Telephoto lens advice

[Crazydad]

I've got D60 and need to get a good zoom for mainly outdoor sports (soccer, biking, etc.). I'm looking at the Nikkor 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR but was wondering what other lenses I should look at.

My budget is about $700 max and I do need 300mm so I can cover the whole field.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

 

[Tolyk]

The Tokina 80-400 would cover that range, at the top end of your budget. It's a tack sharp lens, but with no Vibration Reduction. Also, both are slow glass.

Will the sports always be during sunlit hours?

 

[iflynething]

Will the sports always be during sunlit hours?

I was wondering the same thing. If you're going to be shooting mostly in the mid day or so, you could get away with the Tokina or a Nikon version. Like Tolyk said, though, the Tokina doesn't have VR. My VR is a monopod though.

One more thing to consider is the focusing. I'm pretty sure the D40 and 60 only support AF-S lenses. So, any old lens will not focus. You can mount it, but no focusing.

~Michael~

 

[tirediron]

I'd look around for something used in the 2.8 range such as the 80-200; 4.5 is awfully slow for sports work. There's a reason that sports photographers spend a LOT of money on glass. I know the 200 is shorter, but you can make that up by cropping, and a sharp small image is better than a soft large one.

 

[iflynething]

...and a sharp small image is better than a soft large one.

Word

~Michael~

 

[Crazydad]

Will the sports always be during sunlit hours?[/quote]


For now, yes, always during sunlit hours.

Even if I went down to 200mm, does anyone know of a faster lens near the $700 range?

 

[iflynething]

You're not going to get too awful fast in a $700 range. I"m sure Sigma or Tamron or Tokina make nice ones that are like 4.5 but to start at 2.8, you're looking in the $800 or so range. I like the Sigma 70-200 2.8 but it won't focus on the 60

~Michael~

 

[Crazydad]

Curse the budget!!!!

I appreciate the info everyone.

 

[Village Idiot]

Too bad Nikon doesn't have other versions of thier 70-200 like Canon's 70-200 f/4L for about $500. He could have gotten that and a 1.4x TC and stayed within budget as well as being able to use AF with it.

What about the 80-200 f/2.8? But that's about $1000 isn't it?

 

[andrew99]

I have a Sigma 50-150 f2.8 HSM, it's a great lens but probably not enough reach for you. Any Sigma lens with HSM will work with your camera, though, so check those out.

 

[Crazydad]

Too bad Nikon doesn't have other versions of thier 70-200 like Canon's 70-200 f/4L for about $500. He could have gotten that and a 1.4x TC and stayed within budget as well as being able to use AF with it.

What about the 80-200 f/2.8? But that's about $1000 isn't it?

Appreciate the input. I did try the Canon XTi, but it just didn't fit my hand at all. Uncomfortable to hold.

You are correct, the 80-200 2.8 is almost double the price of the 70-300. I think I'm going to check the pawn shops and be watching Craigslist. Maybe something will show up.

 

[Village Idiot]

www.fredmiranda.com

Check out the classified section there.

www.nikonians.org

Kinda sucks because you have statement on every page telling you that you should pay to become a gold member. Pretty large forum though, there might be something there. Maybe an 80-200 f/2.8 for about $750?

 

[Crazydad]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

After today, I am thinking of selling a kidney to get a 2.8. My daughter had a recital and my son had an indoor soccer game and the pics suck. Both venues were well lit, but the only way I could get a decent shutter speed was to put the ISO at 1600, and still could not completely freeze them.

I may just have to miss the fall soccer season unless I can find a good used one (relatively) cheap.

 

[icassell]

I have a Sigma 50-150 f2.8 HSM, it's a great lens but probably not enough reach for you. Any Sigma lens with HSM will work with your camera, though, so check those out.

I have the same lens and love it, and double it occasionally with a 2X TC

I bought my 100-300 f4 on ebay for $500 --- used is another way to go

 

[Crazydad]

I have the same lens and love it, and double it occasionally with a 2X TC

Do you notice any image degredation with the TC? That lens may work well for the indoor stuff. I really just need the 300mm for the outdoor games.