What Lens?

[Bushcraft]

Hi,

Im planning on getting a new lens for my Nikon D200 but would like to know everyone's thoughts on these lenses. Has anyone here got any of these or tried them?

Nikon 600mm f4
Sigma 800mm f5.6

I may use a 1.7 or 2x converter with them.

The Nikon is the best part of £10.000 so I don't want to spend this sort of money if the Sigma is only marginally different in quality as it offers that extra 200mm, however with a converter im thinking a very dark image.

Also, I am getting some insurance for the gear I already have and was wondering who you guys think offer the best deals?

Your thoughts would be very much appreciated.

Best wishes
Kris

[eeyore]

thats serious folding stuff for one lens - the sigmonster is supposed to be excellent though you will need arms like a gorilla to carry it

personally Id get a bigma (50-500) and use that with a 1.4 converter on the rare occasions you need more focal length than that

and spend the meney you save on some other nice glass like a Tamron 180 f2.8 macro

[Boddie]

Or save up and get something decent. The problem with buying a cheap lens is that you'll wish you had done a bit more saving to get something really good

[eeyore]

yeah like the canon 1000mm f2.8 a snip at a mere £65,000 - and they have to be built to order too - okay so bushcraft is a nikon user but at that price he could run to a 1ds to use with it and not notice the difference..... When I win the lottery.

Btw insurance wise I use E+L whose proffesional level insurance is well worth it even if you are an amateur.

[Bushcraft]

Thanks. I know its a problem whatever lens you have but I always want pics of somthing just a bit too far away. I have been looking into 1000mm lenses and have looked into the bigma but to be honest the nikon lens I have is around the same power as the bigma and still only at 2.8f, I use a 1.4 with it.

I am also thinking of getting a new Macro lens as I want somthing that I can get EXTREAM close ups with at distance. I have been looking at Sigma and Tamron, I already use Tamron's 90mm. But I just can't decide, it would help if I could field test them! do you guys know what one is THE best for real close up work?

[Kev Lewis]

You will never regret buying the 600mm except for the bad shoulders and back that the weight of the lens PLUS a very sturdy tripod inflicts on you. But the pain and lens is worth every penny in terms of quality of build and quality of image. For extreme closeup ie x5 mag or more consider reversing a 50mm lens on the front of a normal 100mm macro lens, you will also need to invest in some good lighting or flash

eeyore: Btw insurance wise I use E+L whose proffesional level insurance is well worth it even if you are an amateur. This company has so many loopsholes in its T&Cs that they rarely pay out

[Fourwings]

I can highly recomend the Sigma 150mm EX DG macro lens.

Superb build quality, fast, silent and it takes crackin' images.

Several of us here on WAB use this lens so have a good look in the insects/Dragonfly/Butterfly gallerys.

[Boddie]

am i thick?

what is wrong with household insurance?

[glsammy]

I ceretainly wish I could manage a 600mm prime, but if you've got any physical weakness, bad back or anything else, forget it. Kev is right re the quality and if you can manage it, then go for it.
As for the Macro, I agree with Fourwings. It gives you that extra distance from the subject which is extremely valuable. You can also use the built in flash with it, it works surprisingly welll.

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Boddie

am i thick?

what is wrong with household insurance?

Your not thick, That's exactly what I use. Provided your covered for all use away from the home and any individual item over a certain value is listed, it's fine.