Need Lens Help -- ASAP!

[Peter Guy]

A friend has a Nikon D80 and several of us would like to get her a "better" zoom lens -- the Nikon equivalent of my beloved Canon f4 - 70-200mm "L" lens.

Is there such a lens for Nikon?

Does Sigma, Tamron, etc. make a lens?

I need to know ASAP!

Thanks.

 

[Eskasi]

For underwater use? A general all round zoom which would be good for situations where you are unsure of what you may see......plus a good topside general walkabout lens is

Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX Macro HSM

Tamron makes a similar version which is IMHO better but not HSM...

 

[clgsamson]

there's the Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR

 

[alcina]

Sigma makes a 50-150 2.8 which is fantastic (at least in the Canon mount - I have one and it's excellent value for money). It's also black and smaller/lighter than my Canon 70-200 2.8IS so that's nice

They also make a 70-200 2.8 which is meant to be an excellent bang for buck. I went for the 50-150 because I wanted a 2.8 with a bit wider end to compliment but still back up my 70-200.

Sigma has an 18-200 which is just one of those lenses that works. I have the old model without OS and a mate has the new version. Both are sharp and fast. Excellent for an all rounder. Mine is also really small and light, the OS version is a bit heavier, but not over the top.

All my first hand knowledge on these is for Canon mounts, but can the Nikon mounts be that different?

 

[SparticleBrane]

A friend has a Nikon D80 and several of us would like to get her a "better" zoom lens -- the Nikon equivalent of my beloved Canon f4 - 70-200mm "L" lens.

Is there such a lens for Nikon?

Does Sigma, Tamron, etc. make a lens?

I need to know ASAP!

Thanks.

If you want one 'do it all' lens, you are looking for the Nikon AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR. $678 from Amazon.

If you want something that has close to the zoom range of your Canon, there's the Nikon AF-S 55-200mm f/4-5.6G DX VR. $215 from Amazon.

To cover the 18-55mm portion that the above lens leaves out but the top lens has, you can get the Nikon 18-55mm kit lens for $115 from Amazon or Adorama. If you want the VR version you're looking at $182 from Amazon.


So, you can get the 18-200mm for almost $700, or get the 18-55mm & 55-200mm (both with VR) for just under $400 combined. Not a bad deal for the second one, although if you front another $300 to get the 18-200mm you only have to bring one lens wherever you go...

 

[SparticleBrane]

there's the Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR

I suppose you could get it from Adorama if you had $1,650 burning a hole in your pocket. :11:

 

[clgsamson]

I suppose you could get it from Adorama if you had $1,650 burning a hole in your pocket. :11:

...

 

[Peter Guy]

Thanks y'all -- but it seems like some of you did "forget" this was to be a gift to a friend and while I like her, etc., f2.8 lenses tend to be a bit pricey!

It looks like we're going to go with the 55-200 VR -- it has gotten some great reviews and is in the right price range!

 

[clgsamson]

maybe I was thinking too much of what you said, "Nikon equivalent". glass, weather seal, sharpness

 

[SparticleBrane]

It looks like we're going to go with the 55-200 VR -- it has gotten some great reviews and is in the right price range!

Hope it works out for you, Peter.