Nikon/Sigman 70-300mm?

Steven001

Steven001

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,531
Name
Steven
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi guys,

It's about time I got a new lens and I've been looking at the Nikon and Sigma 70-300mm. I have a few questions which I hope you will be able to answer :)

  1. I know the sigma will autofocus on my D40, but will the Nikon?
  2. Is there any difference between the two?
  3. Do you think I would be able to achieve relativity sharp images without a tripod?

My choice is really between this and the Nikon 55-200mm VR, but I would like the extra reach with the 300mm.

Thanks,
Steven
 
I have both, and tbh, neither has picture quality to write home about. I have started using them at 200mm anyway, because anything longer, in anything other than glorious sunshine, results is very soft images especially as both have had some use and are showing it. Is one better than the other? in my own experience, no, though others may be able to say different :shrug:
 
Steven001 said:
Hi guys,

It's about time I got a new lens and I've been looking at the Nikon and Sigma 70-300mm. I have a few questions which I hope you will be able to answer :)

  1. I know the sigma will auto focus on my D40, but will the Nikon?
  2. Is there any difference between the two?
  3. Do you think I would be able to achieve relativity sharp images without a tripod?

My choice is really between this and the Nikon 55-200mm VR, but I would like the extra reach with the 300mm.

Thanks,
Steven
Click to expand...

I think only the Nikon AF-S lens's will auto focus with the D40 so You would need the 70-300 VR for auto focus, if you are buying used you will need to get a newer version of the sigma as the older versions do not have the inbuilt focus motor. I have had all of these lenses and the image quality between the non-vr Nikon and the sigma is very similar. The 70-300 VR produces much better images but its still a bit soft at 300mm and is about twice the cost of the other Lens's.

PJ
 
I may be interested in selling my Nikon 70-300mm vr for about £250 if you're interested. I tend to use my 70-200mm 2.8 with 1.4 mostly now.
 
kevshore said:
I may be interested in selling my Nikon 70-300mm vr for about £250 if you're interested. I tend to use my 70-200mm 2.8 with 1.4 mostly now.
Click to expand...


Wished I`d known that earlier this week and I`d be £100 better off and her in doors would be speaking to me again !!!!
 
I loved my 70-300 APO on my D40x and got some brilliant shots with it. I think it's one of the best lenses you can buy in that price range and didn't mind manually focusing (which you will need to do) but I expect the VR being offered will be far sharper and more neutral in terms of colour cast (I find my sigma lens warms everything up, which is great for outdoor nature stuff but limits its uses a bit) plus it'll VR which is really handy!

As for sharp images without a tripod... it depends... I have got some very sharp images but I had to burst fire and take the best of the bunch so it's a bit hit and miss. I'm sure you'll be fine at the shorter end with good light but you really would rather have a tripod than have to chance it.
 
LadyLens said:
I have both, and tbh, neither has picture quality to write home about. I have started using them at 200mm anyway, because anything longer, in anything other than glorious sunshine, results is very soft images especially as both have had some use and are showing it. Is one better than the other? in my own experience, no, though others may be able to say different :shrug:
Click to expand...

Hmmm, I don't expect the picture quality to be excellent as they're both fairly cheap lenses.

Dogfish_magnet said:
I think only the Nikon AF-S lens's will auto focus with the D40 so You would need the 70-300 VR for auto focus, if you are buying used you will need to get a newer version of the sigma as the older versions do not have the inbuilt focus motor. I have had all of these lenses and the image quality between the non-vr Nikon and the sigma is very similar. The 70-300 VR produces much better images but its still a bit soft at 300mm and is about twice the cost of the other Lens's.

PJ
Click to expand...

Oh, I thought the Sigma would auto-focus. I know with Nikon they need to say AF-S to auto focus on the D40, but I'm not sure what the abbreviation on the Sigma's are?

kevshore said:
I may be interested in selling my Nikon 70-300mm vr for about £250 if you're interested. I tend to use my 70-200mm 2.8 with 1.4 mostly now.
Click to expand...

Good price, but it's a little more than I'm willing to spend at the moment - thanks though.

theory said:
I loved my 70-300 APO on my D40x and got some brilliant shots with it. I think it's one of the best lenses you can buy in that price range and didn't mind manually focusing (which you will need to do) but I expect the VR being offered will be far sharper and more neutral in terms of colour cast (I find my sigma lens warms everything up, which is great for outdoor nature stuff but limits its uses a bit) plus it'll VR which is really handy!

As for sharp images without a tripod... it depends... I have got some very sharp images but I had to burst fire and take the best of the bunch so it's a bit hit and miss. I'm sure you'll be fine at the shorter end with good light but you really would rather have a tripod than have to chance it.
Click to expand...

I'm not looking at the Sigma 70-300mm VR. It's out of my price range at the moment. :(

Thanks,
Steven
 
You need to look for HSM on Sigma lenses for autofocus with the D40 (HyperSonic Motor I think).
 
Steven001 said:
I'm not looking at the Sigma 70-300mm VR. It's out of my price range at the moment. :(

Thanks,
Steven
Click to expand...

No, I meant the nikon that was offered in this thread.

Yeah HSM is the Sigma equivalent of SWM (or AF-S).
 
Well, I can say for certain that the 70-300 f4-5.6 and APO versions won't AF on the D40(x) speaking from experience.
 
nope, you are stuck looking at more expensive lenses if you want AF on the D40X, as said you need the AF-S Nikkors or HSM Sigma's. No Tokina lenses will AF, but I think Tamron ready to start wheeling out motorised lenses too.
 
I have just ordered the Sigma 70-300mm Steven, if I had the money without a doubt I would go for the Nikon but tbh I am only buying the Sigma because its so cheap :)
 
Ohhh it just came today!

First thing I noticed is the build quality, cant really compare to Nikkor lenses but i'm sure if you treat it well it will treat you well.

I havent had much chance to take any pics yet as it was dark when I fianlly got my hands on it. The macro setting is pretty cool but dont expect wonders :) I'll post some pics up when I use it more
 
R8JimBob88 said:
Ohhh it just came today!

First thing I noticed is the build quality, cant really compare to Nikkor lenses but i'm sure if you treat it well it will treat you well.

I havent had much chance to take any pics yet as it was dark when I fianlly got my hands on it. The macro setting is pretty cool but dont expect wonders :) I'll post some pics up when I use it more
Click to expand...

Do you mind sharing what you paid and from where? I recently got a D40 but miss having a longer zoom (from superzoom compact) I have looked at the Nikon 55-200 VR but if the Sigma is cheaper...:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top