Sigma 400mm F/5.6 APO for $175..

[Markw]

Comes with a nikon lens case and is in excellent shape. I would use it with my D300s. Any thoughts? Good deal?

Mark

 

[Markw]

The actual question, I guess, should be would the quality be better with this lens or my Nikon 80-200/2.8D with a TC?

Mark

 

[tirediron]

For that price I'd say go for it. It's a full frame lens, so even if it's a little soft in the corners, no matter, you'll not be using them anyway.

 

[Bram]

Do it! What doy ou have to lose? It's less then 200 bones and you get 400mm! I'd do it.

 

[Markw]

Soo..I think I am gonig to go for it. Odd, though. It's white. It is going to be a little odd walking around with a white lens on a Nikon, but hey. I dont mind.

Mark

 

[Nikon_Dude]

I'd be very interested to see the results.

 

[djacobox372]

The actual question, I guess, should be would the quality be better with this lens or my Nikon 80-200/2.8D with a TC?

Mark

I onced owned a sigma 400mm apo and I my nikon 80-200/2.8d AFS with a teleconverter is just as sharp.

Although $175 is a good price for the lens, you won't lose anything if you decide to resell it.

If you're looking for a long lens on a budget I'd look for a nikon 300mm f4.5 ais. Although manual focus, it's incredibly sharp--and works great with a teleconverter.

 

[Markw]

I am trying to stay away from MF. I was looking at a Nikon 300mm F/2.8 for $750, but decided against it becasue I dont think that I would like the MF. I tried it out today with my 80-200/2.8 and I couldn't stand it with the thicket that is associated with birds.

I have got the price dropped to $165 shipped second day to my door with a 14 day guarantee on the 400/5.6 I will be sending the money tomorrow and the lens will be shipped out either tomorrow or monday. It comes with a Nikon CL-42 lens case and Hoya UV filter.

Mark

 

[MrLogic]

^ Just curious, but why didn't you go with the - apparently - clearly superior 400mm f/5.6 AF APO "Macro" version of this lens?

There's one on eBay right now, in excellent condition, albeit overpriced.

SIGMA 400mm f/5.6 AF APO TELE MACRO LENS for NIKON - eBay (item 200549722443 end time Dec-30-10 18:19:45 PST)

But you may have better luck elsewhere...

 

[Markw]

Because that is alot more than I am looking to spend on this lens. I will be getting a different, "better" supertelephoto ASAP and if I was going to spend $600+, I would only do it once. At $165, theres really not much to lose here. At $675, there's alot to lose. Especially since I probably could not resell it for that. I doubt it sells for that in the first place.

Mark

 

[MrLogic]

Especially since I probably could not resell it for that. I doubt it sells for that in the first place.

Mark

Correct. That's why I said it was overpriced and that you may have better luck elsewhere.

Or another time. They come up on eBay every so often.

 

[djacobox372]

I am trying to stay away from MF. I was looking at a Nikon 300mm F/2.8 for $750, but decided against it becasue I dont think that I would like the MF. I tried it out today with my 80-200/2.8 and I couldn't stand it with the thicket that is associated with birds.

I have got the price dropped to $165 shipped second day to my door with a 14 day guarantee on the 400/5.6 I will be sending the money tomorrow and the lens will be shipped out either tomorrow or monday. It comes with a Nikon CL-42 lens case and Hoya UV filter.

Mark

Understandable, although the manual focus on most autofocus lenses sucks compared to a purpose-built manual focus lens.

Be sure to report back with a review of the lens.

 

[Markw]

I am sure that it does, but my reaction time to focus any MF lens sucks compared to any normal homo-sapien.

Mark

 

[Markw]

Well, I just paid for the Sigma 400mm F/5.6 APO, Nikon CL-32 case, Hoya CPOL, and Hoya UV..all for $165 shipped second day air. It should be at my door Wednesday. :mrgreen: I will post photos and a review once it gets here and I have time to play with it. mrgreen: once more for new gear)

Mark

 

[benhasajeep]

And don't forget that it is actually a 600mm f/5.6 on your D300. You just got your 600 f/4.0 for $165

Yes, its not really the same thing, but a 600mm effective reach is really nice to have. Just remember the sweet spot will be a stop or two up from f/5.6.