Some lens advice please......

[TonyH]

I know this has probably been discussed to death, however, I'm really quite dissatisfied with the results of my D70 (in general) and have been agonising over buying a higher end lens for quite a while now.

Can I have opinions on the merits / comparisons of the Nikon 80-200 2.8 to the Sigma 70-200 2.8 lens.

I have seen shots posted on the site here which do look very good, however we are viewing them at a size of 600x800 (LCD monitor etc)

The lens is required to take shots using a D70 which will quite often end up being used in printing (brochures, business cards etc) so sharpness and detail are my major influencing factors. Colour rendition is also a contributing quality factor, if I was to take a shot of a company office, they would of course expect their colours to be pretty close to what is on the building (when printed).

I appreciate all advice and information given.

Regards

Tony

[Oneputt]

Tony what lens do you have now? The 18-70 kit lens is excellent value for money and is really quite sharp.

[sirhc55]

Tony - my first response to your question is this: if you are dissatisfied with your D70 why ask the question re lenses!

I have been using digital SLR’s since 1994 for magazine, catalogue and poster work. In all cases, there has to be some form of PP work to reach the end game. Since changing to the D70 in June of last year I have produced many, many shots of wine bottles, not easy subjects. The D70 has held up well but I still needed to PP. I am also using a D2Hs.

I cannot make any suggestions on the 80-200 Nikkor but the Sigma 70-200mm is a very nice lens. Virtually all of the shots that I have posted, taken at minimeets, have been from the Sigma 70-200 with SB800.

Most shots that I have taken within company offices have been wide angle.

Colour, contrast and sharpness from the Sigma is excellent

[NikonUser]

I can't comment on any 70-200 lenses...

But if you require a little more reach the Sigma 100-300 f4 is a fantastic lens. Very sharp, great colour...

As was mentioned earlier though... what aren't you satisfied about with you D70? If you post some examples I'm sure people can help you get the most of what you already have...

The kit lens isn't half bad and you should be able to get some fantastic results with it.

Paul

[TonyH]

Wow! quick responses...

sirhc55: Tony - my first response to your question is this: if you are dissatisfied with your D70 why ask the question re lenses!

I'll clarify that a little more, so far the results have been quite soft and uninspiring, I'm looking to a better quality lens to rectify that.

NikonUser: I presently have the 18-70 kit lens and getting what I'd class as soft results with it (f8 and higher)

The lenses I presently have are: 18-70 kit lens, 28mm 2.8D, 28-80 g series, 35-80 4-5.6d, 35-135 3.5-4.5 macro, 50mm 1.8d, 70-210 f4, 70-300 4-5.6g series. plus sb800 flash and a number of Nikon film bodies.

[TonyH]

Paul,

thanks for that, I've tried to submit to the site before and given up. I was unable to make it work.

I do agree posting images would be a good way to go about it as there certainly are some very experienced digital photographers in here.

[NikonUser]

Tony...

Sign up for a free account at http://www.photobucket.com and upload some images there. Then it's very easy to post them on these forums..

(incase you didn't know that already)

EDIT: Or you can email me a couple and I can post them for you if you are having trouble

Paul

[DaveB]

The lens is required to take shots using a D70 which will quite often end up being used in printing (brochures, business cards etc) so sharpness and detail are my major influencing factors.

Unless you're cropping significantly these aren't particular high requirements for today's cameras.

Colour rendition is also a contributing quality factor, if I was to take a shot of a company office, they would of course expect their colours to be pretty close to what is on the building (when printed).

If you're working in an environment that's picky about colours then I assume your monitors are calibrated & profiled, and you have some understanding of the compromises you have to make with most printers (in my experience it's rare to find a printing shop with full colour management and you may have to compromise to sRGB or one of the "standard" CYMK spaces). Even if a particular camera and/or lens has a different colour behaviour this is fairly simple to manage in a colour-managed RAW workflow.

The contrast, colour, and sharpness of a particular lens are important criteria when choosing a lens, but with all of those factors there are technique issues that you should address first to make sure you're getting the most out of your current gear and thus able to make the best decision.
Are you using lens hoods appropriately? Are you shooting at apertures appropriate for the lens & focal length (too-small apertures can make it worse of course)? How's your handholding technique? Is it better on a tripod? Do you HAVE a tripod (and is it a good one?) as you don't mention it in your kit? How's your focus technique? (AF vs MF can highlight issues, including possible faults in the camera/lens). That's just a starting list off the top of my head.

Putting the camera/lens on a solid tripod and carefully working through all the possible issues is a good start. Have you done this?

[TonyH]

Hi Dave,

thank you for your reply. I do have tripod and also a monopod. They are not super expensive, but with the weight of equipment above it there is no flex.

I generally use Af with aperture priority around F8 (depending upon circumstance and end requirement).

Handholding technique I believe is ok (I've been shooting for over 25 years), I try not to handhold below /125.

Colour calibration using ICC colour profiles. For proofing we use 2 mediums firstly colour laser off an oki printer and chromalin (which the client will never be prepared to pay for of course).

All of the colour profiling in the world will not replicate (in a colour issue debate) the differences between CRT & LCD monitors and the qualities of the different brands available in the marketplace. Then of course on the press we have issues of plates which are burnt from negs and the ones utilising CTP (our preference).

With regards to many printers not having colour profiles etc. you may find this to be an issue with printers not set up to do 4 colour process work, but the ones who do the work such as ourselves are well set up.

One of the main issues that presents itself for us as printers is the workspace that the photographer uses and the fact that ulitmately the RGB file which is generally provided will need to be converted to CMYK and its much more limited pallet before printing can proceed.

We are getting a little off my initial question here which was are the Nikon 80-200 2.8 or the Sigma 70-200 2.8 good lenses compared to standard. Will they give me more sharpness and clarity and is the colour rendition consistent to what subject matter has been photographed?

Regards

Tony

[stubbsy]

Tony

Have a look at this thread which has some good real world comparisons between the Nikon 70-200 VR (a well recognised exceptional lens) and the SIgma 70-200 you refer to. HTH

[TonyH]

I had previously seen that thread, it's a little difficult to really judge with the pixel size as it is.

They both do look exceptional lenses.

T

[Oneputt]

Tony I still do not understand what is wrong with the 18-70 kit lens. It hardly came off my camera on a recent Central Australia trip (although I had a lot of other options including the 70-200VR) and believe me the images were sharp.

[LostDingo]

Tony, I'm not sure what your problem may be being new but it does sound like maybe your processing of the image after you have taken them could be where you need to concentrate. You need to create a workflow that works for you.

Second thing you may want to look at considering the number of lenses you have is maybe sell some and consolidate to one more prime lense. just a thought

[TonyH]

Oneputt I'm not really getting the results from this lens that you have. Would you be able to send me a full size image via email to have a look at?

LostDingo: I couldn't part with my lenses (or film bodies) sentimental value and the fact that you really get very little for them secondhand. But thanks for the thought.

Regards

Tony

[Escapism]

Hi Tony

Thats a list of lenses you have there!!! Just thought I would add that I own three "basic" lenses, all Nikkor (28-80mm, 50mm and 70-210mm). None are high end (in fact not even close) but I am able to produce fairly consistant pin sharp images with all three. However, EVERY picture needs PP to bring out its best....IMHO I dont think you have a lense issue.

Cheers
Escapism

[LOZ]

This shot was taken hand held with 70-210mm seems sharp to me My daughters friends hate this lens as it picks up all the blemishes (zits)
[/img]

[samester]

I know this has probably been discussed to death, however, I'm really quite dissatisfied with the results of my D70 (in general) and have been agonising over buying a higher end lens for quite a while now.

Can I have opinions on the merits / comparisons of the Nikon 80-200 2.8 to the Sigma 70-200 2.8 lens.


Tony

G'day Mate,

The kit lens can take decent sharp pics on the D70 - don't write it off just yet. Post some sample shots and seek advice - there are many wonderful and extremely helpful ppl here

As for the sigma vs nikkor - i'm getting a nikkor 80-200 soon, they're a tough lens, proven and has been relatively unchanged for years. All of the reviews appear on the whole to be quite positive. Best of all is resale - if you change your mind or lust after something else after a year or two you'll recoup much more on the nikkor than on the sigma.

I haven't handled the sigma so i can't comment on build quility or ergonomics but image quality (from the limited tests i've read) seems comparable to the corresponding nikkors.

Good luck,
Sam

[birddog114]

As said by many posts, the kit lens is a real good value Nikkor glass, not only the price but it also contributed to many great pics around here same as other forums, I don't see and never under valued this baby.

Back to Nikkor 80-200 and Sigma 70-200, get in the play with both of them, physically test it out under few conditions and you'll find the answer for yourself.
Asking/ reading/ viewing photos, reviews is just one small part of your decision, and also depend on what do you want to achieve at the end.

Both glasses are superb if they're in the right hand of a photographer, sometimes brand doesn't make history

[TonyH]

Birddog114

Back to Nikkor 80-200 and Sigma 70-200, get in the play with both of them, physically test it out under few conditions and you'll find the answer for yourself.
Asking/ reading/ viewing photos, reviews is just one small part of your decision, and also depend on what do you want to achieve at the end.

Both glasses are superb if they're in the right hand of a photographer, sometimes brand doesn't make history

Sound Advice Birddog,

however I don't know anyone with these lenses to have a play with. I would prefer Nikon lenses, but the ability to play is difficult. I have been to Photocon and Kayell here in Brisbane and they are both really quite reluctant to allow any real testing of the lenses. From Kayell you can hire the lens but that seems like a huge waste of money to me.

After some advice from the site here (thank you John D) I have been adding a considerable amount of pp to the shots with more acceptable results. I have been looking for pin sharp straight from the camera without pp. This appears to be difficult to achieve.

[birddog114]

TonyH,
Yes, I agreed and undrestood your feeling, unfortunately those Adeal or Kayell stores won't be able to serve or provide you something to test or eval. I think, the best way is try to get to the local meets with other Bris. members and try their glasses.

The advantages of Sydney's mini meet are:

We have number of glasses inhouse (if not, I can arrange from other sources) and difference camera bodies for members free to play, try or loan prior to make their own decision, I can say and confirm:none of other clubs, forums around the world can provide these benefits to their members, except the DSLRUsers.com!

Make a trip to Sydney at one of the weekend and blend in with the gangs of Sydney.

[gstark]

Tony,

Make a trip to Sydney at one of the weekend and blend in with the gangs of Sydney.

With airfares as cheap as they currently are, this is actually a very viable option.

Fly down, stay at the Formule 1 near Birddog's for a couple of nights, come to the minimeet and arrange, say, a mini might shoot (there' seem to always be someone available for this sort of activity) and have a good play with some different lenses and other hardware, and then go home and review your results.

Or come down for the Christmas dinner; we're arranging a few other activities for the weekend so that those coming from interstate can enjoy the benefits of a weekend in Sydney with DSLRUSers.com.

[TonyH]

Very, Very Tempting.......