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Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR
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Review Date: Sep 7, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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image quality, build quality, VR, AF
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Cons:
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no aperture ring
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The best lens, I own. Although it is quite hefty in size and weight, it is always in my photo bag.
It is so sharp, I can make 1 MP crops, which still look good. Anyway, my next investment will be the tele concerter TC-17A for wild life and events.
Thanks to VR, you can use it hand hold. Due to its weight, you would like to use a monopod for longer sessions, but it is not mandatory at all.
It was hard for me, to name a negative aspect, because I don't think, that such a lens is too expensive, large or hefty compared to its outstanding performance and joy looking at the results.
However, the G design means, that it has no aperture ring anymore. The lens replaced my AF 80-200/2,8 of the first generation, which I could use at the F3. Now, I can sell the F3 and look for an F100.
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Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO
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Review Date: Sep 6, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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versatility, Macro, image quality
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Cons:
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distortion at the wide end, zoom creep
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This is a versatile consumer lens on a high level for an affordable price. I bought it two years ago and used it with the Nikon D50 and D100 as standard zoom.
The macro is very useful and makes it still a perfect lens for trips in the nature or traveling, when you want less equipment to haul around.
However, the distortion at the wide end, makes it less usuable for architecture. But this is also true for the 17 mm, so you'll supply it with a super wide angle zoom anyway.
I don't know the HSM version, but with mine, the AF is quite slow and noisy. This is the reason, why I use a AF-S 18-70 Nikkor today. They are similar in image quality. The Nikon is faster, but has no macro.
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Sigma 24-60mm f2.8 EX DG Lens
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Review Date: Sep 6, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Small, lightweight, affordable, sharp, modest distortion, 77 mm filter, aperture ring
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Cons:
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Zoom creep, zoom ring reverse, small focus ring, small lens hood
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I purchased this lens in August 2008 and used it as workhorse ever since on the Fuji S5 pro. Along with a Tokina 12-24 mm/4.0 and a Nikkor 70-200 mm/2.8 VR it is my main equipment. It replaced the Ais 35 mm/2.0 Nikkor in my bag.
The Sigma delivers the image quality, I need. It is far better than the Sigma 17-70 or the Nikon 18-70 regarding sharpnes wide open and distortion at the wide end.
The build quality is less excellent. Most annoying is the zoom creep. The small lens hood is also a problem, when it's raining and drops are immediately on the front element. The reverse zoom ring is irritating for Nikon users.
However, the aperture ring makes it compatible to old film bodies, e.g. the Nikon F3. Before I replace it with the 24-70 Nikkor, there are more important things on my wish list, for instance a D700 
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