Choosing a Big Camera Lens

[bryan71]

Sorry to bang on about lens.But ever since i have bought the sigma 80-400mm lens which i use on my d80 i think it's a great lens for wildlife photography.How ever i also have a d200 which has the 18-200mm vr lens on it.Good lens but i'm finding now that i'm not really using it.Thinking of selling.But what should i purchase i don't do close ups so a macro lens is out.Thought of something long again may be the 50-500mm for really long distance or a fast nikon lens.Advise please.Thanks bryan.

[geordie1970]

Cant imagine the 50-500mm being a massive improvement over the 80-400mm.Might be worth keeping both as the 18-200mm must be easier to hand hold and you could always try a converter on it.

[rlchew]

Hello Bryan

I have used the Sigma 80-400mm zoom lens for around 2 years but recently bought the Sigma 500mm prime lens .... superb quality but a lot heavier and much more expensive!

Thankfully warehouseexpress.com allow you to buy with interest free credit .

Richard

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by geordie1970

Cant imagine the 50-500mm being a massive improvement over the 80-400mm.Might be worth keeping both as the 18-200mm must be easier to hand hold and you could always try a converter on it.

I agree - I'd just keep the 18-200 as a wide to short zoom is a handy thing to have - i cant see a lot of point in buying a bigma if you already have a 400mm (no point in putting a tc on tho if you have a 400mm anyway)

[David Hyde]

Hi Bryan
I have to agree with Richard. I would keep both lenses, you have a all the focal lengths covered fro 18mm to 400mm with VR on half the range.
Personally, I would not sell one of your zoom lenses to buy another, you are net getting much of an upgrade. If I were to make any changes I would look at a fast prime lens. Heavier & more expensive and you will need to check your tripod/head for suitability.
Having Said that, you should be fine with your 400mm. You need to get close to get really good pictures, this is no different with the 500mm. A fast lens will take a 1.4x converter better than a slow one giving you the possibility of 700mm!!
David

[Interpreter]

You would be losing the 18-80mm end of the lens. I find this area very useful. Last week I did a daft experiment with my 5D. I sat on the settee with my feet on the coffee table (my wife was out) and took two photographs of my LG television. With the 100-400L IS at full extension the image was of the LG logo only. With the 16-35L at 16mm I was in the photograph from the knees down and the image included the whole of the television and most of the wall. Which lens is more useful and which end of the range could I disgard? Keep both lenses.

[David Hyde]

Hi again Bryan
Sorry, in my earlier response I said you have VR on half the range. I forgot the OS on the 80-400mm Sigma.
David