson16
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Nikon 135mm DC F2.0 For Sports ?


Would appreciate the thoughts of people who have used this lens for sports.Im thinking of purchasing it for indoor sports (mostly Ice Hockey and Badminton) but Im a little worried about the AF capabilities.
Thanks in advance,for any imput !



Aug 16, 2013 at 09:53 AM
Carl Auer
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Nikon 135mm DC F2.0 For Sports ?


moved to correct gear talk board.


Aug 16, 2013 at 04:15 PM
BenV
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Nikon 135mm DC F2.0 For Sports ?


I wouldn't recommend it, but people once photographed sports with manual focus lenses, so it's possible I'd much rather have a 70-200 VR1 for somewhat close to the same price as a 135 DC.


Aug 16, 2013 at 04:27 PM
justindong
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Nikon 135mm DC F2.0 For Sports ?


I have the lens but have never used it for sports. I'd say that the AF is definitely not the fastest though...


Aug 16, 2013 at 04:58 PM
trenchmonkey
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Nikon 135mm DC F2.0 For Sports ?


Outdoors it's not too bad in decent light, but when it the sun drops...so does the keeper rate.
Indoors it's pretty dicey. AF sluggish and I'll actually do better with 1/2 the SS of the 70-200
@ ~135mm. Dog agility I had the most success...most rodeo events forget about it. There's
probably gonna be a 135 f1.8 from Nikon and/or Sigma soon (if you need that FL much) I've been
movin' back a tad and cough sufferin' with the 200 f2 >serious AF speed/accuracy/keeper rates.



Aug 16, 2013 at 05:00 PM
workerdrone
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Nikon 135mm DC F2.0 For Sports ?


oh yah, feel the pity - handicapped with yer poor skills and a lowly 200/2 to shoot with


Aug 16, 2013 at 05:27 PM
trenchmonkey
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Nikon 135mm DC F2.0 For Sports ?


I minored in sarcasm @ Cornell....just sayin'


Aug 16, 2013 at 05:28 PM
hanson16
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Nikon 135mm DC F2.0 For Sports ?


Thanks for the replys,they seem to mirror my initial misgivings.Ive got a 70-200 VR11 but the extrastopwould be nice if the AF could keep up.
Nothing else for it,will just have to keep saving for a 200mm f2 !!!



Aug 17, 2013 at 04:10 PM
NightOwl Cat
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Nikon 135mm DC F2.0 For Sports ?


While you're saving.. wander through and enjoy




Aug 20, 2013 at 05:54 AM
Ghostinz
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Nikon 135mm DC F2.0 For Sports ?


hanson16 wrote:
Thanks for the replys,they seem to mirror my initial misgivings.Ive got a 70-200 VR11 but the extrastopwould be nice if the AF could keep up.
Nothing else for it,will just have to keep saving for a 200mm f2 !!!



would your really gain that much with a 200mm F2 if you already had a 70-200 2.8? It would seem the focal length flexibility would be worth staying at 2.8



Aug 20, 2013 at 10:50 PM
hanson16
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Nikon 135mm DC F2.0 For Sports ?


NightOwl Cat wrote:
While you're saving.. wander through and enjoy



Not a chance......defineatly cant afford a divorce settlement !!!!!!!!!!!



Aug 21, 2013 at 03:11 AM
r_o_b_s_o_n
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Nikon 135mm DC F2.0 For Sports ?


BenV wrote:
I wouldn't recommend it, but people once photographed sports with manual focus lenses, so it's possible I'd much rather have a 70-200 VR1 for somewhat close to the same price as a 135 DC.



I used to own the 105 f2 DC, and while it is not the same lens, I would imagine similar autofocus performance. While it may not be as quick as an AF-S lens, there's not reason you can't use it for sports. A good shooter will not rely on autofocus alone to make the shot. The thing that this lens does offer is the f2 aperture. These days the high iso performance for the most part balances out the light gathering capabilities, but if you do have to go up to 1600 or 3200 @ 2.8, it's always nice to know you have another stop to play with. Most of the top bodies (D3/4/300/700/800/F5/F6 etc.) will be able to focus this lens pretty quick. Maybe not for raking the focus from infinity to the close limit and back, but the amount the focus screw has to turn just to track focus shouldn't be substantial enough to hamper focusing speed too much.

This is just based on my experiences with the 105f2, and my style of shooting. I also sold the lens 2 years ago, and who's to say that my mind isn't playing tricks on me. I really enjoyed the lens however...



Aug 21, 2013 at 06:03 AM
Kerry Pierce
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Nikon 135mm DC F2.0 For Sports ?


I agree with Robson, at least mostly. I've used both the 105 and 135 f/2 for shooting sports and it's been a mixed bag for me. I use the 135 the most. At f/2, the DOF is very thin, so you must have very accurate focus. My d3s is my favorite for running those lenses because it has the most accurate AF and the AF motor will drive the lenses a little faster than the motor in the small pro bodies like the d300, d700, etc.

Having said that, I've used them the most on the d300 and sometimes the d700. Both cameras will give good keeper rates in decent light, on decent focus targets. When the lighting goes down and/or the target is poor contrast, the keeper rate goes down significantly, on those bodies.

These are among my favorite lenses. I won't say that they are magical like the 200 f/2, but when you get a good shot with one, they can be pretty close to that standard, IMO. Heresy, I know.

good luck
Kerry



Aug 21, 2013 at 05:43 PM





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