Nikon D 70 / D 50 + Sigma lens - Great or Sacrilege !

 

Bronze Member
Username: Brijesh

BudapestHungary

Post Number: 22
Registered: Jul-04
Fellow Shutterbugs ...

I will most probably go in for a Nikon D 50 / D 70. Am an amatuer/hobby photographer, but love having complete control about my pictures.

Now the million dollar question what do do about the long zoom lens ... I like doing a lot of nature, long distance photography ... so a long zoom lens is a must.

Can i save some money by going in for a Sigma lens. Will it do justice to the camera? Yes or no either way ... any suggestions of lenses will be helpful.

thx
 

Gold Member
Username: Project6

Post Number: 3292
Registered: Dec-03
yes, you can definitely save by going with Sigma lenses but you won't be saving any significant amount.

However, you will lose a lot of money when you try and re-sell sigma lenses by as much as 75%. Nikkor lenses however seem to keep their value. Ihave not had any trouble trying to re-sell Nikkor lenses and sometimes 100% of its original retail value.
 

Bronze Member
Username: Brijesh

BudapestHungary

Post Number: 23
Registered: Jul-04
Thanks Berny

Since the price diff you say is not significant .., is there a significant performance gap between the two in your experience.

Any specific long zoom lens either Nikkor/Sigma that you would recommend .. will appreciate your inputs.
 

Gold Member
Username: Project6

Post Number: 3297
Registered: Dec-03
For a specific zoom lens I would highly recommend the Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VR. One of the best and sharpest lenses in the market and in this category, no Sigma lens can touch it.

The VR (Vibration Reduction) feature alone is the significant performance, Sigmas do not have this feature. It can greatly enhance the stability of the picture specially at its longest end while being hand held. The focus is much faster than the comparable Sigma without the distortion and chromatic aberrations. Quiet and extremely fast and very sharp.
 

Gold Member
Username: Project6

Post Number: 3298
Registered: Dec-03
Do you have budget in mind? This plays a significant factor in your purchase.
 

New member
Username: Bogner

Post Number: 7
Registered: Aug-05
Berny, do you have any other suggestions that are a bit less expensive? I know you will sacrifice quality when dropping to a certain level, but how is the performance of the Nikkor 70-300mm lenses? Either the f/4-5.6D ED or the f/4-5.6G?
 

Gold Member
Username: Project6

Post Number: 3375
Registered: Dec-03
A great lens for bright sunny days. I use it for my kids' games. No significant sharpness difference that I can see on either d or g series.
 

New member
Username: Bogner

Post Number: 8
Registered: Aug-05
THey have the 70-300 f/4-5.6G for $165 at Best Buy. Any disadvantages to the f/4-5.2D ED?
 

New member
Username: Bogner

Post Number: 9
Registered: Aug-05
Nevermind, read your post.
 

Silver Member
Username: Claudermilk

Post Number: 184
Registered: Sep-04
From what I understand the difference in the G series is that there is no aperture ring on the lens, so it must be used on a newer body that controls aperture (such as the D70/D50).

A 70-200/2.8 is a great range. Assuming the Nikkor is approximately equivalent to the Canon, it's an excellent lens. After using a rental I'm saving my pennies for the 70-200/2.8IS (same as VR in Nikkor). The f2.8 speed is nice in low light and the vibration reduction gives you another stop to hand-hold. I got a lot of great hand-held shots in a theater last month.
 

Gold Member
Username: Project6

Post Number: 3385
Registered: Dec-03
That is correct. The difference is the aperture control ring. Sharpness wise I see no difference, even with the ED glass. I think Nikon is doing a sham on this one.
 

Bronze Member
Username: Brijesh

BudapestHungary

Post Number: 24
Registered: Jul-04
Berny ... was travelling thus the delay in response ... i have an overall budget of upto a 900-1000 USD for the entire set up of camera + lens.

The 70-300 f/4-5.6G sounds good ! ... am not sure if it has VR feature.... does it?
 

Gold Member
Username: Project6

Post Number: 3387
Registered: Dec-03
For that budget, i would recommend the 18-70 AFS that comes with the kit. If you are just beginning and you have no other lens, I would not recommend the 70-300 f/4-5.6G. Stick with th kit lens for now. The 70-300 has no VR and it is a really cheap lens that you can purchase later on for about $75.00.
 

Bronze Member
Username: Bogner

Post Number: 27
Registered: Aug-05
So you would stay away from anythign without VR for Nikkor?
 

Bronze Member
Username: Bogner

Post Number: 28
Registered: Aug-05
Also, I don't reall understand the whole apeture ring yet. If I have a D70s, would I want the D or G series?
 

Gold Member
Username: Project6

Post Number: 3924
Registered: Dec-03
Not at all. The VR is a great feature but it is something that I can also live without. I was referring to the particular 70-300 lens which is a nice cheap lens but not without its limitations.

If you have the D70S, you can get either kind of lenses.
 

Bronze Member
Username: Bogner

Post Number: 29
Registered: Aug-05
So the apeture ring is not neccessary for my camera?
 

Gold Member
Username: Project6

Post Number: 3927
Registered: Dec-03
What did you think I meant by "either kind of lenses"?

No, it is not necessary:-)
 

Bronze Member
Username: Bogner

Post Number: 30
Registered: Aug-05
Thank you sooo much!
 

Gold Member
Username: Project6

Post Number: 3956
Registered: Dec-03
no problem, now go get your lens and start taking pictures:-)
« Previous Thread Next Thread »



Main Forums

Today's Posts

Forum Help

Follow Us