Nikon 80-400 or Sigma 150-500

[gearguru]

hello all,

i was all set in getting a sigma 150-500 OS when i was offered a mint nikon 80-400 VR. i tried to do a comparison and this is what i came up with...

sigma
- faster AF (i would presume as it is HSM)
- longer reach
- more affordable

nikon
- it is a NIKON
- better IQ (i would presume)

everything actually points out to the sigma but for those with experience with both lenses, do you think the reach of 400 is capable enough specially for birding?

look forward to your advise birding gurus

[Romy Ocon]

Jul 25, 2008 6:28:46 GMT gearguru said:

everything actually points out to the sigma but for those with experience with both lenses, do you think the reach of 400 is capable enough specially for birding?

I'd still be eating 3x a day now if 400 mm is enough for birding. ;D ;D ;D

Seriously, 400 mm specially with the small pixels of DSLRs now can be enough if you work on your stalking skills. I don't have first hand experience with these lenses, so I can't comment much, though from the results I've seen I tend to agree with your listed assessment.

[gearguru]

yeah it's the added reach of the sigma that's putting it in my top priority list. not to mention IQ is not all that bad.

haaay decisions decisions...but in your experience, say in palawan, do you think 400mm is enough? we'll go to snake island, etc. i use a D200 so more or less there's still enough room for me to crop my shots

[Romy Ocon]

Jul 25, 2008 9:34:55 GMT gearguru said:

yeah it's the added reach of the sigma that's putting it in my top priority list. not to mention IQ is not all that bad.

haaay decisions decisions...but in your experience, say in palawan, do you think 400mm is enough? we'll go to snake island, etc. i use a D200 so more or less there's still enough room for me to crop my shots

Personally, since it appears that the 80-400 VR is available for testing before you commit purchase, I'd check that out first. If that's a good copy, I'd get it...... it might be a tad slow focusing, but IQ of a good one is topnotch. I'd trade some mm and AF speed for IQ.

Here are some shots by Martin with his 80-400 VR, whose IQ looks great to me even at 400 mm wide open:

birdphotoph.proboards107.com/index.cgi?board=feature&action=display&thread=1128

birdphotoph.proboards107.com/index.cgi?board=feature&action=display&thread=919


And from JP, who's using a similar lens before he got the Sigma 500 f/4.5:

birdphotoph.proboards107.com/index.cgi?board=feature&action=display&thread=349

[Manny Illana]

Jul 25, 2008 6:28:46 GMT gearguru said:

hello all,

i was all set in getting a sigma 150-500 OS when i was offered a mint nikon 80-400 VR. i tried to do a comparison and this is what i came up with...

sigma
- faster AF (i would presume as it is HSM)
- longer reach
- more affordable

nikon
- it is a NIKON
- better IQ (i would presume)

everything actually points out to the sigma but for those with experience with both lenses, do you think the reach of 400 is capable enough specially for birding?

look forward to your advise birding gurus

i've had my 80-400VR for about 1.5 years already and am very happy with it.... don't count on it to be your "only" lens for birding though...

i'd still keep my 80-400 in case i get a 500 AFS VR version, nikkor or sigma (i actually do have a 500 but that's the reflex)

if you want long reach right up front, the 150-500 sigma OS is a real steal with its price points. i don't have any IQ comparison though.

don't think you go wrong with either but then again the sigma being a newer lens just might cut it better than the ageing nikkor.

[Teddy Regpala]

Allow me to add my two cents.

I rented the 80-400 VR before, IQ is topnotch. And I would say now that the VR works.
400mm for birding is not enough. Maybe fine for big birds, or if you can get real close.
The 80-400 VR is light, and very hand holdable.
The thing is, AF is slow as it still uses the screwdriver-type slot. With the D300's better motor, it can be adequate. Not sure about the D200 though.
I've used the D300/80-400 VR combo for an airshow, and they rock. They can track the fast flying Blue Angels pretty well, at the speed of sound. But jets are more predictable than birds, that's the thing. Birds fly randomly wherever they decide.

I almost bought a used 80-400, but the seller bailed out. And I don't want to buy a new one, as the lens is old (lacking AFS), and the VR needs to be upgraded to VRII.
Also, this lens is not compatible with the newer Nikon TCs.

I needed a long lens for a trip last May, and the Sigma was not available back then. So I settled for the AFS 300/4. And I'm glad I did it.

I'm also interested with the Sigma still, as the price is just right.
But seeing user reviews of the Sigma, I'm not sure if I'm going to be happy with it's IQ at the long end. Sure, it has HSM (fast motor for AF), and OS (stabilizer, like IS or VR), and the reach (500mm).

So, it's still up to you. If you'll be satisfied with the Sigma's IQ, then go for it. It's still good though. You'll get what you paid for though. A good support (tripod/monopod, and head) and long lens techniques are mandatory, so you won't be disappointed. You can process the images in PS to make up for the Sigma's shortcomings.

Or, you can try the Nikon first, and see if you'll be ok with it's speed and reach. Use it, then sell it later. With Nikons, you can easily get your money back. So it's just like you rented it.

There you go. It's not much, but I hope you'll feel better.

Good luck, and most of all ... happy birding!

[Teddy Regpala]

By the way, you'll never be satisfied with what you have. If you have 400, you'll want 500. If you have a 500, you'll want to go 600mm, so on and so forth. You get the drift.

So whatever you eventually decide on, use it, enjoy it, and make the most out of it. Then you'll be happy.
If financials permit, then time to upgrade.

Have fun.

[Ed Matuod]

Ted's right, you'll keep on aiming for the longer reach. There's no satisfaction. Then there's converters but IQ and AF suffer on some cameras. And here come Photoshop, the savior. If the wallet permits, am aiming for the new 800 5.6, but that's another story. For now, had to enjoy what I've got.

[gearguru]

thanks for all your feedback guys...i was really leaning toward the sigma but your responses really made the nikon the clear choice for me. given i'm just starting might as well settle for the 400mm reach of nikon and learn from there

i was actually able to test the nikon lens this morning (sigma is still not yet available in nikon mount in jt will validate the IQ when i get home tonight. other than that i believe everything about the lens is good (handling, physical condition, etc).