nikon 80-400mm or sigma 120-400

robert5 (e2 Member)

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25 Feb 2013 - 7:14 PM

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looking for good lens for sport photography its between nikon 80-400 or sigma 120-400 has any one used these lens for sport

Regards
Bob

johnmac

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3 Mar 2013 - 3:48 PM

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I'm looking to do the same as Robert5 and I use D700. I want something with a longer reach but as for many I have a budget. I managed to borrow a Sigma 50-500 from a friend and went to a local Zoo to give it a good try out. I was surprised at the quality of some of the pics although at 500mm they were usable but not perfectly sharp, quite soft but I expected that. I tried it in A,S & M bumped the ISO up. It had no image stabiliser so I had to keep it on monopod, it felt heavy to start with then it felt like I was carrying an engine block after an hour. With to 80-400 or 120-400 which I was considering the Sigma I’m guessing for quality you wouldn’t take it above 350mm. A friend offered me his nearly new Nikon 70-300 for £300 so now I’m undecided is it worth spending more money for an extra 100mm compared to the good quality pics at 250mm with the 70-300

johnmac

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3 Mar 2013 - 6:55 PM

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Yes please that would be really helpful. I’m getting on now and struggle without VR or Tripod/Monopod I can just get away with VR. I’ve managed to save enough for a Sigma 120-400, going to Focus on Imaging on Wednesday at the NEC so I can have a look.
Many thanks

robert5 (e2 Member)

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4 Mar 2013 - 6:59 PM

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Hi johnmac
sorry can not seem to up loasd photos taken on the Sigma 120-300will load onto my site.I find the very good and its light but you would still need a monopod if shooting in low light i habd mine on monopod and iso was 1600 so have a look and see whta you think.

LenShepherd (e2 Member)

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6 Mar 2013 - 8:47 AM

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Nikon has just announced an upgrade for the 80-400
http://www.europe-nikon.com/en_GB/news_room/news_releases_main.page?Period=New&Quarter=0&SY=0&ID=templatedata\en_GB\news_article\data\GB-NR-0503131
With upgraded optics, upgraded VR, better MTF, and the ability to take Nikon converters it looks a very interesting lens. The autofocus speed should be faster.
There is no delivery date yet, or price - I anticipate late May delivery and around £1300 launch and no what street discounts for at least six months as I expected to be in great demand.
This lens is it definitely on my shopping list.

samueldilworth

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6 Mar 2013 - 9:28 AM

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Why £1300, LenShepherd? The US price of the old 80-400 mm was about $1350, whereas the new one is $2700, a precise doubling of price. Since the UK price for the old 80-400 is in the region of £1000–£1100, the new one should be double that. Add in the serious risk of the pound weakening further, which is always taken into consideration by companies pricing new wares, and I predict a price of at least £2200 at the outset.

Edit: was typing while thewilliam responded. Okay, so the RRP is even worse than I expected. It might sell for around £2200, though, at least a short period after launch.

johnmac

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6 Mar 2013 - 8:39 PM

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This was announced in What Digital
Nikon's AF-S 80-400mmf/4.5-5.6G ED VR telephoto zoom lens is set to be available on 19th March 2013, with a launch price of £2,449.99.
Read more at http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/news/537209/nikon-announces-new-telephoto-zoom-...