Nikon 80-200 2.8 or Tamron/ Sigma 70-200 2.8 on a Nikon D5100 BODY!!!?

Question

so prettymuch i've had my d5100 since october, and ive only had the standard kit 18-55 3.5-5.6 lens and its not doing much for me anymore. It doesnt have enough reach and the aperture is too slow. I want a telephoto zoom with a fast aperture for night sport photography mainly and i dont know what to get.

$1000 is probably my price limit, maybe a touch over that. The Sigma and Tamron 70-200 look good but their auto focus seems too slow to shoot what i want to shoot. Also i like the nikon build quality. (Club/Representative Rugby Union, i used to play but i have had kidney problems and the doctor says i cant play anymore)

Firstly, the Nikon 70-200 2.8 is over double my budget, i wish i could get it, but its not gonna happen. So that leaves the Nikon 80-200 2.8. and i know what your thinking, "BUT KID THE AUTO FOCUS ISN'T COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR D5100" I know! and that annoys me but I'm not ruling it out of the list. it looks like a really nice lens and that's the only worry i have with it, using manual focus all the time will get a lot of photos that are out of focus. But it seems a better quality lens than the Sigma and Tamron and if i do eventually get a new body, the Auto Focus will work on that and i will have a good Telephoto zoom WITH autofocus! but that wont be any time soon.



Any Help guys would be really really really appreciated!!

also if you can recommend any other lenses that would do the job better for maybe a little less? that would be nice too :)

Answer 1

Get the 80-200mm 2.8, especially if you will change your dslr in the futur.

Answer 2

I have the Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 on my D90 and it is a great lens. I cannot say enough good things about it. I bought it as the 70-200 was also too expensive for me.



As long as you know that the 80-200 will not autofocus on your camera, you will not otherwise be disappointed.



One issue though is if you decide to go new or used. This lens has been made in some form for nearly 20 years. The older ones have a push-pull zoom mechanism, and their autofocus speeds are slow. The typical used prices for those are in the $500 range.



The newer ones - made 10 years ago and newer have a more traditional twist-ring zoom mechanism, and a much faster autofocus gearing system. They are in the $900 range for resale.



As you cannot autofocus anyway, you might consider the older lens, but if you ever upgrade your Nikon body, it might be an issue, so always look to the future when buying gear.



Nikon also made an AF-S version of the 80-200mm lens for a short period of time, around the 2001 time frame. Unfortunately, they did not make them that long as they came out with the first AF-S 70-200 soon after. But if you are lucky to find one used, that 80-200 would autofocus on your camera. The resale for those lenses are around $1200. The AF-S 80-200mm lenses are highly prized, and are hard to find.



But other than the used AF-S version of the 80-200, I'd go with a new one. That is what I did last year when I bought mine. A new one costs about $1,100~1,200, and with the used ones going for $900 (and could be 10 years old), I figured a new one would justify the small additional cost over a used one.



At any rate, you will love the lens for sports, action, and even portraiture photography.

Answer 3

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom Nikkor Lens

Pros

1. Great quality lens (very sharp pictures. 3 of the glasses made/coated with ED technology)

2. Very fast (fixed f/2.8 throughout the zoom range)

3. Very reasonably priced (compared to 70-200mm f/2.8 AF-S VR and 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S)

4. Built to last. Very solid

5. Great for sport, action, wedding and low-light photography

6. Uses standard 77mm lens filter

7. Bokeh is very nice at f/2.8

8. Autofocus much faster than the older 80-200mm f/2.8 model (the push pull version)

9. The price is very stable (I bought mine several years ago and I could still sell it at the same price today)

10. With non full frame Nikon DSLR, the focal length becomes 120-300mm equivalent (nice reach). you can get Nikon 80-400mm for more reach but that lens is not fixed f/2.8).



Cons

1. Heavy at 2 lbs 14 oz or 1.3kg. (Good arm exercise :), or using tripod or monopod would be nice)

2. Autofocus not as fast and silence as the AF-S model (70-200mm f/2.8 AF-S and 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S), but the autofocus limiter switch improves autofocus time

3. Tripod collar is too close to the zoom ring (you can remove or adjust the tripod collar though)

4. Thread for the filter can be better (it's made of plastic)

5. Lens hood is sold separately (highly recommended to reduce flare and internal reflection)

6. More expensive than Non-Nikon (sigma, tamron etc) brand alternative (some comparable price but they have faster and silence focus)

7. Lens could jump around a bit during autofocusing if you are not strong enough (due to the glass moving fast as the lens autofocus)

8. No Manual focus override mode on Autofocus mode

9. No Macro mode (can't be use for macro shot). closest focusing distance is quite far

10. No VR (Vibration Reduction), which will help a lot for this type of lens (heavy and telephoto)

Answer 4

Unless you are a focusing genius, you will lose many if not most of your shots manually focusing the 80-200 shooting a sport like Rugby. I personally don't know which is better Sigma or Tamron but I'd go to a store with my camera, put the lenses on and see how they focus. Any lens that is a straight f2.8 across the focal length has to have good quality glass and will give you good results. Trust me, manually focusing professional sports is not easy and it is extremely frustrating to look at a fantastic moment that is soft. SAve up for the Nikon, 70-200 is incredible, nothing like it.

Answer 5

Sigma 80-200mm Lens

Answer 6

+1 on the 80-200mm AF-S, it will work with your camera for AF

I have one for sale in my area for $900



I also got a 70-200mm vr i for $750 locally before, pretty beat up but works perfect. Try looking into that



I hope the 3 fps will be fast enough for your indoor sports

Answer 7

Does it have to be F2.8 ? You're paying a heck of a lot for the extra stop.