400mm’s
- This topic has 7 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated Aug 29, 2008 at 4:24 pm by
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I’m on a quest for some fast glass and the Sigma 70-200 2.8 ex is pretty high on my list. I was thinking I could sell my 400 5.6, get the ex and a converter and have a fast 200 and still have a 5.6 400. So my question is would a 200mm 2.8 lens with a a2x converter have better IQ then a consumer grade Sigma 400mm 5.6?
Doubt it but I guess it depends on just how much of a difference there is in the bare lenses. 2x TCs while providing doubling reach, do so at a heavy price.
You want to remember that TCs reduce the light thats getting through, typcially by 1 stop for 1.4 TCs and 2 stops for 2X TCs. Secondly your adding another layer of glass. No matter how good the lens and no matter how good the TC. The IQ takes a hit. Third. Your AF speed is going to be gutted. Lastly due to the complexity zoom lenses rarely take TCs well. So while a 200 f2.8 prime with a 2x TC might fare ok, I dont know about a 70-200mm f2.8.
If your retailer carries the Sig 70-200 f2.8 go and ask to take some test shots with it and a TC.
My advice would be even though you may be buying a Sigma lens- go ahead & spend the extra money to get a Nikon teleconverter.
I have had this exact setup… first… is the 2.8 afs or gear driven?
My 2.8 gear driven 2.8 with the 2x TC would hunt like crazy… and remember that you add the extension of that tube which makes the lens longer and more prone to wiggle and makes the whole setup longer… (about as long as the nikon 2.8 80-200 AFS VR)…
The AFS type extenders work a little better.. but… nothing (IMHO) beats a prime…
BTW.. I hated the 2x TC so bad I gave it away… if you are going to use a tripod on that lens it will probably work fine.. but handheld just gave me fits…
Its gear driven. The 400mm 4.5 G is about $2500 to $3500 used. That’s just way outa my price range right now. My thoughts are to get the fastest longest lens I can afford. 200mm lenses aren’t that bad but once you go over that you better have good credit or a trust fund.
I have a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 EX. It is about 4 years old so it is not exactly the same one you would be buying. The picture quality is good, but about two years in, the matte coating under the tripod collar began peeling off. It has continued to peel and no spreading to other parts of the lens. I understand finances but with 20/20 vision, I wish I had spent the extra money and bought the Canon.
Just something else to consider.
Its gear driven. The 400mm 4.5 G is about $2500 to $3500 used. That’s just way outa my price range right now. My thoughts are to get the fastest longest lens I can afford. 200mm lenses aren’t that bad but once you go over that you better have good credit or a trust fund.
You can pickup 400 5.6’s all day on ebay for under $300.00 probably under $200… with a 2x TC you are gonna be at 5.6 anyway… trust me a gear driven 400 5.6 is gonna focus with 90% more reliability than the TC on the 2.8 200… you can pickup the 400 5.6 for less then the price of a nikon 2x TC..
I used to let my BIL use my gear driven 2.8 with the 2xtc.. while I used a 400 prime… I’d be rattling of shots while you would hear him cussing while his lens was still hunting…
Both Tokina and Sigma make decent (non-pro)400 5.6’s…
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