Hi, This summer I go to Alaska , Denali and katmai.
I have a Nikon D300 and I need a tele or telezoom to wildlife photography.
i want like the best image quality good AF speed and versatility.
My list is:
Sigma 120-300mm f/2,8 whit TC 1,4x
Sigma 500mm f/4,5 HSM and 70-300mm VR nikon
Nikon 300mm f/2,8 AF (no AFS) whit tc 1,4x
My favorite is the Nikon 200-400mm f/4 AFS-VR but cost to much!!!
What is your opinion?
Thanks
Option one looks good to me, Ander. #2 is too slow for less than ideal light. #3 gives you
no coverage 120-300 and yeah that 200-400 will kill the wallet, but we can dream.
I've got the 70-300 VR and absolutely love it BUT would always prefer faster glass on
a trip of a lifetime.
You might also consider the Bigma (50-500) and if it is out and available, the 150-500 OS. It might help to know what you already have in terms of lenses and gear, and how you're travelling. Also, you'll definitely want a wide angle zoom if you're going up to Denali for the landscape shots of the mountains and landscape. If you already have a 70-200, you might consider the 300.
Of course the 200-400 would be ideal, but unless you win the lotto, it might be tough. On the other hand, depending on how long your trip is, you might look into renting this zoom. But then you run the risk of never giving it back
You might try renting a long lens just for the trip. It would be expensive, but not as expensive as a new lens. Another option would be to buy a used lens here and then sell it after the trip - this would work with a new lens too, but you would take more of a "hit" when you sold it.
Ron
OK, I shoot the same system so I can help. First up I'd want to know what lenses you already have for up to 200mm...
Cheap lens, but with practice will give good result, Tamron 200-500mm f/5-6.3 - - I've been shooting with it for a while & with practice & the use of long lens technique it does well with the D300. You do however need to learn how to pp it. My galleries have lots of shots with that lens.
Bigma (50-500mm) I read reviews & came to the conclusion that the lighter & more convenient Tamron (and cheaper) got better reviews.
The Nikkor 200-400VR, you may wish to rent this depending upon cost. It may not be that much as I think it can be rented for about $ 250.00 per week. (Depending upon where you are in the country) I think you'd still wish to get a TC though.
I know one guy who bought one for a trip & turned around and sold it when he came back.
Primes are faster, but you're stuck at whatever length. Personally I'd go for a zoom, though I know most would disagree with me here.
If on a budget I'd say consider the 200-500mm Tamron. If you contact me through a PM or e-mail I'll direct you to shots taken with that combination.
From my experience, I would have to say keep away from the Tamron 200-500. Although it gives you an extra 100mm reach, it is inferior to the Canon 100-400 in quality of construction, AF speed, and image quality
I would say take any of the lenses on your list in preference to the Tamron.
the new sigma 500 hsm comes very close to the price of a used 200-400 vr. So I am not sure why expense would be an issue.
For once in a lifetime trip, I would not consider the tamron 200-500 or the bigma. I would pick the 100-400 IS over the bigma any day.
While the 120-300 + tc will give you a nice coverage, I have found that most sigma lenses are not sharp at wide open. If you can live with f/5.6 (assuming 1.4xtc and stop down), then this might be a best bang for the buck combo.
If you considered the 500 HSM, I don't see why the 200-400 would be out of reach.
Thanks for your comments!
I living in Basque country, bettwen Spain and France and here impossible to rent this lens.
The sigma 500mm is used for 1600€ and the nikon here cost 5.500€!!
Is possible locate a used nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR? where?
Thanks
www.anderolaizola.com
olaizo wrote:
Thanks for your comments!
I living in Basque country, bettwen Spain and France and here impossible to rent this lens.
The sigma 500mm is used for 1600€ and the nikon here cost 5.500€!!
Is possible locate a used nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR? where?
Thanks
www.anderolaizola.com
ah, didn't realize you're from another country. Here in US, the price of a new Sigma 500 HSM DG is $4200. Price for a used 200-400 VR is $4500. A 200-400 was on sale here in FM Buy/Sell forum last week. 2 were on sale over at nikonians.org 3 weeks ago. All were listed between $4500-$4600.
