First long lens

[Endrick]

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice on my first long lens. I have spent the last three years with a Nikon D40 and 18-200 VR.

Having spent my apprenticeship with this all-round lens I am now looking to get my first long lens. I don't really want to spend £6000 on a new 500mm F4 so I have been exploring the options. Some options may mean I have to get a new camera body.

1. I can go for off-brands like Sigma or Tamron who do long lenses for under £1000. Can't use a TC as autofocus won't work besides light may be a problem.

2. I can buy a second hand manual Nikon long prime lens for between £1000 and £1500. Some of these will meter on a different camera body so I would have to factor that cost in. I know these can take terrific photographs but never having used a manual long lens I'm wondering how much of a drawback these will be. On the upside I can add in a 1.4 teleconverter to a 600mm f4.

3. I can buy the Nikon 80-400 and upgrade the body

4. I can buy a Nikon 300 f4 + a 1.4 TC

There are probably other choices too. I'm sure some of you have faced the same decisions and would be glad of any help you can provide.

Thanks
Malcolm

[Ukwildlifeo]

With a £1000 budget I would recommend either the bigma (the sigma 50-500mm) which is about £1000 some users on here use to great effect or if you just after the higher end of the range the 150-500mm which is about £700 which would then leave you money to possibly upgrade your camera or perhaps buy a 100mm macro

[John D]

Originally Posted by Endrick

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice on my first long lens. I have spent the last three years with a Nikon D40 and 18-200 VR.

Having spent my apprenticeship with this all-round lens I am now looking to get my first long lens. I don't really want to spend £6000 on a new 500mm F4 so I have been exploring the options. Some options may mean I have to get a new camera body.

1. I can go for off-brands like Sigma or Tamron who do long lenses for under £1000. Can't use a TC as autofocus won't work besides light may be a problem.

2. I can buy a second hand manual Nikon long prime lens for between £1000 and £1500. Some of these will meter on a different camera body so I would have to factor that cost in. I know these can take terrific photographs but never having used a manual long lens I'm wondering how much of a drawback these will be. On the upside I can add in a 1.4 teleconverter to a 600mm f4.

3. I can buy the Nikon 80-400 and upgrade the body

4. I can buy a Nikon 300 f4 + a 1.4 TC

There are probably other choices too. I'm sure some of you have faced the same decisions and would be glad of any help you can provide.

Thanks
Malcolm

Malcolm have a read through the previous thread 'Replacing Telephoto' as some points raised are relevant to your enquiry.

John D

Zenfolio | John's Wild World

[Endrick]

Thanks for that - very useful

Malcolm

[Endrick]

Well after reading here I went ahead and bid on a sigma 50-500 on Ebay and won it so I'll post a picture or two when it arrives.

Malcolm

[squishy]

I wish you well!

P.S. for best sharpness with the 'bigma', F/8 is the sweet spot

[Endrick]

May I ask a question about the 50-500. I bought one from Ebay and it arrived and looked unused. However while it fits I don't think it is a nikon version. according to the manual the Nikon version should have an aperture ring - this doesn't and neither does it have an AF/M switch. I tried it on my new d90 and I can get it to take the occasional photo in manual mode but it won't autofocus. I tried to have a look online but I can't see that this is the lens advertised?

Any help appreciated!