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Archive 2015 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K

  
 
Bobbo Clark
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K


Hey, all. Long time, no see. I used to post here frequently about (oh, god... THAT long?) 8 years ago when I was in college and shooting sports. Work took me away from shooting sports (and, well, pretty much anything), but now I'm freelancing for a local paper just for poops and giggles (and the tax write-off of equipment purchases, lol).

Anywho, I've been thinking of upgrading my long lens for field sports/baseball after a year of shooting. I'm using a D7100 with a 300/4 AF (yes, the original one with the slow focus and the drop-in filter but best-ever focus limiter), but I'd like something with a 2.8 for when I get called to shoot football and night baseball. Also, the smaller DOF would be nice, as well. Obscenely faster AF isn't all that important to me (I've shot dozens of games with the above combo, and focusing speed is rarely the issue when I, yes, I, screw up), but a bit faster would be fine.

But I'm freelancing for a small paper, so no new VR lenses for this guy. Actually, no new anything. So I've set a limit of under $2K for the purchase.

I'm looking at three choices:
1) An original 300/2.8 AF or AF-I;
2) A Sigma/Tamron/Tokina 300/2.8 of whatever variety will actually work on my camera;
or
3) A Sigma 120-300/2.8 of the non-OS variety.

So, "gun to your head," what would you pick and why? Anything I should definitely stay away from?

...and GO.

Thanks,
--Bobbo



May 09, 2015 at 05:33 PM
Aloicious
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K


out of those options, probably the AF or AFI, in fact there is a nice looking AF-I on the B&S boards right now for $1800. that's if you HAVE to stay under $2k, if you can save a couple hundred more, you could find an good used AFSI or AFSII which is probably what I'd jump on with an 'around 2k' budget. but all the nikon 300 2.8's have amazing optical and mechanical quality. I wouldn't have a problem running any of them.

The siggy 120-300's are great optical lenses, but the early versions (pre-sport) have a track record for some reliability problems (Lensrentals for example has listed it as one of the highest failure rates for lenses in their repair reports in the past.) the third party 300 2.8's are fine and should perform admirably, but not quite in the same league as any of the nikon 300 2.8's in any measurement, and for their price, personally I'd rather grab one of the nikkors.

thats just my opinion though, I've seen fantastic images from all those lenses.



May 09, 2015 at 06:11 PM
Jason_Brook
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K


AF-I without a doubt. Why? I owned one, I know how fast and sharp it is.


May 09, 2015 at 06:26 PM
hijazist
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K


Sigma 120-300 2.8 OS Non-Sport, it goes for around $2000.


May 09, 2015 at 08:41 PM
MichGoBlue
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K


The Sigma 120-300 OS Non-Sport lenses are a pretty good deal - just be mindful of the sample variation as some as super sharp and some are a little soft. The Sport versions seem to have higher quality overall so less sample variations.

The AF-I is a great lens and not much slower AF than the AFS lenses. The main issue with them is that the AF motor parts are no longer manufactured so if the motor goes you may be out of luck. The AFS and AFS II lenses are optically great and have really fast AF - I don't think you can go wrong with either of those.

I have had the Siggy, AFS and AFS II lenses, but not the AF-I lens. If you are willing to roll the dice, the AF-I is the best value of all of them I would say.



May 09, 2015 at 10:38 PM
trenchmonkey
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K


I'll throw in a plug for the Nikkor ED AF 300 f2.8
Use mine for BIF, rodeo, concerts, portraits...
or just screwin' around

100% crop SOOC (with my wimpiest screw drive body)







May 10, 2015 at 06:20 AM
jcnemy
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K


Lots of good advice already provided...I'll add my 2-cents...

I went the cheap route with an older Sigma 300/2.8 AF and back-focused horribly on all my bodies and could never dial it in. Reaffirmed the saying....you get what you pay for.....

Based on that - I would recommend going Nikon AFS-I or AFS-II route due to inconsistencies with the Sigma 120-300 and dwindling parts for the AF-I version.

Good luck!

JC




May 10, 2015 at 12:20 PM
jbonzo1
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K


All the Nikkor 300 2.8's are superb.
I had the first version af-s (no vr) and it was a monster. Sold it and got the same 300 you now have because I don't need the extra stop any longer. I will probably replace it with the new 300 f4 but not right away.



May 10, 2015 at 04:35 PM
Lee Saxon
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K


The only 300 I've used is the current Nikon 2.8 VR, so I can't speak to how these options compare.

But I'm going to suggest the 120-300. Word is absolute performance isn't equal to the other options, but the utility of a zoom might be worth that sacrifice (particularly given the lower resolution demands of newsprint). I for one wish I had a zoom (or second body with a smaller lens) pretty often when I shoot football.

Another important factor is which of these lenses plays well with a teleconverter, because you'll need one to shoot baseball with a 300.



May 11, 2015 at 10:15 AM
benjikan
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K


Did this whole editorial for ELLE Magazine with a Tamron SP AF300mm f/2.8 LD(IF) lens on my Nikon D800. All shot wide open at f/2.8. Calibrated to -20.

http://www.benjaminkanarekblog.com/2015/03/19/eden-bristowe-denim-elle-benjamin-kanarek/



http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod2014.htm




May 23, 2015 at 10:18 AM
TightLines
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K


PIggy backing on this thread as I'm in the same boat but will be shooting wildlife. I had the new 300mm PF F4 in mind but have read about an early production issue with some of them. That and I certainly don't mind used.


May 24, 2015 at 10:44 AM
WestcoastHD
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K


You mentioned some night baseball, ask your self if the field lighting is good enough to use a f4 lens. If not then a 300 AFS II, sigma 120-300 f2.8 (the newest non sport) would be what I would choose from.


May 27, 2015 at 11:07 AM
myboostedgst
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K


My thread from a few months ago had a lot of good discussion in it.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1348370/0?keyword=Budget,300mm#12864554




May 27, 2015 at 11:33 AM
Bobbo Clark
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K


Good stuff, folks.

I shoot mostly high school stuff, so the lighting is the standard (atrocious, lol). I'm also going for the narrower DoF, and to blur the backgrounds (I know, move my butt for a cleaner background, but in some places, there's only so much one can move).

The only reason I hesitate on a Sigma is I got burned by them once before (had a 70-200/2.8 that wouldn't work on half of my cameras). Guess if I go the zoom route, I'll make sure I buy from somewhere with a good return policy just in case.

I think I'm down to a Nikon screw-drive, an AF-S I or a Sigma zoom at this point. Now to stew... Thanks for the assistance



May 29, 2015 at 12:15 PM
like_this
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K


Go for a AF-S Nikkor 2.8/300mm (1. Version)

Itīs possible to get one for your budget, if it doesnīt has to be like new.



May 29, 2015 at 04:13 PM
thursdaylsr
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Choosing a 300mm 2.8 for under $2K


Grab the 300 2.8 AFI, I've had mine for the last several years and the lens itself is almost as old as I actually am but still works like a tank. I use mine alongside 300 2.8 AFS VR2's, etc all the time and I can't tell a difference.


May 29, 2015 at 05:11 PM





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