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Which nikon lens?
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I am upgrading the lens for a D200 and was all set to order a 18-200vr.
After a little research, there seems to be an argument to go for the 70-200 f2.8.
There isn’t much difference in price (in New York that is), and it will be a while before I get another lens so I would welcome a little input.
My paid for work is a mix of product photography (clothes and shoes), social events for the press and some sports.
To accommodate the wider end I could hang on to my 18-70DX which has served me well so far.
The sharpness and speed of the 70-200 really appeals to me.
Any thoughts?
If your going to hang on to the 18-70 I would say go with the 70-200
I have the 70-200 2.8 vr and the D200. Really super lens extremely sharp. (best when used around 4 to 5.6) The Boken is excellent and the build quality is super as you would expect. Very fast at focusing also, never has trouble locking onto something, works great with the Nikon 1.7 tele converter if you ever want longer reach in the future
On a cropped sensor body its faultless..
M
Thanks for that Martin, I only wish my budget would stretch to the VR version.
But I think what you’re saying also applies to the non-VR AF-D version of the lens in terms of image quality, build etc…
I’m really leaning towards the 80-200 at this stage.
Martin – very impressive pictures on your site – I really like the ship wrecks and infra red landscapes
Ive got the D200 too with the 18-70 ive been wondering about the 70-200 (Sigma) its quite a bit faster than the 18-200 and by the time you get too 135 you at 5.6 (on the 18-200) where as the 70-200 is 2.8 throughout
The “Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S” and “Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 D” are two super lenses
The optics should be very similar along with the build quality to the VR. For the extra money of the VR version your getting a better lens collar and VR
Some reviews of these two lenses can be found at:
http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html
http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/80200.htm (this guy is a bit of a plonker but worth having a read anyhow:-))The 18-200 VR would also be a good option. You would not have a 2.8 but you would have VR to give you back two stops of light. Optics are possibly a bit better on the 80-200 though along with the build quality. Up to you at the end of the day its a tough one…
M
Yep I have the 80-200 AF D and its a great lens. Super sharp. One of Nikon’s best…
I have the 18-200 vr and where it excels is as a “do it all fairly well” lens. If you dont want to swap lenses, or like myself want one lens to do a days shooting when you dont want to carry all your kit or you dont know what you are shooting, then its ideal. I used it as a single lens at a wedding recently (non professionally I might add) and was most impressed! The VR at 200mm inside was useful during the speeches, and the zoom range meant I didn’t miss many shots due to having the wrong lens on.
If absolute quality is paramount and you like to view very big prints or shoot in low light at moving subjects, then get the 2.8’s
AndyL wrote:
I have the 18-200 vr and where it excels is as a “do it all fairly well” lens. If you dont want to swap lenses, or like myself want one lens to do a days shooting when you dont want to carry all your kit or you dont know what you are shooting, then its ideal. I used it as a single lens at a wedding recently (non professionally I might add) and was most impressed! The VR at 200mm inside was useful during the speeches, and the zoom range meant I didn’t miss many shots due to having the wrong lens on.
If absolute quality is paramount and you like to view very big prints or shoot in low light at moving subjects, then get the 2.8’s
I have the 18-200VR and totally agree with Andy, a great lens to keep on the camera because of it’s range, and todate it has not dissappointed me!!
Cheers Steve
Thanks for the tips guys.
It looks like I’ll pick up an 80-200 2.8 while they’re still making them cheap enough (the non-VR kind) and I’ll end up getting an 18-200 later on for convenience.
Given how well the 18-200s have sold recently, there should be a decent second-hand range down the line.
Thanks again.
Cormac
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