80-400mm vr

[bryan71]

Having posted a couple of threads on advise i wanted on a sigma 50-500mm lens i have been to my local camera shop and noticed a nikon 80-400mm vr lens.Any body used on and what are your views in relaction to the sigma 50-500mm.Thanks again bryan.

[pressld2]

Hi Bryan, and welcome to WAB!

I have the Nikon 80-400mm VR and absolutely love it. However, I've never used the Sigma 50-500 (popularly known as the Bigma) so I can't give a view on which is best. The only minor criticism I would make of the Nikon lens is that they didn't fit it with a "Silent Wave" motor so it's slightly noisier when focusing than some other lenses.

Here's a few examples of shots using this lens...







And a couple using extension tubes for macro...





Dave P.

[RogerTheCat]

Originally Posted by bryan71

Having posted a couple of threads on advise i wanted on a sigma 50-500mm lens i have been to my local camera shop and noticed a nikon 80-400mm vr lens.Any body used on and what are your views in relaction to the sigma 50-500mm.Thanks again bryan.

The 80 - 400 is on my wish list although I have never used it. What appeals to me is the shorter minimum focussing distance around 2m compared with the Bigmas (50 - 500) minimum which is about 3 or 4m. My main interet is photographing dragonflies and butterflies and the closer focussing I felt was of more use to me than the Bigmas extra 100mm. I often find in the right conditions I can get to within 2m of an insect. The other advantage is that the Nikon has the VR which can be an advantage if using the lens hand held.

Sigma also make a 80 -400 lens which is a several hundred pounds cheaper than the Nikon so you may want to have a look at that as well

For general wildlife photography I think the Bigma has the advangae because of its extra 100mm and you can reduce the minimum focussing distance with extension tubes. There are plenty of excellant picture son this site taken with the Bigma

[AndyM]

Hi Bryan, I have and use AF-s 70-300 VR Nikkor, 80-400 VR Nikkor and a Sigma Bigma with a D200 & D70. 70-300 VR is great with extension tubes (Kenko Pro) for insects/flora; 80-400 and Bigma are for tripod/hide work. All are sharp lenses, 70-300 is also a silent wave motor job and so is fast focus, good enough for close birds in flight, though I prefer the AF-s 80-200 f2.8 for that- probably the sharpest and fastest lens Nikon make. Remembering the 1.5 times Digital factor of the D200 and D70 you effectively have max figures of approx 105-450; 120-600 and 75-1000mm in these combinations. However you do need deep pockets or a bad case of N.A.S. or Nikon Acquisition Syndrome as its called.
I also use on occasions the Kenko Pro Plus 1.4 convertor. The Kenko's all have contacts that keep the AF & Meters working. They do not always however update the EXIF data to show they have been used - but that does not bother me.

Hope this helps
Andy M.

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by RogerTheCat

The 80 - 400 is on my wish list although I have never used it. What appeals to me is the shorter minimum focussing distance around 2m compared with the Bigmas (50 - 500) minimum which is about 3 or 4m. My main interet is photographing dragonflies and butterflies and the closer focussing I felt was of more use to me than the Bigmas extra 100mm. I often find in the right conditions I can get to within 2m of an insect. The other advantage is that the Nikon has the VR which can be an advantage if using the lens hand held.

Sigma also make a 80 -400 lens which is a several hundred pounds cheaper than the Nikon so you may want to have a look at that as well

For general wildlife photography I think the Bigma has the advangae because of its extra 100mm and you can reduce the minimum focussing distance with extension tubes. There are plenty of excellant picture son this site taken with the Bigma

The Bigma is superb for dragonflies and butterflies. I prefer to use the Bigma for dragons, rather than my Sigma 150mm as the insect is quite large allowing a greater working distance.

These shots were taken recently, I had to back the lens off down to 417mm, as I was quite close.

[RogerTheCat]

Great, now I have to add the Bigma to my ever growing wish list and ever shrinking bank balance

[jimmer]

Hello Bryan I had a nikon 80-400mm it was great. I have just uploaded a goldfinch photo I took in a hide in my garden hand held. I said I had one you know with hobbies sometimes I had to sell it to fund a big Telescope but one day I will buy one again. My advice is go and get one tomorrow money permitting. kind regards JIm

[barquar]

Originally Posted by glsammy

The Bigma is superb for dragonflies and butterflies. I prefer to use the Bigma for dragons, rather than my Sigma 150mm as the insect is quite large allowing a greater working distance.

These shots were taken recently, I had to back the lens off down to 417mm, as I was quite close.

What great photos brilliant
barquar

[Maccattack]

Havent used either lens , probably depends on your main area of photography , both are slightly slow focussing compared to more recent lenses .. but good value .With vr you can get away with hand holding the 80-400 but you get better range with the sigma ..... . I am still confused about entering the 300mm plus arena as i hope to use the 1.7 x converter .
Enjoy your photography

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Maccattack

Havent used either lens , probably depends on your main area of photography , both are slightly slow focussing compared to more recent lenses .. but good value .With vr you can get away with hand holding the 80-400 but you get better range with the sigma ..... . I am still confused about entering the 300mm plus arena as i hope to use the 1.7 x converter .
Enjoy your photography

I wouldn't call the Bigma slow focusing. It's got the HSM focusing motor, and it's extremly snappy in that area. I'd say it's one of it's main advantages.