f2.8 lens

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smiff3100

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I have a bit of spare cash around £400 to spend on a f2.8 lens for my nikon d3100 whats the best i can get for that money??
 
That's a very broad question. What do you plan to shoot? What other lenses do you own? 2.8 strictly? or including larger aperture primes?

You could get: 35mm 1.8G, 50mm 1.8G, 40mm 2.8 macro, 85 1.8G, 60mm 2.8 micro ... all useful in their own right. If you're after something a little more flexible, look to the likes of the tamron or sigma 17-50 2.8 models.
 
I'm going to assume you want a mid range zoom.. correct me if that's not teh case.

There's the Tamron 17-55 DX one with the stupidly long name... hang on let me copy and past it from somewhere.

Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC LD

There you go. Looks like a good lens. It's DX only though, which isn't a problem for you now, but if you go full frame one day you'll have to get rid.
 
I am looking for a good lens for equine photography, cross country, show jumping
 
I had the tamron [non-VC] and it was on my D90 most of the time. It's such a great little all-rounder. Should be perfect for your needs, unless you need more reach. Maybe a Tamron 28-70 2.8?
 
smiff3100 said:
I am looking for a good lens for equine photography, cross country, show jumping
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I;d have thought you would need something a little longer then.... and that starts to get more expensive for a 2.8 telephoto zoom.
 
smiff3100 said:
I am looking for a good lens for equine photography, cross country, show jumping
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Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8

You must get the HSM model so that it autofocuses with the d3100

Great lens!
 
do a quick search for equine photography, you will find some of them have contact me on them, give a ring and ask what they use/
 
I would think around 200mm possibly 150 as I can get quite close to the jumps, maybe add an extender at some point
 
In that case I wont have the teleconvertor are tamron lenses any good?
 
For your budget I would say that by far the most obvious choice is a Sigma 70-200 2.8. You'll need an HSM one and there are three versions, HSM I, HSM II and HSM OS (the latest and greatest). With your budget you'll need to buy used. You should definitely be able to get an HSM I and if you're lucky maybe a II.

I can't think of many other alternatives. There is a Sigma 50-150 2.8 but as they're not much cheaper I think I'd lean towards the 70-200.

Not sure about the Tamron 70-200. They're pretty rare and I have heard some complaints about the AF though maybe somebody with knowledge will be along shortly to confirm or otherwise.
 
Thanks for the info westy, I have been looking for the sigma one on eBay doesn't seem to be any around
 
I had a Sigma 70-200 HSM II - was a very good lens and I was very happy with it:)
I think I sold it for £365 on this forum and it was in very good condition with no marks on it at all. The only reason I sold it was to get the optical stabilized version which is much better but much pricier (one sold here the other day for £500 which was a bargain)

As mentioned above - make sure you get the HSM version as you need the built in AF motor for your body.
I've also heard of complaints about the Tamron AF system - best avoided I think if you can.

Keep looking and one will turn up - heres a bit of history on the Sigma ones :-
70-200mm F2.8 EX APO - Original version, minimum focus distance 1.8m (1999)
70-200mm F2.8 EX DG - Adds 'digitally optimized' lens coatings to reduce flare (2005)
70-200mm F2.8 EX DG Macro (HSM) - Minimum focus distance reduced to 1m (2006)
70-200mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM II - Improved optical performance (2007)
70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS - Optical Stabilizer added and complete redesign (2010)

Hope that helps a little :)
 
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JulesP said:
The first lens only says HSM on the barrel - mine said HSM II
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Yeah, I was looking for that too but it definitly looks like the HSM II that I used to have. Or are there more than three HSM versions?

Ignore me. Just seen your post above.
 
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On the line in white writing it says "70-200mm 1:2.8 APO" which I think is the 2006 version.
Just looked at the picture of my old one and the same line says "70-200mm 1:2.8 II" which was the 2007 version.
I'm sure that the other lens there is the original 1999 version.
 
I did see those two lenses, should I still keep an eye on them? Is there any for sale here on the forum?
 
Will keep an eye on it, is there a for sale section here on the forum?
 
If you'd said you needed reach to begin with ...

Yup, any version of the old sigma 70-200 should do the trick.
 
I been looking and looking, where did u get one for £350
 
I got,mine off another forum I'm on. Several have sold here recently for under £400. A new OS version sold recently for just over £400 which was a crazy bargain.
 
smiff3100 said:
I dont have access to the classifieds section :-(
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I think current rules state 60 days membership and 25 posts.
You've got the posts - just hang in there a bit longer and you should get access soon. Just don't abuse the classifieds when you do get access:thumbs:

As Tom said - wait for a newer one from this country - they come up all the time.
 
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I found this one SIGMA 70-200MM F2.8 II MACRO APO HSM (NIKON FIT)
Is this any good to me? Its £430?
 
smiff3100 said:
I found this one SIGMA 70-200MM F2.8 II MACRO APO HSM (NIKON FIT)
Is this any good to me? Its £430?
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Yep, that's the latest non OS version. Price is alright.
 
Whats OS? Would this be worth investing in, as its in budget. ...
 
OS = Optical Stabilizer - very useful at longer focal lengths as it counteracts camera shake.
The longer focal length you use, the more prone images are to blurring from camera movement. Sigma's OS claims to give you up to an extra 4 stops of exposure.
ie if you can get a clear image at 1/250 second without OS, it will allow you to handhold at 1/15 and still maintain a clear image

EDIT - I had the version you are looking at (HSM II) and upgraded to the OS version and its worlds apart. The HSM II is good don't get me wrong but the OS version is far superior
 
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So I am looking for this lens or similar but with OS on it?
 
Alot more expensive, not sure I am going to find what I am lookingfor, for the price I have in mind
 
The HSM II lens you were looking at is more than capable - just the OS makes life a whole lot easier
 
Would it be suitable for what I need, what is the main downside for not having it? Blurry pic's?
 
As long as you can keep the shutter speed fast you should be ok.
Remember that optical stabilization or vibration reduction is a relatively new thing and people managed just fine before it came along:)
It does make life easier to get good pics but its not essential.
Also, if you shoot on a tripod you would have to turn OS off anyway
 
Just wondering if I should wait, could I get one with OS for around £400?
 
You would be very lucky to get the OS one for that price - they normally go for at least £500+
 
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