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	Username   Password FM Forum Rules Nikon SLRs, primes, and zooms lenses reviews FM Forums | Nikon-mount SLRs | Join Upload & Sell    Search Used end    Archive 2010 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs?

Bgocka Offline Upload & Sell: On p.1 #1 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? I need some wisdom. I have been considering the the 300-800 sigma. The reviews on it all seem great and I like zooms. I have also been looking at the nikon 800mm 5.6. My questions are as follows: 1) What is the difference "real world" between the older Sigma and the latest model 2) How good is the nikon 800mm 5.6 especially with TC's 3) For that matter how good are the sigma TC's Romy' s (sp?) site is very impressive 4) Any pro or con of either one at 800? 5) Am I excluding some glass that I should be considering? Some answers to questions that are going to come up. No I dont bird and probably wont. I like to shoot from the beach at boats wave borders surfers etc. (All daylight) I have the 200-400 and even with the 2x tc I seem to want more. I once stacked a 2x and a kenko 3x on the 200-400 and well it was interesting but not very usable. I recently looked at a 1200mm nikon but manual focus is really not what I am after. Thoughts, ideas and comments are appreciated. Feb 01, 2010 at 05:32 AM

Gregory.Rotter Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #2 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? I'm assuming you're using a DX body already. Perhaps you should consider a 600mm lens with a 1.4 TC , and then just move closer. Feb 01, 2010 at 01:06 PM

Bgocka Offline Upload & Sell: On p.1 #3 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? Sorry should have included that bit of info. Using the D3. Tough to move closer unless you have a boat! Feb 01, 2010 at 01:19 PM

Gregory.Rotter Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #4 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? Hmm, I hate to say it, but I think you bought the wrong camera. You either need a D300, or a D3X Hell, why not just get a D300 (throw in the grip while you're at it if you need the fps) and see how you go with a 1.4 and your 200-400. That would give you an effective reach of 300-600, plus the TC; 420-840. Unless of course you'd rather spend between 8000 and 10,000 dollars on a new lens instead. Edited on Feb 01, 2010 at 01:40 PM · View previous versions Feb 01, 2010 at 01:25 PM

lou f Offline Dedicated FM Upload & Sell: On p.1 #5 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? d300s, no need for a grip. and the 300 vr with the new 2x tc. Feb 01, 2010 at 01:30 PM

billbunton Offline Upload & Sell: On p.1 #6 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? If "manual focus is not really what I am after" then you need to pull the 800/5.6 out of the running. It's a great lens, works well with the 1.4x TC, but it _is_ manual focus. Feb 01, 2010 at 02:13 PM

HerbChong Offline Dedicated FM Upload & Sell: On p.1 #7 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? the Nikkor 800/5.6 is also manual focus. there isn't an autofocus version. the Sigma 800/5.6 is auto focus. between the two Sigmas, the 300-800/5.6 and the 800/5.6, i would not use the prime. your subjects change distance too much for good composition. i suspect the prime will be sharper though, but even so, it is not as sharp as my 600/4 with the Nikkor 1.4 extender so i sold my 800/5.6. that and that the Nikkor also focuses faster. Herb... Bgocka wrote: I recently looked at a 1200mm nikon but manual focus is really not what I am after. Feb 01, 2010 at 04:05 PM

rag1 Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #8 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? Suggest you consider D300s + 500vr + TC14E or TC17E. Effective FL of 1050mm to 1275mm, with very good AF. From reliable sources this combo works well for birds, and should work very well at the beach. Feb 03, 2010 at 01:58 AM

fpimentel Offline Upload & Sell: On p.1 #9 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? The Nikon 800mm f/5.6 ED-IF Telephoto AI-S is an old lens that is heavy (more than 12 pounds) and that I don't think it is sold anymore (I have seen used copies in EBay). As some one else said, it is manual focus only. If you are looking for 800mm focal length your choices are between the Sigma 300-800 (that is also pretty heavy) or one of the newest Nikkor long VR lenses (that others have mentioned) which are pretty good and quite expensive. On the other hand, the 200-400mm is a great lens (only 7 pounds) that with a TC14E gives you 550mm (with a FX body). I have been using the 200-400mm with a D300 (DX) and it is not a bad choice since you get an effective reach of about 800mm and you can shot using a monopod and have more flexibility and freedom of movement at the beach from where you shot. Feb 03, 2010 at 02:26 AM

jamesdak Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #10 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? Sorry I didn't see this sooner. I shoot with the old Nikon 800/5.6 so can give some insight into using it. First off though, I am confused. If a manual focus won't work for you then don't consider the 800mm. But if it will then do give it serious thought. I find the lens fairly easy to use for static wildlife work. It is plenty sharp as far as I am concerned. The colors are good also and it's not as contrasty as a lot of my lenses. If shooting around water like you want that may be a big plus. Keep in mind though, this is a large and real heavy lens. Twelve pounds is quite a substantial piece of glass and will require a good support system. So while the price of the lens is not too bad you better figure in another $1000 for a good support system. I use mine on a D300 so I get some serious reach. Let me show some samples: Feb 08, 2010 at 02:47 AM

Bgocka Offline Upload & Sell: On p.1 #11 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? Thanks for sharing those pics are quite impressive. Yes its true that I would prefer autofocus however manual focus is an option. As for the support structure I currently use a wimberley II with a Gitzo 1548GT so I think I have that end covered. Its difficult to find pics of people using the 800 5.6 and so far yours are the most impressive I have seen. The only thing that concerns me is the ability to manual focus fast enough to still capture the subject. Any thoughts? Thanks Feb 08, 2010 at 09:04 AM

jamesdak Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #12 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? Well, I can get some action shot with it but percentages are not high. I think it would take some dedicated practice to get proficient with it for that type of work. You'll also need a good viewfinder. When I used it adapted on my Canon 5D I could focus it better quickly due to the better viewfinder on my 5D. It's been upgraded with a better focusing screen for manual focus. The D300 I use it on now does not have as nice of a viewfinder. Just keep in mind that years back plenty of pros shot action without the aid of AF so it can be done. Feb 08, 2010 at 01:37 PM

lou f Offline Dedicated FM Upload & Sell: On p.1 #13 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? james, you should look into a d2xs, i found the view finder on my old d2h to be the best for manual focus lenses (better than my d700). mind you it was mainly just a nifty fifty... amazing shots. Feb 08, 2010 at 02:24 PM

Chris_Platt Offline Upload & Sell: On p.1 #14 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? Bgocka wrote: Thanks for sharing those pics are quite impressive. Yes its true that I would prefer autofocus however manual focus is an option. As for the support structure I currently use a wimberley II with a Gitzo 1548GT so I think I have that end covered. Its difficult to find pics of people using the 800 5.6 and so far yours are the most impressive I have seen. The only thing that concerns me is the ability to manual focus fast enough to still capture the subject. Any thoughts? Thanks I was going to comment earlier but held off because you had already received great advice. I'm going to weigh in now though. Manual focus might be an option for moving subjects at 800mm (though the Sigma auto focuses quite nicely), but at 1120mm (1.4x) or 1600mm (2x), you will be lucky if you can even find your subject in the view finder much less focus. I have mounted teleconverters on the Sigma 800mm 5.6 - mostly to experiment; not because I expect great results. Often my greatest challenge is to find the subject - and my subjects are usually very close and not moving much - like a bird on a branch. Additionally, over the distances you're planning on shooting at the beach, don't forget that the air is a lens too, and the more you shoot through, the crummier lens it makes - haze, mist, convection currents, etc will all degrade your photos, on top of the degradation you will get with the converters. When I shoot 800mm with converters, I use a ball head instead of the wimberley and add a bogen long lens support on a Gitzo 5541 and lock everything down. I wouldn't consider trying to capture a far off moving subject. I live on the water and thought I might be able to use my lens that way. I don't. The setup takes great bird pictures (not so great with converters). I'm concerned you will spend a lot of money and still be very disappointed with your results. Get closer was great advice. Sigma 800mm Sigma 800mm with 2x Sigma 800mm with stacked 1.4x and 2x (yech) Last shot taken from this vantage point: Feb 08, 2010 at 04:31 PM

cbrandt Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #15 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? I shoot an old 600mm that was in to Nikon Melville last year .. it.s tack sharp, and I'd say with the improvements of the cameras over the years, I.m using a D700 and D300s, it is even better than it was when it was new ...... long distance, i add a nikon 1.4tc Because it's a version 1 lens ..... it.s 13 pounds so a 5541L gitzo for a 1000 and a 600 wimberly I felt were needed to hold it rock steady, as been mentioned before. movin' closer is always good ! Feb 09, 2010 at 02:30 AM

Rodolfo Paiz Offline Dedicated FM Upload & Sell: On p.1 #16 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? I wouldn't try to do MF while tracking a moving subject on the water, but that's just me. If you have the cash to buy the right stuff, and you really want that reach, then I'd first get a D300s with grip for the better balance, frame rate, battery life, and ergonomics. Try out the 200-400 with 1.4x and 1.7x TC's, since it'll now become a the equivalent of a 420-840/5.6 (1.4x) or a 510-1020/6.7 (1.7x). I probably put at least 60,000 clicks through a D300 with the 200-400 lens, and it's an awesome combination. In low-ISO daylight, and if you need the reach, then the D300s will give you most of the image quality that you get from the D3. But when you factor in the use of lower-power TC's and less cropping, the overall IQ you get from the DX body will probably exceed what you're getting now from the D3 with 2x or stacked TC's. After you've tried that, if you still want more reach, rent a new 600/4 VR for a week and try it with the 1.4x TC (1260/5.6 equiv.) or the 1.7x TC (1530/6.7 equiv.). The AF performance on any of the combos I've described, especially the AF tracking, will absolutely humiliate what you're getting at f/8 or smaller with the 2x or stacked TC's. Which will become even better and easier when you notice that the 51 AF points cover a much larger part of the frame on the DX sensor, making subject tracking a joy. In the end, if you need more reach than that, then by all means go back to the naked 200-400 on the D3, and shoot from a bloody boat. Feb 09, 2010 at 05:32 AM

Bgocka Offline Upload & Sell: On p.1 #17 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? Thanks for all the great responses. James those shots of birds in flight are great, thanks for sharing and showing me that it can be done. Rodolfo great suggestions, I have used the 200-400 with a 2x tc and have had good results the issue has always been the impact that the converter had on the speed of autofocus. It sure did seem to slow it down. I believe I will try the DX option as you mention and see how that works out for me. I do love the 200-400 its a great lens. Thanks Feb 10, 2010 at 01:09 AM

Rodolfo Paiz Offline Dedicated FM Upload & Sell: On p.1 #18 · Sigma 300-800 vs Nikon 800 5.6 vs? And you'll love the D300s with the MB-D10 grip, I'll tell you. I consistently got 5,000 to 5,500 shots out of a single charge from 8 AA batteries in the grip, and I LOVED the additional multi-selector on the vertical grip. I miss it so on the integrated bodies... such a wonderful feature... Even with a D3x and a D3s in hand, and loving them for all that they are, I still seriously miss my pair of D300's and sometimes have wild thoughts about buying another pair... Feb 10, 2010 at 05:56 AM

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