70 - 200mm 2.8
 

Need a bit of advice photo peoples!
Looking at getting a 70-200mm 2.8 Lens but they really vary in price!

It's for a Nikon D90 body so I don't need things like the build in AF motor. For the price I'm looking at it won't have VR either. Basically they can really vary in prices. I'm looking at getting a Sigma/Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 but are these still good lenses? Let me know what the benefits are of spending £1000+ on one of these lenses over the £500 ones that I'm looking at off fleabay.

Thanks in advance :thumbsup:

What are the main reasons for going the 70-200 f/2.8 route. Is it the large aperture?

I have a Cannon 70-200 F4 L lens and it is great. The price jump to a 2.8 is considerable and I could not justify it. Unless it is a really dull day or you are indoors I dont think you need the F2.8. Also, if you are shooting at 2.8 your depth of field is very small and getting stuff in focus will be more difficult.

N

One option might be the 70-300 f4.5-5.6 VR. I had one and was a very good lens. Ok, aperture wise it wasn't the fastest but in good light it performed really well. I now have the 70-200 f2.8 VR and it's an awesome lens, great optics, fast focusing and the bokeh is creamy smooth. But it's also very heavy. Definitey not for carrying around all day.

I'll be using it in indoor conditions really and I like the depth of field so yea I think the 2.8 would be a good call over the other :)

Have you also looked at the Nikon 80-200 f2.8. Can be bought for good prices both new and second hand.

Impressive! That's a much better price :D
Looks like I will get something like that instead, how come it's so much cheaper even though it just looks like it's that 10mm different?

From what i gather there are a couple of things,

The 70-200 has VR and supossed faster auto focus. Take away the VR and there is really not much in it.
Its still as bulky a lens as the 70-200 so perhaps a good monopod might also be worth considering just to steady things up a bit in low light/shutter speed situations.

Well I was looking at getting a non-VR 70-200mm anyway so with the 80-200mm that doesn't matter too much!
A nice fast auto-focus would be good so I will have to see what price the 70-200mms go for on fleabay I think :)

One word of advice, stay away from a UK seller called camerabox.co.uk
Seriously bad service.

Hows the lens hunting going?

I've had a few things from camerabox in the last few years with no problems.

I knew someone who purchased ok with them, but after I had no end of lies fed to me with regards to the purchase of a £1700 lens I will never use them again, plus the fact that THIS is an example of what im on about.
Just be prepared for a less than smooth purchase. If it works out ok then fare play.

Have managed to really have a good go at the 70-200 f/2.8 at the weekend at the British Superbikes. I was there at the same track last year using my 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 and after looking at the most recent pics the 70-200 f/2.8 is worth every penny with regards to image quality. I have also come along a little with my understanding of what the camera/lens does which I suppose helps. But the 70-200 itself has been a big factor in the great images I got.
Dan, if its any help, I had VR turned off taking these shots.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/...d1837c0b_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/...57214cd9_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/...7323f342_b.jpg