Choosing a Telephoto Zoom Lens for my Nikon D7000

[ArjunRudra]

Guys, I have a Nikon D7000 with its kit lens of 18-105mm . Now I am going to a wildlfe safari with family and I am planning to invest in a telephoto zoom lens.

I have a few queries on my mind and would definitely like them to get clarified.

1) How good are sigma lens ? are they on par with the nikkor lens ?

2) which lens would be best suited for my usage ? (wont be using a tripod so vr or image stabilization is a must)

-----120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG APO OS HSM SIGMA

-----150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SIGMA

-----50-500mm F4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SIGMA

------80-400mm F4.5-5.6 D ED NIKON VR

All of the above lens fall within my budget and don't mind the slight change in prices. Just want to get the best out of the bunch.

Personally I'm inclined towards the Sigma 150-500mm because of the reach and the price.

Also how does the Nikon 80-400mm compare against the sigma 15-500mm in terms of picture clarity?

Would love a fixed f value lens but these are simply out of my budget and moreover when we use a teleconverter i lose the optical stabilization function.

If there are any other lens options that I have overlooked please do tell me .

Ideally I'm looking for something within 2000 US $.

Appreciate the help in advance.

 

[CarVac]

The best respected of the lenses you have mentioned there is the 50-500. Surprisingly, despite its larger zoom range, it manages to be sharper than its lesser stablemates, and the Nikon 80-400 which does not have a great reputation (unlike the Canon 100-400L).

 

[ArjunRudra]

The best respected of the lenses you have mentioned there is the 50-500. Surprisingly, despite its larger zoom range, it manages to be sharper than its lesser stablemates, and the Nikon 80-400 which does not have a great reputation (unlike the Canon 100-400L).

So I should not mind the price and go for the slightly more expensive 50-500mm is it ?
Is the 50-500mm lens more sharper than the 150-500 mm ?

What are the other advantages of the 50-500mm over the 150-500mm apart from the extra 100mm of focusing offered.

 

[CarVac]

Basically, it's sharper, and it's actually 3 times wider than the 150-500 at the wide end. Never compare focal lengths by adding and subtracting: you must find the ratios.

Regarding sharpness, from what I've seen the Sigma 150-500 and 120-400, as well as the Nikon 80-400, go soft at the extreme telephoto end, which is exactly where you would want to use them, but the 50-500 maintains its sharpness well.

Since it's within your budget, why skimp and get the others? I read in a book once: "You only cry once when you buy the best." That statement might have been about paintbrushes, but I've found that it works for a lot of other things too.

 

[InTheMist]

Yep. The sigma 50-500 "Bigma" is a great deal and gives some fine results.

Check out the Flickr group:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/50-500/

 

[gwexou]

Hi,

agreed with previous comments on the forum...the 50-500 OS has the best IQ of the models you listed.
I happen to own one, and i'm fully happy with it. It's amazing !

When you shoot wildlife, long is never too long...so don't go for a 400mm if you can afford 500mm.
Here are a few pictures i took with this lens.

Final advice : if you have never owned such a big zoom before, buy it early and practice as much as you can...it's a different technique altogether...
Cheers
Gwen

 

[BadBeta]

1) How good are sigma lens ? are they on par with the nikkor lens ?

I believe you pretty much get what you pay for regardless of brand. I have some Sigma EXE lenses and I've chosen them above the Canon lenses of similar focal lengths. No regrets.

2) which lens would be best suited for my usage ? (wont be using a tripod so vr or image stabilization is a must)

Take a look at the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 OS as well. It is a big boy for sure, but I still bother to drag it around. There is a reason for that - it is amazing. Pawn you kids, sell the lens after you get back, or whatever... It also works great with 1.4 TC and will still be at a constant f4.0, with optical image stabilizer and fast focus. I picked up mine for about USD 2600, so not much over your budget.

 

[ArjunRudra]

Wow you have captured some amazing shots. Even at 500mm the image is not going soft.

Thank you for your feedback.

 

[ArjunRudra]

Hi,

agreed with previous comments on the forum...the 50-500 OS has the best IQ of the models you listed.
I happen to own one, and i'm fully happy with it. It's amazing !

When you shoot wildlife, long is never too long...so don't go for a 400mm if you can afford 500mm.
Here are a few pictures i took with this lens.

Final advice : if you have never owned such a big zoom before, buy it early and practice as much as you can...it's a different technique altogether...
Cheers
Gwen

Thank you so much I think I have decided on the 50-500mm over the 150-500. Think it is definitely worth the extra buck.

Now there is just one thing Im also looking at a sigma 120-300 mm prime lens along with a teleconverter. Someone in this thread said they got it for 2600$ . So thinking of extending the budget a little . Do u think it will be worth the extra buck ?
Also do I loose the OS when I use the teleconverter ?

I love your pictures.

 

[ArjunRudra]

1) How good are sigma lens ? are they on par with the nikkor lens ?

I believe you pretty much get what you pay for regardless of brand. I have some Sigma EXE lenses and I've chosen them above the Canon lenses of similar focal lengths. No regrets.

Thank you . Thats very re assuring. Im new to the photography world and the bug has just bit me.

2) which lens would be best suited for my usage ? (wont be using a tripod so vr or image stabilization is a must)

Take a look at the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 OS as well. It is a big boy for sure, but I still bother to drag it around. There is a reason for that - it is amazing. Pawn you kids, sell the lens after you get back, or whatever... It also works great with 1.4 TC and will still be at a constant f4.0, with optical image stabilizer and fast focus. I picked up mine for about USD 2600, so not much over your budget.

I would love the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 . But I do have a few queries on my mind.Hope you clear them out for me.

1) If I use it with the 1.4 TC what would be effective zoom on the lens ?

2)I read somewhere that I loose the optical stabilization if i use the lens along with a TC . Is that true ?

3)I checked the prices for the above lens and the price on amazon is 3200$.So can you please tell me where exactly you got your lens ? My relatives live in Philadelphia and would be getting the lens from there.And bad news, I'm 23 and I dont have kids to pawn not even brothers and sisters, parents are the only thing I can pawn and dont think there is a strong market for that.

4)Sorry for being a newbie , but how exactly do u know that you get a fixed f4 after attaching the 1.4TC to this lens ?

5) What will be the effects of attaching a 2 TC to the same lens ?

Thank you for you help.

 

[ArjunRudra]

Basically, it's sharper, and it's actually 3 times wider than the 150-500 at the wide end. Never compare focal lengths by adding and subtracting: you must find the ratios.

Regarding sharpness, from what I've seen the Sigma 150-500 and 120-400, as well as the Nikon 80-400, go soft at the extreme telephoto end, which is exactly where you would want to use them, but the 50-500 maintains its sharpness well.

Since it's within your budget, why skimp and get the others? I read in a book once: "You only cry once when you buy the best." That statement might have been about paintbrushes, but I've found that it works for a lot of other things too.

Thank you so much for your advice and the help I have decided on the 50-500mm over the 150-500mm.

Now someone has suggested the 120-300mm f2.8 with a 1.4TC. There is a discussion going on in the same thread about it. Please give you valuable feedback on the same.

 

[BadBeta]

Thank you . Thats very re assuring. Im new to the photography world and the bug has just bit me.

If you have the chance then go to a store with and test the lens you're going to buy with your own camera. There are always slight variations from lens to lens, and camera to camera, so to ensure a proper match and get a working feel for the combination that is the best way. (And in the case of the 120-300, get a feel for if this is a size you'll comfortable with hand holding and carrying).

I would love the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 . But I do have a few queries on my mind.Hope you clear them out for me.

1) If I use it with the 1.4 TC what would be effective zoom on the lens ?

Just multiply with 1.4, so 168 - 420mm. (And then with any crop factor on the camera. Nikon is another 1.5 to multiply, so about 250-630mm fullframe equivalent. Or a very sexy 180-450 f2.8 FF equivalent without the TC). T

The lens will be shorter if you focus on something close to you - about 270mm or so instead of 300. (The focal length on lenses is given as focused on infinity, and many get a bit shorter with close focus).

2)I read somewhere that I loose the optical stabilization if i use the lens along with a TC . Is that true ?

Speaking just for the lenses I own; no. If a TC brings you over f5.6 though you might get in trouble with auto focus not working or being very slow.

3)I checked the prices for the above lens and the price on amazon is 3200$.So can you please tell me where exactly you got your lens ? My relatives live in Philadelphia and would be getting the lens from there.And bad news, I'm 23 and I dont have kids to pawn not even brothers and sisters, parents are the only thing I can pawn and dont think there is a strong market for that.

Well, money and priorites is always an issue. I bought mine in Europe. Not really sure why they had priced it so "low" - I have seen it higher here since. Usually the US is less expensive though, so that was surprising! (You might want to consider resale value as well. Higher end lenses tend to keep their prices pretty well. Bad news if you want to buy used, good if you want to sell it later).

4)Sorry for being a newbie , but how exactly do u know that you get a fixed f4 after attaching the 1.4TC to this lens ?

A TC will change the f stop with equal multiplier as the focal length. And as this is constant 2.8 to start off with that is what you get.

5) What will be the effects of attaching a 2 TC to the same lens ?

Constant f5.6, 240-600mm. You loose some sharpness by using teleconverters though. Not that much with 1.4, but 2.0 might not be worth it. Try it in a shop if you get the chance.

 

[ArjunRudra]

Yes, than you for your patience and immense help. 3200 US$ is simply out of my budget atleast now as a student.

I think i will settle for the 50-500mm sigma lens.
Thank you so much for your help though.

 

[herbymel]

Although the Bigma is a nice lens and I've recommended it to many, it really isn't a true 500mm full out, but really is in the range of around 460mm. It's still a lens I consider though.
--
Herby

 

[CarVac]

It probably depends on how close you are focusing. It might be "close enough" at longer focal distances, but up close it certainly won't be 500mm still. Either way, it beats any of the other options in sharpness, so that's what matters.

 

[BadBeta]

Either way, it beats any of the other options in sharpness, so that's what matters.

I have never tried a 50-500, and have heard that it is surprisingly good for a superzoom, but I do doubt that it is sharper than the 120-300 OS even with a TC attached.

 

[gwexou]

Hi,

thanks for the comment. The Sigma 120-300 OS is a very fine lens also, but the price is higher than that. Amazon lists it for 3200 USD....plus the price of the TC.

In my view the 50-500 OS is one of the best "quality-price" ratio on the market !
Cheers

Gwen

 

[DavidRaso]

Hi
Could I ask about the noise level of the lens during autofocus?

Sometimes I have been trying a lens ( 3. party lenses) and have found them very noisy and irritating.
With best regards
David

 

[ArjunRudra]

Hi
Could I ask about the noise level of the lens during autofocus?

Sometimes I have been trying a lens ( 3. party lenses) and have found them very noisy and irritating.
With best regards
David

Hi ,

Most Sigma lens have got something called a HSM meaning Hyper Sonic Motor which supposedly focuses really fast during autofocus and also makes very less noise.
I havent heard them personally but I do tend to trust the their claim.
Regards
Arjun

 

[Sean F1]

FYI on the 150-500.
http://www.bythom.com/sigma-150-500mm-lens-review.htm

Of particular note;

On the other hand, the 150-500mm is better at 400mm in most respects than the Nikkor 80-400mm. That should raise some eyebrows. On your other (third) hand, it's a bigger lens physically than the Nikkor 80-400mm, and that may mean something important to some people. Still, from about 200 to 400mm on this Sigma, I find it very usable, as long as you don't mind the dim viewfinder from the small apertures involved.

Don't know how the 150-500 compares to the 50-500 ( which is half again as many $$).