Opinion on a 70-200mm f2.8 vr ii

[monsters]

Hi everyone,
I am in dilemma in deciding whether to invest in a 70-200mm f2.8 vr ii lens to be used with my Nikon D90.
Or should I look into a sigma 70-200mm f2.8 hsm?
I am more a hobby photographer. Occasionally I take pictures for my church camp/functions, wildlife, outdoor and portraits.
Appreciate your inputs and advice.

Cheers

[kiwi]

Find a 2nd hand vr1

[maccaroneski]

What kiwi might be trying to say is that the only clear difference between the VR1 and VR2 (aside from the improved VR) is around the edges. As you have a D90, you don't use the edges, so you miught as well save the money and get a VR1 second hand.

[kiwi]

Might be

[monsters]

Thanks for that suggestion guy. I will look into it now and see how much is vr i costing atm.
What's the different between the two? (vr ii vs vr i)
Can i also get input from those that used both version (vr i and ii) before?
Thanks ppl ;)

[kiwi]

If you do a search that topic has been discussed plenty

On a crop body though there is little practical difference AFAIK

[enigmatic]

ive ordered a current one off ebay... hoipefully on the way :eek: 21st present ftw!

as the others have said though, id be looking for a vr i

[cupic]

Nikon glass is at a premium for reason and the pro use it for that reason,clear crisp and clean but second hand will be more that sigma brand new,
even the O/S version of the sigma.I would do the way of second hand,this is in demand VR1

cheers

[monsters]

ive ordered a current one off ebay... hoipefully on the way :eek: 21st present ftw!

as the others have said though, id be looking for a vr i

Do you mind if you could message me the price and seller?

Thanks Enig

[reaction]

Sigma 70-200 OS HSM but not online. They have various issues. You want to see the lens b4 u pay

[Big Pix]

Nikon still make a 80-200 non VR....... great lens

[monsters]

Thanks guys for your input. FYI DWI has increased vrii by another $55... :(
Now I have to choose between the vrii or a SB700... I got a mate's engagement coming up soon (in 3 weeks) and I want to take the opportunity to take some photos for him (as he didnt hire any photographer). Party will be in the arvo from 3pm onwards at his parent's place. Should i get a vrii or a sb700 before the party? dilemma dilemma... (if only i can afford both)...

[kiwi]

Hire for the party, buy for long term

[swifty]

Indoors or backyard. On DX you won't get much mileage from a 70-200/2.8 indoors (unless they live in a mansion).

[reaction]

you have to own a flash
buy the sb700 1st
that's also less likely to have issues than a lens from online

[Tommo1965]

the sigma 70-200 OS HSM is a great lens..delivering very sharp images..the HSM is also very good..if you cant stretch for a nikon 70-200 you will still have a great lens.
the Nikon is just better...sharper and with better contrast.....the VRII is not only better around the edges..but also sharper than the VR 1 at the 200 mm FL..but its a premium price.....I almost bought a sigma...but kept telling myself that I bought a nikon body so I could access their glass and for no other reason ...so with that in mind I had to buy it ;)

the 70-200 VRII coupled with my 17-35 F2.8 is all the glass I need for the Mo......and they will see me through many more bodies to come :)

[monsters]

Got your pm Enig! Cheers for the info!

[monsters]

you have to own a flash
buy the sb700 1st
that's also less likely to have issues than a lens from online

I did thought of that too cause flash always come in handy especially in indoor and low light situation!

[monsters]

the sigma 70-200 OS HSM is a great lens..delivering ...

I think I am more leaning towards Nikon vr ii instead of sigma... managed to convince my mrs. haha :D
But I agree with you on the sigma's performance. It's very good for that price!

[enigmatic]

Got your pm Enig! Cheers for the info!

no worries matey :th3:

[Sutto]

Good info, was looking at selling my 500 for either the nikon or the sigma. Will have a look for a decent used one to save costs.

[monsters]

I am still saving up...hahaha
Got given a piggy bank for my birthday recently by my colleagues ;)
I also got a SB700 from my Dad on my birthday!

[Lance B]

Can't comment on any other lenses that suit Nikon, but the 70-200 f2.8 VRII is one of the best lenses I have ever used and I can tell you I have used plenty and planty of them were the top lenses in their class. Look at my signature to see what I have now and I have also shot with Pentax (who make some of the best IQ lenses around) and some of their best lenses like the FA Limiteds, FA* zooms etc.

The thing with the 70-200 f2.8 VRII is that it is unbelievably sharp and can match and exceed many if not most primes, VR works brilliantly and focus lock is super fast and accurate. However, it must be remembered that this is when mounted on a D700 which will probably be faster than a consumer grade body. Overall IQ is stunning and you can also use TC's right up to the 2x TCIII (which is also brilliant) with little degredation in IQ which I think is a huge bonus. I can post samples of results with the TC's if you like as I think you will be mightily impressed.

[monsters]

Yes please lance. I am still thinking hard about it...haha
Thanks in advance

[Lance B]

D700 + 70-200 f2.8 VRII bare. I do not have a crop of this shot available, but the detail on the flag is amazing!:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/127044031/original.jpg

D700 + 70-200 f2.8 VRII + 1.4x TCIII:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/125159888/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/125008110/original.jpg

CROP:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/125008111/original.jpg

D700 + 70-200 f2.8 VRII + 2x TCIII:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/126211144/original.jpg

CROP of above:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/129362827/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/132886383/original.jpg

CROP of above:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/132886384/original.jpg

D7000 + 70-200 f2.8 VRII + 2x TCIII and at ISO3200!:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/131876220/original.jpg

D7000 + 70-200 f2.8 VRII + 2x TCIII @ ISO6400!!:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/131791678/original.jpg

D7000 + 70-200 f2.8 VRII + 2x TCIII @ ISO6400!!:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/131919299/original.jpg

[bxaftw]

Lance whoa, in the 2nd crop of the duck I can practically make out what you look like in the reflection from the ducks eye if i zoom in, that is impressive. Seems like an amazing lens, in my opinion it is almost always worth either fronting up with more, or saving for longer when buying lenses.

[kiwi]

Lance whoa, in the 2nd crop of the duck I can practically make out what you look like in the reflection from the ducks eye if i zoom in, that is impressive. Seems like an amazing lens, in my opinion it is almost always worth either fronting up with more, or saving for longer when buying lenses.

Yes, but not at the expense of getting out there shooting and learning. Nothing wrong with say buying a sigma 70-200 and when you reach it's limitations upgrading. You lose very little if you buy and sell in the 2nd hand market

[Lance B]

Lance whoa, in the 2nd crop of the duck I can practically make out what you look like in the reflection from the ducks eye if i zoom in, that is impressive. Seems like an amazing lens, in my opinion it is almost always worth either fronting up with more, or saving for longer when buying lenses.

Thank you for your kind words!

[monsters]

Thanks Lance for the amazing photos! They are really sharp, from droplets of water to every other details even with the TLC!
Awesome photos! Thanks for sharing