Affordable long prime lenses?

[NicolaB]

Hi again,

The title says it all really! I'm hankering for a better quality telephoto lens...don't get me wrong, I've had some great results with my Bigma, but it still falls pretty short in poor light, which sadly is a too regular occurance here in S Wales! I'm unlikely to sell the Bigma as it's very versatile, but I'd like some sharper shots more regularly rather than just when the conditions are Bigma friendly!

I'm looking to get a half decent long prime, and was wondering what the best options for a Nikon user would be? I'd ideally not want to spend more than 2k, and even that might be stretching my budget a bit!

Is the 300mm f4 any good with a 1.4 or 1.7 TC?

Is the 500mm Sigma f4.5 any good (assuming I can get hold of one secondhand?)

Does anyone know of any other alternatives that don't require a second mortgage and would be a step up from the Bigma?

Thanks!

[pressld2]

Hi Nicola,

I can't really answer your question as all the long primes are out of my reach at the moment so I have no experience of them. But I just wanted to point out that although adding a 1.7x TC to the 300 will give you 510mm it will also lose you at least 1.5 stops of light. So the 300's f4 is back down to f6.3 or possibly worse leaving you no better off than the bigma when the light is poor.

The 300 on its own should have a better image quality than the Bigma just because primes tend to out-perform zooms, but I'm not sure if that will still be true with the 1.7 in the equation.

Dave P.

[Richard G.]

Agree with Dave.

Also the Nikon 1.4TCEII is generally accepted to cause no degrdation in image quality and you can get away without stopping down at all. The same can't be said for the 1.7TCEII (though I have no personal experience, but what I read was enough for me to decide against purchasing) and you would need to stop down at least one stop to get the best from it, so you're 510mm f6.3 is going to need to be at f8 or f9 realistically.

I've no experience with primes, so can't suggest a solution, but I decided to go with the Nikon 70-200 f2.8 as my first wildlife lens. I know some people here will jump in a say, that's too short, but on a DX body and with 1.4TC you are getting 420mm and it's very usable wide open at f4 (with TC). And there are plenty of opportunities to get close enough to the subject to ensure it's well used by me. I'm blown away by the quality though, so far in excess of any other lens I've owned.

[Geoff F]

Firstly, I have already 'sold my soul' to Canon so don't have any first hand knowledge of Nikon lenses. But I would say, what is your most used Bigma size? If it is 400-500 mm which is common practice, I wouldn't recommend anything under 400 mm as even with a 1.4x converter it wouldn't give much advantage over your Bigma, except quality, etc.

500mm minimum would be my choice, and probably not a lot dearer than 400mm plus converter. The only disadvantage would be the loss of the 400 option, but I find that constantly adding and subtracting lenses or converters can get tedious.

Spending other people's money is great fun!

[momji1971]

Hi there. I have the 300 F4 and I've found auto focus is affected to some dergee with the addition of a converter. Not picking out subjects, especially moving ones!, as quickly.

Also own the Sigma 500mm F4.5 and in my opinion is a fantastic lens. Was put on to it by someone on here myself! Very fast and quiet!

Although I've read in the mags this lens new has risen by £1000!

If you can hang on and keep looking for a secoind hand one. But try before you buy and try it out thoroughly! Its a big lens and a knock or drop could be the reason someone is selling it on!
Check especially the lens mount. Been stung recently myself for not being careful enough!!!!

regards.
Stu. (proud Nikon user)

[NicolaB]

Thanks all

It looks like I've got to get saving big time for a 500mm lens then! One to put on the Christmas list, I'm sure my mum would buy me a cleaning cloth for it or something!

[mtraylen81]

I would just like to add to the comments made above.

If you intend to use a Teleconvertor dont go below an f4 lens otherwise there would be no noticable gain over your bigma.
Added to that you should be looking at least 300 - 400mm otherwise your not getting the most from a TC.
200mm with 1.4TC = 280mm
200mm with 1.7TC = 340mm
300mm with 1.4TC = 420mm
300mm with 1.7TC = 510mm
400mm with 1.4TC = 560mm
400mm with 1.7TC = 680mm

You could always look at 2x TC's as there is no difference between that and a 1.7TC

But unfortunatly it all comes down to the £. And with Nikon's prices going up every couple of weeks at the moment with out pound so weak, it is only going to get worse.

[WhiskyBottle]

Nikon AFS300/2.8 second hand should be available for under 2K. You'll need to add a convertor or two as well.
Sigma 500/4.5 is also a good lens, but doesn't seem to take convertors too well.
I use the Nikon TC14E and Kenko Pro300 2x on both these lenses.
From choice I usually carry the 300.
Nikon 300 AF is very fast, even with either convertor fitted.
Sigma AF is fast, but very iffy with the 1.4, and zero with the 2x.
Nikon convertor needs moding to fit the Sigma - not a big deal.

Sigma also make a 300/2.8, and a 300/2.8 zoom, though I have't used either.

One further though. If you're not happy with the results of the Bigma in low light, is it the lens. All the lenses above are heavy and you'll need a tripod to match - think another £200.

Know anyone who's got any of the above you could try?

Buying second hand from a known camera shop shouldn't give you problems, expect a 12 month garrentee. The Nikon was well used but optically perfect and has performed faultlessly for 5 years, the Sigma appeared to be unused with just some scuff marks on the carrying case.