A New Long Lens

Andysnap

Andysnap

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Andy Grant
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Some advice required if you please. (y)

I recently sold off a lot of equipment because of a GAS attack and bought a Fuji X-T1. Now, however, I have realised that I really need a longer lens for my Nikon D7100 as the Fuji, good as it is, does not have the long lenses I need for birding. I realise that they will be bringing out a 100-400mm next year but it will cost a fortune and also I can't wait that long.
So the question is what lens. I used to have a Nikon 300mm f4 with a 1.4TC which with the internal camera crop of the D7100 gave me about 550mm, something in this range would be good. Budget... £450 to £500 and I will almost certainly be going down the secondhand route.

I've looked at a few lenses but I am struggling to make my mind up between one of the longer Sigmas (120-400, 50-500, 150-500) or the older Nikon 80-400mm, so any thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers

Andy
 
minnnt said:
I bought the Sigma 150-500mm OS to go with my D7100... It's a nice combination. :)

How do you find the XT1 copes against the D7100? File quality etc?
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Thanks David, 1 vote for the 150-500mm. The files from the X-T1 compare very favourably against the D7100. set them up to shoot a few targets and the Nikon with the 24-85mm f2.8-4 lens was marginally (and I mean pixel peeping marginally) better than the Fuji with the 18-55mm f2.8-4 lens.
I take the Fuji out when I'm in the hills and its perfect really, just the right size and the IQ for landscapes is top notch.

srichards said:
I'd probably go for the sigma 50-500. The 150 can be a bit long on a crop. It's supposedly even better than the 150-500 even though the zoom range is longer.

Or wait for one of these to come up second hand closer to your budget: http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-tamron-150-600mm-f5-6-3-sp-di-vc-usd-lens-nikon-fit/p1547624
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Thanks Suz, 1 vote for the Bigma. I hadn't looked at the Tamron but at that price for that range it might be in with a shout if anyone is selling secondhand.

Andy
 
I've got the sigma 150-500. But as mentioned its sometimes not quite wide enough, which can be a pain for zoo togging. If I'd got the money I'd have got the 50-500, although I'm not sure if there's any loss in quality with that much variation so it might be worth looking into that. Also its a shame its not faster, but then I suppose that's why its not a £1000+ lens.
 
Super stuff David, always good to have some illustrations. (y)
 
minnnt said:
Haven't had it a month yet i don't think so i'm still getting to know it, but it's pretty nice to use. It does weigh 3kg with body and grip though.
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Yeah right, my first shoot with mine was the BTCC. My arm was shaking at the end of the day lol. I've got a monopod now which I used with it for the first time at the zoo on Sunday. It was a definite help.
 
minnnt said:
Haven't had it a month yet i don't think so i'm still getting to know it, but it's pretty nice to use. It does weigh 3kg with body and grip though.
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You've had it 20 days David. I've been without it for 21 days. But who's counting? :p

Raptor Mike said:
Yeah right, my first shoot with mine was the BTCC. My arm was shaking at the end of the day lol. I've got a monopod now which I used with it for the first time at the zoo on Sunday. It was a definite help.
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It certainly feels heavy when you first start using it. My arm used to ache after about 2 minutes! I soon got used to it though and with regular use found it fine for hand holding over many hours. (Obviously not holding it to me eye for all of those hours but you get the idea!)

It's certainly a nice lens if you can get a good one.

You might be waiting a while for the Tamron 150-600 to come down around the £500 mark. MPB had a "mint" used one a while ago and that was only £50 less than the new price!
 
Alejandro said:
You might be waiting a while for the Tamron 150-600 to come down around the £500 mark. MPB had a "mint" used one a while ago and that was only £50 less than the new price!
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I thought that would be the case. Oh well, I've still got 1 kidney left to sell. :D
 
Got to say the little Fuji is a cracking camera in every respect, I love it.

Andy
 
Thanks Mike, those are some lovely shots. It certainly looks like the 50-500mm is favourite at the minute, just need to dig out that old kidney and I'm sorted. :D
 
Andysnap said:
Thanks Mike, those are some lovely shots. It certainly looks like the 50-500mm is favourite at the minute, just need to dig out that old kidney and I'm sorted. :D
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There's an excellent butchers in Nantwich. I'm sure they'll sort you out something convincing ;)
 
Cheers Mike.
 
Anyone have opinions on the Nikon 80-400MMS, the older version not the new v expensive one?

Andy
 
Andysnap said:
Anyone have opinions on the Nikon 80-400MMS, the older version not the new v expensive one?

Andy
Click to expand...
Yes, I had one. It is optically very good, but the AF is very slow. I weighed mine in for a 300 F4 and 1.4 TC, much better in every aspect.
 
hi I am new on here just got back to cameras after 20 + years so things have changed a lot but anyway I have the sigma 150-500 and only used it twice , but have had good results at the zoo hand held on my a77 mk2 ,also worth saying the lens is heavy but given cost its all good in my opinion
 
fracster said:
Yes, I had one. It is optically very good, but the AF is very slow. I weighed mine in for a 300 F4 and 1.4 TC, much better in every aspect.
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Cheers Ade,

That was the kit I traded in to get the Fuji. It was definitely very good but I want something a bit more flexible this time.
It is looking very much like the siggy 50-150 is favourite at the moment.

Andy
 
So, everyone seems to have a Sigma 150-500. Is that preferable to the 50-500?
Allan
 
Mike has posted a few differences above as he owns the 50. I believe the IQ is on par (certainly no complaints from me!) but the wider short end appeals to some. You do pay for the privilege though. I paid 435 for mine, at the same time my local LCE had a used 50-500 in for £650.

I believe you have previously owned the xt, Allan, how do you find the d7100 against it? IQ etc.
 
I sold my XT1 a while ago, it was a very impressive camera but I didn't like the shutter lag. It felt a bit sluggish. So, I bought the EM1 and just as I was selling the Fuji, they bought out new firmware which reduced the shutter lag considerably.
It was an impressive camera, if I had one critisism ( now the shutter lag was gone) it would be that its images now look a little processed to me compared to what the Nikon produces. Don't get me wrong, they are very very good but don't have the more natural look that the Nikon has, even raws. At pixel level, it is more noticeable, but there is still lots of detail there. I wouldn't hesitate to get another should the opportunity arise, I still have my X100s, which produces virtually the same looking images.
So, after a long foray into mirrorless and M43, I'm afraid Nikon has won me back. ( for the time being)......
Anyway, back on topic, I quite fancy a 50-500 OS but it depends what comes up and prices. I certainly like the look of the shots you have posted with yours, I would be happy with either.
Allan
 
Thanks Allan. :)

I'm happy with my 150-500 but it depends if you need the wider end or not. Mine is predominantly for birds and a bit of motorsport so 150mm is fine for me. It makes for a nice portrait lens too. ;)
 
A old TP thread discussing the 50-500 and 150-500, from this it seems the 50-500mm is a nice lens when comparing dragonfly pictures, but it's a good few quid more. Some nice shots from Scott in the thread.

I'm considering chopping in my 300mm f4 and 1.4TC for the flexability the zooms offer, so watching this thread with interest. Anyone bought the 50-500mm recently, if so how much are they going for privately, doesn't seem to be many around SH in Nikon mount.

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/sigma-150-500mm-v-sigma-50-500mm.435532/
 
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I had a look at a Tamron 150-600 today.......:whistle:

I still like my 70-300 Vr though.
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I'm expecting a bit of extra cash to go in my account in the morning. It's easy to dream with no cash available, I just get a bit nervous when I can actually afford something!

.....probably Thursday!

Allan
 
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