70-200 f/2.8 VR or 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 VR ?????

Hi everybody.

I'm looking for a tele zoom for my new D200. I intend to use it mostly without tripod/monopod for sports and nature, basically little animals as birds and indoor sports.

For the birds I need the 400mm and I can have it from the 70-200 with a TC, but perhaps is better choice take directly the 80-400.

What can you tell me about both the lenses?
What do you suggest?

Some people also told me to look at the Sigma 100-300 f/4 but it hasn't any VR system so I don't know how will it performs by hand.

Any suggestion?

Thank you very much.

Sandro.

Hi there,

After owning both for a year, I sold the 80-400 because the 70-200 was long enough for me. The 80-400 is a very nice compact package but in the long run figured I'd be better of with the "swift and silent" focussing AFS 70-200 VR. Your shooting style/needs may vary though...

ps : try the "search" function because this has been discussed over here ad infinitum

Good Luck

J. Bne

Thank you very much J.Bne.

Efectively I've read a lot this afternoon..


I think I'll go for the 70-200 just worry me a little the weight and the size.

Regards.

Sandro.

Hi Sandro,

Well, weight should be no problem as the diff. is marginal. Size-wise you have to consider the 70-200 is IF so it's lenght stays the same whilst focussing/zooming. The 80-400 get quite a bit longer at the 400mm end.

I don't know if it would be poss. for you to compare both at a local shop (maybe Andorra ?) so you'll see that in use they're quite diff. lenses. esp. in focussing speed (and noise).

One more thing that isn't often quoted about the 80-400: keep in mind it's f-stop is variable so eff. you get
80mm - f4.5
85mm - f4.8
102mm - f5
175mm - f5.3
330mm - f5.6

Good Luck

J. Bne

The 70-200 is better for general shooting (larger aperture and faster AF), but I find the 80-400 reach is much more useful for birds/wildlife. The VR works very well on both.

I prefer the 80-400 versus the 70-200 with a TC. It's nice to have a 5x zoom range without fiddling with a converter.

Buy them both!!

Hi,

I would get the 70-200VR for indoor sport and all kinds of photography and later you can try to find a used real tele lens for the birds.

I have used the 80-400VR for over one year but found that this lens is too slow ( AF and f-stop ) for birds.

You can find a review and comparison for both lenses on my website under REVIEWS. I agree that the handling of a 5 times zoom is very handy but I would see it more as a travel zoom.

--
Joachim
http://www.joachimgerstl.com

Thank you everybody!

I see all of you suggest me the 70-200, but I also see everybody recognises the goodness of a 5X zoom at that range.

Don't you think the Sigma 100-300 maybe a good and well balanced performer?

Thanks again.

Sandro.

Hi Sandro

Me again

I have no b2b experience with the Sigma 100-300 F4 but you could also argue that with this lens you miss both the fast f2.8 stop you'll need for subject isolation and to keep that shutter speed up to get sharp results at 200mm up (remember the crop factor so you'll be shooting a 450mm handheld) , AND there will be no VR to help you keep it steady .

Maybe the 70-200VR seems (a bit) overhyped on these forums, but most agree it's THE zoom to have.

While there might be interesting alternatives made by third party supliers, in the long run you'll be more happy with a genuine Nikkor IMHO.

Bye

J. Bne

OK

You have convinced me!!



Thanks & Kind Regards.

Sandro.