Guys, are the old fixed aperture telephoto nikkor lens reliable? Like 80-200mm f2.8. Which version is decent enough? Or better get the third party ones? Sharpness, bokeh & etc

Thinking of selling my 50mm f1.4 & 55-200mm for it. Rarely used the 50mm lens coz it's only sharp when going above f/2 (at least for my eyes).



This post has been edited by FaezFarhan: Feb 22 2011, 12:54 AM

LMAO... that will be like at least 20kg and cost a bomb if they can make it?

Cheapest I managed to scout is RM4,450 + Nikon Bag + 8GB MC. Please do let me know if you found any better deal as I'm getting mine the week after

get 35mm f/2 la sharp at f/2. That's the reason I sold off 50mm 1.4 way back then
80-200 is sharp but lack of VR

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/11-16mm.htm

scroll to the bottom.there some example picture taken with FF with this lens

If FF, use Sigma 12-24 la. Widest available !

I don't have the nikon 50 1.4, I thought it would be sharp at f/2.

In a wedding & another event, I used a D90 with Nikon AFD 80200 f/2.8 two touch version & not the 2 previous models of the push pull version. It is sharp and built like a tank.. and it weighs like a tank too... I believe it is more durable & could withstand more hard knocks than newer lenses with SWM motor and VR.

Speed wise, newer lenses like 70200 VR & VR2 and the Sigma 70200 HSM focuses & locks focus faster. I tried an older version of Sigma 70200 HSM and it focuses really fast, & the latest version with OS would be much better I guess. Suitable for events, weddings & fast action stuffs. BUT KEEP IN MIND that the Tamron 70200 comes with a slow motor (micromotor) and focuses really slow. The Nikon 80200 is faster imo.

The older 80200 is damn nice but it is slower (don't know how much slower it is) compared to lenses with SWM/HSM motor like the 70200s. For portraits, outdoors the 80200 performs fast enough.

- If you really need the best with VR - Nikon 70200VRii or Nikon 70200VRi

- Still want fast focus with lower budget - Sigma 70200 (there's 2 current models with & without OS (VR equivalent) and if you want sigma, make sure you check the focusing because some tend to back/front focus)

- Don't really shoot fast moving objects but want tank like build quality & durability - Nikon AFD 80200 (two touch version) -NIKON-

This post has been edited by alpha_company: Feb 22 2011, 08:08 AM

sharp only at 2.2 and onwards !
Personally feel tho.

I'm shooting at f/2.8 most of the time when using the 50mm f/1.4D (friend's... back then before I bought the 70200 )

the starting point for the 80-200 would be the AF-D one ring version, around rm1.8k used.
after that i would jump straight to the 80-200 AF-S two touch...about rm4k used, ignoring the 80-200 AF-D two touch which sits in the middle of those two somewhere.

real men dont need VR

I know la. Comes in handy especially low light. Don't tell me you bring your monopod around when you shoot wedding

VR cannot stop ppl from moving around, and use flash la

when the light falls... VR will be there to help real man

wedding shots ppl want to see their faces la.
not fancy low light scenery.

and thats why some ppl drag assistants who carry tripods

VR increases your hit rate especially when going slower shutter like 1/60s when zoomed out to 200mm.

by the way, 35mm f/2 really sharper than 50mm 1.4's f2?

You don't get my point

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Added on February 22, 2011, 9:09 amBeing owner for both, I say YES ! 35/2 very sharp at f2 !

This post has been edited by KTCY: Feb 22 2011, 09:09 AM

low light scene creates the feel of wedding hall. many pro shoot pic like that, some just showing couple's back only haha

totally agree, extremely useful when you're using zoom lenses.

The more you say, the more it shows that you have no experience in shooting weddings

wow, then it's time for me to scout for a 35mm! i own a 50mm 1.4 as well, but need to stand quite far away. 35mm will be ideal.